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  • Stain vs. seal

    We recently advised homeowners to stain or seal their new fences before winter sets in, but some may be wondering whether staining or sealing is better. There’s no conclusive answer because it depends on the homeowner’s goal. This article talks about the difference between a specific stain and sealer, but you can extrapolate some conclusions.

    • Both stains and sealers will be absorbed into the wood to protect it against the elements.
    • A stain will change the look of your fence. If you don’t like the look of the stain or intend to paint also, it’s best not to stain.
    • A sealer will add a glossy shine to the wood and is best for maintaining the wood’s natural color or in combination with paint.
    • Using a stain and sealer together is an option, but be sure to read the labels to ensure they’ll work together.

    We’re here to answer any fencing-related questions you may have. Contact us to learn more or to discuss your fencing needs.

  • Stain your wood fence before it’s too late

    If you had a wood fence installed over the summer, have you stained or sealed it yet? Without proper treatment, the approaching winter can take a big toll on your fence. Staining couldn’t be done during installation because wood requires a few months to cure. But now’s the right time to do it.

    Weather plays a role in staining, however. The temperature can’t be any lower than 50 degrees, and you need to find a day when rain isn’t forecast within a 48-hour period before and after the work. It takes about 24 hours for stain to dry, so keep that in mind as well.

    We offer these tips to our customers and all homeowners looking to improve their homes. We support their efforts and stand ready to help further these improvements. Contact us to talk more about your fencing needs.

  • Have some vinyl with your chain links

    When homeowners consider the type of fence they want, chain-link fences are usually pretty low on the list. They’re scared off the cold, institutional look. However, there are times when they can’t avoid going the chain-link route. Fortunately there is an option to enhance the appearance of a chain-link fence.

    Vinyl-coated chain-link fences are a good compromise between security and attractiveness. These fences feature a polyvinyl or polyester coating that disguises the harsh gray metal. They are typically black or green but can come if other colors to further improve the look.

    If you need a chain-link fence that has some style, contact us. We’ll be happy to discuss your fencing options with you.

  • Gate access systems

    If you decide to have a gate installed for your driveway, one decision you’ll soon have to make is what access system you want.  Ease of entry and security are the two main, and sometimes opposing, factors to consider.  Here are some of your options.

    Easy
    Transmitter and pushbutton systems minimize the hassle you and your guests experience when entering your driveway.  The gate can open either when a car approaches or when the driver pushes a button. Obviously, when it comes to security, these options don’t offer much more than the simple presence of a gate.

    Secure
    Touch pads require a code be entered correctly for access and obviously provide a homeowner much more security but aren’t as easy for guests to deal with.  An intercom system combined with a keypad is a good compromise that lets you open the gate for guests from inside.  Swipe card access systems are mostly used by commercial clients but we can install these for residential clients as well.

    Connections
    There are a few notification/remote options available.  Homeowners and open gates with a button inside the home.  They can also be notified through a dedicated phone line or via a cell phone.

    If you’d like more information on driveway gates or these access options, contact us. We can demonstrate these options and help you figure out the right system for you.

  • Do you need a driveway gate?

    The reasons for installing an automated gate for your driveway may initially seem obvious. They provide added privacy and security for your home and can make your property more attractive. But there are a couple other benefits of gates that you may not have considered.

    Keeping things in
    Gates can be a great way of keeping children and pets from getting out of your yard. When someone is coming and going, it gives you the chance to make sure you know where the kids and animals are and restrain them if necessary.

    Keeping things out
    People aren’t the only things homeowners want to keep out of their yards. Many spend a lot of money on tall fences to keep deer out only to leave wide opening for them at the driveway. Tall gates that compliment a deer fence are available and effectively keep deer out.

    If you’re looking into an automated gate for your driveway, contact us. We’ll work with you to lay out your options based on your goals, and install the right gate for your home.

  • Ironing out your fencing options

    An arched metal gateIn our last post, we mentioned that you have a wealth of options when choosing a fencing material for your home and that some materials can be made to look like others.  This trend is especially prevalent in the area of wrought iron where less expensive metals are often substitutes.  Here are  a couple of them and how they improve on the original.

    Aluminum

    A good black aluminum fence can be a good stand-in for iron.  Aluminum is lighter but still durable.  You may not want it for heavy-duty security, but if you want matal fence that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, aluminum is the way to go.  It’s probably the least maintenance-intensive of all your metal options.

    Steel

    In many ways, steel is the new iron.  It’s stronger than aluminum and not as heavy as iron.  It won’t corrode like iron will, so it too reduces the amount of maintenance you’ll have to perform.  Steel is so popular these days that it comes in a variety of color and styles.  It might be the best all-around option for ornamental fencing out there.

    Powder coating

    Powder coating is part of the secret to maintenance-free metal fencing.  The coating forms a transparent plastic barrier to the fencing material, which keeps the elements from reaching the material, but doesn’t detract from the look or peel away.  It virtually eliminates painting and can be applied to aluminum, steel, and even iron.

    If you’d like to learn more about these products, contact us and we’ll walk you through your options.  We’re well versed in constructing and installing aluminum and steel fences (and iron, too), so we can help you whichever way you choose to do.

  • Something there is that loves a fence

    Robert Frost may have scoffed at his neighbor’s assertion that “good fences make good neighbors” in his poem, “Mending Wall,” but it’s clear that most homeowners prefer their fences anyway.  We recently contributed to an article in The Washington Times that found that fences are still very popular for homes.

    However, the article also pointed out that the agreement seems to end there.  While most homeowners like fences, their style, material, and even reason for having a fence tend to vary.  Fortunately, there are many options to suit the variety of tastes.

    It seems like a new material for fence building is coming out every day.  Last week, we blogged about using bamboo for fencing.  In addition to the traditional wood and wrought iron, there’s now vinyl and other metals.  It all depends on the look and how much maintenance one prefers.

    There are also many reasons why homeowners want a fence in their yard.  Frost’s neighbor liked his to clearly define his property’s boundaries.  Others want the privacy and security that a fence can provide.  Some just like the look.  For many, it’s a combination.

    Another result of the different fencing options is that you don’t have to sacrifice one reason for another.  You have choices that can afford you security without making your home look like a penitentiary.  There’s vinyl that looks like wood, aluminum that looks like iron, and more. Contact us and we’ll help you figure out which options work best for you.

  • Fencing fit for a panda

    Bamboo fencingMany people are satisfied with the standard hardwood or metal picket fence around their yards or gardens.  Others like to think outside the box and look for fencing that will make their homes stand out.  For those folks, we’ve got a great material to consider – bamboo.

    We encountered this idea during the past year while preparing for a project at a senior living complex in College Park, MD.  The management company needed it’s 50-year-old garden fence replaced and stressed the need for a green solution, which had us looking at everything from eco-friendly wood stains to fencing made of recycled plastic.  When we encountered a California company marketing bamboo fencing, we knew we hit pay dirt.

    From an environmental standpoint, bamboo is an ideal material.  Like all wood, it’s a renewable resource, but unlike other woods commonly used for fences, which sometimes require 30 years to grow to a harvest-ready size, bamboo is quickly renewable and able for harvest after only three years.

    As you can see from the pictures, bamboo fencing provides a unique look that’s still attractive.  It’s also very durable as evidenced by it use for flooring, home walls, and baseball bats.

    Whether you’re looking for green alternatives, a different look, or both, bamboo may be right for you.  Contact us at Hercules Fence to learn how we can install a custom bamboo fence for your home.

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