Thinking through Fence Ideas
The first consideration when looking into different fencing ideas is to think about the function the fence will need to perform. If it’s to be just a simple demarcation between yours and surrounding properties, then your choice will be different from that of someone who wants their fence to keep pets in or intruders out. If you’re looking for a front fence – the ‘face’ your property shows to the outside world – then your needs will differ from those of someone wanting to disguise an ugly area from view.
Fence Ideas – Colour
Choice of colour can affect whether a fence blends in or stands out in a landscape. Darker or more earthy colours tend to be less noticeable, especially when set against vegetation or natural landscaping features. Whether you want the fence to be a feature depends on its function and your own individual taste, but getting fence ideas and advice from an expert in the field can help with such decisions. Sometimes it can be hard to get all the information you need from the one supplier, manufacturer or installation company. Most firms tend to deal in one material or type of fence only, so go online first and do some research into various fence ideas. Talk to several manufacturers to find out the respective strengths and functions of their product and shop around for the best price. If you keep a firm idea in mind about the function your fence needs to perform, then it will make your choice much easier Choice of colour can affect whether a fence blends in or stands out in a landscape. Darker or more earthy colours tend to be less noticeable, especially when set against vegetation or natural landscaping features. Whether you want the fence to be a feature depends on its function and your own individual taste, but getting fence ideas and advice from an expert in the field can help with such decisions. Sometimes it can be hard to get all the information you need from the one supplier, manufacturer or installation company. Most firms tend to deal in one material or type of fence only, so go online first and do some research into various fence ideas. Talk to several manufacturers to find out the respective strengths and functions of their product and shop around for the best price. If you keep a firm idea in mind about the function your fence needs to perform, then it will make your choice much easier.
Fence Ideas – The Barrier
A front fence often needs to act as a feature and a barrier at the same time. Timber pickets, or steel or aluminium tubular fencing – available in a range of stylish designs – might work well in this instance. Solid timber, brickwork, or steel or aluminium panels provide a more solid but possibly less attractive barrier, while other options such as hedges or brush fences provide a natural barrier between your property and the street.
Many people opt for simple timber fencing to separate their property from others, although Ian cautions against making this decision without checking out alternatives. “Timber might be cheaper upfront, but it rots eventually,” he says. “Steel or aluminium fencing will last much longer, and possibly be cheaper in the long run.”
Source: http://www.improvemyhome.com.au
How To Keep Your Wooden Fencing in Tip-Top Shape
Putting in a wooden fence around your lawn or garden adds a decorative accent that many will find attractive. However, your fence may soon lose its appeal if you dont keep it up with regular care and maintenance. Some fencing materials, like vinyl or aluminum, require their own brand of upkeep. But wooden fences benefit most from routine scraping, painting, and sealing. Plan for this annual or bi-annual maintenance when budgeting the cost for new wooden fencing.
Of course, if you can do the work instead of hiring it out, you can some substantial costs. But if you cannot, you will need to factor in the labor costs of caring for your fence. In addition, you need to cover the cost of supplies, including the paint or sealant products, along with equipment needed to do the work.
Check your fence every few months for peeling, splintering, mold, or breakage. Insect nests are another potential problem, along with knotholes where birds may be nesting. If you decide to treat the nesting areas, do so humanely, for the birds at least. Otherwise, you may wish to leave these areas alone and concentrate on actual damage to the wood. Look for signs of termite infestation, and call an exterminator if you find them. Manage pest problems before they get bigger, or you could end up paying a premium for pest control.
Depending on the style of wooden fence you have, you may want to sand off rough edges or remove protruding fragments that could cause splinters, especially if you have children or pets that are likely to play on or around the fencing. For split-rail fences, a natural look works well, but you still may need to check for problem areas that need to be treated with fungicide, herbicide, or pesticide.
Painted fences should be touched up every year or two. You will probably have to scrape away flakes and chips to get a smooth finish before repainting. You also may want to seal the fence with a product that will help to protect and preserve it. There are several on the market, so check with your local home supply outlet for details on what to buy and how to apply it.
When painting your fence, buy the right kind of outdoor paint, along with primer, if needed. You might want to put up a string barrier along the fence that you have painted to keep it from being bothered until it dries. If you are painting a wooden fence for the first time, you will want to match or at least coordinate it with other colors in your outdoor decorating scheme. These may include your porch, house door, window shutters, or shed. Otherwise, a neutral color like white, brown, or red should work well for many kinds of outdoor fences.
Even though your fence may be used for mostly functional purposes, like keeping neighborhood dogs away or protecting a parking area, it doesnt hurt to make the fence attractive and aesthetically appealing.
Source: http://www.longarticles.com
5 steps to a spring makeover
1. Paint the fence
Transform a conventional grey paling fence with paint and you’ll brighten the whole mood of a garden. To make the job quick and easy, hire a paint spray-gun for 1-2 days. We chose a two-tone colour scheme of deep brownish-purple for the fence, Dulux ‘Yarwood’, and watermelon pink for the lattice, Dulux ‘Jules’.
2. Install feature posts
A grouping of timber posts, set at varying heights and painted a brilliant pink on their front faces, creates an eye-catching garden feature. They’re also a clever way to bridge a difference in heights, such as from a high fence to a low wall (for instructions, see over page).
3. Colour theme the plants
Choose a colour theme for your flower plantings, to give the garden strength. Here, deep pink repeats and strengthens the paint colour used on the posts and latticework.
4. Add a water bowl
Any garden view receives extra charm from a water feature. The simplest of all is a water bowl sitting on a bed of white pebbles. You can personalise the bowl with basic mosaic decoration (for instructions, see over page).
5. Bring in the furniture
Complete your garden by adding a table and chairs. You don’t have to buy new stuff, just tart up what you have with fresh paint for the table and new canvas for the chairs. Sand furniture to prepare it for painting and use the original director’s chair seat and back as your pattern for cutting out and stitching the new canvas. Attach the new canvas to each chair.
Source: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com
Karate Kid Lesson 4 (Paint the Fence)
12 reasons to have your fence painted in 2010! * SPECIAL OFFER *
1. Speacial discount for all bookings made prior to the end of January!
2. Add possibly thousands of dollars in value to your property.
3. Add years of life to your fence.
4. Save money by extending the lifetime of your fence.
5. Cosmetically improve your surroundings.
6. Quality, durable, environmentally friendly water based fence paint.
7. 7 colours to choose from.
8. Ideal for rough sawn timber, pine pickets and treated pine lattice.
9. Touch dry in only 1 hour on a 25 degrees celsuis day.
10. Top quality work by experienced professionals.
11. Job completed in one day ( subject to weather)
12. MOET CHAMPAGNE bottle for all deposits paid prior to Easter 2010!
