Year: 2022

Whether you use it to extend the porch or as an alternative to a portico, adding an entryway pergola can boost a home’s curb appeal. You can get an estimated return on investment from 50 to 80 percent. Further, they improve your porch’s aesthetics creating a homey ambiance.

Many wonder how to attach a pergola to a house with gutters to create a seamless look on their home’s architecture. With this design, you create a transition from the indoors to your home’s outdoors. You can even include a pool or patio in the design, creating truly attractive architecture.

What is a Pergola?

Before you learn how to attach a pergola to a roof, it’s important to determine its design elements and potential uses. A pergola can be used as a gardening feature or outdoor structure for sitting areas.

It consists of columns supporting a roofing grid made of rafters or beams. You can train vines to crawl on its open lattice, adding a touch of green to your exterior surroundings. It can also be used to create a shaded walkway to your home.

Pros and Cons of Wall-Mounted Pergolas

There are several ways to connect a pergola to a home. However, the two most popular ways to do it are through a supporting wall or via the gutters. A wall-mounted pergola has several advantages, but it has drawbacks as well. Consider the following advantages:

• It saves you some money since you need fewer wooden columns.
• You don’t need plenty of space to construct it.
• It can be attached using any material.

However, it does have drawbacks:

• It can interfere with your gutters.
• You will require expert installers if you want it done correctly.
• The weight of the structure can damage your home if not installed correctly.
• Depending on your location, you may have to secure permits before starting the project.

Because of these downsides, many homeowners prefer to mount pergolas on roofs or gutters. As you determine how to attach a pergola to a roof, you can choose the best method for your home.

How To Attach a Pergola to a House With Gutters

Attaching a pergola to your roof can seem easy, but it requires specialized techniques. Because of this, it is best to leave it to professional installers with the expertise and experience to install them correctly.

Specialists use at least two methods to install pergolas to gutters:

1. Four-Post Method
2. Bracket Method

Four-Post Method

When trying to figure out how to attach a pergola to a house with gutters, you may find that the distance between the doorway and the eaves won’t accommodate the installation of a ledger board. In this situation, you can still create that seamless look using the four-post method.

Using this design, you’re technically building a freestanding pergola close to your home. It looks attached to your house but is not anchored to any structure. Professional builders will place around six inches from your home, and you don’t have to worry about the pergola damaging your gutters.

This method offers several advantages:

• It provides more versatile designs.
• The pergola won’t affect your roof’s gutters.
• You don’t need to attach it to any of the house’s structures.
• Since it’s freestanding, it won’t affect your home’s tax value.

Bracket Method

This method is used to install anchored pergolas. The bracket method allows you to install a pergola without disturbing the gutters, which can cause leaks and drainage problems. This method uses brackets to secure the pergola to the drains, protecting the gutters without bending them to accommodate the installation.

Professional installers can use T- or L-brackets if your home has standard open gutters. On the other hand, they will use J-brackets if half-round gutters are installed.

The pergola installation begins with attaching the outer rafters to crossbeams. After that, inner rafters will then be installed. Next, corner braces are installed at the end of every rafter. Finally, top beams will be attached to the crest.

The pergola will be attached to your home using support beams. Installers will need to drill holes in your home’s walls to install lag bolts to support the pergola’s structure.

Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with a Pergola

Adding a pergola to your home will require specialized skills and professional experience. At Nortex Fence & Patio, we have master craftsmen who can install a pergola without damaging any existing structure. We can build a structurally sound pergola, adding more value to your home. Contact us today to get a free estimate.

A leaning fence post not only diminishes your home’s curb appeal, but it can also cause further damage. In addition, if left unattended, these degraded posts can lead to expensive fence repairs. This leads homeowners to ask how to fix a leaning wooden fence post.

Potential Causes

Several factors, such as a rotten base, can contribute to a leaning fence. The wood at the bottom of the post is usually exposed to different elements, which causes material degradation. Another factor that can cause a post to lean is loose soil around the post’s foundation.

It could also be caused by something impacted or pressed against the fence post, such as a fallen tree or a vehicle. In some situations, the base of the post has given way, making it wobble in its hole. As you figure out how to fix a leaning wooden fence post, try to determine the potential causes before attempting to repair any fixture.

Essential Tools and Materials

Here are the standard materials and tools you will need to repair wobbly or leaning fence posts:

• Gloves
• Safety goggles
• Level
• Hammer/drill
• Braces
• Replacement railings (if necessary)
• Concrete (preferably a fast-setting mixture)
• Sand
• Shovel
• Gravel
• Saw (optional)

Some homes share fences or have their fence connected to the other one in the neighboring property. If your fences are designed this way, inform the other homeowner that you will do fence work. If you need to detach any part on your side of the fence, reconnect it back after completing the repairs.

Safety Considerations

After determining what caused a wooden fence post to lean, you should assess whether you have the tools or technical know-how to remedy the situation. Consider calling seasoned fence specialists if you have to move or handle unwieldy or otherwise heavy pieces of fencing material. It’s best to leave it to the professionals instead of risking potential injury.

How To Fix a Leaning Wooden Fence Post

Following are the steps necessary to repair a leaning fence post:

1. Initial Assessment

The necessary repairs you will undertake will depend on the cause of the problem. For example, you may have to replace broken, bent or rotten fencing materials or posts. It may also be necessary to remove other railings or posts so you can replace the broken parts.

2. Removal of Damaged Materials

In most cases, you will need to detach the leaning post from the rest of the fence. This means taking off any panels connected to the problem post. If the old post has rotted at the base, you will need to replace it with a new one.

Since you’re working with a wooden fence, place braces on either side of the post and wedge them to the ground to make the leaning post stay upright, attach any loose rails that may have come off.

3. Keeping the Post Straight and Level

The next step is to make sure that the post is level and aligned with the entire fence. Use a level to ensure the post is straight, and adjust the braces. Add braces at the top of the post for added support, and the ones posted on the ground should have around a 45-degree angle to provide the most support for the replacement post.

4. Refilling the Hole and Rebuilding the Base

You can fill the hole for the post with either soil or concrete. First, fill the hole with half and half gravel and sand. Next, pack the material tightly to provide a firm base for the fence post.

Alternatively, you can use concrete to fill the hole for a firmer base. Make sure to thoroughly mix the concrete and water. If you use fast-setting concrete, it will only take up to an hour to dry and four to six hours to cure. However, if you’re using regular concrete, you will have to wait 24 to 48 hours for the mixture to dry and around 28 days to cure and receive its effective strength.

5. Reattach Panels and Rails

Finally, fill the hole at the base of the post with soil and tamp it down. Once secured, reattach the rails and fence panels. Make sure that all materials have been attached firmly. 

Work with Seasoned Professionals

Your fence will require routine maintenance to boost your property’s curb appeal. For this reason, it is best to work with seasoned professionals in case of major repairs such as broken fence posts.

NorTex Fence & Patio has over 24 years of industry experience providing top-level fence work you can rely on. Call 972-382-7800 today or fill out this contact form to get a free estimate.

A wooden fence is a system made up of multiple parts. These include the boards, posts, the base and two rails that lie from post to post across the top and bottom of the fence.

Wooden fence rails are what your fence boards are affixed to, and they connect one post to the next. Damage to the fence rail can weaken the structure of your entire fencing system, so it’s essential to fix any problems with it right away. In this article, we discuss the common causes of damage, how to repair wooden fence rails and how to replace wooden fence rails if they can no longer be fixed.

What Causes Damage to Wooden Fence Systems?

Regular care and maintenance can keep your wood fences looking and functioning well for many years. However, all types of fences are susceptible to damage caused by extreme weather conditions, pests and moisture. Since untreated wood fences are made of organic material, they’re more prone to warping, insect infestation and rot caused by excessive exposure to rain and snow. The risk is lower for fences made of cedar, a naturally insect-repellant material, and treated wooden fence systems.

Additionally, if there are plants near your wooden fences, they might be rubbing on the bottom rail or trapping moisture, which in turn encourages the growth of mold and mildew.

While damage to boards and posts is common, rails can also be affected. For example, rot may cause a rail to pull loose from boards or posts, while impact – such as from a riding lawn mower – can result in broken fence rails and damaged boards or posts.

How to Repair Wooden Fence Rails

Depending on the extent of the damage, the wooden fence rails can still be fixed. A rail that has come loose from the post can be reconnected as long as the joint isn’t too rotted. To repair a rail, you’ll need the following:

• A 2×4 board
• Wood preservative
• Galvanized nails and screws
• Caulk or a pair of metal T-braces
• Paint in a color that matches your fence (optional)

Method 1

Step 1: Apply a generous coating of wood preservative to the damaged area. This will prevent rot from spreading and affecting other parts of your fence.

Step 2: Build a cleat. Make sure the rail is level, fit the 2×4 underneath it and fix it in place by nailing the 2X4 to the posts on either side. Then, drive a couple of nails through the rail into the 2X4.

Step 3: Caulk the top and sides. This step helps keep out moisture and prevents rotting.

Method 2

Step 1: Apply a generous coating of wood preservative to the damaged area. This will prevent rot from spreading and affecting other parts of your fence.

Step 2: Make sure the rail is level. Afterward, drill pilot holes into the rail and the post.

Step 3: Screw the T-braces to the rail.

Step 4: Apply caulk to the joint.

Optional Step: Paint the T-braces.

How to Replace Wooden Fence Rails

If the rail is not salvageable, you’ll need to replace the entire section of the fence. You’ll need the following:

• Two 2×4 rails and replacement fence boards*
• 10d and 8d galvanized nails
• A level

*You can cut these yourself if you have the equipment and know-how. Alternatively, measure your existing rail and get the dimensions of the section you’re replacing as well as the fence boards. Then, purchase fence boards and 2x4s from a home improvement store and have the staff cut them to the correct length.

Method 

Step 1: Affix the top rail. The rail should fit along the tops of the posts. It can extend from one post to another or span two fence sections if you need to replace two. Use the level to ensure the rail is even. Starting from one end, nail the rails in place. Be sure to use 10d galvanized nails at both ends of the rail.   

Step 2: Affix the bottom rail. You can attach the rail from just above grade to a foot up. Drive a 10d galvanized nail at an angle through the post and into the end of the rail on both sides.

Step 3: Nail down the fence boards. Beginning at one end, nail one board at a time to the rail. Use two 8d galvanized nails and connect the top first. This way, you can adjust the bottom rail to align with the top rail.

If your fence should have boards on either side, leave a gap equal to the width of a single board between each. When you’re done nailing boards on one side, move on to the other. Then, nail the boards on the other side of the rails to cover the gaps you left previously.

Leave the Hard Work to the Fence Replacement Experts

Replacing wooden fences is not a quick and easy DIY project for most people. Instead it requires planning, precision and expertise to ensure a high-quality finished product that will last for many years.

Nortex Fence & Patio has been providing fencing solutions to residential and commercial clients since 1988. We deliver exceptional artistry and use only the best available materials, and all of our cedar projects come with a 10-year warranty. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Many homeowners can see the benefits of installing a pergola on their property. Aside from its outdoor aesthetic appeal, a pergola can create a natural living space where you can enjoy a nice day outdoors. When designed correctly, a pergola in your yard can cast enough shade in the area on its own and even more shade with a retractable patio cover. 

However, with natural elements like strong winds and earthquakes, it’s not enough to just add a pergola to your backyard and call it a day. To protect your installation, you should keep your pergola anchored over the pavers on the ground. There are multiple ways to handle how to anchor a pergola to pavers, so choose which ones best fit the aesthetic and positioning of your pergola. 

Ways to Anchor Your Pergola to Pavers

You’ll need the help of a professional to anchor your pergola to the pavers. However, if you’re curious to know how to anchor a pergola to the pavers in your backyard, here’s the general process. 

First, after adding the pergola’s post footings on the ground, you’ll need to drill into the pavers to secure these posts. Next, brackets are added to secure each post. Finally, concrete is plastered around each post’s base as an added measure of stability. 

This is the most common way of anchoring your pergola. Unlike setting the posts in soil alone, pavers are attached to the ground, which gives your posts a solid foundation against natural elements that could damage or cause the entire structure to collapse. 

Install Post Footings Underneath the Pavers

You can opt to attach the post footings to the ground for a stronger foundation. Doing this gives your posts more stability, and your pavers become an added layer of stability to your pergola. Additional concrete placed at the top of your pavers ensures a strong hold over the post.

Your installer will have to remove the existing pavers over the area each pergola post will be. Fresh concrete will be added, and the brackets of the post footings will be installed before the concrete dries. The pergola post can then be attached to the footings, and then the pavers re-installed around the post. 

Install Post Brackets on the Pavers

If you don’t want to remove or change your pavers, you can instead install post brackets on the pavers and then attach them to your pergola posts. These brackets fit into the legs of your pergola and then have holes that you can use to screw the bracket into the paver. 

While you can do this with a DIY method, keep in mind that improper installation can lead to risks. If you don’t have the right drill bit or have very brittle pavers, you could crack or damage the paver attached to the bracket. This can compromise the stability of the leg, which cancels out the whole point of anchoring your pergola. You also need a specific type of screw that can effectively hold the weight of the pergola onto the paver without damaging it. 

Add Concrete to the Pergola Legs

For those who aren’t able to remove their pavers or drill into them, you can opt to add concrete to the base of each post to weigh each leg down. This is an option for those who are renting and aren’t allowed to damage or perform permanent changes to the backyard. 

You’ll need to place each leg of the pergola in a large container, like a bucket, planter, or any shape that can hold concrete. Next, fill up the container with concrete and let it dry and cure. 

Attach Weight Bags

This is only an option for temporary pergolas for special events in your home. This method will only work for lightweight pergolas, so this will barely have an anchoring effect on heavier pergolas that need more permanent solutions. 

Using a weighted bag or a bag filled with sand or dirt, tie each of the posts with a couple of weight bags. This should be good for regular days that aren’t too windy but don’t expect this to be an effective long-term solution against the elements. 

What Happens If I Don’t Anchor My Pergola?

Failing to secure your pergola puts your structure at risk over time. Here are some potential risks if you don’t anchor your pergola.

• During inclement weather with storms and high winds, it’s possible for your pergola to collapse, especially during heavy storms that can displace the soil where the posts are. 
• On particularly windy days, you may notice your pergola sway in the wind. This can be worrying when you or a household member is underneath the pergola. 
• It’s possible for your pergola to collapse. If the pergola is attached or close to your home, it could cause structural damage to your property. 
• You’ll have to pay to re-install your pergola, which can be costlier than simply anchoring it. 

Pergolas Crafted for Stability and Style

Now that you know some of the ways how to anchor a pergola to pavers, you may want to hire a professional to install them for you. Pergolas add style and comfort to your backyard. However, if you want to protect your structure from damage from natural elements, it’ll need to be properly anchored to the ground. 

With the skills and experience of the builders at Nortex Fence & Patio, you can expect the highest quality from your pergolas. Our team can design and install pergolas and ensure that they’ll stand strong against your area’s natural climate and elements. Let your households enjoy the comforts of a pergola that’s safe and sound in your home. 

Call our consultants today at 972-382-7800 or fill out this contact form to get a free estimate.

A good layer of paint will not only improve your fence’s aesthetics but can also prevent premature wood rot and protect it from the elements like sun, rain, wind and even insects.

In this guide, we’ll answer questions like:

• How do you prepare a wooden fence for painting?
• Do you need to prime a wood fence before painting?
• What tools and supplies will be required?
• How long will it take to paint a fence?

Painting Supplies and Tools

Before you begin giving your fence a facelift, you will need the following tools and supplies to do the job:

• Exterior wood paint
• Wood primer
• Sanding paper
• Bed sheets
• Plastic sheets
• Dry brush
• Sponge
• Warm water
• Detergent
• Goggles
• Bleach
• Mask
• 2” or 5” brush
• Paint rollers
• Ladder – only if you have a tall fence

What Type of Paint Do You Need?

In the preparation process and while you learn how to paint a wooden fence, you’ll come across several types of paint. It is important to know which of the following paints will best suit your needs:

• Acrylic Paint: This type of paint is chemical based and more elastic. It expands better upon contact with wood. It also offers better protection from the sun.
• Latex Paint: Latex paint is more affordable than acrylic and easier to apply. It’s also easier to clean.
• Oil-Based Paints: Oil-based paints spread smoothly over a surface, allowing you to cover a larger area more thoroughly with just one coat. It shrinks less and tends to hold up well in high-traffic areas. However, it takes much longer to dry than other paint types.
• Primer: A primer is an undercoat paint that is a must. You need to apply this on your fence surface before any other paint. It creates a bonding layer on the wooden surface and seals it. Primers allow other paints to stick better onto the wood, and it also protects the fence from moisture and mildew.

Choosing the type of paint you are going to use is based on several factors like your budget, how much time you can spend working on your fence and the local weather conditions in your area.

How Much Paint Should You Use?

Next, you must determine how much paint you will need to purchase. Each brand of paint will have different coverages. It is best to check the label to see how large an area a can of paint can cover. On average, expect to paint up to 150 to 250 square feet for every gallon of paint you purchase. However, some brands and paint types will allow you to cover larger areas.

Compute the total square footage you need to cover with paint. Don’t forget that you must paint both sides of the fence and add that to your computation.

Prepare Your Surroundings

Before you paint your fence, you should protect the other surfaces around it that you don’t want the paint to get on. This can include your patio floor, plants, furniture, nearby trees and other items close to your fence.

You may have to trim some shrubs that have grown over your fence. Then, remove any fixtures nearby or cover them with plastic or old bed sheets. You can also mask off the ground to protect it from dripping paint.

How Do You Prepare A Wooden Fence For Painting?

Before you learn how to paint a wooden fence, you should first prepare it for painting. Doing so will help ensure that the paint sticks well onto the wood, making the coat last a long time.

Clean and Repair

The first step in preparing your wooden fence is to clean it and do some repairs if needed. You should go over your fence and look for signs of damage. Check if you need to replace any backer rails, posts and pickets. Make sure to remove any old nails or screws. In addition, you can seal any holes before painting.

Next, you can manually clean any cobwebs, dirt, mildew, mud and other debris from the fence’s surface. Alternatively, you can use a power washer to get things done faster. However, make sure to use the recommended settings when using a power washer, or you may damage the fence. Also, allow the fence to dry completely after washing it.

Sanding

The old paint has already started flaking when you decide you are going to paint your fence, so you will need to use sanding paper to smoothen the surface. Even if the paint is not chipping, you need to sand the surface as a part of the preparation process to allow the paint to adhere better to the wooden surface. In addition, sanding creates a more even finish when you apply paint.

If you’re painting a new fence, you won’t need to sand it. The new wood installed on your fence will usually be pre-treated. All you need to do is ensure the wood is clean and dry.

Do You Need To Prime A Wood Fence Before Painting?

As explained earlier, you will need to prime a wood fence before you start painting, as priming will help seal the wood by adding a protective layer. A latex or acrylic primer will work well for most types of wood. However, if you use a type of redwood for your fence, such as cedar, it is best to use an oil-based primer instead.

How To Paint A Wooden Fence

Now that your surroundings have been prepared and your fence is clean and dry, the next step is to apply a primer layer to your fence. Ensure all panels are covered and leave them to dry for a minimum of 16 hours.

Next, you can choose your preferred tool for painting your fence. Your options include a sprayer, brush or roller. Make sure you know how to use sprayers, or you might waste paint and have a patchy or bubbled finish.

When using a brush or roller, use strokes along the direction of the wood grain. Make sure to apply even coats on all panels, beginning at the top and working your way down.

Allow the paint to dry for around 4 to 12 hours. After that, apply a second coat. Finally, don’t forget to clean all your tools with soap and water if it is acrylic or latex paint that you used or mineral spirit if you used an oil-based paint.

Should I DIY the Paint Job or Hire A Fence Painting Company?

If you don’t have the time or experience painting a wooden fence, it is best to leave it to the experts from Nortex Fence & Patio. We have over two decades of experience helping homeowners repair, prepare and repaint their fences to perfection. Call 972-382-7800 today or fill out this contact form to get a free estimate.