The right fence can add privacy, utility, and value to your home, garden, and property. There are many different types and styles of fences made of varying materials - which can make the decision a a hard one. Make an informed decision when preparing to fence your yard, as this investment can play quite a significant impact. Boyer Premier Fence is proud to provide our customers with natural wood, vinyl, ornamental iron, and superior metal fencing options for both residential and commercial projects.

Wood

Wood fencing is the most popular as well as the most traditional fence option installed at Boyer Premier Fence. Typically known for its natural look, wooden fences are incredibly versatile and customizable. Trending fence styles can be styled in a variety of ways, such as a horizontally, alternating, picket, board on board, lattice, or a combination. Specific styles provide full-coverage privacy (horizontal, alternate-board and board on board designs in particular).  Wood fences also allow for customization as they can be easily painted or stained to reflect your personal style or current season. Although wooden fences require maintenance, if properly cared for, can last for years. Maintenance includes repairs due to rot, bug infestations, broken/cracked boards, and weathering (this is possible if the wood you choose is not pressure treated lumber). Fortunately, repairs can be quite simple as boards are simple to remove and replace.

Vinyl

Growing in popularity due to its variety of colours and styles is vinyl fencing. The vinyl fencing material is quite durable and provides a high level of privacy. Vinyl fencing comes in ready-to-install strips, making installation a little more detailed than most. One of the most significant advantages is the lack of maintenance, as cleaning can be done with a hose. You are able to get the look of a traditional lumber fence, without the required upkeep. Vinyl fences won’t split or crack, and they are not susceptible to weather damage, rotting, or insects. Cost could be considered the most significant aspects of your decision, as the upfront cost can be high, but require little to no further investments in the future. Other potential issues that could arise is their strength in extreme temperature conditions.

Ornamental Iron

Ornamental iron fences are known for its ability to provide security and protection to both homes and commercial sites.  Wrought iron fences are durable and robust, in return having a long life span. Boyer Premier Fence sources weather-resistant iron that is proudly manufactured and processed in Canada. This fencing material is an ideal choice to modernize the look of your property if you are looking for a maintenance-free option. The weight of wrought iron can make installation more challenging to those who are not experienced working with the material, and it is also the most expensive type of fence, but as mentioned, its advantages are worth it.

Chain Link

A chain link fence could be most practical fence if safety and cost-effectiveness are your top priorities. This fencing material requires limited maintenance and has a long life due to being vinyl coated.  It is also insect and weatherproof. The disadvantages of this fence have to do with the appearance and lack of privacy. Chain link fences are quite dull looking, coming in very few colour options. This fencing material also provides no privacy to your property.

No fencing material is perfect, but depending on what your needs are, the perfect one is out there for you! If you’ve made your decision and are looking for a custom fence specialist and builder, let Boyer Premier Fencing & Backyard Solutions help.  We are committed to delivering premium materials and prompt and professional service. From serving Southern Ontario for over 90 years, we have been deemed as an industry leader in backyard furnishings because of our quality and service.

 

Maybe you’ve been delaying fixing that loose railing or creaky board one summer too long, But don’t let a simple repair become an accident you could have prevented. At Boyer Premier Fence, we have six signs that it’s time to repair (or maybe even replace) your deck.

Rusting and Loosening of Connectors

These connectors commonly aren’t visible and are quickly forgotten about; however, they are a significant concern for the personal safety of you and your family. Look under your deck to make sure everything is still in place and in good shape. Depending on the age of your deck, natural elements can weaken your deck’s structural stability and its fixtures. Repair these as they arise, you don’t need to do all at once.  

Decaying or Rotting Wood

Decaying or rotting deck boards is like opening a can of worms. It can lead to many more issues such as structural and increases susceptibility to insects. Rotting wood will cause the frame to lose its shape and stability, and termites will accelerate the decaying process. Once the rot moves from the visible, outer edges, the middle of the boards will become spongy to walk on. This when it is time to replace the board. Another issue you may find is that screws no longer stay secured in the decaying material. If just one board is affected, remove it and replace it with something new. If it is the majority of your deck boards or even worse, if it is the frame supports holding it up, it may be cheaper (and safer) to replace the deck entirely.

Loose Railings  

If your railings shake when you grab onto them, that’s probably a good indicator that you need to repair them. These are an easy fix, but don’t procrastinate for too long as these loose railings will cause your deck to fall and collapse. This can be a significant safety hazard. You could re-attach the railings with nails, but they will come loose again. Boyer Premier Fence’s recommendation for a long-term solution is to use carriage bolts with washers and nuts to securely fasten the railing without damaging your deck material.

Broken / Cracked Boards

If your deck wobbles or feels like you could fall through at any second, it’s seen better days. Over time, deck boards weaken by separating from the ledger, which causes them to twist from their original vertical position. This structural damage is also a sign that the board has seen the end of its lifespan. You may need more than a repair for this, instead a replacement.

Stains

Stains are one of the most common problems associated with wooden decking. These stains and blemishes are caused by daily use and are unavoidable. If these stains are not removed, not only will they ruin the aesthetic appeal, but they can also destroy the protective sealant. This results in further damage to protective material, leaving the wood exposure and more susceptible to rot and other damages.

Age

The average life expectancy of a wood deck is about 10 to 15 years. Although your deck may have exceeded that limit and is still being used, be careful as it could be extremely unsafe. If the physical state of your deck appears to be in an okay condition, we recommend calling a professional decking company (like Premier Fencing) to come out and assess it. From there, you will be provided with an evaluation of next steps.

 

If you like a good DIY challenge, you are more than capable of these deck repairs. However, if you need some additional assistance or guidance, give the custom deck and fence specialists a call. Boyer Premier Fencing & Backyard Solutions is committed to delivering premium materials and prompt and professional service. From serving Southern Ontario for over 90 years, we have been deemed as an industry leader in backyard furnishings because of our quality and service.