What Fence is Best for a Lakefront Property?

Lakefront living is all about a laid-back lifestyle, soaking in the sun and hanging out on the beach or your boat during the warmer months of the year. A worry that you can cut away is the fencing around your property. Living lakeside does not mean that you do not want a perimeter to your property, but you also do not want to work on maintaining your fencing material. Life on the lake can bring more moisture, dampness and weather elements to your fence and property than living inland. There are certain types of fencing materials that work better than others and we explore those selections here. 

• Vinyl or PVC fencing. A main element that you need for lakefront property fencing is its ability to withstand wind, rain and other weather. Our team at Fence Masters provides PVC fencing that is made up of rigid and flexible materials. UV inhibitors and additional additives can help protect your fencing from wear and tear from the sun and wind. But the material is also able to flex enough to prevent cracking and breaking. We are honored to be an original vinyl fence manufacturer in our Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana region. Another benefit of vinyl fence panels is that it can help keep critters and other lakefront animals out of your space and off your property.
• Aluminum fencing: This choice can add a stylish element to your property while also being a way to maintain your perimeter and keep invaders of the four-legged variety away. It will need to be inspected to ensure that it is staying at its best. An aluminum fence still allows you to take in your lakefront views, which is why you live where you live.
• Gates add access: Consider having points of access to your property that allows you to walk down to the lakeside. Our Fence Masters crew can review with you the best placement of any gates, so that you can enjoy your access to the water while remaining safe and secure.

Keep These in Mind When Installing a Lakefront Property Fence

Living by a body of water definitely affects the location of your new fence. You need an expert to review where a fence can be installed safely and where it will last a long time. Also, the fence’s proximity to water can make a difference to its lifespan no matter what material you select. Water can be destructive to fencing when it is constantly battered by spray or waves.

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Today, we’ll go over what maintenance tasks you should follow in order to care for your aluminum fence.

Aluminum fences come with plenty of appeal and durability. There’s a reason that there are so many homeowners who turn to aluminum as their fencing material of choice. Something else great about them is that they don’t require too much maintenance; however, there are still some maintenance procedures you need to get done. Without proper maintenance, your fence isn’t going to perform as well as it should. Today, we’ll go over what maintenance tasks you should follow in order to care for your aluminum fence.

Aluminum Fence Cleaning

Over time, an aluminum fence can become susceptible to collecting dirt and dust, as well as a few grass clippings here and there. This means you should take time to clean your fence occasionally. A garden hose is a good tool to use for all of these kinds of messes.

Maintenance

The maintenance needed to take care of an aluminum fence isn’t a lot. All it takes is a couple of simple tasks with some prevention measures to avoid having your fence get damaged. Don’t put anything heavy against your fence so that it can’t handle the weight. Make sure that posts are always firmly placed into the ground. Don’t let anyone play on your fence because it is not meant to be used for recreational purposes. Lastly, see if you have any loose screws every year.

Repairs

We might try our best to avoid having our fences get damaged. Unfortunately, we can only do so much, and certain factors, such as the weather, can end up damaging our fence despite our best efforts to protect it.

Depending on what kind of damage your fence sustains, it could become a safety hazard to pets and children. If you have any damage on your aluminum fence, you need to get it repaired immediately. A professional fencing company should help you with the repairs to ensure that no mistakes are made during the repair process.

The post Tips for Aluminum Fence Repair and Maintenance appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Before you dive into choosing the first fence color you like, read on for a list of things not to do!

Your fence is a very important component of your curb appeal, as well as being an important part of the safety and security of your home. Fences ensure the safety of your family and pets, provide privacy, and may even increase your home’s value. This is all dependent on the fence complementing the rest of your home, however, which means the style, size, and color of the fence are all important considerations. Before you dive into choosing the first fence color you like, read on for a list of things not to do!

Don’t Dive In Without Research

While this may be a project that you want done yesterday (especially if it has been on your to-do list for a while), it is a bad idea to rush in without research. The first thing you’ll have to consider is if you want to stain or paint. If your vision for your fence is a bold, totally opaque color, then paint is likely your best choice. However, once you paint, you cannot easily come back to staining (it’s possible if you sand down the entire fence, but that is an extreme job). Transparent and semi-transparent stains (clear or tinted) can last 2-3 years before they fade or need to be reapplied. Solid stains last 3-5 years. Paint lasts longer, but it still needs upkeep. Most people progress through these options as the fence ages, so you may find that you want to start with little to no color at first. Take time making the decision. If you’re putting in a new vinyl fence, however, you won’t need to stain or paint it – the color you choose now is the color you will have.

Don’t Automatically Opt For A Trend

Just because your neighbor put up a beautiful cedar fence doesn’t mean you can stain your oak fence orange and get the same result. Likewise, choosing a neutral shade that is popular online but doesn’t coordinate with the colors of your house will look thrown-together and disorganized. Start by assessing the colors in your home, especially external trim colors, and build from there.

Don’t Assume You Have To Color It

Just because you can color a wood fence doesn’t mean that you have to. Letting wood age and weather naturally can achieve beautiful and striking results. It may decrease the overall lifespan of your fence, but if you know that there is no way you will be able to maintain the stain or color of your fence, this is a reasonable choice.

Don’t Forget Landscaping

Plan your landscaping while planning your fence. There is a possibility that a hedge could be a better solution than a fence for you. If not, think about the flowers that you hope to have and the colors that you want to see in your yard. If you’re picturing a riot of poppies, don’t opt for that orange fence – they’ll get lost.

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Winter weather can vary from above and below normal temperatures to ice, rain or snow. An ice storm is typically a weather event where freezing rain is falling as temperatures are on the precipice of freezing to above freezing. Ice will often form on trees, cars, streets and your roof. While ice storms can be hazardous to drivers and walkers, what can they do to your fence? How can you help your fence stay at its best?

Wood Fencing

1. Moisture can be enemy No. 1 for your wood fencing. Maintaining your paint and stain seal will help create a tough barrier against the water that comes from ice, rain and snow. Take a close look at your fence at various intervals throughout the season to ensure that there are not any areas for concern.
2. After a particularly strong storm, make sure to remove any branches or limbs that have fallen on your fence to prevent any damage. Also, gently brush off build-ups of snow or ice with a broom when weather permits.
3. If you are noticing that water is not beading on your wood panels during the winter, then add a spring project to your to-do list: repaint or restain your fence to keep it at its best for years.

Vinyl Fencing

1. The concern with this type of fencing material is potential damage from ice or snow. As with any maintenance strategy, taking the time to look at your fence carefully is the first line of defense. Stroll along your fence line in the snow and utilize a broom gently as necessary, being careful not to scratch it up.
2. While you may be tempted to hang seasonal decorations on your fencing, remember that these add weight and crevices for weather elements to build up. If you do decorate your fence, take even more time to keep an eye on it.

Aluminum Fencing

1. Aluminum is similar to vinyl as there are really no concerns about rot or insect damage. But you should watch out for how ice or snow can weigh down your panels. Also, shifting soil at your fence’s base may cause instability. 
2. If you have a large pile of snow or buildup of ice near or on your fence, take care to clear it as soon as you can to prevent damage.

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Follow these tips to avoid the mistakes and get the most out of your beautiful, new garden fence.

Good fences make good neighbors, according to some, but good fences also make safe kids, controlled pets, and secure property. If you’re pondering getting a fence for your property, rest assured that it is likely a wise investment since adding a fence can improve curb appeal and increase property value. If, however, you make any of these mistakes when adding new garden fencing, you may not realize the full value of your fence that you could. Follow these tips to avoid the mistakes and get the most out of your beautiful, new garden fence.

Check The Rules

You need to check all of the potential rules that govern your property. For instance, there may be city, county, or even state laws about the fencing height, material, or proximity to streets and sidewalks. Even if you’re clear on all that, there may be HOA rules about the fencing that is allowed – or even if putting up a fence is permitted at all. Finally, do your research about the type of permitting required for the fence you want.

Know Your Property

Fences more often than not sit on the property line unless there is a law restricting that. If you’re replacing an old fence, that fence is likely on your property line. If you’re not, you may need to have someone come out to mark the property line for you. It would be really bad to erect a new fence only to have to take it down because it was actually on your neighbor’s property. Save the time, money, and hassle of this by learning exactly where your property line is first.

Measure Twice, Buy Once

Measure your fence line meticulously and plan exactly what you will need for the fence. While you don’t want to excessively overbuy in materials, you also don’t want to be caught short and then have to spend extra time and money waiting on additional materials.

Use The Right Tools And Materials

Finally, use the right tools and materials for your needs. Galvanized nails resist rusting. Vinyl fencing panels are user-friendly to install yourself. Iron fencing can last you for quite a while, but should be installed by a professional. Don’t settle for less than what actually meets your needs just to save a little bit of money up front because it will eventually cost you more.

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Here are ways to make your fencing more attractive.

People set up fences for different reasons. For many people, the purpose of a fence is to provide protection to different aspects of their home and yard. In other situations, however, the primary function of the fence is meant to be its aesthetic appeal. Creating a fence that is pleasing to the eye takes some thought, but fortunately, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are ways to make your fencing more attractive.

Choose the Right Paint

Paint not only makes your fence look better but it also adds a layer of protection against sun damage. Many people will elect to use white paint on their fences. It’s a timeless classic that has been a go-to option for decades. For some homes, though, white might not be the ideal color. Keep your home’s color in mind as well, and go with a color that is complementary to your house. For example, black can offer a beautiful color contrast to a house that is white in color.

Consider Adding Flowers and Planters Around Your Fencing

Perhaps you already enjoy the color of your fence, but you aren’t quite satisfied yet. If this is the case, you can further enhance your fencing with a little bit of greenery. By adding the right planters and flowers around your fence, you can give it the extra boost in appearance that you want.

Plants can add more life to your fence, and you can switch which plants you use so that you can try out many different fencing looks. For those using over-the-top planters, let your neighbors know first, and be sure they’re okay with you using them. Also, be sure that the flowers you use are suitable for your climate.

Climbing Vines

Vines can be used to add a layer of elegance to your fencing.  They can be the perfect feature, especially for those who enjoy giving their properties a more rustic look. Vines are also able to make your property seem more mysterious, wondering what secrets could be resting on the other side of the fence. On top of that, vines don’t take long to grow, so you can get the appearance you want in no time at all.

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Today, we’re going to explain what can be done to help your fencing endure whatever snow may fall.

During the winter, it’s to be expected that snow is going to come up in your forecast at some point. This can impact many aspects of your outdoor landscape, including any fence you have. You want your fence to be as prepared as it can be before snow starts to fall. Today, we’re going to explain what can be done to help your fencing endure whatever snow may fall.

Repair Any Damage Your Fencing Currently Has

A damaged fence is going to have a worse chance of enduring the snow than a fence that is sturdy and strong. That’s why you should fix all damage your fencing has before the snow starts falling. See if there are any parts of your fence that are broken or if you see rust, rot, or other signs of damage. These problems should be fixed in order to give your fence the best chance of survival.

For Wooden Fencing, Make Sure the Wood is Protected

The temperatures are much colder in the winter. This means that there aren’t as many warm days to keep your wood dry, which would otherwise prevent rotting and mold from occurring. To give your fencing extra protection against the cold temperatures of winter, you should give it a fresh coat of paint. This not only makes your fence safer during winter, but it also makes your fencing look nicer.

Watch Over Your Fence Posts

Snow adds moisture to the ground, and this causes soil to loosen up near the bottoms of your fence posts. For this reason, monitoring your fence posts is important to ensure they are secure at all times.

If you suspect they need to be given more stability, you could add post caps, which protect the tops of your posts and minimize the damage that your fence would suffer from the top. You could also add post spikes to give your fence more overall stability.

The post Making Sure Your Fencing Can Endure the Snow appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Find out if pre-made fencing panels or individual fencing pickets are better for your fence.

If you’re considering replacing your fence or installing one for the first time, you know that many thoughts are put into the decision. A solid fence can provide safety and security for your property and family. It can also offer privacy and help create a calm oasis in your yard by blocking out unwanted sights and sounds. Depending on your needs for the fence, you have many different choices about fencing material, fence height, fence style, and more. You will also need to decide if you’re going to hire a professional or go the DIY road and install it yourself. Both have their good traits and bad ones, but if you do decide to DIY, there will be one more decision to make. You’ll have to decide if you’re using pre-made fence panels or individual pieces, such as single pickets, to construct your fence. Read on to learn more.

What Is Available?

Depending on which type of fence you want, you may have more or less to choose from in terms of fencing panels or pieces. For instance, vinyl fencing is usually available as panels, though vinyl pickets are sometimes available individually. Wood is available as panels and pieces, whether for a picket fence or a privacy fence. Metal fencing is usually also assembled into panels. Even for the materials where you could use individual pieces to build your own panels, you have to ask yourself if the time and energy spent to do it is really worth the cost savings.

Which Is Better?

There isn’t anything wrong with buying the individual pieces and build your fence from scratch, so to speak, but it takes much more time and energy on your part to do it that way. Sometimes people assume that they will pay less for the materials this way or that they will have more freedom for their specific vision of the fence. While this may be true, is the extra workload justified? Pre-assembled fencing panels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, though the most common width is 8 feet. Even using panels, you still get to choose your fence material, fence height, and fence style, and for the most part, the quality of the panels is likely to be better than what you do on your own, unless you have fencing experience. Ultimately, you’re still installing the fence and for most people doing the work of setting the posts and attaching the panels is hard enough without the added work of constructing the panels yourself.

Pre-Made Fencing Panels Vs. Individual Fencing Pickets appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Today, we will review the best ways to get snow off of your fence.

In the United States, we’ll be dealing with snow while the winter season is in full motion. This means your yard is going to likely be covered in a white blanket of it at some point this season. This is perfectly fine for the most part, but some parts of your yard are best without snow, and your fence is one such area. Today, we will review the best ways to get snow off of your fence.

Start by Establishing a Catch Area

The snow has to go somewhere once it’s off of your fence, so knowing where the snow should go is the first step you should take. Wherever you decide to put this spot, make sure it isn’t too close to your fence. You don’t want the snow to potentially fall back onto your fence later. It’s also best to establish this location at a good distance away from pathways and driveways, among other important spots around your yard.

Get Snow Away From Your Fence Line

If you get enough snow around your yard, then eventually, it’s going to start piling up on your pathways and other areas around your landscape. It’s important that snow be kept away from your fence line because you don’t want your fence to absorb moisture and increase the chances of warping and rotting.

There’s an inch-for-inch rule that should be followed. For every inch of snow you have, the distance between your fencing line and the snow should be just as many inches. As an example, if there are 5 inches of snow on the ground, then the snow should be taken 5 inches away from the fencing line.

Distribute All of the Snow Evenly

You don’t want piles of snow to get too high. After snow melts, your yard absorbs it, and this allows the grass to make use of the water once we get to spring. Letting all parts of your lawn get equal levels of water allows all parts of your yard to get equally prepared for the spring season, which is why snow should be spread out evenly throughout your landscape.

The post How to Properly Remove Snow From Your Fence appeared first on Hercules Fence.

The decision on what fence material to install at your home is all about weighing many factors that may be important to you – from maintenance and cost to look and longevity. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, the time and effort down the road to maintain your fence is often a key part of […] The post appeared first on Fence Masters