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      If you’re thinking a wood fence is just a wood fence, you’re setting yourself up for failure.  In 2003, the EPA banned the use of Chromate copper arsenate (ACC), a wood preservative, and replaced it with Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ).  Since the change, several problems have been discovered such as rusting of galvanized nails, staples, and tack nails at a rate 10 times greater then before. Additionally, this company has noticed that the thinner the wood, the more warping, splitting, cracking, and cupping occurs.  What does this all mean? Simply put, use the wrong nails or wood and your fence will be a complete loss within three to six years.

When it comes to wood there are two basic types of assembly methods prefab (Panels) or stick built (on site).

PREFAB FENCING:  This method of building consists of prefabricated eight foot sections of fence, uses 2" x 3" x 8' runners, 4" x 4" x 8’ line posts, 1/4" x 4" x 6' pickets, and attaches by staples or tack nails.  You can usually find prefab fence at the home improvement or outlets stores. Majority of Central Florida Fence Companies use this method because materials are cheaper and the skill set needed is limited.  If you’re looking for this method of building, we regretfully wish to inform you we are not the fence company for you.  If you’re still considering this method of building, please re-read the first paragraph and understand you get what you pay for.  A prefab wood fence will last approximately 4 to 6 years.

Stick Building or Onsite Building:  This method of building requires the fence to be put together piece by piece onsite using 2" x 4" x 8' runners, 4" x 4" x 8' line posts, 1" x 6" x 6' pickets, and is attached with double galvanized yellow tip ring shank nails.  If you’re not familiar with a ring shank nail, it's a nail that has 50 reversed ovular looking rings that acts like a screw when it punctures the wood.  A stick built fence will last approximately 15 to 20 years down the road both in splendor and longevity.

  Stick building is a superior way of building wood fences. As a result, the material cost is slightly greater and the skill level needed is greater. The good news is at Paramount Fencing each fence is custom built with a handcrafted touch, built to last, and affordable.  Every fence is assembled piece by piece onsite to ensure a crafted look that blends into the contour of your landscape. We are confident you'll love our fences, our services, and our fresh approach to conducting business so give us a call.

Preservation of fence:  Regardless of which assemble method used the preservation of the fence will make all the difference.  Most damage to wood fencing occurs in the first six months to a year.  The culprit is the afternoon thunder storms.  Something as simple as an acrylic or oil based water sealant can make all of the difference.

Acrylic Based: Anything is better than nothing.  The downfall to Acrylic based water sealant is it needs to be done annually.  It can leave a pasty look and result in time consuming maintenance to restore the original beauty.

Oil Based: The best thing for your fence.  Oil base protections seeps to the center of the wood and dries from the inside out.  As a result, the maintenance schedule is simpler and further apart. 

MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER:  Since the hurricanes, I have noticed a few more stick builders out there.  As a result, we have been cleaning up a lot of messes, everything from companies using landscape timbers for posts, 1/2" pickets, staples, 2" x 3" x 8' runners and board on board fencing with gaps. Don't make the mistake and end up with a popsicle stick experiment in your backyard.  The best advice would be to ask the following questions.

1. What type of wood are they using?
   1. Pressure Treated Southern Pine is the best for our climate. Cypress is available, but most of it comes from up north and might be more costly.
   2. Avoid wood from other countries. Most home improvement stores purchase their wood from distributors whom import.  
   3. Avoid wood mixed with plastic.  If you want long lasting fence, Vinyl will always look better, be maintenance free, and cost the same.
   4. Avoid prefab at all cost. Just take a drive around your area and look at the prefab fencing replaced since the hurricanes. You will notice pickets pulling away, excessive warping, splitting, cracking and cupping.  If someone tells you it's built on site, but the sections are assembled at the shop, it still a prefab.  
2. What type of nails are they using?
   1. Double galvanized yellow tip ring shank nails are the best. The number one mess that we clean up is the use of regular galvanized nails. Understand that with the new pressure treating codes, standard galvanized nails decay 10 times faster. Additionally, wood likes to move around, and if you don't give it a reason to stay in place, it won't. 
   2. Avoid staples and small single coated nails because they will rust quickly.
3. What is the thickness of wood being used?
   1. When it comes to pickets anything under 1" thick is not good.
   2. Avoid 2" x 3" x 8’ Runners because they sag, bow, arch, and do not provide enough horizontal support.
   3. All gate posts need to be 4" x 6" x 10' to prevent sagging of gates. This is the number one area, people generally experience problems.
   4. All Fence posts need to be 4" x 4" x 8' and avoid the 3" x 3" x 8' round landscape timbers. It may seem cost effective at first, but as the old saying goes; try to save a penny, plan to spend a buck to fix it.
4. How many runners do they use; do they attach the runners to the post or go between posts?
   1. Avoid companies that use two runners. BAD, BAD, BAD!
   2. Avoid companies that go between posts because the fence will fall apart. Most companies using this method will not take the time to either rout the post or use the correct screws.  Couple this with the fact pressure treated lumber shrinks, you could have a mess on your hands.  
   3. The best is attaching the runners to the inside or outside of the post using ring shank nails.
5. Ask how many picket are use to cover an 8 foot stretch of fence?
   1. It should be 24 for board on board, 17 for stockade, and 24 for shadowbox.  Any less is not good because pressure treated lumber shrinks. For example, 1" x 6" x 6' shrinks to 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 5 5/8' and if someone is using less that means they are stretching out the picket.  The problem is that noticeable gaps will develop.
6. Do they pay their people by the hour or by the foot?
   1. Avoid companies that pay by the hour. Nine times out of 10, the company installing has limited skill set and a high turnover. The installers are paid equivalent to fast food workers.
   2. Avoid companies that use illegal workers or have an out of state license.
   3. Companies that pay by the foot generally keep the best workers in Central Florida.

   Final Note: Avoid any company requesting that the homeowner pull the permit.  If this is the case, the company may not have the correct insurance needed to conduct work within the municipality. Additionally, if a homeowner pulls the permit they assume all the liabilities for one year.  Lastly, make sure all of your underground utilities have been located or it could be a very expensive fence. Most fence companies have this capability and the service is free of charge.