Author Archive for CCC Fence

Curb Appeal Fencing Ideas

By CCC Fence on

PVC Arbor

Curb appeal is all about first impressions, whether you’re trying to put a smile on your own face whenever you pull up to your house or impress prospective buyers. A bright fence draws a buyer’s eye and makes your home more appealing.  An easy way to add curb appeal to a home is by lining the front with a functional but decorative fence. Beautifully crafted fences are great for keeping out unwanted visitors while keeping children in without hiding the house. A well-chosen fence adds character to your home, along with a sense of security. There’s a reason we all cite the “white picket fence” as the ideal, it adds depth and encloses the yard but also draws the attention of a passersby with its clean lines and classic style. Other styles of fencing are equally attractive depending on the style of the home. Front yard fencing in the form of stone, wrought iron, or wood all accomplish the same delineation of property lines and offer a place to anchor shrubs or grow trellising vines.

Everyone has heard about the dream of a home with an iconic white picket fence. Somewhere embedded deep in the psyche of the average home buyer is that image of a beautiful house with a picket fence framing the yard. Tapping into that sub-conscious thought is an open doorway to instant curb appeal. Picket fences may be traditionally white or natural wood, averaging between 4 and 6 feet high. However, a simple change of color might make a more lasting impression on potential buyers. Matching the color of the picket fence to the trim color of your house gives a more visually uniform appearance while implying a certain neatness about the landscaping.

Ornamental aluminum fences add a certain elegance to even the most modest of homes.  Neighborhoods that are steeped in historic heritage often welcome aluminum fences in traditional black, but an ornamental aluminum fence can be painted any color.

Split rail or estate fencing gives a home a very country feel. There is an openness about these types of fence that cannot be found in any other form of fencing. They offer a definitive frame for a home and yard with minimal materials.

Categories : Tips and Ideas

What to Expect From Fencing Estimates

By CCC Fence on

Once you have decided to install a fence, there are some items you should be prepared to discuss with the estimator. The price of a fence depends on the customer’s needs.  Each customer and their project is unique.  Do you want privacy?  Do you want a fence to contain pets?  Do you need a fence that is pool code compliant?

Things to consider when you are wanting to install a fence:

  • What is the purpose of the fence?
  • Do you know where your property lines are?
  • What will the exact location of the fence be?
  • How tall do you want the fence to be?
  • What type of material would you like the fence to be constructed out of?
  • What style do you want the fence to be?
  • What is your approximate budget for the fence project?
  • When is your desired completion date?  

If you aren’t sure exactly what type of fence you want or have other questions regarding your fence, our estimator will arrive with material samples, photos and other information to help you make an informed decision.  

We offer free fencing estimates so that you know what your options are and what it will cost to install your fence.  Each customer and project is unique. Because of this, we prefer to quote your specific project instead of giving a generic per-foot quote.

Our estimators are always kind, courteous and conscientious of your desires and needs for your fencing project on your property.

Categories : Tips and Ideas

Vinyl Fencing

By CCC Fence on

Vinyl fencing is a low maintenance option in place of traditional wood fences. Vinyl fences come in a large variety of styles, including picket and privacy fencing. Vinyl fencing is very durable. Some manufacturers offer lifetime guarantees on their products.

Under normal circumstances, it’s difficult to break vinyl fence materials. Today’s vinyl fencing has five times the tensile strength of wood. It’s difficult to stretch or tear apart.  Vinyl is four times more flexible than wood. During cold winter months, vinyl can be brittle and more prone to breakage.

Early forms of vinyl fencing were simply polyvinyl chloride, similar to the materials in PVC pipe, made to look like wood. The product was durable, but after the product was in the sun for a short time, the PVC began to look damaged and turn yellow. Titanium oxide added to the PVC mixture gave the vinyl ultraviolet resistance but added to the cost of the vinyl. Today’s manufacturing process adds titanium oxide only to the outer layers of the vinyl, where it does the most good. By using less titanium oxide, manufacturers were able to reduce the cost of the fencing yet still produce a durable product. Titanium oxide is white, so vinyl fences have traditionally been light-colored. Darker colors hold heat, so stretching has been an issue with dark-colored vinyl. Improvements in the manufacturing process are making it possible for manufacturers to begin to provide a wider selection of vinyl fencing colors.

Categories : Vinyl Fences

How to Care for a Wood Fence

By CCC Fence on

A wood fence can be a great way to give a home a definitive border and ad curb appeal to the house. Cedar wood works well for outdoor structures, such as fences, because of its attractive red tone, and its resistance to warping, insect infestation and rot. Over time, dirt and weather will turn the wood gray. Cedar can be stained to enhance the color, or left a natural shade. Proper care can keep the wood looking new for many years. It can also save you from having to make costly repairs, as untreated wood suffers more damage from the elements. But over time, wood fences rot away. Here are some ways to make your wood fence last longer.  Within the first year of installation, the wood may warp or split as it dries.  In 5-8 years the fence may start to lean but it should last 10-15 years overall. It’s impossible to completely prevent the natural weathering that occurs to a wood fence over the years. You can slow the process by protecting the wood regularly.  The stain you use to cover the wood must cover every part of the wood exposed to moisture. It’s also important to use galvanized or stainless steel hardware in the wood because these metals won’t rust and they resist warping. To prevent the wood from turning gray in the sun, use products that contain UV inhibitors.  Your wood will need regular maintenance at least every 3 years to prolong its life and help it stay strong and beautiful.

The first step in wood maintenance is to clean and remove all mildew. Spray the fence with a power washer with a pressure of 1,500 to 2,000 pounds per square inch. This level of pressure should not damage the wood. Keep the nozzle 18 inches from the fence surface and move the spray evenly over the fence. Do not linger too long in one area. The outer gray layers will wash off, exposing the red wood underneath. Wear old clothing and eye protection as the spray will bounce off the fence back toward you. Combine 3 quarts of warm water and 1 quart of oxygen bleach in a bucket. Spray the solution on the fence with a garden sprayer, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes. Scrub the fence with a scrub brush to remove mildew and dirt. Rinse the fence with clean water when you are finished. Do the fence in sections to keep the oxygen bleach solution from drying before you scrub. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Wash the fence each year in spring or early summer. Allow the fence to dry for at least 2 days after washing it before painting or staining.

Although it’s tedious and time consuming, it’s most effective to apply the product with a paint brush.  Traditional paintbrushes work very well.  Use a smaller 2-inch brush when working in small areas, between the fence boards, in cracks and on fence posts and rails.  Rolling the stain or sealant on is the least reliable method.  It leaves uneven marks that will need to be touched up.    After applying one coat, allow it to dry completely and then apply a second coat of paint or stain. When applying coats, complete an entire section at a time, without breaks, to avoid lap marks. If you have not painted or stained your fence, you will need to apply a clear sealant every year to protect to wood and maintain a strong seal against moisture. If you are staining your fence, apply the stain before applying the sealant.  Allow the stain to completely dry before applying the sealant. Bushes and vines should be kept off the fence. The vine will keep the fence moist and it will rot faster.  Avoid placing sprinklers or hoses near the fence to minimize any water damage to the fence.

Categories : Wood Fences

What To Know Before a Fence Installation

By CCC Fence on

Homeowners install fences for privacy, visual appeal, pool enclosure or for the safety of pets and children. When deciding to install a fence in your yard, you first need to do the following:

  1. Decide where the fence will be located in your yard.  Determine how much of the yard will be fenced and how much privacy you are looking to gain by adding a fence to your yard. Obtain a copy of the plat for your property.  It is very helpful in determining property lines for fence placement. If you do not have a copy, you may be able to obtain a copy of the plat map from your local planning office.
  2. Check with your HOA. You may not have much of a say in the height or type of fence that you install.  Make sure you are within the guidelines of your HOA covenants. Many HOA’s require an approval process before constructing a fence.
  3. Decide the need of the fence. Think about what you are looking for in a fence.  Is privacy your main concern or is it decoration? How many gates will you need?  Do you need walk through or drive through gates? Do you have or will you be getting a pool? If so, additional pool restrictions will apply. Do you have very small pets? If so, you may want to consider double pickets if you are interested in aluminum fencing, as this will decrease the spaces between pickets. Do you have a common area or view that you want to keep visible? You might want to have a privacy fence on the front and side with a more open style in the back.
  4. Decide on the height of the fence. You may build a 6-ft. high privacy fence only to find that the next-door neighbors can easily see over when they’re lounging on their deck. Or you may find that your 6-ft. tall privacy fence only needed to be 4 ft. tall because surrounding areas slope away from your yard.
  5. Consider Fence Maintenance. How much time do you want to spend maintaining your fence? Wooden fencing requires the most maintenance but it can make your yard more aesthetically pleasing.  Aluminum or vinyl fencing requires little upkeep and makes this option a very appealing one.
  6. Pick the design of your fence.  A solid, high fence may wall off prying eyes, but it also walls you in. Your fence doesn’t have to be one continuous design, height or even material.
  7. Choose a double gate.  At some point you will probably need to get something big into your backyard.  Make sure that you have a gate large enough to fit large objects through easily.
  8. Many counties, cities and townships require a permit before constructing a fence.  Check with your local planning office or zoning department to determine if you will need a permit to install your fence.
  9. You may want to check with your neighbors to see if they might be interested in getting a fence.  You can share the cost of the shared side line and save some money. If they already have a fence, get their permission to connect to their fence which will save money as well.
  10. Keep in mind that the fence price you are quoted is subject to change due to material and fuel costs. The only way to lock in the price is to sign a contract.
Categories : Tips and Ideas