The Fence Post

Repair? Replace?

Sadly, during a major storm, your fence can be easily damaged. Strong winds can blow down large branches. Entire trees can be uprooted, landing on your fence. Often the damage can only be repaired by replacing what was there with new fencing materials. Hopefully, these storms will pass you and your family by and cause no damage to your home and property. If your home is spared but your property and yard were not so fortunate, you will have to take down the damaged fence and replace it.

Rethinking Your Fence

If wood post and rail with attached wire were damaged, you can replace the wire with perhaps a vinyl-coated wire for long life. You will find that 2" x 3" or 2" x 4" and smaller meshes are available that will keep your pets and children securely in the yard. Many people prefer black vinyl-coated wire as it blends in very well with the background. It does not stand out as galvanized wire tends to do.

Did your pool wire get damaged? Your pet fencing? Your garden fence? Fencing materials protecting your flowers and shrubs, especially from deer? There are many different types of welded and woven wire meshes available in both galvanized and vinyl-coated finishes. And there is a wide variety of plastic meshes from which to choose.

Big-box stores--offering a limited selection and spotty service

If you decide to do these repairs yourself, remember that there are many types of fencing materials available that you will never find in your local big-box store. Beware of the limited selection: it really does pay off to broaden your search. Why not go for something different, with better construction, and readily available?

Are you having difficulty finding the type of fence you want?

Are you frustrated by the absence of knowledge about fencing materials encountered in most retail stores? This is when you turn to Louis Page, who knows fencing. As you consider your replacement, here's a helpful blog to get you started.

Safer Roadways and Animal Habitat 

"Living snow fences" are trees, bushes, and shrubs used to control blowing snow. They render roadways safer, are aesthetically pleasing while creating wild animal habitats. Economical as well! They do not break down as readily as traditional wood or plastic snow fences.   

These videos demonstrate the benefits of living snow fences; the first is provided by the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts:

Keeping People out of ditches

Do you think living snow fences will ever replace the traditional wood or newer plastic snow fences?

Which would you rather see along the roadside?

As you look around...

Fencing materials can be galvanized or vinyl-coated, small or larger openings, and a variety of heights. For long life and appearance consider vinyl coated wire. We can't stress enough that black (not green) blends extremely well into the background and almost disappears rather than boldly stands out.

Terrain Issues

Consider the terrain you will be fencing - is it level or uneven? You will want to use a fence that conforms or "racks" if the ground is uneven. On level ground, a welded wire fence is perfectly suitable as there is no give to it. Welded wire is not "rackable." Farm and Field fence adapts beautifully to the topography of your property.

Remember, with vinyl coated wire you avoid costly replacement because it lasts and lasts; plus it has a very pleasing appearance. And! Don't forget fence panels--they can really streamline installation and are perfect for remodeling decks.

Which type of fence material works best for you?

In this garden fence example, a 2" x 4" welded mesh was used. Other types of fencing materials would also work well:

• Galvanized before weld or weave (GBW)
  
  • 1/2" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge
  • 1" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge or 14 gauge
  • 1" x 2" mesh, 14 gauge
  • 1" hex mesh, 20 gauge
• Galvanized after weld or weave (GAW) - longer lasting
  
  • 1/2" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge
  • 1" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge or 14 gauge
  • 1" x 2" mesh, 14 gauge
  • 1" hex mesh, 18 gauge
• Vinyl coated - longest lasting
  
  • 1/2" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge
  • 1" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge or 14 gauge
  • 1" x 2" mesh, 14 gauge
  • 1" hex mesh, 20 gauge

Keeping Tabs on Everybody

Have you made some alterations to your daily life that are going to require some physical changes to your property? 

• Perhaps there are now some children to think about and some barriers will be needed to keep them safe.
• Or it could be that beloved pet of yours may be better handled behind a fence?
• A veggie garden also demands some protection as the value of your crop depends on certain invaders to be excluded.

For either sanity or safety's sake, it might be time to consider a simple fence to simplify your days...and nights. Read on for some ideas on making change.

Do you need to:

• protect children as they play securely in your yard?
• keep pets from running all over the neighborhood?
• prevent "critters" from entering your garden to eat your plants?
• define your property or boundary line?
• keep deer and other wildlife away from your trees?
• prevent gophers from destroying your lawn and plantings?                                                                                                                    

• Woven wire fence products come in a wide range of styles, from 1" hexagonal chicken wire up to 10' tall heavy deer fence with large openings.

When you call us, be thinking about these questions-- 

• Do you need a large or a smaller mesh?
• Are you trying to keep something in or out?
• How many feet will you need to do the job right?
• What height is required?
• Is your land flat or does the terrain vary?
• Do you want to install the fencing materials yourself?
• Would it be better to have it installed by a reputable fence company?

Many possibilities are out there. The choices are yours. What has been most difficult for you when trying to decide which type of fencing material to use? We can help narrow things down.

Are you aware of all the possibilities that are available that you will never find at your local retail store? We will be happy to have a discussion with you about the differences between the various products that may be most suitable for your project.