Pacific Fence and Wire Blog

As you drive through the great Northwest, nothing catches the eye more than the beautiful fences which neatly skirt the roads securing the properties beyond them. The 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 wood, vinyl, wrought iron or chain link. However fences made of cedar seem to be the popular choice among the residents of Portland.

Keeping in mind that Portland 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.

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

The different types of fence styles that you can choose from include picket fences, post-and-rail fences and shadow box fencing. You will also need to take into consideration the average cost of popular fence types which include wood, vinyl, wrought iron and chain link. A drive through Portland, Oregon 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 for fencing in the Portland, Oregon area. This type of fencing offers natural insulation for the property by blocking the cold winds. A cedar fence also holds in the yard temperature, keeping the temperature just right during the winter months. It also acts as a sound blocker and is great for throwing parties as it wont disturb the neighbors.

Cedar is also a natural insect repellent. The cedar oil acts as a deterrent to mosquitoes, termites and other bugs. Thus it protects itself as well as the 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 the like. Hence 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 Oregon requires you to acquire a building permit if you decide to build a fence taller than six feet.

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.

In the wake of the recent series we have had here in the Portland area we thought it would be fun to scour the web and put together some photos of the damaged fences we found.  Enjoy!

If you are going to re-stain your fence or deck you need to make sure you properly clean the surface area prior to applying the new stain.  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 people, the exterior 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.

Consider using lattice around your home as an alterative to fencing in certain areas.  For example, if you have  deck that you tend to store items underneath but it is an eyesoar, 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.