Year: 2020

Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are both amazing choices for Texas backyards. They both add aesthetic value as well as some useful benefits. So, if you’re considering adding an outdoor fireplace or a fire pit to your yard, how should you choose which one is right for you? Here are some tips to consider! 

Outdoor Fireplace vs. Fire Pit – Which is right for your home?

Outdoor Fireplaces

Outdoor fireplaces are great additions to outdoor dining/seating areas or even outdoor kitchens. They work the same way that typical indoor fireplaces do, and can be used to provide heat to the area or simply offer the cozy “vibe” that fireplaces normally provide indoors. Again, just like indoor fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces can be gas powered or wood-burning.

Since they have chimneys, outdoor fireplaces are tall structures. This will definitely become the focal point of your yard! You will need to make sure you have the appropriate space to fit the fireplace, as well as a base of a concrete patio for it to be built upon. 

We love adding outdoor fireplaces to outdoor kitchens or dining areas, since it completes the “outdoor room” experience, and can even encourage outdoor activities for more months of the year! 

Fire Pits

Fire pits offer a more casual, camp-fire vibe than outdoor fireplaces. Rather than being a part of an outdoor dining or seating area like a fireplace, fire pits are best suited for families that like the idea of sitting directly around the fire. Since it does not have a tall chimney, fire pits won’t distract from the rest of the yard, and won’t block any views of other areas of the yard. While fire pits typically can reach higher temperatures than fireplaces, they can be harder to light and manage the flames, especially in windy conditions. 

At Nortex Fence, our team has years of experience enhancing Dallas-area outdoor living spaces with fireplaces, patios, pergolas, and more. Give us a call or fill out the contact form to learn more about your outdoor fireplace options! 

Automatic driveway gates are becoming increasingly popular, especially for homes across Texas. Just like fences and other outdoor structures, there are quite a few benefits of adding an automatic driveway gate to your property.

Take a look at these top 4 benefits of automatic driveway gates! 

1. Security and safety

Even homes in safe neighborhoods across the Dallas Fort Worth area can benefit from some extra security. Driveway gates are a great way to help keep unwanted visitors and intruders away from your property, since it gives you even more control over the entrance of your property.

When combined with fences, driveway gates can also help keep pets and young children from running out into the street. 

2. Privacy

This is one of the most common reasons for families to add an automatic driveway gate to their property. Just like fences, driveway gates can offer a nice feeling of privacy. When you’re spending time outdoors, especially in your front yard, driveway gates can help provide this additional barrier between your yard and the rest of the street. And, since automatic gates can be opened and closed at the push of a button, you can use your gate whenever you want. 

3. Aesthetics

While very functional, driveway gates can also add a beautiful aesthetic touch to your property. Automatic driveway gates come in a variety of styles, and can be made from several different materials. At Nortex Fence, we specialize in building and installing cedar and iron driveway gates. These gates are as aesthetically pleasing as they are useful! 

4. Home value

Just like fences and other outdoor structures or landscaping, automatic driveway gates can help improve your home’s value over time. The additional privacy, convenience, and overall look of these gates are appealing to home buyers and can help provide additional reasons for someone to choose your house over a similar home in your area. The outside of your house can be just as important as the inside when it comes to selling your home or improving its value. 

Interested in learning more about automatic driveway gates? Give our team a call today, or fill out the contact form to get started! 

Decks and patios are a big investment to your property. In order to preserve the quality, durability, and appearance, for as long as possible, it’s important to properly maintain wooden decks and patios over time. Texas decks withstand all kinds of elements that could damage the wood over time if not prevented. Rain, heat, humidity, dirt, moss, mildew, and other extreme weather can take a toll on our properties, just as they can with our homes. Poorly maintained decks lead to rotting wood, splinters, permanent stains, and eventually, unsafe decks. 

Make the most of your deck by following these 3 simple deck maintenance tips!

1. Keep your deck clean 

Since wood is a porous material, it expands and contracts as temperatures vary. This expansion causes dirt, mold, insects, and more to have access to your wood and potentially rot it if not cleaned. At Nortex Fence, we like to use cedar wood, since it tends to be more durable and able to better withstand the elements. However, it’s still important to clean and maintain over time. It’s actually not hard to clean your deck, and you can even use some simple products you probably already have on hand. 

Sweep your deck regularly to avoid long-standing build ups of dirt, leaves, or other debris. One easy and chemical free way to clean your wooden deck is to mix warm water with vinegar and baking soda. Spaying this mixture onto your deck, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then scrubbing it with a broom or other type of brush is a great and simple way to clean your deck. Then, spray off the mixture with a hose! While power washers can also be useful for deck cleaning, make sure you don’t have the pressure too high, since it can actually cause damage to the wood or strip off the paint. 

2. Inspect it every year 

Every spring, take a look at your deck to check for loose or rotting boards, protruding or missing nails, broken beams or railings, and any other potential issue. You want to regularly inspect your deck and make any necessary repairs in order to ensure it is a safe structure for your family and guests! 

If you notice that you have significant damage to your deck, it might be time for a new one. Make sure to hire an experienced deck company in your area, that uses top materials and quality craftsmanship. 

3. Maintain the paint or stain

In addition to helping the aesthetics of your deck, paint and stain both actually serve a bigger purpose of helping maintain your wood and protect it from the elements. Make sure you re-apply paint or stain as needed over time. For deck stain, you typically want to re-apply the stain every 2 or 3 years. Paint will typically last longer in between needing new coats, however, keep an eye out for chipped paint and apply spot touch ups to those areas as needed. 

One of the benefits of living in Texas is that we are able to use our outdoor spaces for many months out of the year. By following these simple deck maintenance steps, you can extend the life of your deck and enjoy it for years to come! 

As experts in creating and updating outdoor living spaces, we’ve seen first hand how custom stonework can transform your yard. It can provide aesthetic as well as functional benefits for your property. Living in the Dallas area, we are lucky to be able to spend many months of the year outside. Why not make the most of your patio area and yard? 

Our team of expert craftsman can provide quality custom stonework of all kinds for businesses and homes in the Dallas area, including:

• Outdoor fireplaces and kitchens
• Stone pillars
• Stone and brick retaining walls
• Patios and decks
• Landscape masonry
• Benches
• Bed borders
• Driveways and walkways

Here are some of the top benefits of having custom stonework in your Dallas area backyard or property:

Add Visual Appeal:

People stop and stare when they see a home with remarkable stonework. It’s natural to appreciate the beauty and authenticity of a beautifully carved and well-laid stone structure. Custom stonework can define the appearance of a yard or home, since it acts as a beautiful focal point. 

Help Increase Your Home Value:

Yard and home updates like this can help improve your overall home value. Even if you’re not planning on selling your home in the near future, it’s important to be aware of your home’s value. It’s been shown that fences and other yard features typically have a positive impact on Dallas home values. 

Durability:

Unlike some other yard structures that might be temporary, seasonal, or just not built to withstand the elements for years to come, custom stonework structures are extremely durable. Once you add these structures to your property, they are typically permanent. Custom stonework holds up to rain, heat, snow, and overall wear and tear over the years. 

Flexibility:

With so many ways to add custom stonework to your property, it’s easy to find the best option that fits your specific lifestyle and needs. Do you like to cook or entertain outside? Do you have a small space, and want to know how to make the most of it? Let our team help talk you through the many options, and what might work best for you! 

We can construct beautiful and durable stone structures that stand the test of time. Nortex Fence & Patio prides itself on providing the best in both quality and efficiency in custom stonework for the community and beyond. Give us a call or fill out our contact form to learn more!

As the summer approaches, families across the Dallas area will begin to spend more time outside in their yards. Whether it’s for BBQs, just hanging out, or for specific events like graduation parties, your back yard can be both functional and beautiful! Make the most of your outdoor space, and make it even more inviting during the warm months ahead with a wooden patio cover or pergola. 

What’s the difference between Pergolas vs. Patio Covers?

Pergolas

Pergolas are mainly freestanding, so they can either be built with a floor, on your patio, or they can be placed anywhere in your yard. They were invented in the Mediterranean, basically to define outdoor spaces and provide filtered shade over walkways, gardens and such. Heavy wooden post beams are set in concrete for strength. Then the open roof is put on. Although the roof is open, the amount of shade the slats provide is determined by how closely spaced they are to one another. The open sides and semi-open roof allow you to receive those beautiful, cooling breezes and to see that gorgeous blue sky above.

There are various ways to create more privacy based on the pergola’s specific design (since the sides are completely open). Beautiful and elegant, you can tie billowy semi-sheer drapes around the posts when you want the sides to be open, and then untie them and close them up at your will. Another beautiful addition is to add vines, ivy, roses and other growing greenery, similar to a trellis or arbor. Once the greenery progresses upwards to the roof, it can also add a bit more shade.

Patio Covers

Patio covers actually refer to a specific type of roof. Unlike freestanding pergolas, patio covers normally attach to the house, virtually creating an outdoor extension of your home. They have a full, shingled roof that can be flat or sloped, and in many instances, the shingles are matched to those used on the home. The roof is then supported by posts on the other side. This type of cover not only affords shelter from the scorching sun, but it also protects from the rain. Since they, for the most part, are attached to the home, they also help keep that part of the home cooler, since it is shaded from the sun. Free standing patio covers also offer the same benefits and both styles have the added convenience of offering the ability to add lights, ceiling fans and speakers. Since there is an actual full roof, a patio cover can just simply be open-sided or there is the option of adding screens to protect from bugs and other insects.

So, which outdoor project is right for you? Do you want a patio cover that has a full covered roof like a virtual extension of your home, or do you want a pergola with semi shade to cover your patio, garden or other activity spot in your yard? Whatever your need, Nortex Fence is there to offer you years of experience. We are a locally owned and operated Dallas fence company since 1998, we specialize in quality outdoor solutions such as patio covers, pergolas, fences, decks and so much more. If you’re still not sure what works best for your outdoor spot (residential or commercial), they would be happy to assist you with ideas and pictures to help make that decision a little easier.

Fill out the contact form, write down a list of your needs and any questions you might have, and let your Nortex Fence representative help you get ready for some great outdoor living!