The housing market is finally on the mend, and it’s evident in the Pacific Northwest as well as elsewhere around the nation.  Over three million people live in the Seattle metro area, and it’s known as one of the most environmentally conscious places nation.  If you live in the area and are thinking of selling a home, you’ll want to do everything that you can to ensure you find a buyer and that you get the best possible price for your property.  Rebuilding a fence is one thing that you shouldn’t overlook when you’re getting ready to list your home on the market.

There are a couple of reasons that rebuilding a fence before you even start the process of selling a home is important.  The first is simply attractiveness.  People move to the northwest for many reasons, but the natural beauty is one of them.  If your property has an old fence that isn’t quite what it used to be, it will detract from the attractiveness of your entire property.  Think about it – would you rather buy a home with a nice, stylish fence that complemented it well or a rotting, failing fence that needs major work?

Rebuilding a fence will also help you get a better price when it comes time to sell your home.  There are plenty of great properties in the Tacoma area, and there are many things that impact the property value of each tract.  A quality fence will help improve the property value of your home, while one in disrepair will greatly diminish its worth.  In other words, getting the most for your home means making sure that it looks its best.  And fixing up that fence is one often overlooked way that you can get your home looking better than it has in years.

When you’re selling a home in or around Tacoma, Washington, you need to do everything that you can to ensure you get a buyer who will pay good money for your property.  You don’t need to completely tear down your fencing, and rebuilding a fence is a much better option.  It can be completed quickly and will leave your property looking great.  For style, privacy, and functionality like blocking those northwestern winds, homes with fences just make more sense for those in the market for a new home.  Be sure you give yourself all the advantages you can when selling your home, and get that fence looking great.

As you drive through the great state of Washington, nothing catches the eye more than the beautiful fences which neatly skirt the streets securing the properties behind them. The majority of fences range in styles from picket fences and post and rail fences to the shadow box type all of which are constructed from materials which include vinyl, wood,  wrought iron or chain link. However fences made of cedar seem to be the popular choice among the residents of the Northwest.

Keeping in mind that Washington is known for heavy rains, choosing a fencing material for your property can be a tough decision. However in order to make this decision easier you need to ask yourself three important questions. 1. What fencing material will last the longest? 2. What material will require the least amount of maintenance? 3. What material will blend in well with your home and landscaping? Cedar fences, which are known to withstand the wettest of conditions, are the obvious choice for residents of the Northwest.  The four most common types of cedar are Alaska, Port Orford, Incence and Western Red. Of these the Western Red Cedar is the one which is most often used as a fencing material.

Cedar fences regulate the temperature of the property by keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. This is due to the fact that the wood has air pockets which give it insulation properties. This property of cedar makes it a better temperature regulator than most other fencing materials like concrete, brick and other types of wood. Besides blocking cool winds from entering the yard in the winter and regulating temperature, cedar is an effective sound blocker and blocks as much as 70% of sound ( almost as good as concrete). So if you decide to throw a barbeque or a party in your yard you can be sure that you will not be causing any disturbance to your neighbors as most of the noise will be trapped in your yard.

Cedar also secretes a distinct rich odor of cedar oil which is a natural insect repellent. So you can worry less about moths, mosquitoes or termites. Cedar is also one of the most durable conifers and it owes its long life to the fact that it does not decay very easily. This is because it contains naturally occurring fungicidal compounds called thujaplicins.

Cedar is known to be extremely light and flexible while exhibiting amazing strength at the same time. Its fine, straight grain and uniform texture makes it ideal for sawing and nailing and also because of the absence of pitch or resin it provides a nice base for any kind of paint or stain.

It is no wonder that for centuries humans have used cedar for building their canoes, houses and other objects. Cedar was commonly called the “tree of life” by the natives for good reason. It was also the chief material used in the construction of King Solomons Temple and the Ships of Alexander the great. So if not for the reasons stated above at least history makes it clear that the “tree of life” is the obvious choice for a fence.

Did the recent storm leave your fence in bad shape?  High winds led to many downed trees and property damage for many residents of the Pacific Northwest.  At Fence Specialists, we are happy to help you get your fence back up and in tip top shape.  Call us today at (253)531-5452 to schedule an appointment.

In case you missed it, we are at a new location now!

Fence Specialists
10708 Golden Given Road E
Tacoma, WA 98445

If you are considering a new fence or enclosure this year, now is the time to schedule an appointment with Fence Specialists.

Every year, around spring time, people start getting out of their houses and fixing up their yards in anticipation of summer.  This leads to a surge in inquiries for new fences and leaves fence companies swamped resulting in delays in estimates and installations.  Don’t put yourself in this situation.  If you are looking to get a new fence Now is the time to schedule an estimate! Fence Specialists offers free, no obligation estimates so there is no excuse!  What’s more, if you get the ball rolling on a new fence, the job will more than likely be completed just in time for you to enjoy during the summer months!

Call us today at (253)531-5452 or contact us online.

Did you know that Fence Specialists is now on Twitter and Facebook?

We are sending out updates, home care tips and fence installation ideas all the time.  You can keep up with us simply by adding us to your network!

Click a link below to follow us:

The holidays are an exciting time but they tend to introduce elements of risk that are seasonal and we are not used to.  Below is a short list of things to keep an eye out for to help your holidays a little safer.  Remember, you should always look into safety precautions on your own.  This is simply a list of suggestions and we are fence experts, not holiday safety experts.  With our disclaimer out of the way, lets get on with the list.

• When you decide to go “Clark Griswold” on your house make sure you do not overload your circuit breakers with Christmas lights.  This can be a fire hazard and a real annoyance when you blow the switch/fuseCandles are popular during the holidays.
• Make sure you put them out when done and use them on proper surfaces and keep them away from anything flammable
• If you have a Christmas tree be sure to keep it away from anything flammable.
• Make sure your Christmas tree has enough water.  This will keep it from drying out too soon and increasing flammability.
• If you are cooking a turkey use a timer so you don’t forget about it.  This goes for all foods.
• If you are deep frying  a turkey research safety precautions and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.  NEVER deep fry a turkey in you garage.  Keep it at least 20 feet from your home and ideally on a flame resistant material.  For more deep fryer safety information check out this post
• Fireplaces are often times used during the Holidays and sometimes haven’t been used for over a year.  Make sure your chimney is clean and if you have to, hire a professional to inspect it and make sure it is safe to use.

Always remember to use common sense during the holidays.  For more information on holiday safety check out this webpage from the CDC.

In the northwest we get snow a few times each year, some years worse than others. Because snow is such a rare occurrence most of us don’t have the same type of equipment as those who live where it snows several months out of the year. If you are looking to invest in a snow shovel here are some basic tips on what to look for.

Consider the weight of a shovel. A snow shovel should be much lighter than a traditional dirt shovel. The shovel head is usually some sort of composite plastic or aluminum and is very large so you can move snow easier. Additionally, you don’t need a heavy duty handle as snow is usually pushed, not shoveled.

Another thing to consider is the design of the shovel. Ergonomic shovels are now available that are easier on the back when spending hours out shoveling snow. If you are someone with back problems it is advised you look into this type of snow shovel. It may be slightly more expensive but could save you on a costly chiropractic bill in the long run.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Fence Specialists!

Brrrrrrrr!!!!  Well now that winter is officially upon us, and tad bit early at that, it is a good time to make sure your house is ready for La Nina.  Here is another short list of items you may want to check over while what is sure to be the worst weather is still ahead of us.

• Turn off exterior water and drain the pipes to reduce the chance of a burst
• Take precautions to make sure fountains do not freeze
• Have a shovel ready if snow decides to show up
• Be prepared to not leave the house for several days
• Block off the air vents in your basement if you have them.  This will keep your house warmer.

Remember, if the wind should decide to knock over your fence you can always call Fence Specialists out for a free estimate for the repair!  This is also a great time to have the old fence rebuilt.  Winter is the off season and you can have a fence built much quicker than during the busy season and might even be able to work out a good deal while you are at it!!!  Call Fence Specialists at (253)531-5452 today!