Common Issues You Can Encounter With Your Fence

Here are some of the problems your fence will likely experience throughout its lifetime.

Fences can serve many purposes, depending on the type you build. They can be used for added privacy, keeping children and pets inside, so they don’t get into danger or keeping unwanted guests out. Now, while you might take excellent care of your fence, it will eventually run into issues. With constant exposure to the weather, it’s only a matter of time until your fencing needs to get repaired or replaced. Here are some of the problems your fence will likely experience throughout its lifetime.

Fence Posts, Leaning Fences, and Fallen Panels

Once your fencing takes enough damage from the weather, don’t be surprised if it starts to lean to one side or if paneling starts falling off. It’s especially important to check for these problems after heavy storms.

Identifying the reason for leaning fencing and loose paneling is the most important step towards remedying the problem. Sometimes, it isn’t the weather causing the issue. It can sometimes have to do with your soil, while other instances could be caused by weakened fencing posts.

Stained or Mildewed Fencing

This problem can happen to wood and vinyl fences. When your fence gets stained or mildewed, it can start to slowly fall apart over time. The best approach to addressing and solving this problem is to use some mild soap and water to clean your fence if it’s made from vinyl. A pressure washer is preferred for wooden fences. Also, if you have wooden fencing, adding a stain for an additional layer of protection goes a long way.

Rot and Pest Damage

For wooden fences, you’ll have to deal with pests trying to get inside of your fence. It’s important to deal with pest problems before you try repairing or replacing your fence. If you don’t, pests can simply continue wreaking havoc on your fencing and cause future problems.

Rotting is a problem that varies in intensity depending on the wood you use. Having a fence made from rot-resistant wood such as cedar can help minimize this problem. You can also take matters to address the problem yourself by sealing your fence every few years to give it extra protection.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Common Issues You Can Encounter With Your Fence appeared first on Hercules Fence.

To help you decide whether or not to install ornamental iron fencing, here are the pros and cons of getting this fencing installed.

Ornamental iron fencing has become increasingly popular over the years, and not without good reason. They work best with many people’s properties, providing them with ample protection for their buildings. While they have their downsides, there’s a lot to enjoy about these fences. To help you decide whether or not to install ornamental iron fencing, here are the pros and cons of getting this fencing installed.

Pro: Durability

Ornamental iron fencing has a reputation for being sturdy and dependable. This makes these fences suitable for areas that see a lot of activity, whether it be from pets or small children playing outside. It’s also helpful to have a durable fence when the weather gets intense.

Con: Less Privacy

While these fences look pretty, ornamental iron fencing doesn’t do much to protect your privacy. The fence will have gaps in them that let people see through it. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, however, because you’ll have the perfect chance to show off your yard to your neighbors.

Pro: Aesthetic

Like we said before, ornamental iron fencing is pleasing to the eye. It comes in many different styles to suit whatever type of building you have. Whether you have a classical looking place or you’re looking to modernize your property, ornamental iron fencing can give you the aesthetic you want.

Con: Maintenance

Ornamental iron fences have a stunning look to them, but you’ll need to put some effort into maintaining your fence if you want to keep that look. Iron fences are prone to rusting if you’re not careful. You also have to make sure it doesn’t get dented or damaged in any other way. Maintenance for your fence can also accumulate a few costs, so you’ll need to put a little money aside to take care of your fence even after you’ve installed it.

Pro: Resilience Against Pests

Contrary to wooden fences that various bugs can destroy, ornamental iron fencing can hold its own against pests. This means you won’t have to spend money repairing your fence from damage caused by insects. However, if you see any larger pests lurking, a wire mesh can be added to your fence’s bottom for added safety.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post The Good and Bad About Ornamental Iron Fencing appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Installing a wrought iron fence is a great way to add curb appeal to your home and even raise the property value. Elegant and timeless, ornamental wrought iron protects your property while elevating the look of your home. When properly maintained, these fences can last for many years, but do you know how to care for your ornamental fence?

• Inspect your fence regularly. At least once a year, walk the length of your fence, looking for any signs of rusts, chips, nicks, or scratches, missing caps, or broken or bent hardware. When you do an annual inspection, you’ll find these potential problems before they become unmanageable.
• Keep it clean. You can use dishwashing detergent or car soap, using a small brush to reach awkward areas, and rinsing with the garden hose once it’s clear of dust, dirt, bugs, and debris. In places where the sun doesn’t completely dry the fence, use a cloth to dry it thoroughly and prevent rusting. After it’s washed and dried, consider applying a gel-type car wax or a sealant to add further protection.
• Watch for rust spots. Rust is a danger for wrought iron fences, and if left on the fence, it can cause significant damage. If you see spots of rust, sand them off and paint over them.
• Mind the vegetation. Plants and vines on and around the fence can look attractive and provide additional privacy, but they can also erode your fence’s paint and sealant. Talk to your fence installer about the plants that won’t trap moisture, cause damage, or warp and bend your fence.
• Position your sprinklers carefully. Sprinklers that spray water onto the fence can contribute to rust and corrosion.
• Repair, replace, and paint. The secret to keeping your ornamental wrought iron looking good is to fix problems the moment you’re aware of them. In addition to addressing rust spots immediately, replace or repair any damaged, bent, or rusting hardware. When your fence begins to look dull or faded, give it a fresh coat of paint, first sanding down any imperfections. While wrought iron fences are commonly painted black, consider giving yours a more interesting look by choosing white, turquoise, red, green, or bronze, depending on which hue complements your house and yard.

With the right care, ornamental wrought iron fences can last nearly indefinitely, but when your fence seems to need ever-increasing maintenance, it may be time to replace it. When you’re ready for a new fence, call Paramount Fence Inc. for professional installation. A full-service fence sales and installation business in the Chicagoland area, with more than half a century of combined experience, we’re dedicated to providing creative and affordable solutions that address our clients’ needs and fulfill their requests. Paramount Fence Inc is a member of the American Fence Association and a registered member of the Better Business Bureau. For more information, call us at 630.239.2714 or contact us through our website.

The post How to Care For Your Ornamental Fence appeared first on Paramount Fence.

While sometimes a simple repair is all that it takes, there are times when you need to get a new fence. Replacing your fence is a worthy investment that will pay off in the years to come. Kickstart your installation project with Fence Masters! We offer the best fence installation services in Chicago Heights. You can depend on us for all of your residential and commercial fencing needs. 

Initial Consultation With a Fencing Company

As tempting as it may be to try and install a fence on your own, DIY fence installation is hardly ideal. There’s simply too much to take care of for you to do the job alone, especially if it’s not something you’ve done before. Leave the job to our professionals! We will set up your new fence quickly while prioritizing your satisfaction.  

Once you’ve called us, it’s time to set up an appointment and examine the space where we’ll be installing your fence. No two fencing projects are exactly the same, after all. Your property is unique and is subject to specific codes and rules, among other things. 

Zoning Guidelines

Whether your project is residential or commercial, you have to follow the rules. For instance, if you live in a neighborhood, then chances are your options are limited. Most neighborhoods have regulations for the height of your fence, its color, and other properties. This is especially true for homeowners associations, where you may only be allowed to install a single kind of fencing. 

For our commercial clients, be sure to check city zoning guidelines. Each city has its own rules for your fence, like its proximity to utilities such as power lines and sidewalks. You don’t want to ignore these rules since it can mean the difference between a new fence and having to take it down after all of that time and work. Our team will review these guidelines with you to confirm we looked at everything. 

Place Posts

After we’ve taken the necessary preparations, it’s time to install your fence! This can be a timely process, depending on how big of a project we have in store. While we install your fencing quickly, we do it with quality in mind. A rushed job is never good: we take the time to ensure each and every post is firmly in place, with end results impeccable. We begin by placing the fence’s posts in their proper place and then install the rest. 

Of course, the process is different depending on the type of fencing. You can expect the job to take a day or two, with some installation done in a single day and more extensive projects completed in several. We truly want the best for you, so we work efficiently without disrupting your schedule while accomplishing neat, tidy work. 

Final Examination

Before we leave, we give everything a once-over to confirm your fence is ready to go. We’re available if you happen to encounter an issue, or if you need our assistance for any reason. 

No fence installation job is complete without Fence Masters. Let us handle your project from start to finish! We offer some of the best services in the area, so our assistance will come in handy. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to working on your project!

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If you’re struggling to decide on either wood or vinyl fencing, here are some comparisons to make the choice easier.

What product will be best for a new fence? To answer this question, you have to consider many factors. What weather will it have to endure? What’s the lifespan of your material? Can it handle pests, rotting, and decay? The material used for your fencing will determine how much mileage and enjoyment you get from it. For many homeowners, they choose between wood and vinyl fencing. Both have their merits and shortcomings. If you’re struggling to decide on either wood or vinyl fencing, here are some comparisons to make the choice easier.

Maintenance

Wood fencing is often more demanding. After the installation, you have to repaint and restain it to keep your fence presentable. You’ll also have to deal with warping and rotting, which will often require you to replace damaged boards.

Vinyl fencing requires nearly no maintenance at all. The most you’ll likely have to do is use a hose to keep it clean. Besides that, your fence can hold its own for a long time without you having to put forth too much effort.

Cost of Wood Vs. Vinyl Fencing

This topic has multiple layers to it. Wood fencing has a lower upfront cost to it, making it perfect for short-term use. However, if you’re going to have a wood fence for many years, the costs will start piling up over time. You’ll have to pay to replace boards as they get damaged, and there will also be costs for paint and staining over the years.

Vinyl fencing is more expensive initially. However, once the installation is complete, you won’t have to worry about additional expenses down the road.

How Wood and Vinyl Fencing Look

Very few fences rival the appearance of a classic wooden fence. Wood has been used for fences for many years, and it’s no secret why. They have a traditional American feel to them, and they can easily make your building more warm and inviting. As long as you’re willing to put in the work to take care of your fence, your outdoor landscape will have a captivating look to it for years to come.

Vinyl fencing also has the ability to look stunning. It now comes in many different styles and colors. Some fences can even replicate the appearance of wood, so you don’t have to miss out on that traditional look.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Deciding on Wood or Vinyl Fencing appeared first on Hercules Fence.

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Here are the main problems that come with DIY fence installations, and why professional help is needed.

DIY fence installations can be amazing! You get that feeling of accomplishment from tackling a project yourself. Once the project is complete, you can take pride in saying that you handled everything on your own. Unfortunately, this is not usually how DIY projects play out, and you will need to get professional help for your project.

More often than not, DIY fence installations don’t go as planned. People get their hopes up that they will be able to do everything they set out to do, but they may overlook some problems that can pop up that stop them from completing their project. Here are the main problems that come with DIY fence installations, and why professional help is needed.

Building the Wrong Type of Fence

You have to do a lot of research before installing a fence, and it’s easy to mess up which materials you need for the installation. You have to think about many things, such as zoning restrictions and what could be hazardous to your fence.

Getting professional help is often best because a fencing company will understand all of the restrictions in your area. They’ll likely ask you questions as well, such as whether animals need to be kept inside or outside of the fence. Fencing companies will use all of the information about your area to determine which fence is best for you.

Not Anchoring Down Anchor Posts to the Proper Depth

Your posts are what give your fence strength. It’s important to know how deeply the posts need to be planted. Your posts also have to be braced for whatever type of fence you get. Many people who try installing fences themselves will attach the fence prematurely, causing the whole structure to fail. With professional help from a fencing company, you won’t run into this problem.

Installing a Fence Beyond Your Own Property

This problem can get messy before long if your neighbor isn’t very understanding. You should never install anything of yours on someone else’s property, but some people don’t pay attention to where their property ends, and a neighbor’s property begins.

With professional help from a fencing contractor, you’ll get the help you need to clarify your property borders so that you don’t unintentionally anger your neighbors.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Problems With D.I.Y. Fence Installations That Prove Professional Help is Best appeared first on Hercules Fence.

One of the great things about installing a new fence is that you have the opportunity to increase your curb appeal. Because of that, the color you stain it is extremely important. Your fence greatly impacts the look of your property, so you want it to beautifully complement your home and landscaping. How do you choose the right color?

• First, of course, you should consider the rest of your property. Look at the colors on other structures, including your house, deck, pergola, or any other structures you may have on your property. Choosing a fence stain color that matches or at least complements the colors of these other elements can make sure it doesn’t look out of place. Choosing to paint the fence to match the trim color on the outside of the house is another perfectly viable option.
• Remember that stains can look different in a sample than they’ll eventually look on your fence. First, you’ll want to test the stain color on the wood you’re planning to stain, because the color may be different than the in-store wood swatch. If you have wood scraps left over, that’s perfect, but if not, look for an inconspicuous testing area. Remember that stains fade over time, so the color you choose should be one that will still look right with the other structures, even after it’s faded to a lighter hue.
• Lighting and area have an impact on the stain color as well. The fluorescent lighting of a hardware store is not going to give you a true feel for how a stain or paint will look once it’s in your home environment. Consider whether the area you’re staining is in sun or shade, and look at the stain in the exact light where it will eventually be installed.
• Size matters when it comes to choosing a color. Color on a small swatch is going to look different than when that color is applied to a large fence. Bear in mind that dark colors tend to make small spaces look smaller, and lighter colors make areas look larger and more spacious.
• Don’t forget your HOA. If your neighborhood has a homeowner’s association or neighborhood association, there are probably rules in place regarding approved stain colors. Do your research, to avoid having to strip your fence and redo it because you chose a color that’s against the rules.

If you’re ready for a new fence, call Paramount Fence Inc. for professional installation. A full-service fence sales and installation business in the Chicagoland area, with more than half a century of combined experience, we’re dedicated to providing creative and affordable solutions that address our clients’ needs and fulfill their requests. Paramount Fence Inc is a member of the American Fence Association and a registered member of the Better Business Bureau. For more information, call us at 630.239.2714 or contact us through our website.

The post What Color Should You Stain Your Fence appeared first on Paramount Fence.