Month: August 2024

Cost of Fence Installation

Post author By Jenn Parr
Post date August 22, 2024

How much is fence installation?

There is a wide range when it comes to the cost of a fence installation and numerous factors that contribute to such variations when it comes to cost.

Materials

One factor is the type of fence material that you chose. There are numerous options such as vinyl, trex, steel, chain link and cedar.

Vinyl Fence

This is a higher cost option, but it requires minimal maintenance and is super durable, which is sometimes worth the extra cost, depending on what’s most important to you.

Cedar Wood Fence

Cedar is a good option if you are looking for a more affordable fence option and are okay with keeping up with yearly maintenance. Many customers really enjoy the esthetics, distinctive wood grains, and even the ambiance it provides with the soothing cedar oil smell.

Trex Fence

The Trex fence may have a higher up front cost than other fence options, but you will save on maintenance and repairs in the long run, compared to other options like wood. You don’t have to paint or stain it after its installed, and the lifespan can be quite long (up to 30 years).

Steel Fence

A steel fence is an affordable option and maintenance is minimal. The main thing to be aware of is that steel can rust so you’ll want to keep an eye out for any chips before they lead to rust. Applying a silicon-based lubricant to prevent rust around latches, moving parts, or any chipped area twice a year, is the recommended maintenance.

Chain Link Fence

Chain link fences are another affordable option and have relatively no maintenance. The primary maintenance is inspecting for damage, but no staining, painting, or lubricants are needed.

Height and Length of Fence

The height and length of a fence is another reason for price variability. The purpose of your fence can help in determining the best choice in terms of the height and length of your fence.

Is your fence for privacy, security, or primarily aesthetics? Obviously, taller and longer fences will add to the bottom line.

How level is your lawn?

Another cost to consider is your current lawns state and how flat and even it is. Various factors can create an uneven lawn like heavy rainfall, driving vehicles or heavy machinery through the yard, poor drainage or decaying tree roots or stumps. If your lawn is uneven, you may need to invest in fixing the lawn depressions before installing your fence.

Depending on the extent, you can either hire a lawn care professional or do it yourself. If it appears to be an easier fix, and you take the DIY approach you can purchase topsoil and rake it across to fill in any uneven areas. Remember that topsoil sinks so you’ll want to pile the topsoil up to be 2 to 3 inches above the yard line to account for the sinking. Then, water it regularly and let it settle for at least 2 weeks before planting any grass.

Labor

Labor costs vary by region, and skill levels, and can typically make up about half the cost when it comes to installing a fence.

At Denver Fence, we are happy to chat about fence installation costs based on the type of fence you’re looking for and how we can best serve you. Contact us anytime for questions, including costs to install your new fence.

Wood Fence

How long does a cedar fence last?

Post author By Jenn Parr
Post date August 21, 2024

How long does a cedar fence last?

When choosing a fencing contractor and the type of fencing that will best meet your needs, cedar fences are a popular choice. Let’s dive into the nitty gritty of cedar fences and everything you need to know about the benefits and ongoing maintenance required to ensure you are making a lasting, economical investment for your home.

Cedar is a very durable wood, and it is resistant to rotting, warping, and splitting, with the proper maintenance. It can last through harsh weather conditions and environmental wear and tear like heavy winds, snow and rain. Fences made of cedar tend to last longer than fences made from other types of wood. It is also known to help with repelling insects from the cedar oils produced that are a natural repellent. The natural cedar oils also help with prevent rotting and fading from sunlight exposure.

How do you make cedar fences last?

A cedar fence can last up to 25 years with proper maintenance; however, there are some important necessary steps to ensure that your cedar fence will last for decades.

1. Yearly Inspections

Checking for rot, loose boards, or other types of damage on a yearly basis is important to catch anything before it damages the integrity of the wood which will dramatically reduce the lifespan of your fencing. A preventive approach is very important to ensuring your cedar fence will last.

2. Cleaning + Applying Sealant Annually

Cedar will naturally weather to a silvery gray color overtime without treatment so it’s very important to apply a sealant annually to maintain its natural beauty and the integrity of the wood to avoid such weathering.

It is important to apply sealant right after the installation of a cedar fence and then once a year after that. Before applying the sealant, you’ll need to first clean the fence with a soft bristle brush that is not abrasive and won’t damage the wood. For cleaning solutions, you can try wood or deck cleaner or dish soap. After cleaning, let the fence fully dry. Then apply a sealant, and voilà – you are done with your yearly maintenance!

3. Pressure Washing

After cleaning the fence with dish soap and a soft brush, you can do some additional pressure washing if your fence is still quite dirty and worn and the brush method doesn’t fully do the trick. Just make sure to be aware of the pressure levels so that you don’t damage the wood. It’s typically recommended to keep the pressure around 1500psi and not standing too close to the cedar while pressure washing.

You can chat with a fencing company like Denver Fence to get additional tips and tricks around maintenance of your cedar fencing. Call us anytime!

4. Refinishing

The last and final maintenance requirement to be aware of is the refinishing of your cedar fence. With Cedar fences, it’s recommended to refinish them at least once every two to three years to ensure that they will last decades. This means that when this time rolls around (every two to three years), it will replace the annual cleaning and sealant only routine.

The refinishing steps are as follows:

Cleaning: You will still clean the cedar fence as usual, as listed above, with a non-abrasive soft bristle brush and a cleaning solution like a deck cleaner or dish soap.

Sanding: The next step is to sand the cedar fence. You could use a power sander but you will want to keep sandpaper handy for corners and spaces that are harder to reach. Be sure to wipe off the excess dust when finished before moving to the next step. You can use a microfiber cloth or a tack cloth for cleaning off excess dust.

Stain or Paint: After that, it’s time to apply a stain or paint and let it dry for up to 48 hours. Oil-based stains can be an ideal choice because they are absorbed into the wood fibers, and it can enhance the natural look and grain patterning. It really depends on your aesthetic preferences though when it comes to your staining or painting decision.

Apply Sealer: Finally, you’ll apply a coat of sealer after your paint or stain is fully dried. While this entire refinishing process may take some time, it will dramatically reduce the risk of mold and mildew developing, avoid deterioration, and ensure that your fence will last as long as possible.

If you need a fencing contractor, fencing company, or even just a fence repair, we would love to help you. Please contact us to further discuss your needs!

Commercial Fence

Hire the Right Commercial Fence Installation Company

Post author By Jenn Parr
Post date August 16, 2024

How to Hire the Right Professional Commercial Fence Installation Company

When you have a professional commercial fence installation project, it’s important to choose the best company for the job. There are numerous factors to consider when it comes to choosing a professional commercial fence installation company.

Experience

There are varying permit requirements and building codes specific to each local municipality in Colorado. It’s important to choose a commercial fence company with a portfolio of completed commercial projects in your area that can adequately meet these requirements.

If your commercial fence is not up to par, your company could incur fines or, in many cases, be required to tear the fence down, causing you to lose your entire investment. It’s, therefore, vital to hire an experienced commercial fence company to avoid potential complications down the road.

You can also ask for client referrals and testimonials and seek out reviews from existing customers to see what other locals in the area are saying about their experience working with the commercial fence installation company that you are considering.

Maintenance

Another important element to consider is the ongoing maintenance required for your commercial fence project. Are you able to reliably use the same fencing company that installed the fence to also help with any required yearly maintenance? Exploring ongoing commercial fencing services and the annual costs would be important to factor into your decision when choosing a company to work with.

You can also consider the inconstant weather conditions that the great state of Colorado endures and the impact they will have on your ongoing commercial fence maintenance. Discoloration, for example, can occur due to the abundance of sunshine. Our snowy winter season and accumulation of snow can cause wood rot. Heavy snow accumulation can also add weight to a fence, which could cause it to bend, crack, or even fall over.

Denver Fence provides ongoing maintenance to our commercial customers to help minimize environmental impact and potential damages. We pride ourselves on having lasting, long-term relationships with our commercial clients and providing a fencing product with a long life span.

Cost and Materials

The overall fence price typically indicates the experience and longevity of the professional commercial fence installation company and the quality of materials being used. There is a wide variety of fencing choices, such as Chain Link Fences or Steel Ornamental Fences, so be sure to do some research on average costs in Colorado once you determine your optimal fencing choice.

One additional way to check with your professional commercial fence installation company regarding the quality of materials is to inquire about their warranties. This can provide intel on how long the materials are expected to last.

Of course, when considering cost, you also want to consider opportunity cost. For example, you may want to consider the efficiency of the fencing company’s contractors, including how long it will take to install the fence and how efficient they are in doing the job right. Or if any work is unfinished or not done to par, how quickly can they remediate and fix the situation? You can also consider the noise or impact of construction work on your property and how that could impact your business if the project is not completed in a timely manner.

Another common complaint in the industry regarding fence installation is that companies leave behind a mess. Consider the amount of time or resources required to clean up a mess if the project is not completed by a company that prioritizes treating your property with care. Be sure to check with your professional commercial fence installation company about their standards around clean-up.