Month: March 2023

Some fences are built with minute gaps to allow for expansion and contraction, but more significant gaps appear over time. Fence gaps create many issues, from unfortunate pet escapes to wildlife chewing on your vegetables. Aside from critters digging at your fence, gaps can result from natural shifts in the terrain or weather damage. 

Below, we’ll cover some creative strategies on how to fill gaps in a wooden fence:

• Shift boards to add newer slats
• Cover fence gaps with vinyl woven straps
• Fill gaps with creeping vines or flowers
• Line the fence with hedges
• Add fence decorations for eclectic coverage
• Hang shelves to store plants and other items
• Use stones to fill gaps closer to the ground

Shift Boards to Add Newer Slats

If you have noticeable gaps in your fence, one of the best ways of fixing it is to shift the boards over and add new ones.

If your fence is screwed in place, you must unscrew the parts with significant gaps. Reinstall those slats close together as they originally appeared. Then, you’ll add new fencing slats at the end. 

This method results in a more permanent fence repair that preserves the original look of your fence.

Cover Fence Gaps With Vinyl Woven Straps

If you just want to cover the gaps and don’t care about appearances, a quick, low-cost repair is to staple down vinyl woven straps over the gaps. 

Line up the vinyl woven strap over the gap to find the correct measurement and cut it out. Use a staple gun to staple along the sides of the strap to secure it. Vinyl woven straps are also known as vinyl strips, poly strapping and utility webbing. This material is weather-resistant, comes in many colors and works great as a patch job.

Fill Gaps With Creeping Vines or Flowers

A wooden fence with gaps is the perfect material for creeping vines or flowers to adorn. All you need is an added support system to help train the vines where you want them to grow. 

You could purchase a trellis or make one with materials lying around the house and build a vertical garden right on your fence. Colorful wire and a staple gun will also do in a pinch. From morning glories and honeysuckle to strawberries and blackberries, the ideas for a bountiful garden are endless.

Line the Fence With Hedges

Plant hedges along the fence symmetrically to help cover gaps and add more detail to your landscaping. Perhaps you only want more coverage during the hotter times of the year. Short shrubs or mid-size evergreen trees can provide seasonal or year-round coverage.

Many plant nurseries sell shrubs and trees nearing maturity that offer a low-cost option to cover fence gaps. You can also hire someone to trim them into unique shapes.

Add Fence Decorations for Eclectic Coverage

If you’re a collector or artist, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to fill gaps in a wooden fence with small pieces of wonder. Turn your fence into a work of art.

Invest in different types of birdhouses to line the gaps of your fence with, and paint them different colors. Fill the birdhouses with a bit of birdseed to attract birds. Hang them in late winter or early spring to increase the likelihood of bird occupation.

Showcase your creativity by painting a 2-D mural or creating a 3-D mural out of items found at yard sales, thrift stores or while traveling.

Hang Shelves to Store Plants and Other Items

Turn your fence into a convenient storage area and fill fence gaps simultaneously. Small hanging shelves won’t weigh down the fence too much and provide a place to store plants, toys, garden tools and other items.

Use Stones to Fill Gaps Closer to the Ground 

River rocks or painted rocks would make an aesthetically pleasing addition to cover gaps at the bottom of a fence. 

Select stones between one to three inches in width and gently stack them into place. If you’re worried about wildlife moving them aside, you can use rocks from around your yard or neighborhood to fill the hole and cover it with fresh soil.

Small gaps are expected due to the expansion and contraction of wooden fences over time. However, significant gaps due to wear and tear from weather damage, terrain shifts and wildlife are natural. 

We hope these tips have provided you with a creative solution for how to fill gaps in a wooden fence. Sometimes, the best solution is a more permanent fence repair or new fence installation. Nortex Fence & Patio uses cedar as our preferred material since it’s a natural insect repellent, and wild cedar trees can live past 300 years.

Our company has provided superb fencing services to residential and commercial clients since 1998. All cedar projects are backed by a 10-year warranty, and each fence is crafted by a master craftsman whose quality handiwork is unparalleled in workmanship and materials. Contact us today.

Pergolas are a perfect addition to any patio area or backyard. They offer shade on hot, sunny days and lend personality to your outdoor living area. Over the years, the elements can make pergolas look weathered and in need of minor repair. Staining and sealing can help with the upkeep of your pergola and add value to your property. Below, you’ll learn how to stain a pergola and how to maintain and re-stain your pergola.

First, it’s important to mention when you should stain cedar vs. pine pergolas. A pressure-treated pine pergola should be completely dry as it won’t accept a stain while wet, and that averages from two to six months from its assembly. A western red cedar pergola can take a stain directly after assembly. 

For the best look, choose a stain that matches your existing deck or wooden furniture. You could also select a stain that complements accessories, such as floral arrangements. A neutral stain is an optimal way to tie everything together and make your outdoor living area shine. 

How to Stain a Pergola in Just a Few Steps

Before you begin staining the pergola, you’ll need to check local weather conditions. You’ll need 24-48 hours to ensure that there’s no precipitation. Check the label on the staining products you’re applying for the correct window of time. Then, you’re ready to learn how to stain a pergola.

1. Prep the Pergola

To prepare the pergola for staining, ensure the surface is free of dirt and totally dry. If you pressure wash the pergola or use a garden hose, let the wood dry completely before applying the staining product. If you aren’t working with raw wood and the pergola has a pre-existing stain, you’ll need to remove it with a sander before proceeding. Make any minor repairs needed, such as removing debris or sealing insect damage.

2. Set Out Supplies

Gather the necessary materials and set them out, so you’re ready to work. Necessary items for staining include a step ladder, cleaning rags, the staining product, drop cloths, safety goggles and brushes.

3. Remove Items and Cover Surfaces

Remove unnecessary items from the area, so you don’t trip or accidentally stain them. Cover larger surfaces, such as the patio and furniture, with drop cloths to avoid unwanted staining.

4. Apply the Stain Along the Wood Grain

Check the directions on the staining product before you begin, ensuring that you follow the instructions. Apply a test stain on a hidden area as a final check to see if the color is right for you.

When ready, apply the stain from the top to the bottom: overhead, vertical surfaces and bottom. For the best results, apply the stain in the direction of the wood grain in long, even strokes. Avoid making lap marks by maintaining a wet edge, and apply the stain to a few areas at a time.

However, there are different effects you can achieve depending on how you layer the stain:

• For semi-transparent stains, apply a thin coat with a high-quality brush or roller.
• For solid stains, apply two coats of the stain with a high-quality brush or roller.
• Back brush gently and evenly to even out rough areas.

5. Allow the Stain to Dry

Don’t miss any edges or ends. Once done, allow the stain to dry before replacing accessories and furniture or walking on the floor.  

Maintaining Your Pergola: Staining Takeaways

Wood pergolas enhance the beauty of your outdoor living space. Staining your pergola enhances its beauty and longevity for years to come. 

• To maintain your pergola, check it for wear and tear seasonally, and repair any damage to prevent deterioration. 
• Deep clean your pergola annually with a pressure washer on a low setting. 
• Once the pergola is clean and dry, you can re-apply the stain for upkeep. Work from top to bottom, applying the stain in long, even strokes. Work the stain into crevices.
• Allow the stain to dry before replacing furniture and accessories.

With these easy tips, you’ll extend the beauty and enjoyment of your pergola in the perfect outdoor living space, envisioned by you!

NorTex Fence & Patio prides itself on the design and construction of high-quality pergolas and patio covers that last for years to come. Our artisans see every project from start to finish with the most complete attention to detail, ensuring it exceeds each customer’s expectations.  

Contact us today to get the best solutions for your patio needs.

Do you need to clean a fence before staining? Cleaning a wooden fence is an essential step before you can proceed with staining your perimeter enclosure. The layers of dirt, grime, algae, and other surface contaminants can prevent the wood from absorbing the stain. This means any top coat you apply on your fence can peel away quickly due to poor adhesion.

If you want your stain to last longer, cleaning your fence before applying any stain is best. In this guide, you’ll learn how to clean a wooden fence before staining, the techniques you should apply, and which tools you should use.

Do You Need to Clean a Fence Before Staining?

Some homeowners mistakenly believe that since the wood used for their fence is pressure treated, it no longer requires any cleaning. Some even think pressure washing or power washing pressure-treated wood will cause severe damage.

On the contrary, pressure washing, and any form of cleaning, will benefit your fence. Pressure-treated wood will need regular maintenance to continue repelling insects and prevent algae growth. The wood won’t withstand long-term damage and corrosion without proper cleaning.

How to Clean a Wooden Fence Before Staining

There are several ways to clean a fence during regular maintenance. You can manually clean it, which will take a long time to complete. The better option is to pressure wash your fence. In the steps provided below, you’ll learn how to clean a wooden fence before staining using two different methods.

Manual Cleaning

If you don’t have a pressure washer, you must allow more time to clean your fence. You also need to apply plenty of elbow grease to clean everything thoroughly.

You’ll need the following to get the job done manually:

• Bucket
• Rags
• Work clothes
• Gloves
• Safety goggles
• Brush (with handle recommended)
• Sponge

You can use commercial fence cleaners that you can buy in stores. Combine two gallons of water with one and a half cups of commercial fence cleaning solution. 

However, you also have the option to use homemade cleaners. You can make a DIY fence cleanser by combining 1 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of water. Next, add dish soap to the mixture. Make sure to mix everything well until all the ingredients are sufficiently blended.

If you find mold, algae, and mildew on the wood, you can add a diluted bleach solution to your fence cleaner. Combine two parts bleach with one part water to make the bleach solution. Apply this solution to your fence before using the fence cleaner.

After applying the bleach solution:

1. Dip your brush or sponge in the cleaning solution.
2. Scrub each board one at a time.
3. Let the cleanser sit on the wood for about three to five minutes, then rinse it.
4. Move to the next set of boards and repeat the same process.

Using a Pressure Washer

Before cleaning wooden fences with a power washer:

1. Wear your safety gear.
2. Fill the power washer with the recommended amount of water.
3. Attach your garden hose to the pressure washer.
4. Connect the high-pressure hose from the power washer to the spray wand.

Now that your pressure washer is ready, the next step is to turn it on and set the appropriate pressure. The pressure level will depend on the wood used to construct your fence. Set the pressure to 500 to 600 psi when working with soft wood such as pine or cedar. When working with harder wood, set the psi from 1,200 to 2,000.

The goal is to use the least amount of pressure necessary to remove dirt and gunk from your fence. Start with a lower psi and adjust to a higher level if you need more pressure to wash away dirt. Using too much pressure can damage your wooden fence.

When you spray your fence, start from the top, going down on each board. Work on small areas of the board until they are thoroughly cleaned. Aim your sprayer at an angle or use a 25-degree nozzle. Keep the nozzle three feet away from the panels but move in closer to one to two feet to get rid of hard-to-remove dirt.

It’s vital to keep the wand moving. Aiming too long at a single point can damage wooden surfaces. Once you’re done with one section, turn off the washer and check to ensure everything is spotless. Next, move to the next section of your fence, repeating the same steps until all the boards have been cleaned.

If you find mold, mildew, and algae while washing, you must stop and apply the bleach solution described earlier. You may have to brush stubborn mildew to remove them altogether. Once you’ve dealt with these contaminants, continue pressure washing. When you’re done, allow the fence to air dry before applying any stain. The best time to clean and stain a wooden fence is during summer.

Get Professional Help to Get the Job Done Quickly

At NorTex Fence, we understand that some homeowners don’t have the time or experience cleaning and staining wooden fences. We have seasoned professionals who can get the job done quickly and efficiently, improving your home’s curb appeal. Call 972-382-7800 today or fill out this contact form to get a free estimate.