GARDEN + GARDENING + GARDEN DESIGN + GARDENING TIPS & ADVICE

If you are considering constructioning a Fencing, there are some things you may want to contemplate prior to hiring a Fence Contractor. In most cases, it is important to bear in mind that you get what you pay for. Sometimes, the cheapest bid means you are getting the cheapest supplies. However, the highest bid can indicate the same thing. Make sure you ask the contractor what class of materials you will be getting for the estimate they are charging. There are many different types of materials to choose from and you want to make sure the contractor you hire uses the best materials for the job. Not all materials are created equal.

There are assorted grades of chain link. The most common gauges of chain link are 12.5 gauge, 12 gauge, 11.5 gauge, 11 gauge, 9 gauge and 6 gauge wire. So one fence contractor may bid your fence cheaper but are they using the identical gauge wire as the contractor who bid it higher. It’s always important to ask the contractor what gauge they are going to put in. If the gauge is smaller, the wire will be thicker and stronger. Normally, the heavier 6 and 9 gauge wire is used for commercial and industrial fences and the lighter gauges are used for residential applications.

We have the same matter with the chain link posts and top rail. You want to confirm that the thickness of the post wall is the thickest possible. Usually, on residential fences, contractors will utilize the lighter gauge posts. You do have options for thicker and heavier duty posts and top rail.

Wood Privacy Fence is the same account in regard to the posts. If you opt to pay extra for steel posts, there are also various gauges to choose. For residential privacy fences, I would advise going with the “schedule 20 2-3/8 inch galvanized steel posts” which will be adequately strong to resist 70-80 mile an hour winds as long as they are concreted in solid soil. Sometimes you may get a cheaper bid because they are using the less expensive 17 gauge posts that you can get at your local hardware store. The heaviest post you can buy is “schedule 40” which can withstand a hurricane if they are concreted in good firm ground.

There are also different types of lumber you can decide on, which have varying costs. Western red cedar and white cedar are the finest and will survive longer than white pine, but they cost extra so your bid ought to be higher if you go with cedar. Cedar is resilient because it doesn’t rot as fast and it repels bugs due to the oily sap in the wood. The other types of wood are pine, which we call white wood, and pressure treated pine, which lasts approximately five years longer than un-treated pine. There are also different grades of wood. Pickets can be rough cut on both sides which has a fuzzy look, Pickets that are rough cut on one side and smooth on the other which will cost a little more, and there are pickets that are smooth cut on both sides costing even more.

There is also a distinction in the types of rails you use for your privacy fence. Is your contractor using 2 inch by3 inch rails or 2 inch by 4 inch rails? There is a variance. The smaller rails (2×3) tend to sag in the middle over time, which will eventually cause dips in your fence panels. The larger rails (2×4) do not droop, and will keep your fence looking in line at the top for a sustained period.

Another point to deliberate is whether your contractor uses nails or screws to build your fence. Nails are quicker than screws, but become loose and may work their way out as the lumber dries over time. As opposed to nails, screws will stay in position and not fall out. Screws take longer, but not much longer, so they really shouldn’t effect the rate much more.

One more tip: Never use landscape timbers for posts. Landscape timbers will endure maybe 2-3 years and when a powerful wind comes; your fence will blow down. If you are going to decide on wood posts, go with 4 inch by 4 inch posts at least. They cost a little more, roughly five dollars more, but they will last you at least ten years before they begin to rot.

So, before you go with the “cheapest bid,” be clear in your mind you know what you’re getting. It’s the difference between a fence enduring you a couple years and lasting 20 years. In the long run, it will cost you a great deal more if you’re not careful.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 11th, 2009 at 4:40 am and is filed under Gardening Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.