Monthly Archive: September 2018

Fences are good for property value, keeping children and pets safe, and keeping intruders off of your property. They are great for improving your property value and providing security for your family and home. If you are good with DIY home repair projects, you may be able to install a fence system without professional help. For the best return on your investment, leave the job to someone who is experienced with installing fence systems like a licensed fence installation company. Choose a fence style and type and gather estimates. Ensure the fence installation company can provide references and presents a valid contract with the terms of the job. Check on their license, business references, and their reputation.

Fence types:  The most common types of fence installed are wood and chain link fences. Each type of fence will require maintenance. Select the fence suited for your budget, home, and the climate where you reside. Some fence types will last for many years in any type of climate and others will not. Before your final purchase, do research to ensure the fence you have chosen is suited for your property, inclement weather, and check the warranty before you seal the deal.

Common fence materials:  Aluminum, wood, wrought iron, ornamental metal, vinyl (PVC), steel chain link, chain link vinyl coated, electric (invisible fence), bamboo and high tensile (farm), picket fence (vinyl and wood), deer fencing (plastic), and composite fencing material (engineered wood / vinyl).

Popular residential fence styles:   Privacy, picket, pool, deer, split rail, front yard (picket, wrought iron, chain link), backyard (privacy/stockade fence), and security. Fence materials and styles include a multitude of unique designs.

Fence terminology:  The list of fence terminology is long. Below are a few fence terms.

Aluminum, barbed wire, cedar batten boards, chain link, curved top, custom ornamental iron, decorative rings, extended top, finials, flat top, galvanized steel, gauge, good-neighbor fence, grade change, horizontal picket fence, lattice, pickets,

posts, post caps, prefabricated iron panels, press point, pressure-treated wood, privacy slats, rackable panels, rails, ranch style fence, razor ribbon, rot board, salt spray, scalloped cedar fence, shadow box, stain, steel chain link, stockade panel, treated pine, underpinning, vinyl coated, western red cedar, windscreen, wood grade, and wrought iron.

San Antonio Fence Pros.

Wood grade options:  Fence grade is similar to hardwood lumber grading with regard to cost and quality of the wood.

The top grade is clear grade which is free of defects and knots. It is more expensive than lower grade wood. #1 Grade is the second highest fence material grade which contains some knots but less than #2-grade. A # 2-grade wood is less than #1 with more knots and holes. # 3 grade is rough wood and less expensive than #1 and # 2-grade wood fence panel and posts.

Basic components of a wood privacy fence (stockade style):  Finials (ornamental caps), lattice, panels (boards), pickets, posts, stockade, rails (cap, bottom, top). Wood fence styles vary as much as the terminology that goes with it. There are many books about fences and materials used to construct them. Conduct online research, visit a local library, or visit some retail lumber and hardware stores to learn more about fence materials, hardware, tools, and terminology.

Parts of a chain link fence: Terminal post cap, rail end, rail end band, tension band, line post, fence tie, gate frame hinge, gate post hinge, gate fork latch, terminal post, tension bar, top rail, line post, bottom tension wire, and tension wire clip.

Concrete:  For increasing the value of your home, consider using concrete for sidewalks, driveways, and patios.  For property resale value, it lasts longer than other surface materials and provides a good return on investment.

Concrete is much better than a muddy driveway and walkway. A home’s appearance is appealing with concrete a driveway and sidewalks. Installing poured concrete costs approximately $6-$12 per square foot (sq. ft.). For curb appeal, use stamped concrete which costs $10-$15 per sq. ft. Concrete pavers: $13-$20 per sq. ft.

Concrete Patios:  To install a poured concrete patio, you should expect that, for just the concrete, the installation cost will be approximately $3 per sq. ft. and up to $8 per sq. ft. The additional expense may be added for geographical region, multiple levels, thickness, pattern, stains, coloring, size, and shape of the patio. A solid investment for any homeowner, concrete is a smooth durable surface that provides many years of use outlasting other types of patio surfaces. However, it does have its drawbacks. During the winter months, concrete can become a slippery surface. Over the years, due to harsh weather conditions, like ice and snow, and with repeated use of salt on the surface, concrete will eventually crack or flake.

Concrete Driveways:  If you live in a cold climate, nothing is nicer than a smooth driveway surface. Shoveling snow off of a concrete driveway is much easier than off of a gravel or dirt driveway. Concrete driveways are great for the smooth surface, the curb appeal, good return on investment, and long-lasting surface. Pouring concrete for a two-car driveway of 16 ft. wide by 38 ft. long, which is approximately 610 sq. ft., without excavation, slopes, curves, texturing, patterns, color or other embellishments, will cost about $3,100 which is about $5 per sq. ft. The cost is offset by curb appeal and years of enjoyment driving on a smooth concrete driveway. It is great to have a smooth driveway surface for a weekend yard sale.

 ColumbiaConcreteCo.com

Concrete Walkways and sidewalks:  Today, there is a lot that can be done with concrete walkways and sidewalks.  Homeowners still enjoy the use of a plain concrete sidewalk. Not just for kids anymore, people love to do sidewalk chalk art on the smooth concrete surface. Wouldn’t you rather walk on smooth concrete than on dirt or gravel? Now, sidewalks can have all types of patterns and colors added to them. It really adds to a home’s curb appeal and resale value. A smooth concrete surface is safer than dirt or gravel walkways. Depending upon the thickness, width, and length of the sidewalk or walkway, not including sloping, designs, coloring, texturing, a 200 linear foot by 4 ft. wide and 3-inch thickness, with rebar, wire mesh, and sand base, will cost approximately $9.53 per linear foot. If you want to upgrade with colors and embossing, add about $1.75 per foot. Depending on the region, climate, and market price fluctuations, the labor cost may increase per hour which adds to the overall installation cost.