What is a picture without a frame? In the same way a garden will appear incomplete without a fence. A garden fence not only adds to the overall beauty of the garden but also gives the entire landscape a more complete look. A fence can be erected around the front yard, backyard or around the entirety of the property. Adequate fencing adds to the security of your house and property as well.

The different styles of fence that you can choose from include post-and-rail fences, picket fences and shadow box fencing. You should also take into consideration the average cost of popular fence types which include wood, vinyl, wrought iron and chain link. A drive through the Pacific Northwest makes it clear that the cedar wood fence is the fence of choice for most of the residents.

The western red cedar is the most popular type of material used throughout the Northwest. This type of fencing offers natural insulation for the property by blocking the cold winds. It also acts as a sound blocker and is great for keeping down the noise from loud neighbors.

Cedar also acts as a natural insect repellent. The cedar oil acts as a deterrent to mosquitoes, termites and other bugs, which in turn protects itself as well as the surrounding property. As the wood contains natural thujaplicin, it makes it one of the most durable woods. This prevents the wood from rotting away due to decay causing fungi and damage. Therfore, this type of fence will have a long lifespan if it is properly cared for. It is also ideal for sawing and nailing, thus making it the perfect choice for fencing material. However, if you want to give your property an elegant look, wrought iron or aluminum fencing is your best bet.

After you have made up your mind of the style and type of fence you want to build around your garden you can go about designing it. Depending on your needs choose a proper height for the fence. However make sure that it adheres to the local regulations for residential fence heights. The state of Washington requires you to acquire a building permit if you decide to build a fence taller than six feet. It is always a good idea to research your local laws and regulations before breaking ground on a new fence.

Begin your assignment by determining the location of the posts. Make markings for each location with spray paint. Depending on the fence the depth of the holes will vary. To build a strong and stable fence do not keep the spaces between the holes more than six feet apart. Before you start digging the holes make sure that the depth is within the regulations and check with authorities so as to not damage underground pipes or wiring.

After the digging is done place the posts in the hole and pour the concrete. Use a shovel to mix it. You can use some soil at the top to hide the concrete giving it a neater look. Use a spirit level to level the post and once the post has been leveled leave it overnight.

On the next day choose a desired height for your posts and saw it to that height using a circular saw. The next step is to draw a line with chalk from two outside posts so as to keep the fence at the right level. Next make cuts on the post with a circular saw. The cuts should be made such that they resemble shutters. Use a chisel and a hammer to chip away the scored wooden pieces.

The next step is to attach the rails. Make sure that the rails are leveled to render them straight. For a double sided fence, attach the rails to both the front and the back. Once the rails have been attached add the fence boards. Make sure that the bottom board is at least two or three inches off the ground to avoid rotting through contact with the soil and moisture from it. Once the rail and boards have been placed and attached, add the cap. The cap needs to be nailed down to both the posts and the top rail.

It would be an advantage if you have some experience with carpentry or if you have a neighbor to help you out. However you also have the choice of calling your local landscape professional to help you do it.

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 the wake of several large storms there has been quite a bit of damage to fences in the area.  We thought it would be fun to scour the internet and post some of the photos of damaged fences we found.  Enjoy!

Prior to re-stainning your deck or fence it is important to clean the wood area first.  Properly cleaning the material ensures that the stain you apply will adhere properly and last longer.  Proper cleaning of the wood will also bring the fence back to life and make it look newer.  Over time, dirt, mold, moss, grease and other materials can adhere to the fence and it is never good to apply a new stain without removing these debris first.

If you have a pressure washer you can easily clean your fence or deck by putting it on a lighter setting so as not to damage the wood.  However, there are other options besides using a pressure washer to clean your fence or deck.

If you frequent stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s you may be familiar with a product called 30 second cleaner. It is a concentrate formula that is designed to remove mildew, moss, mold and dirt from wood prior to painting.  Many professional painters will use a similar formula to prep their paint areas.  30 Second Cleaner is a great product but it can come with a somewhat high price.  If you have a huge fence you may not want to pay for that much pre-mixed product.  Alternatively, if you need a quick and easy cleanup, 30 second cleaner may be just perfect for you.

For those of you with larger projects, there is a cost effective way to reap the benefits of 30 second cleaner without having to pay the high price for the premixed concentrate.  30 second cleaner is a simple formula of household bleach and trisodium phosphate phosphate which you can mix together yourself.  Don’t believe it?  Just look at the ingredients next time you are in the store. Trisodium phosphate Phosphate, or TSP, is a chemical many painters use to prep their work areas and can usually be found in the painting area of a hardware store.  Household bleach, well you probably know where to find that.

REMEMBER, MIXING CHEMICALS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.  PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK AND ALWAYS WEAR PROPER SAFETY GEAR LIKE GLOVES AND SAFETY GOGGLES.

When it comes to combining TSP and bleach there are many different approaches in terms of measurements but for a great outline on how to do this visit this nice write-up on how to make your own outdoor cleaner.  The best way to apply the cleaning solution is using a pressure operated sprayer.  These can usually be picked up at a hardware store for under $15 and are well worth the investment.  The TSP and Bleach combination shouldn’t run you more than about $20 and ought to last you much longer than the large $30 bottle of 30 Second Cleaner concentrate.   The cleaner application should be done when the fence or deck is dry. For best results let the cleaner work for about a minute and then run a brush over the area and then rinse it clean with a garden hose.  You are now ready to re-stain your deck or fence!

If you are like most homeowners, the outside of your home isn’t aesthetically friendly all the way around.  Maybe you have a deck that you use the underside for storage or have a firewood pile that is an eye soar.  There are a couple of options to take care of these areas, one of them being to build a fence around them and block the view.  However building a fence may not always be the best solution.

Try using lattice around your home as an alternative to fencing in certain areas.  For example, if you have  deck that you tend to store items underneath but it is an eye soar, trying putting up some lattice.  You will find that not only does it cover up the mess under the deck, but it can add to the appeal of the home.

Lattice can also be used as a shade option for a gazebo or on a deck.  Simply build a frame and install the lattice on the top side of the frame.  The nice thing about using lattice for shade is that it is cheaper than building a roof and allows some sunlight through so the area is not completely shaded.  Lattice is also nice because it is slotted so wind can easily pass through it during storms decreasing the chances of a blow-over.

Lattice should not be used as a full alternative to a fence.  Lattice is not very durable and will do a poor job of keep out unwanted visitors.  It is also see through, so if privacy is an issue you may want to see if you can find an alternative such as a cedar fence, vinyl fence or slatted chain link fence.

Overall lattice is a great choice when you need to cover exposed areas around your home but don’t want to spend a fortune.  It is both functional and visually appealing.

Check out this short video on how to set a Fence Post.

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Well it looks like it is time for a new fence.  We do not recommend this as a safe way to tear down your old fence but for entertainment purposes, it works.

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The simple answer is NO!  Installing a gate on a hillside presents quite a few challenges and if it can be avoided try to install the gate in a flat area with as little slope as possible.  In fact, installing a gate in a flat area can be challenging enough for the inexperienced.  If you think about it, installing a gate on a hillside will present opening and closing problems.  Depending on how you install the gate, it will most likely be interfered with by the hillside.

If you absolutely must install a gate on a hillside consider the following.  Try and keep the gate as narrow as possible.  The wider the gate, the more likely you are to run into operational problems.  When installing the gate, think long and hard about how it will be swinging open and closing.  Is it opening in a fashion that it will run into some sort of interference?  If so you may have to make some modifications ranging from digging out the slope or creating a gap under the gate where it is interfered with. Also consider have the gate open on the downward side of the hill.  In some cases this may not work but it is another option.

In conclusion, it is best to try and avoid installing a gate on a hillside but if unavoidable, test every option and consider interferences before finalizing the installation.

Staining a wood fence is an important step to making the most of your new fence and keeping it standing for as long as possible.  What’s more, a nice stain can really make a fence stand out.

There are plenty of ways to stain a fence including a paint brush, roller or paint sprayer.  For larger projects, it may be worth the money to invest in a quality sprayer as it will make the job go much faster.  For smaller projects, a simple roller and paint brush for those hard to reach areas should work just fine.

Choosing a stain is the biggest decision you will have to make when staining your fence.  There are so many variations of stain offered and big box retailers offer generic brand stains at an affordable price.  Remember though, as is the case with so many things in life, you get what you pay for.  So be sure to do PLENTY of research before settling on a stain.  Going with a cheaper brand of stain without doing your research can mean re-staining the fence in just several years. Another thing to consider is the color of the stain and how it will look on your fence.  If possible, try and get a sample of the stain prior to applying it to the whole fence.

Finally, it is time to stain the fence.  It is often a good idea to wait several weeks if the wood is new for the treatments to settle in a and if you live in a wet climate like the Pacific Northwest, allow time for the wood to dry in warmer weather.  Make sure to apply plenty of stain to the fence and paint away!

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

Fence Specialists
10708 Golden Given Road E
Tacoma, WA 98445