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A Great Fence Is More Than Just Fence Supplies

A Great Fence Is Attractive And Durable

It doesn’t start out that way. An accumulation of fence supplies piled up isn’t functional or pretty. But when you need a fence installed with virtually no stress, this is what you really want:

A Great Fence Is More Than Just Fence Supplies

You Want Quality Products

A fence comes up against very few forces that cause it harm. Usually just the rare vehicle “contact”, and the non-stop onslaught of the weather. To withstand the effects of those two things, and other problems, only high quality fence supplies should be used.

Calculating the type and amount of fence supplies may not be brain surgery, but miscalculation could be very costly. Or it may require a return trip to the construction supply company. So even before any building occurs, experienced oversight would be invaluable to a homeowner.

You Want Quality Installation

Even superior products require the expert hands of skilled installers. There are numerous factors to consider when installing a fence. Any legal restrictions, securing the fence to the ground, the proper type and amount of fasteners to actually build the fence, a safe injury-free project: these are all crucial elements of great fence installation.

You Want A Quality Warranty

When the daunting task of purchasing the correct fence supplies is followed by a fantastic installation, that’s two out of three parts of a perfect story. The missing link would be a warranty. And not just a warranty of a few years. But a warranty of, say, ten years. A warranty on materials and labor. Now that’s a perfect fence installation.

So You Want…

You want a fence installed by a local family owned business that provides the quality described above, and more. A business with over 25 years of experience in wood and metal fence construction. That means you’ll want to contact us the minute you’re ready for a quality fence!

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How to Maintain Your Deck in 3 Easy Steps

Your deck provides your family with limitless opportunities for relaxation and entertainment. Unfortunately, over time, the vibrant appearance of your wood deck can dull due to foot traffic and the beating it takes from mother nature. However, a consistent maintenance routine can protect your deck’s appearance and save it from expensive repairs. Below, we’ve provided 3 maintenance tips that will help guard your deck against the abuse it faces from heavy foot traffic and intense weather conditions.

How to Maintain Your Deck in 3 Easy Steps

A Simple Inspection

Start your inspection by removing chairs, tables, and planters from your deck. Once the area is completely clear, slowly walk around looking for any split, warped or rotting boards. You should also keep an eye out for loose nails and unsecured railings. If you do discover damaged wood, calling a professional to replace the impaired boards is key to keeping your deck in excellent condition. A thorough inspection at least once a year will alert you to any issues before they escalate and cause your repair bill to skyrocket.

Give Your Deck a Deep Cleaning

While sweeping your deck to remove loose dirt and standing water is always a smart maintenance move, a deep cleaning once a year is also needed. On a pleasant and fairly dry day use a commercial deck cleaner to adequately rid your deck of mold and bacteria. For the best results, be sure to follow the directions that accompany the cleaner. Areas covered in stubborn dirt stains will need to be scrubbed with a brush and little extra elbow-grease. While rinsing your deck with a power washer is the fastest way to get rid of residue, the forceful stream can end-up damaging your deck if you are not careful. Using a garden hose and a nozzle attachment instead will ensure you don’t accidentally harm the wood.

How Often Should You Stain Your Deck?

There are several factors that determine how often your deck requires staining. For one, the type of stain you choose makes a huge difference. A transparent stain provides less protection, meaning you will need to stain your deck every year. If you are looking for a stronger barrier, you can select a semi-transparent stain. This type of stain gives your deck color and guards it from harsh weather while still allowing some of the wood’s natural grain to show through. A semi-transparent stain needs reapplying every 2 to 3 years. A solid stain will provide your deck with the greatest protection, however, it does take away from the wood’s natural appearance. A deck using solid stain needs reapplying on average every five years.

Weather and the amount of foot traffic your deck sees can also impact how often you need to reapply stain. Constant exposure to the sun and extreme humidity can cause your deck’s stain to deteriorate at a faster rate. Heavy foot traffic is another factor you need to take into consideration. The more use your deck gets the quicker the stain wears down.

Adding a wood deck to your home expands your living space and provides you with an area to relax and entertain family and friends. Unfortunately, inadequate maintenance can turn your deck into a burden rather than a prized possession. If you would like to learn more about preserving your deck’s appearance and its structural soundness, please contact us today and we’ll be happy to answer your questions

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Improve Old Fencing with the Right Staining

When the fencing in your yard isn’t in the best condition any longer, you may be concerned about what you can do to make it feel modern again. Instead of tearing down the fence and getting new fencing installed, it’s best to look into what you can do through staining the fence. If you’ve never had staining done to your fence, consider some of the following tips for improving the way that your fence looks with new staining applied.

Improve Old Fencing with the Right Staining

Correct Any Discoloration

Discoloration can happen with a lot of older fences, resulting in some parts of the fence feeling discolored compared to other parts. This can make the fencing appear patchy and result in you being unhappy with the way that the fence looks compared to other more updated parts of your yard.

Staining can correct any discoloration so that the fencing looks even and updated for your landscaping.

Match the Fence to Your Yard

In some cases, the fence may no longer match the rest of your yard due to changes in your design preferences. When you have a patio, pergola, or other landscaping features that clash with the color of the fencing, applying a new stain can give you the opportunity to keep everything more in line with one another.

Extend the Lifespan of Your Fencing

With a discolored fence, you may feel pressured to replace the fencing altogether due to how much it can damage the curb appeal of your home. Having new staining done can ensure that your fence looks brand new again and help you feel good about keeping the fence the way it is for a long time.

As you look into the benefits of staining the fence, you can feel more comfortable with the costs. Contact us if you any questions about having staining done to your fence so that it matches with your yard without a problem.

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Put a Wrought Iron Fence Around Your Swimming Pool

Swimming pools are a staple in many Texas neighborhoods. The summer heat doesn’t just stick to the summer season, and having a pool in the background is one of the best ways to counteract the temperature once it reaches triple digits. But swimming pools aren’t always safe to leave unprotected in your backyard. If you have young children in your home or an easily accessible backyard, you need a separate swimming pool fence to keep people out when you’re not there to supervise a swim.

Put a Wrought Iron Fence Around Your Swimming Pool

Why is a wrought iron fence the best protection for your pool?

It’s durable.

If you’re going to construct a protective fence around an in-ground pool, you don’t want a flimsy one. All that does is create the illusion of safety. A wrought iron fence will be firmly installed into the ground, and each vertical bar will stay strong for years. Look for iron fences that are finished with a powder coating instead of paint. Powder provides a better water-resistant seal that keeps moisture and rust at bay, even near chlorinated water.

It’s beautiful.

Fences are necessary to keep young would-be swimmers safe, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise your backyard’s style. Wrought iron fencing is a popular choice for all sorts of residential fencing, including driveway gates, front fencing, and fences around the general backyard. Whether you want ornate detail or minimalist detail, iron fencing will never be an eyesore.

It gives you visibility.

Just like a wrought iron is beautiful itself, it lets you see your pool and the rest of your landscaping behind it. It also means you can glance at your backyard to make sure no one’s trying to swim unsupervised. If you have family or guests over, a wrought iron fence also lets you keep an eye on swimmers from your deck so everyone’s safe and comfortable.

If you want the added reassurance of a strong fence around your swimming pool, browse our gallery here to get started.

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Use Layered Fencing to Decorate Your Backyard

When backyards are just a wide space of grass, it’s hard to enjoy them. But when you start breaking up the space into a shady deck, an outdoor dining area, and some beautiful garden beds, your backyard can really start to take shape. While transforming the ground into different layers of wood, stone, and grass do a lot of heavy lifting, incorporating layers of fencing can add extra depth and organization. Here’s how:

Use Layered Fencing to Decorate Your Backyard

Build a dedicated vegetable garden with protective fencing.

Even a small garden can make the backyard more fun. Whether you want to try your hand at growing lots of vegetables or you want an herb garden to make all of your recipes fresher, growing your own food is a rewarding experience. Construct a small fenced-in area to grow your plants. You can protect your plants from neighborhood critters and have a relaxing, dedicated space to focus on gardening and relax in.

Accent your hedges and flowering garden beds.

Lining your home with hedges helps keep the soil in place and protects your home’s foundation. It’s also a beautiful way to frame your house and add color to the backyard. But if you have a family pet, it might want to dig through the soil and mulch. This is an even bigger problem in the summer if you have a dog who’s trying to get cool. Tiny, decorative garden fences can keep them away. It also adds another decorative pop of color, just like a brick or stone border.

Maintain your backyard’s fence to finish off the look.

If you already have a wooden fence you like, it can be easy to forget about it. But wooden fencing needs to be cleaned regularly and restained every couple of years. If you’re renovating your backyard to turn it into the perfect outdoor living space, restain your fence to match the new style.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or you’re adding a few updates to your backyard, contact us here for fencing materials and services.

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What Kind of Fencing Is Right for Rental Properties?

Whether you flip properties or rent them out to long-term tenants, the fence forms a large part of your customer’s first impression. If you’re flipping the property, that might all that you care about: you want a fence that looks great and adds value to the property. But if you’re holding onto the property as a rental, then you need a fence that’s also durable and easy to maintain. The best choices are:

What Kind of Fencing Is Right for Rental Properties?

 

Wood fences are a traditional default.

If your market is middle-income housing, then almost yard in the neighborhood is going to have a wooden fence. It’s the standard selection for most new constructions. Homeowners tend to prefer it because is a good mix of privacy and affordability. When you’re choosing what to replace in a rental property versus what to improve, you’re probably starting out with a wooden fence that needs a bit of repair. So hire a company that can save the good parts of the fence, replace the rest, and be available for occasional maintenance like staining and reinforcing.

Wrought iron fences are a good choice for upscale properties.

As homes get more expensive, their yards tend to have more expensive wooden fencing or wrought iron fences. Just like with any other market type, look at what’s typical in the neighborhood and what the house already has. If you can afford it and the market is right for it, wrought iron fences with decorative detailing can make the demand for the property shoot up. Just make sure you allocate part of the budget for rust restoration, especially in wet areas.

Stay away from chain link fences or no fencing at all.

No matter what neighborhood your rental properties are in, some fencing types can lower the curb appeal. This is especially true for chain link fencing. Even if it’s common in the area, look for a suitable wood paneling that’s in the property’s budget. If you have no fence it all, that can cut families and tenants with outdoor pets out of your target market.

Go to Philip’s Fences to find the right, long-lasting materials for your property.

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Garden Fence – Three Tips for Selecting the Right Type for Your Site

Finding the right garden fence might seem a little daunting at first, but don’t worry; we’ve got three tips to help you get started.

Garden Fence - Three Tips for Selecting the Right Type for Your Site

  • Consider your purpose for constructing a fence

Do you wish for a fanciful fence to accent your flower garden or are you in need of a practical barrier to keep critters from feasting on your prize peppers?

Perhaps you could address both features with a pretty fence that looks great with your cottage garden flowers, yet keeps veggie plants safe from grazing animals?

  • Find the right type of fence

Think about the material that might suit your needs and decor preferences. Do you like the look and versatility of wood? The durability of wrought iron?

Wood fencing designs can be shaped to fit the lay of your lawn. They can be built to blend with your home’s architecture, whether your house is modern in style or from former a era. Treated wood lasts well. A variety of types are available, as well as stains to suit your taste. Wood fencing preserves privacy and creates a protected refuge for your plants.

Modern, specially coated wrought iron fence is very enduring. A wide variety of detailed styles are available. Designs and heights can be adjusted to home owner requirements. This type of fence protects against large animal intrusion, yet preserves views. It blends well with most historic architecture.

At Philip’s Fences, we are specialists in these traditional materials.

  • Estimate the Cost:

It’s best to find a reputable fencing contractor to help you estimate construction costs. Remember to consider the value of quality materials and knowledgeable, efficient service. At Philip’s Fences, we are specialists in sturdy, attractive, wood and metal fencing. Please contact us for design decisions and cost estimates. We’ll be happy to help.

A fence can be more than a barrier or even a work of artistry. It can be a basis for other creative projects. Many innovative gardeners have used  fences as trellises to support plants, hanging places for pots, or as a canvas for an outdoor mural. Like the idea of wooden fencing? See some inspiring wooden garden fence designs from HGTV. 

Like the look of metal? The HGTV site offers wrought iron garden fencing ideas too! 

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Choose a Cedar Fence: 3 Ways Cedar Stands Up to Competing Wood

It’s time for a new fence. Whether you have older panels that are starting to warp or you want to enclose an area that was previously protected by chain-link or wire, wood is one of the best fencing materials for security and long-term aesthetics. But there are several different types of wood available. Looking for high-quality cedar fencing is the best option and here’s why:

Choose a Cedar Fence: 3 Ways Cedar Stands Up to Competing Wood

1. Cedar isn’t dependent on staining and sealing.

Some woods are less hardy than others. Pine, for example, is a common fencing material but it doesn’t stand up well to forceful wind or UV radiation after a few years of exposure. Even pressure-treated wood needs frequent stains and seals for long-term durability. But cedar lumber is strong even without a lot of frequent maintenance. Sunlight exposure will gradually turn the cedar gray, but it won’t weaken the fence’s integrity. Many people even see the faded gray coloring as a perk. The natural oils protect the wood without sealants so you can retain the wood’s natural color and advantages without chemicals.

2. Cedar repels pests.

Burrowing insects are a constant hazard for wood products. That’s why many decks, fences, and wood siding panels need frequent treatments: to deter wood-eating insects and pests looking for shelter. But cedar naturally develops oils that keep bugs out of its surface, and those oils remain even once a tree has been cut down for lumber. Not only will you have a property line that is less inviting for pests, the fence will stay strong and secure for longer because of the reduced damage.

3. Cedar looks better.

Fencing is a huge element of curb appeal. Everything from the color, the straightness of the posts, and the lack of gaps in the surface combine to make a cedar fence look better. Whether you think you might sell your home or you need to replace your fence and want materials that will last, cedar is the best choice.

Philip’s Fences can build a fence with the materials, design, and security accessories you’re looking for. Contact us to set an appointment.

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3 Pet-Friendly Tips for Selecting Picket Fences

Getting a picket fence installed around your home can be a great way to ensure that you have more privacy at home and a way keep your dog contained in the yard. If you want your dog to enjoy spending time in your front yard and are interested in picket fences, you’ll need to take some time to look into what qualities make a picket fence a great choice.

3 Pet-Friendly Tips for Selecting Picket Fences

Consider the Distance Between Posts

The distance between the posts can make a big difference in how secure your front yard will be for your dog. Some smaller sized dogs could squeeze through the posts, depending on the distance between them, making it important to take measurements of your dog’s head so that you can select the right fence for safety reasons.

Make Sure the Fence is Sealed Properly

Since it’s possible your dog will relieve themselves near the fencing, you need to make sure that this won’t damage the fencing at all. The easiest way to do this is to get a wood picket fence and make sure that it’s been sealed properly. This can also be useful for preventing damage from any kind of exposure to moisture.

Focus on Picking the Ideal Height

When choosing a picket fence for your yard, you need to make sure that your dog won’t be able to scale it. Avoiding fencing that’s too short can ensure that your dog won’t be able to simply hop over and escape.

Contact us if you’re curious about what else to look for when getting a picket fence for your yard.

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3 Reasons to Re-stain Your Wood Deck

Relaxing on your deck is a perfect way to end a summer day. Even early autumn evenings are warm enough to watch the sunset outside. But wooden decks need a bit of maintenance to stay in good condition. If it has been a few years since you last stained the wood, add it to your home maintenance checklist. Here are three reasons why re-staining your wood deck may be in order:

3 Reasons to Re-stain Your Wood Deck

1. It’s important to power or pressure wash the wood every so often.

The first step to resealing your deck is to wash the surface clean. This is an important step because it means the new stain won’t stick just to dirt or a layer of vegetation. But washing your deck with high pressure or high-temperature water is also good for the wood itself. Microorganisms, pests, and moss can start to break down the surface. Deep cleaning the wood removes embedded root systems and flushes out infestations. Even treated lumber needs a bit of help to keep the elements and bugs at bay.

2. Stain prevents UV radiation damage.

Plants and bugs aren’t the only things that can start to damage the wood. Constant exposure to the summer sun can make any material brittle. But stain and sealing chemicals are specially designed to protect the wood from UV radiation. This keeps the wood strong and safe to walk on. Without protection, the wood is susceptible to dry rot. This is dangerous because feet, patio furniture, and even your barbecue can crack through the surface. The stain needs to be removed and replenished every two to three years to ensure complete coverage.

3. Make your deck match the fence.

Whether your house is going on the market or you frequently have guests over, there are a few easy ways to make the outside really pop. Making the deck and fence match is a great visual improvement because it makes your yard look more cohesive and makes both wooden features look like new.

Go to Philip’s Fences to get started.

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