Month: February 2020

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5 Questions To Ask Your Dallas Fence Company

February 27, 2020

Are you thinking about installing a new fence? Whether you want to improve your privacy or just add a touch of elegance to your home, adding a fence to your yard can be a great investment. Before you hire just anyone, however, it’s important that you consider these five questions to ask your Dallas-area fence contractor.

1. What Material Should You Use?

When it comes to fences, there are a plethora of materials from which to choose. Plastic is a popular choice due to its overall cheapness and tendency to hold up against the weather. However, they’re also easier to shatter from physical abuse and usage.

Another popular material is wood. While wood can decay over time if not properly sealed and taken care of over the years, it does provide you with a few customization options. Wood from cedar, for example, can offer beautiful color and strength that enriches your yard. It can upscale your deck or patio area and add a touch of elegance.

The last and popular choice of material for a fence is chain or metal. While this fence holds up well against the weather–so long as it doesn’t rust–it isn’t as eye-catching as some of the other choices. It does, however, allow you to see through it. This is advantageous if you simply want to close up your yard without sacrificing the view beyond.

2. What About Hills?

When it comes to figuring out your estimate, questions to ask fence contractor should include the hills that your property possesses. For example, are you going to be able to get a fence if you have rolling hills in your yard? The answer typically depends on how steep the hills are.

Certain hills may require special equipment or a kind of fence that is used on hills. This can increase how much the fence is going to cost. You may even find out that you need an excavator to remove the hill before you can place a fence there.

3. Do You Take Care of Waste Removal?

Like all construction sites, waste will be generated. Excess wood, spare nails, and other materials that are used to build the fence may be left on your property. A professional fencing service will take care of the waste removal without charging you extra. This is another example of questions to ask when getting a fence estimate because you’ll want to know whether or not the waste removal is an added fee or not.

If the company does not perform waste removal at the end of the project, then you might need to hire someone else to pick it up for you. Because of the risk of nails and other sharp tools laying in the yard, you likely don’t want to perform this job yourself.

4. Can You Give Me a List of References?

Another excellent way to determine if the company’s prices seem fair is to ask them for a list of their references. When it comes to questions to ask when getting a fence estimate, this one is extremely important. If they cannot give you a life of references, then they may be hiding something.

If they do, then you should check out their past projects. Does their fence estimate match with the quality of the fence that you see? A little bit of research can save you money and time.

5. How Long Will it Take to Install the Fence?

The length of the project is often determined by the size of the project. One way that you can speed up the process is to start acquiring a permit for the build. Once that’s taken care of, the company should be able to give you an estimate on how long the job will take.

When you want high-quality fences that improve the aesthetics of your Dallas-area home or business, then you should call Nortex Fence, or get started to filling out the simple online contact form!

Is Your Deck Still Safe? 7 Deck Safety Factors You Should Know

February 20, 2020

The deck is a great place for entertaining and relaxing. However, your deck gets a beating from the weather and elements year-round. This can cause the deck to deteriorate over time. Does your old deck meet deck safety requirements?

Here are seven safety factors you need to consider when evaluating your deck:

#1 Rusty Connectors

The connectors used on your deck should be made from galvanized steel, which is resistant to rust. Take a moment every few months to examine the connectors on your deck. If you see any signs of rust, you have a deck safety issue.

Galvanized steel has a protective coating of zinc over the top which is what resists rusts. If the zinc sustains damage or wears off, it leaves the steel below susceptible to rust. Rust can cause the fastener to weaken and puts the deck at risk.

If the wood is in good condition, replacing the connectors should be a simple job for a professional. If the wood is deteriorating, however, it could end up needing a major repair.

#2 Damage from Insects

Most decks are made from wood treated with chemicals that inhibit insects. Decks made with untreated redwood or cedar are naturally insect resistant. For these reasons, insect damage is very rare on decks built within the last 20 to 30 years.

If you see signs of insect damage, you need to get a professional to take a look. It may be that the house itself has insect damage along the edge where it meets the deck. No matter the reason, though, you need professional eyes on the situation quickly.

#3 Cracked or Split Decking

How do you know when to replace deck boards? Wood expands and contracts as temperatures and humidity levels change. This cycle of expansion and contraction can cause the wood to develop small cracks. A few minor cracks is nothing to worry about. However, in time, those small cracks can turn into larger ones.

If you see cracks around fasteners, that’s when to replace deck boards. The fasteners are what keep the decking attached to the framing below. When boards get loose, they become potential hazards.

#4 Rotted Wood

Even pressure-treated wood will begin to rot at some point. Water infiltrates small cracks in the wood and start to saturate it. This causes the wood to start breaking apart.

Rotted wood on a deck can be very dangerous. For example, if rot sets into the bottom of your deck railing, it can loosen the entire thing. If someone leans on that railing, it could cause a very bad accident.

If you see rotted wood, you need to get repairs made quickly. That way you and your guests will be safe at your next gathering.

#5 Deck Surface Becomes Spongy or Springy

Wood rot may not be evident, especially on the decking itself. If moisture starts rotting the underside of the boards, it may not be visible.

A sign that the decking is having problems is how it feels when you walk across it. If the deck feels spongy, there may be rotting wood just beneath the surface. If the deck suddenly becomes springy, the wood or the framing below may be deteriorating.

Have a professional come in and look at the underside of your deck. Replace boards or frame pieces as needed.

#6 Excessive Mold or Mildew Growth

Seeing a bit of mold growth in a shady spot on the deck is not a big deal. Shadier areas tend to be moister than areas in the sun. Just wash it with a bit of bleach and water to remove the mold and mildew.

If you are seeing mold and mildew growth all over the deck, you may have a bigger problem. These fungi thrive in moist conditions. When the decking materials are holding a lot of moisture, it encourages the growth of mold and mildew even in areas that get sun.

#7 Deck Safety Gate

A deck safety gate helps prevent someone from stepping off the top step and falling. It also helps corral small children and animals as needed.

If you see any of these troubling signs, it’s time to act. Nortex Fence specializes in custom cedar fences, as well as decks, driveway gates, and more. We have everything you need to make your residential or commercial outdoor space as nice as possible. Fill out the contact form to get started and learn more about what we can do for you.

Do Privacy Fences Increase Home Value?

February 14, 2020

Cedar Privacy Fences Offer Home Value and Beauty

Whether you’re in your forever home or you plan to put your home on the market in a couple of years, you may ask, “Do privacy fences increase home value?”. An attractive and quality privacy fence, like those made of cedar, will offer many benefits and can actually raise the value of your Texas home.

If you’re having your home assessed, the appraiser will take your fence into consideration. Was it made of quality materials? Was it well constructed? Is it attractive? Does it serve a purpose? Will a privacy fence increase home value? Here are a few reasons why the appraiser may decide it will.

An attractive and well constructed privacy fence offers beauty and curb appeal, whether designed specifically for the front yard or built for the backyard. A tall privacy fence can also obstruct an unsightly view.

A backyard privacy fence can serve as the backdrop for your family’s oasis and as a place to retreat for an afternoon or evening of fun and relaxation. It also offers concealment and security, so no one will be peaking in but they will be keeping out (unless invited in, of course).

If you’re placing your home on the market soon, keep in mind that pet owners often look for homes with backyard fences where their pets can get some exercise. It is easier to buy a home that already has a fence installed than to buy one and install the fence later. Home buyers appreciate having had it done for them.

When your fence is installed by a reputable professional, you can be assured of quality, durability and dependability that will withstand many years of wear and weather.

Certain fencing materials do not offer the attractiveness, durability or ease of care as cedar wood. Cedar is exceptionally strong and lasting compared to other woods such as pine. It also requires little maintenance, since it does not need to be chemically treated, sealed or painted. Staining is optional to keep the bright color, if desired. It is also naturally insect resistant. Overall, natural cedar is beautiful as well as durable, making it ideal for a privacy fence.

Do privacy fences increase home value? The answer may be yes when installed properly and of attractive and durable materials, such as cedar wood.

Nortex Fence specializes in custom cedar fences, as well as decks, driveway gates, and so much more for homes and businesses in Texas. If you’ve been asking yourself, “Will a privacy fence increase home value and help create that perfect yard experience,” then now is the time to fill out the contact form to get started. We’ll be happy to tell you more about what we can do for you.

Stain vs. Paint a Wood Fence: What Should You Do?

February 4, 2020

Whether you have a current fence that you’re not sure what to do with, or you’re planning on getting a new fence in the near future, one of the decisions you’ll have to make is if you’ll be painting it, staining it, or leaving it as natural wood.

While stain and paint both offer protective as well as aesthetic benefits to your wood fence, there are some differences. In fact, there are quite a few factors that could contribute to this decision, and some pros and cons of each! Here are our tips to consider when deciding whether to paint or stain your wood fence.

Stain vs. Paint: How to decide

Stain

There are quite a few benefits to staining your wood fence. First, it typically requires significantly less maintenance than paint, since you won’t need to reapply the stain as often as you might need to do with paint. Also, unlike paint, stain doesn’t crack or peel from the surface of the wood, so it tends to wear better over time.

If you are planning on staining or restaining your current fence, we suggest a power wash first to make sure the surface of the wood is clean and ready for the new layer of stain to be applied.

Similar to paint, stain also comes in a variety of colors and finishes. Do you prefer the look of the natural wood, but just want a stain to help protect it over time? In that case, a stain that is more translucent in color would be a great choice. Or, you can choose from a variety of solid color stains, that cover the wood similar to the way a colored paint would.

Paint

While paint is still a great way to protect your wood fence from the elements, it generally requires more maintenance than stain. This is because overtime the paint will chip, scratch, or peel from the wood, even with normal wear and tear. When deciding to paint your fence or not, keep in mind that you should probably expect to repaint your fence every couple years or so, in order to maintain the look as well as the protective benefits.

Similar to stain, before adding a new layer of paint, you first need to prep the current surface. However, unlike stain, a simple power wash will not be sufficient in order to properly apply a new coat of paint. The first layer of paint should be scraped off completely before adding the new layer, which can be time consuming, especially for large fences.

Still unsure of which option is better for your fence? At NorTex Fence, our team of experts is here to help! Give us a call or fill out our simple contact form today. We also offer professional fence staining services, so you don’t need to take the project on yourself.