Pacific Fence and Wire Blog

Homeowners install privacy fences for several reasons. It can be a need for backyard privacy in a busy neighborhood or it could be because a pool was just installed in the backyard and a fence is required by building codes. When homeowners decide to install fences on their own, there are some common mistakes that are made that can affect how the final project looks. To avoid making mistakes on your installation project, you should become familiar with some of the common errors that happen when putting up a fence so that you can avoid them in your next project. It could save you a lot of money down the road.

One of the biggest installation problems that amateur installers run into is not having the correct property lines marked off. If you install your fence on your neighbor’s property by mistake, or if you install your fence too close to your home, then you will need to remove it. If you decide to install your fence on your own, then you should at least hire a professional survey company to give you the proper lines for your fence. When you use professional surveyors, you will get a company that will use the information directly from your property deed to create your fence lines. It will save you time and prevent you from making a costly error.

The fence posts are the most important part of any fence and they need to be put in just right for the installation to be a success. Posts that are not deep enough in the ground or not anchored by the proper material could collapse at some point down the road. Your posts should be at least two feet in the ground and anchored by a layer of gravel and concrete that is flush with the ground. You can choose to go deeper and use more gravel and concrete, but if you do not do the minimum then you will find yourself reinstalling your fence sooner than you have to.

You need to plan your fence project in advance to make sure you have the proper panels to make your installation a success. For example, the section of your fence that would be on an incline requires a special type of fence panel that differs from the standard straight panel. Always make sure you plan the project out to insure you have the proper materials when you get started.

The housing market is finally on the mend, and it’s evident in Portland Oregon as well as elsewhere around the nation.  Almost six hundred thousand people live in the Portland area, and it’s known as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the nation.  If you’re 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 Portland Oregon 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, falling down fence that needs serious work?

Rebuilding a fence will also help you get a better price when you’re selling a home.  There are plenty of great properties in Portland Oregon, 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 Portland Oregon, 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.

Give Pacific Fence a call today for a free estimate on your new fence: (503)233-6248

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!