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 impress prospective buyers or put a smile on your own face whenever you pull up to your house. 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 a wooden 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 2 and 4 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 iron fences add a certain elegance to even the most modest of homes.  Ornamental iron fences have been used for centuries by the elite and eccentric.  Ornamental iron fences add an air of mystery to the property. Neighborhoods that are steeped in historic heritage often welcome wrought iron fences in traditional black, but for neighbors who are not so mysterious an ornamental iron fence can be painted any color. Houses that have a fair amount of greenery around them benefit from a rich green wrought iron fence that blends well into the landscape but stands out enough to make a statement. Selecting a  an ornamental iron fence and its color palette and scroll work should be done with the utmost consideration to keep the house feeling like a home and not like a prison.

Split rail fencing gives a home a very country feel. There is an openness about split rails that cannot be found in any other form of fencing. Split rails offer a definitive frame for a home and yard with minimal materials and require the least amount of maintenance. For instance, if a rail is damaged, only that single rail needs replacing, whereas in other fences whole sections may need replacing. This type of fencing lends itself to extreme versatility in the variety of different woods that can be used, the decision to paint the fence or not and the ability to add vines and plant life or leave in its natural state.

Categories : Tips and Ideas

What to Expect From Fencing Estimates

By CCC Fence on

The price of a fence depends on the customer’s needs.  Things that affect the cost of a fence and to take into consideration are height, footage, location of the fence and the fence materials that will be used.  There is no equation to figure the coast on an averaged sized backyard.  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 the job is unique. We prefer to quote jobs and not to give generic per-foot quotes.  Once you have decided to install a fence there are some items you should be prepared to discuss with the estimator: What is the purpose of the fence, what is the exact location of the fence, how high do you want the fence, what style do you want your fence and what material do you want to use on the fence. What is your approximate budget for the fence and when is your desired completion date.  If you have the answers to these questions already answered before the estimator arrives things will go much more smoothly and we will be able to give you a very accurate estimate of your desired fence.  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 a more informed decision on your fence.  We are always kind, courteous and conscientious of your needs and desire for your fencing needs and your yard.

Categories : Tips and Ideas

Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Fencing Materials

By CCC Fence on

Which the better fencing materials: cedar or pressure treated pine?

Western Red Cedar is the best lumbar for any type of board or picket fence. Western Red Cedar is the sturdiest and longest lasting grade of cedar wood. It provides the strength and stability needed for a reliable fence but is also soft and pliable for more decorative and intricate styles. Western Red Cedar fence boards provide a beautiful and durable solution for your fencing needs. With its natural tannins, Western Red Cedar resists insects and decay making it the natural choice for your fencing project. Western Red Cedar does not warp, shrink or split. A fence using cedar will have a nicer look after 10 years than a fence that used pressure treated pine. Western red Cedar is a light weight wood which causes less stress on the posts and framework, resulting in a longer lasting fence.  The natural decay resistance of Western Red Cedar comes from the chemical components (thujaplicins) found within its heartwood.  The natural water repellency and lubricity of Western Red Cedar comes from a variety of phenolic compounds found within the cedar. Cedar lumbar costs more than the fast grown southern yellow pine, but it is well worth the extra expense. Cedar should last 30 years or more and will stay straight.

Pressure treated pine usually originates from the southeastern U.S. and can be a southern yellow pine or mixed pine species. It is a fast growing tree. After this tree has been cut to size it is first kiln dried to remove all the moisture. Then it is bundled into tanks and a water based solution of micronized copper azole is forced into the wood fibers under pressure. This process makes the wood very heavy and gives it a dark green appearance. This pressure treated pine is guaranteed not to have insects or decay damage for 20 years. It is not guaranteed against shrinkage, warping or splitting. Pressure treated boards can warm and shrink as quickly as in a month after installation. It is recommended to use pressure treated posts and a Western Red Cedar fence.

Categories : Wood Fences

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.

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. 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. 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. Vinyl fencing products are one type of plastic that you should avoid using recycled materials, they can introduce too many variables into the PVC mixture and can create a product that isn’t durable. Under normal circumstances, it’s difficult to break vinyl fence materials. There are certain situations where you shouldn’t install it. Any vinyl will break if something hits it, so you shouldn’t install this type fence near parking areas. You must use care when trimming grass with a weed eater near vinyl fencing.

Categories : Vinyl Fences

Staining a Cedar Fence

By CCC Fence on

When you decide to stain your cedar fence you naturally want a stain that will let your fence look its best, require as little maintenance as possible and give you a color that you can live with.  Many homeowners find the process of staining intimidating, here are a few thoughts on choosing the best fence stain brand for a cedar fence. The first thing you need to do is choose an oil-based stain. Be very careful on this count as both water-based, gel, and latex stains are available, but neither of them absorb as well as the oil-based ones do. They also don’t do as good of a job at offering your fence UV or water protection, which are the primary reasons for staining a fence in the first place. From there a lot depends on how you’d like the wood to look and how much maintenance you’d like to do on the fence. Transparent stains require the least maintenance by far. These stains will also preserve the natural beauty of the wood, allowing the grain to show through. They may fade a bit but they will last for some time. Semi-transparent stains will let the wood grain show through, but not some of the finer details. They’ll last a little longer than the transparent stains do. Opaque or solid stains tend to need replacement every five years or so. A solid stain visibly fades in 3-5 years. However, if you are concerned about having a certain color for your fence then this may well be the way to go, as you can get creative with blues, greens, golds, roses, grays, and other colors. Don’t worry if the stain says it’s a “deck” stain. You just need to be sure that it’s a good oil-based stain rated for exterior use. When you stain your fence be sure to add two coats of stain as this will help it last longer. You should also be sure to follow our guidelines on staining a wood fence to achieve the very best results. Remember, if you install a cedar fence it will need 5-7 weeks to dry in the sun before it will be ready for any kind of staining or treatment. Ignore this rule and it simply won’t matter what kind of stain you purchase because the results will not be what you hoped for! Remember to consider your location, whether or not your fence is in full or partial sun and other factors when choosing your stain.

Categories : Wood 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

Checklist for Installing a Fence

Homeowners install fences for privacy, visual appeal, 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 with your closing paperwork, you can 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 our 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. Either way, you’re wasting materials, money and time building a fence that doesn’t suit 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 making your yard more aesthetically pleasing.  Aluminum or vinyl fencing requires little upkeep and makes this option a very appealing on.
  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. Plan to have an entire panel removable.  At some point you will probably need to get something big into your backyard.  Make sure that one of the panels will be easy to remove or that there is a big enough opening to fit large objects through easily.
  8. Many cities require a permit before constructing a fence.  Check with your local planning officer 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. Or, if they already have a fence, get permission to connect to it and save money as well.
  10. Keep in mind that the fence price you are quotes 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