Why a Vinyl Fence is the Best Option for Winter

Today, we’ll be explaining why getting a vinyl fence is a smart choice for the winter season.

The cold weather is in full swing now, and that means you’ll be experiencing plenty of snow and hail as the weeks pass by. Even so, you might still be thinking about getting new installations done for your landscape, especially since many companies aren’t as busy during the winter season. One thing you might be thinking about getting is a new fence, but with so many materials to choose from, you might be struggling to determine what type of fence to get. We advise that you use vinyl fencing, especially during winter. Today, we’ll be explaining why getting a vinyl fence is a smart choice for the winter season.

You Don’t Need to Paint Them

Any time you can cut down on maintenance, it works to your benefit. What’s great about a vinyl fence is that you won’t have to add more paint or stain, something that can’t be said for iron or wood fences. Your vinyl fence will be resistant to chipping, fading, and peeling, even during the harsh winter weather.

A Vinyl Fence Has Weather Resistance

While moisture may cause problems for other fences, such as wooden and chain-link ones, a vinyl fence won’t have any issues. Vinyl fences can handle practically any weather condition thrown their way. This makes them much safer investments that will last you for years down the road.

There are Plenty of Design Options

No one like the maintenance that comes with wooden fences, but perhaps you like how these fences look, and that’s what making you consider installing one. Before you make a decision, though, we want to let you know that vinyl fencing has plenty of design options, including ones that replicate the look of other fences. This way, you can have whatever look you want while still having the benefit of a maintenance-free fence.

Vinyl Fencing Has Longevity

The durable nature of vinyl fencing allows it to last for years. This means you’ll get plenty of value out of your investment. It also means you won’t have to replace your fence as often, which saves you time and money later on.

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There are many fence decorations you can consider using during the holiday season.

A big part of celebrating the winter holidays is being able to decorate your yard and show off your festive side to everyone around you. One way you can get into the festive spirit is by decorating your fence. While it may not be the first area around your house that you would think to decorate, there are plenty of ways to get your fence looking good for the holidays. Here are some fence decorations you can consider using during the holiday season.

Festive Lights

Lights are a classic, and they serve well as fence decorations that can let people know you’re in a festive mood. You can get lights in many different colors, allowing you to achieve whatever aesthetic you want for your landscape. It’s also nice that lights are fairly easy to install on your fence, so they’re the perfect idea if you don’t have a lot of time for decorating. You even have the benefit of making your yard visible at night. When you consider that the sun sets earlier during winter, it’s great when you have lights along your fence to keep your yard looking beautiful, even after sunset.

Wreaths

Wreaths are also among the easier fence decorations you can pick. There are wreaths you can purchase in stores, or you could make one yourself. Either way, they add more visual appeal to your fence, and allow you to show your festive side in a simple, yet effective manner. Just make sure to space your wreaths out so that your fence doesn’t appear too cluttered. You also want to be sure they are securely fastened so that they don’t get knocked down by the weather.

Wooden Letters

One of the other fence decorations you can try is the use of wooden letters to spell out festive messages. Because you can pick whatever letters you please, you can express your joy for whatever holiday you may be celebrating. There are even letters that have lights on them, so your holiday messages can be seen at nighttime.

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Your fence needs some TLC even when it is hidden behind any layers of snow during the winter months. Keeping your fence looking good year after year and extending its life means that you should work on it at some point during every season.

Check out some main maintenance tips for your fence that can help it last through another winter and beyond.

Wood Fence Winter Tips

Wood fencing continues to be a popular choice for residential fencing as it has a natural beauty that can also offer privacy. If you have wood fencing, check it out thoroughly as the days get colder and before too much snow starts piling up. If you see any rotting pieces or major damage, address it sooner vs. later. Our team at Fence Masters offers repair services for all types of fencing that we’ve installed. If your fence is good to go but has some dirt or debris visible, then pressure wash it or use a mild soap and water to gently scrub any tough stains, mold or mildew areas.

As winter rolls on, you should keep an eye on any overhanging trees that are near your fencing. You do not want to let any heavy and wet snow build up on limbs as these could crack and land on your wood fence. A tree limb landing on your fence could cause cracks or damage. Prevent this from happening by watching your snow buildup.

Vinyl Fence Winter Tips

Vinyl or PVC fencing is strong, durable and flexible. It is also a top choice for homeowners seeking a long-lasting solution to a private yard. Beyond keeping snow from building up around the base of your vinyl fence, you should also not keep any items near it. Having any tools, too many decorations or storage items hanging around your fence can cause problems. Store your items securely away from your fencing panels. Objects around your fence can become a problem as the winter snow builds up. Brush off heavy snow and clear it out on warmer or sunnier winter days.

Tips for All Types of Fencing

In general, it is best to watch your fence in the winter for signs of damage, cracks, debris, peeling paint or stain and beyond. By addressing any issues as soon as you catch them, you will help your fence stay looking fabulous! Be careful how you remove snow around your fence, so that you do not scratch it or hit it with a shovel.

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Winter can take a toll on your fence – especially vinyl fencing. While you should maintain your fence – no matter the material – all year long, here are some tips to keep your vinyl fence at its best all winter long.

Debris be gone: Before too much snow falls, take time to address the leaves, sticks and debris that may have collected around the base of your fence during the fall season. The buildup of heavy debris can cause issues around your fence, such as warping. Plus, it will be easier to deal with any snow if the fall debris has been removed.

Tree trimming: Another late fall/early winter chore to tackle is trimming any tree limbs that are hanging on or around your fencing. Not only can hanging limbs attract dirt and more to your fence panels, they can also become heavy with snow and break off onto your fence. Falling heavy tree limbs can crack or damage your fence.

Clean up: Also, inspect your fencing for any signs of mold or dirt buildup before snow starts stacking up. You do not want the mold to be trapped under layers of snow, which can make the situation worse in the spring once the snow begins to melt. Scrub or spray any mold or dirt off on a sunny day, so it can dry easier and quicker.

Elbow grease: While you are looking for mold, also scour for any scuff marks that can be scrubbed off. Typically warm water and a gentle soap can help remove unsightly marks before it gets too cold to tackle them.

Preventative layer: Before moisture builds up from snow and melting snow later in the season, a simple solution of water and vinegar can help stop the growth of mold and mildew. Mix one part water to five parts white vinegar in a spray bottle and apply to your fence. This may also help get rid of stains.

Snow Removal: Once snow starts piling up as winter moves along, brush it off of areas of your fence so that it does not build up on your vinyl and spur potential damage or discoloration. Be careful using any tools around your fence to prevent scratches or scuffs.

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Here are some of the most optimal fencing materials that’ll allow you to withstand the cold weather ahead.

When it comes to winter weather, there are a slew of different elements that can impact your fence. In fact, cold climates tend to be quite challenging for homeowners who have a fence installed around the perimeter of their property. The reality is, with either snow, sleet, frost, or ice, there are so many different frigid weather conditions that might wreak havoc on your fence. Ultimately, one of the best ways to make the most out of a fence is to invest in a material that can withstand the test of time — which means withstanding the various types of winter weather conditions that might find their way to your area within the next few months — or perhaps weeks. Here are some of the most optimal fencing materials that’ll allow you to enjoy your home with ease — and thereby withstand the cold weather ahead.

Metal Posts And Wood Fences

For the most part, wooden fences are great — but when you add in metal posts, you can surely find that your fence will hold up against the cold weather elements effectively and efficiently. In fact, wooden fences typically have a certain amount of pickets — made of wood — which tend to be subject to water absorption quite easily. That being said, when you don’t rely on wooden posts — but instead have metal ones — you can approach the winter season with ease. The reality is, when you have metal posts, the water absorption usually won’t go through and actually stand up against any increased moisture that is likely to come in the winter season. Ultimately, metal posts added to a wooden fence can really prove to be a game-changer against the winter season ahead.

Steel Fences Are Tough And Sturdy

There is no denying that steel is a durable and sturdy material overall. In fact, when it comes to an effective and efficient cold-weather fence, a steel one might just be worthwhile. The reality is, steel fences tend to be a great addition to any home — particularly for homeowners looking for a fence that can handle a variety of weather elements. Ultimately, steel fences are a wonderful way to make it through the winter season without worry or stress.

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Wood is quite tasty to termites. Fortunately, there are ways you can protect your beautiful wood fence from termite infestation and degradation.

A wood fence offers many benefits, such as being cost-effective, rustic with a classic appeal, and a popular option for privacy fencing. With proper care and treatments, you should also know that wood fencing can last for a while. All in all, a wood fence can give you the protection and aesthetic appeal that you want for your property.

However, there is a downside to wood fencing. Termites can be a problem regarding wood fencing. Wood is quite tasty to termites. Fortunately, there are ways you can protect your beautiful wood fence from termite infestation and degradation.

Invest in Treatment for Your Wood Fence

You can prevent termites from chomping down on your fence by ensuring that you have your fence treated regularly. If you’d prefer to paint your fence, we suggest using an oil-based primer. Pesticides work or apply an oil-based stain or termite-resistant paint.

Another thing to consider is that we provide custom wood fences with durable, pressure-treated ACQ lumber. Treated lumber aids in moisture, fungal, insect, and fire resistance.

Remove Rotten, Neighboring Wood

If you see any old, rotten stumps close to your wood fence, it’s best to remove them. It’s also a good idea to eliminate any nearby wood that might attract termites. We also recommend that your firewood stack be at least a few feet from your fencing.

Move Heavy Shrubs

Big bushes and heavy shrubs are appealing to termites. Therefore, moving bushes and shrubs close to your fence is helpful. Flowers are safe to plant alongside your fence. However, you should know that excessive watering can set the scene for a termite infestation. The best idea might be to separate your landscaping from your fence.

Eliminate Moisture

Damp areas and standing water create an ideal space for pests. We suggest checking your property for sources of moisture and removing them to keep your wooden fence safe against an infestation.

Check Your Fence Consistently

Even with the best efforts, termites can still find their way to a wooden fence. Therefore, we advise that you inspect your fence consistently. Look for the following:

• Holes
• Damaged areas
• Cracked paint
• Hollow-sounding wood
• Termite droppings (which look like sawdust or sand)

Spotting the problem sooner rather than later can stop the damage from worsening.

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There are many, many pros to choosing vinyl fencing for your residential fencing project, but there are also several cons. Let’s dive into both.

The hardest thing about installing a new or replacement fence on your property is deciding on the fencing material. There are so many options out there these days that it can be overwhelming. In many cases, one of the top contenders (and arguably one of the most popular choices, currently) is vinyl. There are many, many pros to choosing vinyl fencing for your residential fencing project, but there are also several cons. Let’s dive into both so that you truly have a clear picture of this fencing material before you make your final vinyl decision.

Pros Of Vinyl Fencing

The most well-known pro of vinyl fencing is that it is so incredibly easy to maintain. You don’t have to spend time sanding, painting, or staining it like you would for a wood fence or a metal one. It is super easy and simple to clean with just a cloth and some soap. Vinyl is also sometimes easy to install (it can be a good DIY project, even for people without extensive handy experience, if you have the right options). Vinyl is also incredibly safe, since it won’t ever splinter or develop rouge or sharp edges. Finally, vinyl is highly durable. It will stand up to near anything mother nature can throw at it. As long as it is correctly installed, it will withstand rain, wind, beating sun, and even a family with pets and kids.

Cons Of Vinyl Fencing

Just as there are pros of vinyl fencing, there are also cons. While there is a good variety of fencing available now, there there a limit on the amount of customization that you can do. There is a range of colors available, but you cannot easily change that color down the line. There is also is less variety of repair options if you ever need to do a repair (as unlikely as that may be). Vinyl is also more expensive up front than other fencing materials, though there are not longterm maintenance costs that you need to account for. Finally, vinyl is not the most eco friendly of choices. If you want to make sure that the materials you use around your home are having a positive impact on the environment, or at least not having a net-negative one.

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If you’re looking for ways to tackle fence cleaning, especially if you’re opposed to power washing, read on!

Your fence is a valuable part of your home security strategy, offering protection from trespassing, theft, vandalism, and (depending on the type of fence), even shielding your family and belongings from prying eyes. A properly installed, well maintained fence can provide decades of protection while also increasing your curb appeal and home value. The key here is that your fence needs to be maintained. This is especially true of wood fences, which if left unprotected, can succumb to weather, rot, and insects, but is generally true of every fence to one degree or another. Part of maintaining your fence is cleaning it. If you’re looking for ways to tackle fence cleaning, especially if you’re opposed to power washing, read on!

Start By Inspecting

From a distance, what you’re looking at could be dirt, but if you get up close, you may see that it is something else. In the best case scenario, it is just dirt and you can simply wash it away using these tips. In other cases, however, you may find that what you’re looking at is actually mildew, rot, insect damage, or even rust stains from the hardware (bolts, screws, etc) in your fence. In those cases, more care and attention might be needed than you are prepared to give – and in the cases of advanced rot, you may need a contractor to come out and replace parts of the fence.

Get The Right Cleaner

In some cases, you can simply use some dish soap and water to scrub the dirt off of your fence. If you’ve found that the “dirt” is actually mold, mildew, or algea, you can head to the hardware store for a cleaner that can do the job. While you’re there, you may find that they sell deck and fence cleaner that is designed for dirt as well – that is an option if you think you need a little more cleaning muscle than simple soap.

Protect Your Plants

Take time to protect the plants around the fence before you start washing. Depending on the chemicals you’re using to clean, spraying them on the plants may actually kill them.

Spray And Scrub…Or Sand

If you’re washing your fence with a cleaning agent, your best bet is to spray it down, let it sit for a few moments and then scrub it. Having the right tools can help (a course bristled outdoor broom or a scrub brush on a long handle, for instance), but this is still going to be difficult, physical work. Alternatively for your wood fences, you could sand the areas that have staining to remove that layer and then cover the whole thing with a new coat of paint or stain.

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If you had planned to paint the fence this year but you just hadn’t gotten around to it yet, the good news is there’s still time.

You know that you need to be staining and sealing or painting your wooden fence every year or two to protect it from the potentially damaging effects of weather and moisture. While wooden fences provide many many benefits, they require more maintenance than almost any other fencing material. If you had planned to paint the fence this year but you just hadn’t gotten around to it yet, the good news is there’s still time (fall is a great season for everything from fence installation to fence maintenance). And we’ve got your inspiration right here with several paint colors that will give your whole yard a new look and feel.

Natural Wood

Natural wood is a great choice for your fence, but one that you likely need to commit to early. For many people, the natural wood look is a phase that you go through before you finally relent and paint a fence. Stain is a beautiful way to change the look of a fence without giving up the natural look. You can adjust the hue with just a tinge of color or a bold color choice, but still allow the wooden grain to show through. While not impossible, it is difficult to return to this option once you layer on coats of paint.

White

White is a traditional choice for fencing, with the white picket look being the most iconic. If you haven’t had a white fence before, the bold, crisp, clean color choice can make the whole fence pop in a more noticeable way than you might be used to. If you also have white trim on your home, painting your fence white can tie everything together and create a unified appearance.

Grey

Grey is a great color choice if you’re still staining or if you’ve decided to commit to paint. In pairs well with both traditional home styles and more modern looks. It is a great in-between choice and really won’t look off in any scenario. In fact, if you have certain types of wood, a grey weathered look is the result of letting it age naturally (this is not an option with all woods, however).

Blue

If you’re looking to add a pop of dramatic color, but you don’t want to go too bold, blue is a great choice. It won’t have the same level of energy as a red, and in most cases it can blend into the background of sky and plants at least a little bit. If you want to be a little edgy with your blue, opt for something very bright or electric.

Black

If black seems like a bold choice, it is. People will definitely notice it. Once you get used to it however, it behaves more like a neutral. It fades into the background, but still gives a modern feel.

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