General

Do you want to install a wooden fence in your yard? It can be a great way to improve the security and privacy of your home. In this blog post, we will teach you how to build a wooden fence from scratch. We will go over everything you need to know, from planning the project to installing the fence. Let’s get started!

How to Plan a Wooden Fence Project

The first step in building a wooden fence is planning the project. You will need to determine the size and location of the fence, as well as the type of wood you want to use. You also need to factor in your budget and schedule. Be sure to get accurate measurements so that you can purchase the correct amount of wood.

How to Build a Wooden Fence

Once you have planned your project, it’s time to start building the fence. The first step is to dig post holes and set the posts in concrete. Next, you will need to install the rails and panels. Finally, you will need to seal the wood to protect it from the elements.

How to Put Up a Wooden Fence

If you are installing a wooden fence, you will need to put up the posts and panels. The first step is to set the posts in concrete. Next, you will need to install the rails and panels. Finally, you will need to seal the wood to protect it from the elements.

How to Maintain a Wooden Fence

To keep your wooden fence looking good for years to come, you will need to perform regular maintenance tasks. This includes cleaning, sealing, and staining the wood. You should also check for damage and repair as needed. By following these tips, you can keep your fence looking great for many years.

If you are thinking of installing a wooden fence in your yard, be sure to follow these steps. It can be a challenging project, but the end result is worth it!

A carport is an affordable alternative to building an enclosed garage. In fact, building a carport can be half the cost of a fully enclosed garage, and having a pergola designed by professionals for this purpose makes the carport a more attractive addition to your home. Pergola carports are aesthetically pleasing and may improve the value of your home while adding functionality.

Pergola Carport Cost Breakdown

Construction work for your new stylish pergola carport will include various tasks, which have associated costs for materials and labor. Your contractor will be able to breakdown the costs for each item but understanding it beforehand may help. 

The general costs include: 

• Site excavation and preparation
• Installing concrete foundations and slabs
• Installing wood framing
• Installing electricity if requested
• Painting or staining
• Miscellaneous materials

Prices for each section can vary depending on location and materials used. 

5 Steps to Get an Estimate for Your Pergola Carport

Before getting a quote from a pergola construction company, you should do a little research for your carport project. You will want to make sure you are following local regulations, and that the project will work for your property.

1. Research Local Regulations 

Before deciding to have a carport installed, you need to check with your local zoning and planning commission and your HOA (homeowner association), if applicable, to find out if it is allowed. Your city may restrict the size of your potential pergola carport, or it may have regulations that will determine where the carport may be built. You can call your local zoning commission to see what rules you must follow, or you may be able to find your city’s zoning ordinances online. A good carport contractor can help you through this process and will be familiar with local building ordinances. 

2. Determine Location

Your carport should be easily accessed from the entry of your home and your driveway. You will need to pick a relatively level area where the carport is protected from the wind, ensuring that it will remain sturdy for its lifetime. 

3. Determine Carport Size

Before determining the size of your future pergola carport, you will want to decide how many vehicles you would like to cover. A typical car is about 9 feet by 16 feet, and you will want to add a few feet for walkways, about 2 or 3 feet. This means a minimum of about 12 feet by 20 feet may be required. 

For additional cars, you will need a wider pergola covering. Of course, the larger your pergola carport is, the higher the cost will be. Size may also be determined by location and relation to your home.

4. Decide on a Finish

Cedar pergola carports showcase a natural and classic wood appearance. The materials may be stained to match other wood elements on your house, or they may be painted to match the trim. You will want to decide how you want it to look before contacting your contractor for a quote. 

5. Design Add-Ons

Pergola carports are typically constructed with wood beams that are set into foundations and with a concrete slab for parking. Ask your pergola carport construction company about additional finishing features for the custom design, including latticework or climbing vines. 

Call a Trusted Pergola Carport Contractor to Get a Quote Now

Nortex Fence & Patio of Dallas, Texas has been designing and building custom pergolas for more than 20 years. You can trust our experienced master craftsmen to work efficiently and safely. You can check out our website for photos from previous projects, which may be useful for dreaming up pergola carport ideas for your home. 

Call us at 972-382-7800 to determine your new pergola carport cost, or contact us online to schedule a free estimate. 

These days, more and more homeowners are seriously focusing on their home safety measures. As this demand increases, the safety and security industry has been working hard to upgrade their systems and features to improve their effectiveness, putting minds at ease. 

One of the most important safety and security features that most homeowners should consider is a driveway gate. 

What is a Driveway Gate?

Your driveway gate matters. Not only is it at the forefront of the house, it also protects your property from harmful elements like wandering wild animals and unwanted company. Therefore, you must be mindful of both the aesthetics and functionality of your house gate. 

Before you jump the gun, take the time to browse inspiration designs for driveway gate ideas and create a shortlist according to the following tips.

1. Consider the Size

Before you can even think about the materials and aesthetic design, you must first decide how wide your driveway gate will be. On average, driveway gate size ranges from 10 to 18 ft long, depending on the available space. Ideally, it should be wide enough to fit sedans, SUVs, and trucks. 

The height of your driveway gate is largely a subjective choice. It should be tall enough to hide your vehicle from people passing by, but there isn’t a hard rule on it. You may have seen shorter gates, almost like a hip-level white picket fence; ultimately, it’s up to you!

1. Determine What Type of Driveway

Generally, there are two different types of driveway gates in terms of function: swinging and sliding gates. The former is ideal for bigger, flatter properties, whereas the latter works better on a smaller, more inclined area. 

Sliding doors offer a wider passage and more efficient use of space, but if cost is a factor, swinging doors can be a better fit for your budget. Assess your location and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each type of driveway gate.

Decide what style to install. A beautifully designed driveway gate must complement the look of your house. While there are plenty of models to choose from, you can categorize gate styles into three distinct varieties: picket, slat, and tubular.

• Picket: Looks similar to a white picket fence and often comes in a swing type.
• Slat: Consists of horizontal slats that can either be metal or wood. 
• Tubular: Perhaps the most common, consisting of an array of long, vertical tubes that sometimes have sharp tips. 

If you struggle deciding, think about consulting an interior designer or architect to help you make the best choice.

1. Decide on the Material and Color

The color of your gate will depend solely on your preference. It should be easy to maintain, complement the house design, and safe for the drivers. 

That last one might sound odd, but it’s an important thing to consider. A black gate may look elegant, but when there is inadequate lighting in the area, it could camouflage at night and cause an accident. The same thought applies to overly bright colors that reflect light in the day. 

Common gate materials are wood, metal (e.g., steel and iron), and vinyl (i.e., plastic made from chlorine and ethylene). Wood looks beautifully rustic but requires diligent pest maintenance and waterproofing. Steel and iron are sturdy but rather heavy, and while vinyl is economical, it has limited reparability and relatively low strength.

1. Assess the Security Level

When designing your gate, security should be a topmost consideration. Do you have children and pets at home? Consider designing your driveway gate to be child-proof and pet-proof. Your driveway gate remains closed most of the time, but accidents can happen. Your curious seven-year-old or adventurous dog could easily wander outside, so make sure to think about that when weighing your options.

Most importantly, take into account the safety of your neighborhood. Houses in the city are better suited for security gates—large, steel gates with pointed tips that can be controlled remotely.

1. Check Accessibility and Maintenance

Types of driveway gates can vary according to accessibility, either mechanical or manual. A heavy-duty iron gate might be burdensome if you live alone or in a two-person household, which is why many homeowners decide to install automatic gates. 

You can open your automatic driveway gate via a pin pad or a keypad, which can be stand-alone or built on either of the gate columns at a level accessible from the driver’s seat. They are best paired with a security camera and an intercom, allowing homeowners to check incoming guests and open the gates remotely.

Thanks to advances in technology, smart devices and applications are now available to maneuver your gate 200 ft (61 m) away from your house. You can even open them while you are still on the road using your smartphone. This modern feature also allows the use of solar power—a sustainable, cost-saving measure. 

1. Expert Help

Driveway gate installation is challenging for non-experts, demanding careful thought as style, security, and functionality should all be considered. On top of these, you might have several other questions. Is your area prone to severe weather? What does your budget look like? How soon do you need it? Be a wise homeowner; don’t be afraid to ask an expert to help determine your best option. 

Partnering with Nortex Fence for Your Driveway Gate

If you are looking for a company with the right experience and skills to custom-design and build your driveway gate, there’s nowhere better to look. With over 20 years of industry experience, Nortex Fence is the right choice for you. Our company strives to maintain outstanding quality service for our clients that keep you and your family safe.

For expert advice on all of your driveway gate needs, contact us today for a quote.

Choosing a patio or deck builder can be confusing, especially if it’s your first time.

Beautifying your home to increase its value is essential, and you want to make sure you hire the right people for the job.

Do you know what to expect from a patio or deck builder?

How can you tell a good builder from a sloppy one?

In this post, we’ll show you exactly what you should expect from your builder.

Things to Expect from a Quality Patio or Deck Builder

Looking for a patio or deck builder to work with doesn’t have to be complicated. 

When you identify the expectations you should set for your builder, you’ll immediately know if they’re good for you.

Here are the expectations you should have for your builder.

1. They are Licensed

A trustworthy patio or deck builder is, first of all, licensed.

Clients must be able to verify the legitimacy of the company.

To check if they are licensed, you must see if they have proper credentials. Ask the builder to present you with the documents that prove their credibility, like a license and insurance.

If they couldn’t give you this, that’s a sign you should look for a different builder. 

2. Experience and Skills

It’s not enough to know that a patio or deck company is licensed.

They must have the experience and skills to take on your home project.

Not just a little experience, they should also have a long history of working in the industry.

We at Nortex Fence & Patio have been here since 1998. That’s 22 years of excellent workmanship and happy homeowners!

Besides length of experience, they should also be knowledgeable about designing different outdoor spaces.

Contact the builder and ask them about the specifics of your desired patio or deck. Have they previously used the materials you want for your patio or deck? Have they ever constructed one with the same size before?

If they have the necessary experience, they would know how to deal with unusual landscapes and create decks and patios with any kind of material.

Flip through the photo gallery of their past works. Do the photos demonstrate superior craftsmanship? Do their completed patios and decks look durable and polished? Do any of the photos look like the kind of patio or deck you have in mind?

3. Good Reputation 

You can also tell if they’re a good patio or deck builder by seeing what their past clients have to say about them. 

Read online reviews about them. You’ll be able to get a clear idea of how they dealt with customers they’ve worked with. 

Complaints about them don’t always show that the company is unprofessional. A client might have misjudged or misunderstood them.

You should also watch how they reply to negative feedback and you’ll notice how open they are to customer’s suggestions.

4. They Do Their Best to Satisfy Their Clients

An excellent patio and deck builder doesn’t only get the job done. They also do it well. 

Your building needs will always be prioritized, and they strive to rise above your expectations. They understand your vision for improving your home. 

Also, if you don’t have a complete mental image of the type of deck or patio you want to install, the builder can give you ideas. They’ll be able to piece the puzzles of the project together and show you a draft of the result.

They solve every problem they face while working with your home no matter how complex it is. They are patient with you if there are parts of their work you’re not satisfied with.

You love their service so much that you can’t help but refer them to your friends! 

5. Clear Communication

This is another trait you should expect from a deck or patio builder. 

Do they answer all your questions about the project or their company? If they’re responsive, that shows they value you as a client and want to connect with you.

They are also transparent and honest with you. They state the actual cost of the materials and the completion of the overall project.

If you inquire about their policies and guarantees, they can explain them to you without hiding anything. 

The builder can also describe their work process to you. They will tell you what they’re able to do with the space you let them work with and are clear about their limitations.

They will also tell you what goes into the creation of your patio or deck.

A good patio or deck builder will give you a definitive timeline that shows when they can start and finish the project. With an exact timeline, you can conveniently plan your schedule around their construction time.

6. They Fulfill their Promises 

Lastly, they should deliver on their promises. They don’t just talk big. They back it with actions and see the project through. Besides, you won’t experience any major delays with a quality builder.

They tell you beforehand if they have predicted that issues may come up in the construction. They also get the exact amount of materials and finish building your patio or deck on time.

Why Choose Nortex Fence and Patio

Nortex Fence & Patio builds with quality and care. We only work with the best materials and provide you with highly skilled craftspersons with multiple years of experience, so quality is guaranteed.

Our goal is to surpass industry standards and have lasting relationships with our customers.

Contact us for a free estimate now.