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Fence Variables for Combining Privacy and Views, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the factors and fence types to consider if you’re looking to combine privacy and a great view. While there are many excellent privacy fence options out there, there are simply ways to ensure that you get the protection you desire for your yard and property without sacrificing your excellent views.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we’re proud to serve as your local fence contractor for all such needs. We offer a wide range of fence materials, from vinyl fences to wood, wrought iron, chain link and several other options. Part one went over some of the best materials to consider for this dual purpose – today’s part two will hit on some major themes to help mold or otherwise alter a privacy fence in ways that maintain the protection, but offer you improved views and aesthetics.

fence combining privacy views

Color Adjustments

You might be surprised at how often a simple color adjustment to certain fence types makes the visibility through them much greater. Think of a lattice fence, for instance, that is painted a darker color or one that blends into the nature behind it – it will be much easier to see through this and view what’s behind it than if you have a lighter color, which is much tougher to see through.

On the flip side, some might be going for maximum privacy. In such cases, you should go for a lighter color for any fence type, especially those that will have any gaps in them at any location.

Camouflage Themes

Down similar lines, camouflaging the fence in smart ways is a good way to go about limiting its impact on your views. When selecting materials or color schemes, prioritize those that blend with the surroundings in the visual area where you’ll be looking most often. Wood tones are often great in natural tree areas, and various green and other nature hues tend to do well also.

Utilizing Curvature

Finally, there’s no rule that says a fence you install has to be even horizontally. One great theme that many homeowners take when looking to maintain both privacy and views simultaneously: Utilizing the curvature of their landscape in the way they install the fence. If your property gives way to a natural tree line below it, for example, you can shape the fence to roughly match that tree line from a given vantage point. You could also shape based on the skyline or a variety of other themes.

For more on how to combine privacy and views with your fencing choice, or to learn about any of our fence supplies or materials, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Fencing Themes for Home Swimming Pools, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics when it comes to building a fence that will house a backyard swimming pool. Whether for simple safety and privacy concerns or to limit liability risks and related issues, fencing around a pool is a must on many properties.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we’re proud to supply a huge variety of fencing materials and fence accessories for numerous needs, including those looking to house a swimming pool. Our vinyl fencing materials are often best here, though we have several other choices as well, including wood, wrought iron and even chain link fences. In today’s part two, we’ll look into a few additional themes for proper swimming pool fencing and related areas.

fencing home swimming pools

Self-Closing and Locking Gate

While the fence itself is very important for any pool housing situation, you must be sure not to forget about a gate as well. This is especially true for those looking to maintain privacy on a variety of levels, whether complete or partial.

In addition, there are local laws to keep in mind here. In most districts of most US states, full fences surrounding property areas like pools or various structures must come with a self-closing and locking gate. These are great child-proof devices for those who live in areas with lots of children, as well. One tip: Be sure your lock is waterproof and above the reach of any young children you might be trying to mess with it.

Rail Gaps

In some cases, you may choose a rail fence for your style to surround the pool. This is fine, but there’s one big factor to consider here: Ensuring gaps between rails (and between the bottom rail and the ground) are small enough for safety. If such gaps are too large, they serve as footholds for kids to climb on. Gaps at the base of the fence might allow pets to wriggle under and escape, as well. If you choose a rail format, ensure gaps are properly designed so these risks are not present.

Insurance Company Guidance

Finally, one resource you may not have considered for your swimming pool fencing: Your insurance company. Particularly for homeowners installing fences to remove liability issues on their property and pool area, the insurance company will often be able to provide several quality tips in terms of pool fencing – required height, material recommendations and more. Some will even give insurance discounts if you consult them and use one of their approved fencing materials.

For more on building the right kind of fence around a swimming pool area, or to learn about any of our fence supplies or services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Fencing Themes for Home Swimming Pools, Part 1

Fencing and related property marking types are important themes across several areas you may not have considered previously, and a great example is the use of fences for swimming pools. Both for public and private pools, including those in back yards within family homes, both fencing and other signage are vital for safety, hazard prevention and general operation.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of fence materials and solutions, from classic wood fences to modern, versatile vinyl fences and many in between. We’ve assisted numerous homeowners with their needs for fencing that surrounds or otherwise marks off a swimming pool or related area on their property – why might this be important on your property, and what are some of the areas you should be considering? Here are some general tips we’ll offer in this area.

fencing home swimming pools

Homeowners and Pool Liability

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that all pool owners – even those in private homes – carry some liability risk with their pool ownership. If someone is injured on the property in a way related to the pool, whether due to slipping, hitting a hazard or some other reason, the homeowner could be found liable for these damages.

However, erecting a fence and including signage and other markers limits this risk significantly. For instance, if someone is trespassing on your property and is injured around your pool, you might have actually been liable if you didn’t have a fence in place signaling private property – but if you do, your chances of being found liable here drop significantly. Through a combination of maintaining a safe area plus using fencing and other methods to mark private property, you avoid such liability risks altogether.

Proper Height Considerations

If you decide it’s prudent to install a fence related to your pool area, whether for liability issues or simple safety and security, one of your first decisions should be regarding the fence’s height. The fence should be tall enough that children using the pool cannot climb on or over it, especially not to jump into the pool – this can present major hazards. At the same time, though, the fence should not be too high, where it will block out the sun or a breeze.

Material Choice

There are several materials you might choose for such a fence, but our top general recommendation here is a vinyl fence. For starters, vinyl is extremely durable and resistant to water and forms of corrosion – it will not buckle or split, and the color will not fade or chalk in the sun. It also comes with virtually no required maintenance and is available in a huge range of styles and colors.

For more on building a fence near or around your home’s swimming pool, or to learn about any of our fencing supplies or services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Combining Practical and Aesthetic Fencing Needs

For many considering installing a new fence on their property, multiple important factors are involved. You want a legitimate, aesthetically-pleasing fence option to help define your property, but you also likely care about factors like security, limiting unnecessary property access and other practical factors that come with a fence installation.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we’ve helped numerous Utahns find the ideal fencing supplies when searching for a fantastic multi-purpose fence. From wood fence options to vinyl, chain link, wrought iron and even ornamental aluminum fences, we offer materials and installation services that help you achieve the precise fence balance you desire. Here are some basics on combining aesthetic and practical factors for the best possible fence on your property.

combining practical aesthetic fencing

Defining Decorative Elements

There are numerous fencing materials that offer decorative qualities, including some of the most well-known and highly practical options. Vinyl fences, for instance, can be designed in any color and them you want, but also offer fantastic security and durability throughout the year. They allow for the placement of a trellis or a picket-style top for aesthetic improvements.

In addition, though, they’re very hard to climb and will not crack or break under pressure. The same qualities are shared by several other fencing options to one degree or another, and those looking for both practicality and visual appeal will have multiple choices available.

Security Factors

Even if you’re going for a highly customized decorative fence, today’s modern fencing materials mean there’s no need to sacrifice security factors to make this happen. Consider iron or aluminum fences, for instance, which are powder-coated to prevent rust and can be matched with any color or shade your garden, home or property are taking. These fencing options are easy to assemble and install and also provide a durable source of security, but also allow for easy tweaks or changes with decorative qualities in mind.

Limiting Access

One of the top methods for limiting property access using a fence is ensuring the height of the fence is adequate for its surroundings. Not only are taller fences tougher to climb, they signal privacy and property markings in ways smaller fences may not.

Numerous fencing materials offer this option along with secure, durable gate options for entry and exit. There are numerous self-closing and self-locking mechanisms that can be installed in fence gates, and you can also obtain quality lighting for this area – this will benefit you both aesthetically and security-wise. All these options are available for many of the fence materials we’ve mentioned, meaning you do not have to sacrifice security for beauty.

For more on how to combine practical and aesthetic elements when installing a new fence, or to learn about any of our fencing contractor services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Busting Myths Surrounding Wrought Iron Fencing

At Utah Fence Warehouse, one of our top points of pride as your local fence contractor is the versatility in materials we work with. We offer fence supplies in a variety of different material types, from popular options like wood and vinyl fences to others like chain link and ornamental aluminum.

Another of our fence materials is wrought iron, which serves as both a decorative and practical fencing option for many home and business owners. Iron fencing is one of the oldest materials out there, and unfortunately this means a few myths have developed about it over the years – in today’s blog we’ll set the record straight on several of these misconceptions and tell you all about why an iron fence might be your best choice moving forward.

myths wrought iron fencing

Too Much Work

First and foremost, some assume that wrought iron fencing will require constant attention and maintenance. This simply isn’t true – wrought iron fences do require limited annual maintenance, just like many other fencing materials, but that’s just about it.

Iron is an extremely durable material, one that can stand up to the daily rigors of home life without wearing down. It holds up well against snow, ice, wind, rain and other weather concerns, and requires no more attention or work than any other standard fencing material.

Rust Concerns

Another common concern we hear raised regarding our iron fences is corrosion protection. This is a fair concern – those who know their metals know that iron can be prone to rusting.

However, modern iron fencing materials carry no such risks. This is because they are specially powder-coated at the factory while they’re being manufactured, and this coating is designed specifically to help them resist any corrosion risks that may be present. You do not have to worry about purchasing a wrought iron fence and dealing with major rusting concerns the second it begins to rain, as your surfaces will be protected.

Too Expensive

Some worry that either installation or repairs on wrought iron fences will be too expensive, but again, this isn’t true. Iron fences allow for rails to be unscrewed and replaced in rare cases where they are damaged, meaning repairs are actually relatively affordable compared to other fence types.

Difficult Installation or Maintenance

Part of the reason some seem to think installation is expensive is because they’re also under the mistaken impression that it’s a difficult process. This could not be further from the case: Wrought iron fencing is light and easy to work with, with no requirement for any kind of welding, hammering or similar processes. Down similar lines, any minor repairs or maintenance areas that do crop up are easy to handle and will not run a major cost.

For more on busting myths regarding wrought iron fencing materials, or to learn about any of our fencing supplies or fencing contractor services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Standards for Building Child Playground Fences, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the requirements and themes involved with building fences for child playgrounds. These are important locations where fencing plays a big role, and there are not only specific standards required for building them, but several themes organizers in this realm will want to consider.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we’re proud to serve as a versatile fencing contractor who will assist with these needs and many others. We’re a varied fence supplier with a variety of products, from wood and vinyl fencing materials to fence gates and several others. In today’s part two, we’ll go over some additional themes to keep in mind when erecting playground fences, including the proper dimensions, gate requirements and long-term maintenance concepts.

standards child playground fences

Proper Measurements

As you’re making important measurements and finalizing the materials and sizes you require for a playground fence, it’s vital to stay in accordance with minimum heights and distances required for both general playgrounds and your area. These will vary between areas, but the general theme here is that height must be high enough to keep kids from attempting to climb over the fence.

In addition, there are a few other themes to stick with. The fence needs to be strong enough to withstand impact from vehicles, and should also be a certain distance away from the street to prevent such risks. Finally, gaps between rails or posts should be as thin as possible to stop smaller children from squeezing through or otherwise endangering themselves.

Gate Requirements

Another area of standards to keep in mind is the fence gate, which is vital for many playgrounds. Some specifics to be aware of here:

  • Gates should be self-closing and self-locking, for safety and accountability purposes.
  • Gate lock and latch sections should be at least a certain height off the ground to stop taller children from reaching it – for five-and-under playgrounds, for instance, the minimum latch height requirement is 48 inches off the ground.
  • The gate should be built with the same standards and materials as the rest of the fence.

Future Maintenance

Finally, it’s important for designers of playground fences to plan for basic maintenance and upkeep themes in the upcoming years. With the right attention here, the fence will stand for years without any major concerns, even despite wear-and-tear from kids.

For starters, we highly recommend drawing up a maintenance schedule that will be stuck to for years into the future. This should include weekly and monthly maintenance and cleaning tasks, plus an annual inspection from fencing professionals like ours.

For more on building a playground fence, or to learn about any of our fencing contractor services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Standards for Building Child Playground Fences, Part 1

While the majority of our hands-on fencing work at Utah Fence Warehouse comes in the residential sphere, where we’ve spent years providing Utah homeowners with high-quality wood, chain link, wrought iron and vinyl fences, we can also provide fencing supplies for other situations where there are fencing needs. One good example here is any kind of playground or similar outdoor child play space, whether in public areas, multi-family zones or others.

If you’re part of the team in charge of installing such a fence as part of a new playground or play center, there are a few considerations that will be very different from installing a residential fence. In this two-part blog series, we’ll go over each of these and the basic themes to keep in mind as you move through this process.

building child playground fences

ASTM Standards

For starters, because they directly involve children, standards for playground spaces – maintained by ASTM International, or American Society for Testing and Materials – are strict and high. Fences installed in these areas need to be able to withstand major impact, for instance, including from nearby vehicles.

The guide also includes several other minimum requirements for fence and barriers in these areas. It covers all potential vehicle and participant intrusions, plus deals with child containment and entry or exit areas. It should be consulted in detail for any playground or related project you’re installing fencing for.

Why Quality Materials Matter

Now, ASTM standards do not specifically lay out recommended products or components for these installations. Rather, they leave these choices up to the operators of the space and their specification writers, based on the needs and products in question.

For several reasons, however, choosing only the highest-quality materials is of the utmost importance. The first and most vital is safety, which must be top of mind for any child play space at all times. In addition, quality materials will last longer and will not cause needs for constant repairs or upgrades – areas that also may present safety hazards in some cases.

Aluminum Benefits

And while a few different fence materials might work well for your playground area, the most common material we recommend is aluminum. It’s highly resistant to all forms of weather, from sunlight to moisture and corrosion risks.

Maybe more importantly, aluminum is also extremely strong and has what’s known as a high impact inhibitor value. This means that while it may bend upon certain major impacts, it will not snap and break like certain other materials, meaning it’s extremely safe. It also requires limited maintenance and meets all ASTM standards.

Within the playground, if you choose to install small shields or barrier areas, vinyl materials are often the best choice here.

For more on properly sourcing and installing a fence for a playground or child play area, or to learn about any of our fencing contractor services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Tips and Steps for Fencing in Your Home’s Deck

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we’re proud to provide our clients with not only the highest-quality fence supplies and fencing contractor services, but also numerous solutions when it comes to building decks, railings and similar areas. Our comprehensive services cover your entire exterior property, ensuring it’s both protected and aesthetically pleasing simultaneously.

One desire that’s becoming more and more popular among modern homeowners is something of a combination of these two areas: A fully-fenced deck. Whether you have children you want to keep safe from a fall, pets you want kept on the deck or a variety of other potential needs, a fenced deck might be the perfect choice for you. Here are some tips we can offer for DIY homeowners looking to fence in their deck.

steps fencing home’s deck

Recommended Materials

For starters, you want to source the best possible fencing materials for your deck fence. Generally speaking, we recommend vinyl as the primary material here: It’s sturdy and durable, with no risk of cracking, breaking or splitting. It’s naturally resistant to corrosion and mildew, with simple maintenance needs that make it easy to own. Finally, it’s available in virtually any color format you can think of, making the aesthetic side of things easy to work with.

In addition, you should consider the other materials you’ll need for your installation:

  • Number of panels required, plus thickness of panels desired
  • Precut posts and rails if needed
  • Tools: A circular saw, sawhorses, handsaw, square, tape measure, level, cordless drill and hammer should all be on hand

Drawing Up Plans

Next it’s time to formulate your basic plan for the entire deck fence. We’re talking about everything from the broad style and aesthetics to the measurements you’ll need to take for height and width. We recommend factoring in elements like the view from the deck (you don’t want to block it with a fence that’s too high) and others that might impact the aesthetics. This is also a good time to ensure any tools or equipment with batteries have been plugged in to charge.

Installation Details

When you have our vinyl panels and posts delivered, ensure all parts are present, including fence post holders. Confirm everything is to your specifications before getting to work.

Begin by installing fence post holders on the deck at the proper locations based on your drawn-up plans. From here, insert each post into its corresponding holder. Finally, slide the fence panels themselves into the posts, waiting for them to click into place. When pre-cut slots are used, there is no need for nailing, screws or other connections.

Lighting Considerations

When you’ve finished with the actual fence installation, many homeowners also want to include some subtle lighting additions. Whether you consider solar-powered lights or other types, there are many options today that fit into adapters directly attached to fence posts, meaning you don’t have to deal with bothersome wiring.

For more on fencing your deck, or to learn about any of our fencing supplies or services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Why Winter Fence Installation Might Benefit You, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the potential value you could realize by considering a winter fence installation. While most tend to schedule a fence installation for a more typical spring or summer month, doing so during the “down” season in this industry may hold several potential benefits.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we’re proud to offer a variety of fence supplies and accessories, plus quality fence contractor installation services if needed. Here are a few more potential reasons why the winter period might be your best choice for fence installation during periods where direct snow isn’t on the ground (frequent during the Utah winter).

winter fence installation benefit

Won’t Block Outdoor Activities

During the spring and summer, especially for homes with children or pets, the yard is an area for outdoor activity. Whether we’re talking playtime, gardening or any other area, you want this space to be available.

During a fence installation, however, significant digging and other installation needs will crop up. If you’re installing a particularly detailed or large fence, this process may take some significant time, during which parts of the yard will be inaccessible and may even risk pets escaping or running into neighbor yards. With winter installation, you avoid many of these risks – plus, as we mentioned in part one, you can generally get the job done faster since contractor availability is higher.

Winter Weather Protection

If you’ve begun to notice your current fence buckling under the strain of winter, whether it’s in the form of rotting, cracking or some other form of damage, realize that these issues are only going to get worse if you ignore them. Instead of waiting months until the spring hits, we highly recommend considering a new fence replacement during the winter period.

Not only will this be quicker to install in many cases, it will help protect your yard and property in vital ways during the remainder of the winter. There can even be cases where existing damaged fences are significant dangers to those on the property, and installation of a new fence as soon as possible remedies this issue.

Holidays and Pets

One of the most common times for families to take on a new pet like a dog or cat: The holidays, which just passed. For those in this situation who have not had a fence on their property before, or who need a more effective fencing option to keep their pet on the property, there’s no need to wait until spring and keep your new pet cooped up inside. Call our team about inter fence installation right away.

For more on the potential benefits of winter fence installation, or to learn about any of our fence contractor services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.

Why Winter Fence Installation Might Benefit You, Part 1

When it comes to work being done on the outdoor areas of your property, including themes like fence installation or renovations, most people think of the warmer months of the year as the ideal times for these sorts of projects. There may be certain projects that can also be completed during the winter with some hidden benefits, however, and fence installation is often one such project.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we’re proud to offer comprehensive fencing contractor services, from providing fence supplies and accessories to offering full installation services if you require them. While we obviously do not recommend attempting a fence installation while there’s a significant amount of snow on the ground or the ground is completely frozen, the Utah winter offers several opportunities where these conditions are not present – this two-part blog will go over some reasons why, if you can find the right time, winter fence installation might be your best choice.

winter fence installation benefit

Simpler Landscaping

For starters, fence installation is often a project that’s carried out simultaneously with various landscaping upgrades or changes. This makes inherent sense – fences themselves are often a big part of the landscape, and they will impact how you design plant areas, hardscape and other factors.

During the winter, however, many of the plants involved in a landscape are dormant. This means they are less likely to be damaged during any fence construction, which can speed up the process of installation for either you or our professional contractors.

Contractor Availability

Speaking of our contractors, guess what they’re busy doing for most of the spring and summer period: Helping with fence installations throughout Utah. These periods of the year are naturally much busier for fencing contractors around the country, and it can be a bit tougher to schedule your appointment and get everything done in a short period of time.

If you go for winter installation, though, you beat most of this rush. Instead of trying to fit in an appointment around a busy schedule in spring, consider getting it done now and sitting back to enjoy your new fence once the warm weather hits.

Year-Round Protection

As we noted above, many landscaping elements and plants go dormant during winter. For those who desire privacy and protection in their yards, and who utilize trees and shrubs to do this, this protection becomes limited during thee fall and winter. If you’re feeling exposed and missing the privacy you desire during this period, don’t feel you need to wait all the way until spring or even summer to have a high-quality privacy fence installed on your property.

For more on the potential benefits of installing a fence during winter, or to learn about any of our fence contractor services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.