Let’s not beat around the bush, folks; there’re just some fence companies that are better than others, especially when you’re looking to hire one for installing wooden fences. The thing about wood fences is that they’re versatile and have plenty of benefits. Wood fences provide privacy, enclose your property, and add security to keep intruders out, they are perfect for pets, they look really cool, and are an affordable option compared to other styles of fencing. Wood fences are still popular in North America by a wide margin of 50%.
However, not all wood fences are built the same, so how the heck do you know which one’s right for your home or even which one’s of a better quality? A good way to find the answer is by asking directly from the source; in other words, you should always ask the fence company that is installing your wood fence about the products they are using. Understanding the differences is vital. The complexities and scope of your need for fences will ultimately steer you toward using custom-built wood fences rather than pre fabricated ones, and statistics back this up, since people who hire professional fencing companies, make sure that no pre-built panels or materials are used; it’s all assembled on site.
Read on to learn what to look for when shopping for a new wood fence.
High Quality Materials
Pre-assembled fence panels are produced to maximize profit margins for fencing companies and as a result cheaper wood and fasteners are typically used during manufacturing. Often, these pre-made panels use thinner lumber such as 1×3 rails and ½” pickets and are constructed with staples. Basically these things results in a significantly reduced lifespan for the wood fence. The rails start to warp, the pickets start to pop out, the staples rust and leave stains, and the wood withers and deteriorates much quicker.
Look for a fence company that stick builds your wood fence with high quality lumber, and they do it onsite, from scratch, every time. Ideally, you should find a fence company that uses 1×6 pickets, 2×4 rails, 4×4 posts, and 6×6 hinge side gate posts. The 6×6 gate posts provide additional support to help combat common gate problems such as leaning, sagging, and hinge failure. Depending on where you live 6×6 posts may not be available, then a 4×6 gate post should be used at least, but nothing lower than that.
Be sure to ask about the kind of fasteners being used. Are the fence pickets fastened to the rails using staples or does your fence company use galvanized ring shank nails duringe construction of their wooden fences? The galvanized coating is essential in preventing rust and corrosion while the ring shank design provides added holding power to help prevent nails from popping out as the wood changes and shrinks over time.
A wood fence properly constructed with high quality materials is going to result in a stronger sturdier fence that will last significantly longer than a pre-fabricated panel wood fence that cuts corners by using cheaper materials.
Easier to Install
Having your wood fence custom built onsite makes for a smoother installation process. Constructing your fence at your property will ensure the fence to be built conforms to your land. This creates more precision and ease for fence installers to keep in mind your property’s unique slopes and grades while adjusting the fence to be evenly leveled and aesthetically pleasing. Every property has its own distinct set of obstacles that need to be accounted for such as trees, shrubbery, and roots. Using a premade panel limits the installer’s ability to properly install the fence while accommodating your specific needs..
More Cost Effective
Believe it or not, a custom built wood fence is actually typically cheaper than using premade panels. While the lumber itself is cheaper on a premade panel, the cost savings associated with the cheaper wood is not always shared with the fence company installing your fence. As we mentioned before, the profit margins are increased for the manufacturer, and they actually charge the fence contractor or homeowner more to sell a panel, since it has the benefit of being pre assembled. On the surface this seems to reduce the amount of labor that goes into constructing the wood fence, but in actuality, it creates more work to fit those panels to your property. Additionally, it is much heavier to lug the premade panels to your backyard when compared than to bring the individual lumber components and stage them around the yard to prep for the fence installation.
Better Looking Finished Product
The true distinction in the appearance of the final product between a custom built wood fence and one made from prefabricated panels will be night and day. The higher quality materials and the flexibility during installation of a custom wood fence makes them stand out when compared side by side with it’s alternative. The lumber looks better, the fence looks durable enough to withstand the elements and blows, and the site lines are cleaner and more even. A wood fence made with premade panels tends to have an uneven stepped installation and even on flat ground the panels aren’t as symmetrical. Where the fence panels meet each other and connect to the fence posts there is typically an awkward transition that wasn’t properly covered with a vertical wood picket. Simply put, a custom built wood fence looks much cleaner and professionally done. Additionally, the custom design options are limitless when having your fence constructed on site. Speak with your local fence pros about what options they offer for cap and trim, arch-top, or lattice style wood fences. If you are looking for a great wood fence at an affordable price, Big Jerry’s Fencing guarantees that your wood fence is going to be built to last and elevate the curb appeal of your home, too.
