Fence Supply Inc

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(972) 226-0004

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How to Pick the Perfect Wood Fence

admin · November 26, 2012 ·

Are you scratching your head  over the many options and styles available for a new wood fence? Don’t worry, Fence Supply Inc. is here to help. We are just a phone call away and we will be happy to help you through this process. All we need is your measurements for your fence project to help you estimate what and how many materials you need. See our article Measuring For My Fence Project. This information is very important to give you an accurate estimate for materials.

Choosing a great Wooden Privacy Fence can be a very straightforward process. In fact, the process should begin with a simple question of how long you would like the wooden fence to last. The cost of a new wooden fence is important, but this should not be the deciding factor. Longevity and functionality is a much better fence decision maker.

Your first step is to pick one of the four types or species of wood.

Wood type or species

Traditional

Cedar

Cedar

Treated Pine

Spruce/Pine

Longevity

20 – 25 Years

20 – 25 Years

15-17 Years

9 – 12 Years

Grade Options

Clear, #1, #2

#2 BTR

#2

Premium

Thickness

21/32”

21/32”

23/32”

5/8”

Environmental friendliness

10+

10+

10

10

Cedar Fence Options

Western Red Cedar has natural durability and exceptional beauty that bring warmth, character and longevity to your fence project. Western Red Cedar is great for both residential and commercial projects. Whether you choose a #1 grade, with small, tight knots, or the Cadillac of cedar grades, clear, Western Red Cedar offers virtually unlimited versatility and design flexibility.

Western Red Cedar is a truly sustainable fencing material. It has the lowest environmental impact when compared with other fence materials such as brick and stone. Go Green with Cedar.

Western Red Cedar is one of the world’s most durable woods. Natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect damage has long made Western Red Cedar the premier choice for either privacy or decorative fence projects. Fibers in cedar heartwood contain natural preservatives that are toxic to decay-causing fungi.

Western Red Cedar Fence Alternatives

Fence Supply Inc strives to help customers stretch their fence dollars as far as possible. We offer some great alternatives to western red cedar that last almost as long. Currently we offer two such products: Everwood and Aromatic Cedar. These are cousins of western red cedar and offer almost the same longevity and durability, at less of a cost.

Note: most companies will sell you these products and call them western red cedar. Fence Supply Inc. will not do this. We always want our customer to understand the product they are receiving. Come in and check out these two varieties yourself to see the difference.

If you are offered a “cedar product” from another company, and the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Ask lots of questions, and come in to Fence Supply Inc., where you will be sure to get honest answers.

Treated Pine Wood Fencing

Treated pine is a great product as an alternative to Western Red Cedar. It is more cost effective than cedar and has a good, long lifespan.

All of our treated pine is treated with MicroPro® technology, a revolutionary way to pressure treat wood for decks, fences, landscaping and general construction uses. MicroPro® pressure treated wood is treated with micronized copper preservatives, which help protect against termite damage and fungal decay. MicroPro® offers many benefits including significantly improved corrosion performance. MicroPro®-treated wood products are U.S. building code compliant.

Osmose MicroPro® technology is the first treated wood process to be certified under Scientific Certification Systems Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) program based on Life-Cycle Assessment.

Read more on how this treatment is revolutionary: Information About MicroPro® Micronized Copper Treated Wood http://www.treatedwoodtruth.com/Treated-Wood-Information-on-Osmose-MicroPro-Lumber.php

A comprehensive review of copper-based wood preservatives can be found at http://www.treatedwoodtruth.com/pdf/Nov08-FPJ-Feature.pdf

Spruce Wood Fencing (commonly referred to as SPF)

Spruce is a great, economic privacy fence option.  Fence Supply Inc. has a few different options when spruce fencing is the fence of choice.  Spruce fencing accepts stain very well to extend the life of the fence and give a nice rich look.

Spruce-pine-fir

SPF refers to spruce-pine-fir, Canadian woods of similar characteristics that have been grouped for production and marketing. Four species, White Spruce (Picea glauca), Engelmann Spruce (Piceaengelmanni), Lodge pole Pine (Pinus contorta), and Alpine Fir (Abieslaciocarpa) comprise the SPF species group. All yield high-grade timber with relatively small, sound tight knots.

SPF lumber is seasoned uniformly in dry kilns to a moisture content of 19% or less. Kiln drying inhibits natural staining of the wood, improves its strength and stiffness, enhances its appearance and increases its resistance to decay and attack by insects.
SPF has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is well known for its outstanding working properties. It takes and holds nails exceptionally well and is easily worked with hand and power tools.

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Wood Fence Components Illustration

admin · November 19, 2012 ·

Fence Components

Pickets

Pickets are available in a variety of widths and finishes; the most common is the 1” x 4” and the 1″ x 6”.  Some of the available pickets are full-cut and others are a nominal.  This can be very confusing if we don’t speak the same language.  Fence Supply Inc. will always tell you if it is a 1″ x 6″ or 1″ x 5 ½” for the actual width.

Pickets are available with different shaped tops. Flat top, Dog Ear, Gothic point and Virginia or French Gothic are available from Fence Supply Inc.

Brackets

Fence Supply Inc. offers two styles of brackets for installing your fence on metal post:  a one piece bracket and a two piece bracket. Both of these brackets use 4 lag screws per bracket. High quality ¼” x 1 ½” lag screws should be used.

Rails

Fence rails attach to the post with brackets, or in the case of a wood post, are nailed directly to the post.  This is a very important component for a successful fence installation. The most common size for rails is 2” x 3” or 2” x 4”. Maximum post spacing is 8’ between posts; thus, a 2″ x 4″ x 8′ rail would be used. If you are doing an 8’ tall fence, we recommend using a 2″ x 4″ x 12′ rail and setting your posts on 6’ centers.

Posts

This is the foundation of the fence. If you’re on a tight budget this is not the area to try to save money. Invest in the best foundation you can afford. When you figure for your fence posts, remember depth and distance apart vs.fence height. All posts should be installed using our Sakrete product, which is available in 80 lb. bags for ease of loading and use. When building a 6′ high fence, you should set your posts at a depth of 2′ at a distance of 8′ on center (O/C). When building an 8′ high fence, you should set your posts at a depth of 2′ at a distance of 6′ O/C. (See gate section for gate post depths and measurements). Fence Supply Inc. recommends a minimum of 2-3/8″ posts for building wood fences.

Kick-board

Kick-boards are installed at the base of your fence. This is an excellent way to protect the bottom of your fence and/or add height to your fence as needed. Fence Supply Inc. recommends using 2″ x 6″ treated pine for your kick-board needs, although other sizes and types of wood are available. These 2″ x 6″ boards may be “stacked” to give more height as needed where there are low areas that need the extra height. Treated pine holds up well in all types of weather and maintains its integrity throughout its life. Fence Supply Inc. has the 2″ x 6″ treated pine available in 8′, 12′ and 16′ lengths.

Cap board

Installation of the cap board will add the finishing touch to your new fence. A cap board adds beauty to any wood fence and will set your fence apart from the others. When installing a cap board, ensure that your posts and the top of your upper rail are the same height as the top of your fence. This will give you the width and support necessary when attaching the cap board. Most cap boards will be either a 2″ x 6″ or a 2″ x 8″ and can be either cedar or treated pine, depending on your fence type.

Trim board

Trim boards are the crown molding for your new fence. The ultimate in beauty is the double step trim. There are several installation types to choose from; 1″ x 4″ x 8′ is the most common use of trim board; however, a 1″ x 2″ may also be used either as a single trim board or in combination with the 1″ x 4″ trim board to give a stair-step look to the trim. You should choose a trim board wood species that matches your fence type.

Screws vs. Nails

With today’s technological advancements in coatings, the choice of using screw vs. nails may be strictly a personal choice based on tools available or ease of installation. Either is an excellent choice and today’s coatings will give years of beauty without bleeding. Fence Supply Inc. recommends the Duo Fast coil or strip nails to be used in conjunction with the Duo Fast coil or strip nail guns which can help in decreasing your installation time. Battery-powered drills with Phillips bits may be used with our coated screws for a faster installation as well. Fence Supply Inc. carries all these products as well as galvanized hand nails for those wishing to install their fence in this manner. (See tool rental for tools available.)

Fence Gate Hardware

Wood gate hardware is offered to complement your new fence. Powder-coated black hardware is made for years of use. For walk gates we recommend using 3 hinges for both 6’ and 8’ tall fences.

Types of Wood Fence Styles

Side by Side – Traditional picket fences are sometimes referred to as a stockade fence.  Pickets are placed side by side butted up next to each other. One misunderstanding is that space needs to be left between pickets. This is not true; the pickets when placed in this fashion will shrink and should be placed tight to maximize privacy.

Board on Board – This is a full privacy fence; you have two rows of pickets with the rear pickets spaced to allow a one inch overlap when the top board is installed. This style fence will give you maximum privacy.

Shadow Box – Pickets are placed behind and in front of each on opposite sides of the rails, creating an almost full privacy effect, but allows for air flow with this spacing.

Decorative Picket Fence – A traditional picket fence, commonly with 4’ tall by 8’ wide sections. The pickets will have a decorative point or top cut into the top edge of the picket. This fence is commonly used as a property board or decorative fence used in conjunction with a privacy fence.

Basket Weave – This a unique style of fencing consists of post and pickets only.  The pickets are normally 1″ x 6″ x 16′ cedar or redwood and installed horizontally in a basket weave pattern.

Split Rail Fencing – Split rail is most commonly offered in a 2-rail and 3-rail option.  This is a great farm & ranch, garden board, or accent fence. The hand-split style of components has a tremendous curb appeal to this style of fencing

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How to Build a Wood Gate

admin · November 19, 2012 ·

Unlike other gates, which you can only install after finishing your fence lines, wood gates can be installed right along with your wood fence. The following steps will guide you in installing your wood gate together with your wood fence. Using these steps will help you have a continuous workflow and save you some time.

How to Build a Wood Gate

Set posts

While installing your wood posts, make sure you mark where the gate opening will be. Your gate posts will have a different distance compared to that of other fence posts. The typical gate opening is 36 inches.  Add to this a 1 1/2 inch (3/4 inch each) combined gap for gate hinges and the gate latch, and you will have a total distance of 37 1/2 inch between your gate posts.  This measurement is intended for self-closing hinges. There is no need to provide a gap for hinge installation if you will be using the regular hinge types.

How to Build a Wood Gate

Attach rails

After securing your fence posts, fix your fence rails onto them. Do not cut the rails at hinge post and latch post. These rails will serve as the primary frame for your wood gate.

How to Build a Wood Gate

Insert diagonal braces

To add stability and strength to your wood gate, insert diagonal braces on the railings in between your latch and hinge posts. Place these braces leaving a 4-inch clearance to the posts.  This clearance will serve as space for the latch and hinge installations.

How to Build a Wood Gate

Cut rails on gate hinge side

When cutting the rails on the hinge side, be sure to cut the rail only halfway through if you will be using a regular hinge. If you’re using self-closing hinges, cut the rails on the hinge side but be sure to provide support for your gate weight and the force of fixing the fence pickets.

 

How to Build a Wood Gate

 

Nail pickets in place

In fixing the nail pickets allow a 3/4 inch gap on latch side. On the hinge side also allow a 3/4 inch gap if you will be using self-closing hinges. No allowance is needed on the hinge side if you will be using regular hinge types.

How to Build a Wood Gate

Install hinges

Install hinges along the railings of the fence.  Installing a hinge on the top, middle, and bottom rail is advisable for regular hinge types.  For stronger hinge types, top and bottom hinges may be sufficient.  For regular hinge types, cut the center back of rails on hinge side after installation.

How to Build a Wood Gate

Cut rails on latch side and install gate latch

Cut the rails on latch side and install the latch. Make sure that proper support is provided to the gate while installing the latch.  Ensure appropriate latch installation by using reliable installation guides.

How to Build a Wood Gate

 

How to Build a Wood Gate

Insert gate stopper

To prevent the gate from opening more than the desired angle and causing unwanted damage on the hinges and the gate, insert a 2 inch by 4 inch gate stopper or “Back Stop” with a setback of 1/2 inch from the pickets.

Test

After the installation, test your wood gate to determine performance. For those using self-closing hinges, adjust closing force as desired. Make any adjustments needed until desired gate performance is achieved.

Wood building a wood gate, fence supply, fence supply inc., gate hinges, gates, hinge, latch, supplies, wood gates

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Fence Supply Inc.

435 US Highway 80 E
Sunnyvale, TX 75182

 

Phone: (972) 226-0004
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Fence Supply Inc. - Wood, Iron, Chain-Link, PVC, Farm & Ranch Fencing, Iron Handrails, Posts, and Gates, PVC Handrails, Posts, and Gates; Gate Operators; Access Control; Kennels
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