Matching a Vinyl Shade Structure to Your Dallas House

Thinking about making your outdoor living space more livable by adding a vinyl shade structure to your home in Dallas? Along with thinking about the advantages of vinyl over wood and where you want the structure to go, you’ll also need to think about matching the structure to your house. Here are a few things you’ll want to consider when trying to match a shade structure with the style of your house:

Color 

Obviously the biggest aspect of matching an outdoor structure with your existing home is getting the color scheme right. Many people like to match the color of their vinyl structures with the color of their house, and this ensures a consistent, pleasant appearance. However, some people instead choose to make their vinyl structure the same color as their home’s trim or accents, or even to make it a complementary color (such as dark brown for a tan house). This can add some extra visual interest to the shade structure and give it more “weight” in the landscape.

Design

One of the chief benefits of working with vinyl is how easy it is to create custom shapes and designs to fit your exact specifications. For instance, say you want a vinyl pergola for your back patio, but the design of the patio is curved or irregular. Instead of a straight-edged pergola that hangs out over the lawn, a vinyl pergola can be built to exactly match the curvature of your patio’s edges. The extreme customization that vinyl allows means almost any design is possible, and it also means you can get something that exactly matches the existing style and limits of your house.

Accents 

Many shade structures feature accents that add to their visual appeal or change their look significantly. These accents can be as simple as the railings or posts on a gazebo or the shingles on top of a cabana. In most cases, it’s good to try to match these accents with the design of existing accents on your home so they appear consistent. Look around the outside of your house for existing accented elements such as shutters, roof edges, columns, and railings for cues about how your shade structure should look.

Size

One thing many people don’t consider about their shade structure is that the size should be proportionate to the rest of their house. For a patio cover or attached structure this is easy, but standalone structures can often look too big or too small when compared to the home they’re next to. If you want your vinyl shade structure to look like it belongs in your backyard, consider how it will look when viewed alongside your house and whether it would look better if it were bigger or smaller.

Flow

It can be tough to determine in advance whether or not an outdoor structure will “flow” well with the rest of the house, but there are a few ways you can help make sure your vinyl structure’s flow isn’t bad.

For attached structures like patio covers, try to avoid placing pillars or posts in high-traffic areas or sight lines, and make sure the roof is high enough to keep it from feeling too enclosed. For standalone structures in the yard or apart from the house, think about how people will get to the structure - will there be a path or walkway? Also, make sure your shade structure feels comfortable and not crowded. You can look at our recent blog on creating a comfortable outdoor room for more tips on that.

A vinyl shade structure can be a great way to make your backyard more livable and comfortable during the hot Texas summers. Plus, vinyl shade structures are durable enough to last for years without needing any maintenance or treatment.

If you want to learn more about getting a quality vinyl shade structure for your Texas home, contact us today at Future Outdoors®. You can also visit our Facebook or Twitter pages to get more advice and read what others have to say about our products and service.

5 Vinyl Fence Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

After working for decades as vinyl fence experts in Dallas, we’ve heard plenty of myths and misconceptions about vinyl fences. Many people still think vinyl fences are inferior products to fences made from wood or other materials. The truth, however, is that vinyl fences are very far from the cheap “plastic fences” you might be thinking of. Take a look at some of these common myths about vinyl fence and learn the truth about this durable, versatile fencing option.

Myth 1: Vinyl Fences Will Fade Over Time

If you grew up in the 60s or 70s, you probably remember people replacing their old wooden siding with fancy vinyl on their houses. And then you got to watch as that siding slowly faded and turned yellow or brown with exposure to the sun, rain, and time.

It’s true that old or cheap vinyl fades with exposure to solar radiation and outdoor conditions. However, vinyl produced using modern processes - such as the vinyl we make our fences out of here at Future Outdoors - is very different from those old-school vinyl products. Modern vinyl makes use of special blends of UV protectants and tougher materials to produce a product that never loses or changes its color. When you buy a quality vinyl fence, you’ll get a fence that will keep its amazing good looks for decades. Compare that to a wooden fence that needs to be restained every few years just to look nice.

Myth 2: Vinyl Fences Don’t Handle Cold Weather Well

One of the most enduring myths about vinyl is that it becomes brittle and easy-to-break when it’s exposed to cold weather. While this isn’t much of a problem for most of the year in Texas, our occasional ice storms and sub-freezing winters give many fence buyers pause. After all, why would you want a fence that’s going to snap if it gets too cold out?

Fortunately, this is one myth that is simply untrue. Vinyl does lose a little flexibility when it gets cold out, but the change is almost unnoticeable. Vinyl fences, much like other outdoor vinyl products, are plenty tough enough to handle wide temperature swings over the course of the year without bending, breaking, or becoming weak and brittle.

Myth 3: Vinyl Fences Aren’t As Strong

When you buy or build a fence on your property, you want something that will last for a long time and stand up to years of weather, use, and abuse. It’s easy to think that vinyl won’t be up to the challenge, but you would be incorrect if you did.

In truth, vinyl fences are some of the toughest and strongest fences you can buy. While not all vinyl is created equal, a quality vinyl fence will outlast virtually any other fencing material. Because vinyl is slightly flexible, it stands up to impacts from normal use and occasional accidents better than wood or metal. Vinyl also doesn’t rust, warp, or rot - exposure to outdoor conditions like wind and rain will not make it weaker over time. Plus, vinyl isn’t susceptible to damage from insects or pests, either. In almost every way, vinyl fences are tougher and more durable than wood or metal fences.

Myth 4: All Vinyl Fencing Looks the Same

We’re frequently asked by potential customers if they can order a vinyl fence in any other color than white. In the past, vinyl fences did tend to look similar, and it was difficult to get lasting color to adhere to the vinyl.

Today, however, this is simply no longer true. Modern vinyl fencing comes in huge array of colors that can match the color of your house or even be styled to resemble wood fencing. Additionally, vinyl fences come in many styles, including privacy, semi-privacy and accented privacy, picket fence, and even ranch rail fence. You can truly get the perfect look for your home, even if you want a very particular style.

Myth 5: Vinyl Fence is Bad for the Environment

There’s an unfortunate connection in many people’s minds between plastics and pollution. Many people think vinyl products are naturally bad for the environment, and that wood and other materials are more environmentally friendly. But in truth, vinyl is one of the “greenest” materials you can use for your fencing project.

Vinyl takes very little energy and resources to produce, which means it can be made more cheaply than wood or metal fences. It doesn’t require you to cut down any trees - just think of all the forests that go into making wood fences every year! Since vinyl fences last longer than wood fences, they also require less replacement, which in turn means they use even less resources over time. And finally, vinyl is fully recyclable, meaning your vinyl won’t end up in a landfill if you ever get rid of it; instead it will simply become part of something else.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of owning a vinyl fence, contact us today at Future Outdoors. We’re the vinyl fencing experts in the Dallas, Texas area, and we can answer any questions you have about vinyl fence, vinyl shade structures, or any other vinyl products. Call today at (972) 576-1600 or visit our Facebook or Twitter pages to learn more.

How to Fix a Leaning or Sagging Fence in Texas

One of the biggest problems with wooden fences is that, unlike quality vinyl fencing, wood doesn’t always hold its shape and strength over long periods. Over the years, the constant exposure to wind, water, heat and cold can cause your once-attractive fence to sag, bow, lean or buckle. Fixing these problems isn’t exactly the work of a moment, but it is possible to rescue a leaning fence and give it a longer life.

Fixing Leaning Fence Posts

In most cases, fences will begin to lean at the posts. There are many things that can cause a fence to lean, including excessive moisture softening the ground, rot weakening the fence posts, and wind or ice putting too much strain on the fence panels. Regardless of the cause, you don’t want to ignore a leaning fence post - it will only get worse as time goes on.

To fix a leaning fence post, you’ll need to perform the following steps:

Dig out the old post - You’ll need to dig a hole around the old post on both sides of the fence until you hit the bottom. Most posts are set at least two feet into the ground, though some might be deeper.

Break up the footing - Often, fence posts are set in a concrete footer that keeps them weighted down and in place. If your fence has concrete footers, you’ll need to break it up with a sledgehammer and chisel or a jackhammer in order to free the post. Make sure you remove the concrete debris from the hole as well - it will only get in the way later.

At this point, you’ll need to determine exactly what the problem with the post is. In some cases the fence post itself will still be in good condition, in which case you can skip to step 4 below. However, if your fence post is rotten or broken you will need to replace it first.

Replace the Old Post - Use a claw hammer to remove the nails holding the fence panel to the post. Remember to brace the fence panels with some boards before removing the post - you can use 2x4s positioned at a 45 degree angle on both sides of the fence to keep it from falling over. Once you have the old post free, replace it with a treated 4x4 post - never use untreated lumber for a fence.

Plumb the Fence Post - The next step will be making sure your fence post is straight and level. Use a carpenter’s level or square level to position the post correctly, and then nail some long 2x4 boards to the post at a 45 degree angle to brace it against the ground and hold it in place. Once the post is temporarily secure, pour a new concrete footer around the base and allow it to cure according to the instructions. This should be enough to secure the post and ensure it doesn’t move again.

Fill in your Hole - The final step to resetting your fence post is to fill in the hole you dug. When this is complete, your fence should be as good as new.

In some circumstances, a fence can be badly damaged by leaning, or it might be too much work and effort to get it back in shape again. And sometimes, even after you repair your fence, it can still look old and ready to break down again soon. In these cases you might be better off replacing your entire fence with a new, stronger fence such as a vinyl fence.

Besides the fact that they stay looking like new for decades, vinyl fences are also stronger than wooden ones and less likely to lean or buckle due to weather or shifting ground. And since the fence posts never rot, you’ll never need to replace them due to old age or moisture. This makes them perfect for the homeowner that wants a dependable, long-lasting fence for his or her yard.

If you’re interested in replacing your current fence with a high-quality vinyl fence, contact us today at Future Outdoors®. We’ve installed hundreds of miles of tough, dependable vinyl fencing in and around the Dallas metropolitan area, and we’d love to make your fence our next project. Call us today at (972) 576-1600 or visit our Facebook page for more information and helpful advice.

The Advantages of Building a Vinyl Fence

For more than 20 years, Future Outdoors® has been building and installing vinyl fences and shade structures throughout the Dallas, Texas area. Often, we get customers asking us what makes vinyl fences so much better than fences built from other materials. Here are just a few of the things that make vinyl fences the best fence you can buy:

They Last Longer than Other Fences

The chief benefit of vinyl fences is that they are tougher and last far longer than fences built of wood or most metals. Vinyl stands up to outdoor elements like sun, rain, wind and hail better than any other material, and it doesn’t fade or warp over time. Even if you have your fence for decades, it won’t break down or age. That means that a vinyl fence offers a tremendous amount of value - once you buy it, you won’t have to replace or repair it.

Vinyl Fences Are Virtually Maintenance Free

Another major benefit of vinyl fences is the fact that they take far less maintenance than wooden or metal fences in order to keep them looking brand-new. Here is a comparison of some different fencing materials and the maintenance tasks they require:

Wood Fence

• Regular painting or staining to keep the fence looking good.
• Periodic replacement of boards or panels when they rot, break, or warp.

Chain-Link Fence

• Painting or cleaning to prevent rust and corrosion from damaging the fence over time.
• Replacement of panels or potentially the entire fence if it breaks down or gets bent.

Vinyl Fence

• Very occasional washing with a hose or power washer to remove dirt or grime.

As you can see, vinyl fence requires far less maintenance and upkeep than fences made of other materials. That means you’ll spend less money over time and perform less work to keep your fence looking brand new and beautiful.

Vinyl Fencing Comes With A Variety of Options

One of the most common misconceptions about vinyl fence is that it all looks the same. In the past this was somewhat true - most vinyl fence came in only a few colors, and there was very little you could do in terms of customization. Today, however, the situation is very different.

With modern vinyl fences you can choose from more than 30 colors and styles, including vinyl that simulates the look and feel of real wood but without the need to paint or stain to keep the fence looking good.

We can also build vinyl fence in a variety of styles, including privacy, semi-privacy, picket, and ranch rail fence. Plus, since we fabricate our own vinyl, we can customize your fence to your exact specifications including height, base material, color and style.

Ready to Buy A Vinyl Fence?

If you think a vinyl fence would be right for your home, contact Future Outdoors® today. We’re the number one supplier of vinyl fence, vinyl shade structures, and vinyl decking in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. To learn more about our vinyl fences and other products, call us today at (972) 576-1600 or visit our Facebook or Twitter pages to get more tips and information.

Fencing Tips to Avoid Neighbor Disputes in Texas

Often, customers install vinyl fences in Dallas because they want privacy from their neighbors and passers by. It’s ironic, then, that fences can cause many of the disputes they’re meant to help avoid. Putting in a new fence on your property without consulting your neighbors, and without following proper neighbor etiquette, is like asking for trouble. To help you avoid any neighborly disputes over your vinyl fence, we’ve put together some tips for installing your new fence problem-free.

Things You Should Do When Installing a Fence

There are a few things you definitely must do when installing a new vinyl fence, such as:

Check the Property Lines - Property lines are one of the biggest causes of fencing disputes, so it’s vital that you check the property lines before getting your new fence installed. Don’t just rely on where your old fence was or what you’ve always thought the property line was. Doing so could land you in hot water if your neighbor takes issue with the fence. Instead, hire a surveyor and study the property map or plats to be absolutely sure your fence is where its supposed to be. You can also ask your Dallas vinyl fence company to install your fence slightly inside the property line to be sure it’s safe.

Obey Fencing Regulations - Every township has its own specific code rules and regulations for fencing, and not knowing what they are isn’t an excuse for doing the job wrong. Your vinyl fence company will probably know the rules for your area, but double check your fence against the code before it goes up. If you don’t, you could be forced to tear it all down and redo it on your own dime, plus pay a fine. A non-regulation fence can also affect your neighbor’s property values, leaving them upset.

Respect Your HOA - If your neighborhood has a homeowner’s association, make sure to clear your fencing project with them beforehand. Just like with city codes, you’ll need to either provide the HOA with plans or run the design by them to ensure it fits within their statutes. If it doesn’t, they might fine you or order you take it down - and your neighbors might also complain about your non-regulation fence. It’s much easier to get the proper clearance first than to deal with all the headaches after.

In addition, there are a few other things you can do that, while not strictly required, are definitely nice gestures to your neighbors and community:

Share Fencing Intents Beforehand - One good idea that will help smooth over any potential fencing disputes is to let them know about your plans to install a new fence before you begin installation. You don’t necessarily have to show them your plans - the fence is on your property, after all - but it can help if you think your neighbor might be interested in paying for part of it. However, you should show them where you intend to place the fence, and let them know if there are any property line problems you discovered when you ordered the survey.

Ensure Your Fence Doesn’t Stand Out - A sure way to invite the ire of your neighborhood is to install a fence that looks out-of-place for its surroundings. Even if you personally like a particular fencing style, try to match the look of your neighbors’ houses and fences to keep the neighborhood looking good. A vinyl fence is a great way to keep your property looking nice season after season, since they don’t break down or rot over time. They also come in a variety of colors and styles to match the look of any neighborhood or development.

Install it the Right Way Around - In addition to choosing a fence design that matches the look of your neighborhood, you should also install your fence so that the fence rail (if your design includes one) is on the inside. One benefit of vinyl fencing is that the panels often look the same on both sides, making it easy to get a clean and finished look on both the inside and outside of your fence. With a vinyl fence, there’s no “nice side” to worry about - every side is the nice one!

Maintain the Fence - When you install a fence on your property, it’s your duty to take care of it and make sure it looks good on both sides. Vinyl fences are a perfect way to lower your maintenance obligations. Vinyl doesn’t need heavy cleaning or staining to keep it looking good year after year - it will keep its good looks for a long time all on its own.

Do you want to know more about installing a fence in Dallas without causing neighborhood problems? Call us today at Future Outdoors®! We’re the number one provider of vinyl fence and vinyl structures in the Dallas-Forth Worth metro, and we’d be happy to bring our experience and expertise to your vinyl fence project. Just call today at (972) 576-1600 or visit our Facebook or Twitter pages to learn more.

Creating a Functional Outdoor Room with Vinyl

Whether you have a small back patio or a huge backyard, your outdoor space doesn’t have to be plain and boring. A vinyl fence, deck, or shade structure from Future Outdoors® can help you turn the outside of your home into a functional and beautiful outdoor living space. Here are a few tips and ideas for making any outdoor area into a new outdoor room.

1. Landscaping is Important

Just like with a room inside your house, an outdoor room or living space needs to have a good “flow.” You can’t just put up a shade structure and set some furniture down and have a functional space. Consider the entrances and exits to the space, any paths or walkways, and your own ideas for what you want the area to be - for instance, a dining room, a conversation space, or a comfortable lounge. You can also add additional elements like planters, shrubbery, or deck rails to change the flow and create a more cohesive space.

2. Have a Goal in Mind

It’s important to have an idea of what kind of room you want to make - after all, you wouldn’t confuse a living room and dining room inside your house, even when they don’t have any furniture or decoration. When you’re creating an outdoor space, try to design it so that it naturally fits your goal. If you want a space to encourage conversation, keep it close and intimate. If you want a space for food or lounging around, give it some extra breathing room and plenty of places to serve or cook.

3. Don’t Forget the Fire

A fireplace, fire pit, or outdoor chimney is a great addition to almost any outdoor living space. Fireplaces and fire pits can encourage conversation and make your outdoor space usable through the fall and spring (and even the milder parts of winter). Also, make sure that your fireplace or fire pit conforms to Dallas-area regulations by calling your local fire department or checking your town’s building codes.

4. Seat Yourself

Depending on the type of outdoor space you want, you’ll need to find or invest in a variety of seating options. An outdoor dining area might use chairs or benches, but a conversation area or lounge might do well with sun chairs, stools, or even a sofa or bench built into your deck or patio. More seating options will also make your space more flexible and livable, which will encourage you and your guests to use it more.

5. Use Shade to Your Advantage

While it can be nice to feel the sun on your face, trying to read a book outside or enjoy a quiet conversation while the sun shines in your eyes isn’t our idea of relaxing. A shade structure such as a vinyl pergola or gazebo is a great way to keep the sun at bay without restricting your view or blocking your space in too much. Plus, these shade structures can be a great way to “zone” your outdoor space, creating separate areas with their own feel and function.

6. Incorporate the Inside and Outside

If you have a large sliding door or double door that leads to your backyard, you can easily use that as a starting point for incorporating your indoor and outdoor spaces together in one cohesive arrangement. You’ll be more likely to use your outdoor space if it’s easy to get to, after all.

7. Make Sure it Lasts

The last thing you’ll want to do after setting up an outdoor living room or dining room is take it all apart again just to clean and stain the wood. However, if you don’t take care of your outdoor living area, you won’t have it for very long. A better option is to construct your deck, fence, or shade structures from long-lasting vinyl. This will allow you to use your outdoor space for years without needing to worry about expensive and time-consuming maintenance - not to mention avoiding rot, pests, and ugly warping and fading.

Future Outdoors® is the leading vinyl fence expert in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We’ve installed hundreds of miles of vinyl fence and more vinyl shade structures than we can count, and we’ll bring our expertise and amazing products to your home with just one call. Call us at (972) 576-1600 to arrange your free quote for a new vinyl fence or vinyl shade structure, or visit our Facebook and Google+ pages for more tips on creating beautiful outdoor spaces.

Outdoor Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Dallas Fence

Now that spring is under way, you’re probably thinking about going outside one weekend and giving your yard and house a thorough spring cleaning. One area that homeowners often neglect, however, is their fence. Cleaning a vinyl fence in Dallas isn’t difficult, but it can help it stay fresh and new-looking throughout the rest of the year. Read on to get some helpful tips for revitalizing your fence and yard this spring from Future Outdoors®.

Cleaning a Vinyl Fence

Though it might seem like a big job, cleaning a vinyl fence is actually very simple and painless. Over the winter, wind and ice can cause grime to build up on your fence, and mud and dirt can also accumulate near the bottom due to splashing rain. Fortunately, this grime is very easy to wash off - usually a simple spray with the garden hose is more than enough to clean a vinyl fence. If it’s been a while since you’ve washed yours off, you might want to wipe it down with a soapy cloth or towel (much like you would when you wash your car) or spray it with a power washer. Either way, it shouldn’t take much time or effort to clean your vinyl fence this spring.

Here are a few tips to make your cleaning go quickly and smoothly:

• If you need to scrub your fence down, use a simple, biodegradable soap or cleaner to avoid sickening your grass or garden.
• Power washers are a great tool to make the cleaning go faster. You can even add cleaning solutions to many power washers to increase their effectiveness.
• You can use the same strategies to clean vinyl decks and shade structures if they need it!

Cleaning a Wood Fence

If you don’t have a vinyl fence, you’ll probably need to invest some more time and effort into your spring cleaning. Wooden fences tend to grab and hold onto dirt and moisture, and they deteriorate at a much quicker pace than vinyl. Keeping your wooden fence looking new and clean will take some work.

Like a vinyl fence, you can use a pressure washer to remove the worst of the dirt and debris from a wooden fence. However, this is only if your fence is stained and not painted. If you did paint your fence, be wary of using high-pressure cleaning, since it can easily strip the paint right off your fence. Test an inconspicuous area first, and avoid any places where the paint is chipped or peeling.

If your wooden fence has mold or mildew on it, you can use a bleach-based cleaning solution to kill the fungus and remove dirt at the same time. You’ll need to scrub the affected areas thoroughly with a stiff brush, and you should be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin.

Here are a few more tips for cleaning wooden fences:

• If you pressure-wash your fence, be sure to wait until it’s fully dry to paint, stain, or seal it. Water in the wood can affect the way these substances adhere.
• If your wood fence is warping or bowing, don’t worry too much - that’s relatively normal for wooden fences more than a few years old. It shouldn’t be too hard to pull off boards or panels and replace them with new ones.
• Cleaning your fence from the top down prevents sections you’ve already cleaned from getting dirty again.

Fence Repairs & Replacement

Occasionally you’ll need to do more than clean your fence to get it ready for the next year. Spring is storm season in Texas after all, and high winds, hail, and debris can easily damage your fence. Depending on the type and extent of the damage, you may need to do some significant repairs or even replace your fence entirely.

Some homeowners choose to go the DIY route, and there are a few benefits to that choice. First, you can save money over hiring a contractor by doing the labor yourself - but remember that contractors often do the same work with better quality and in less time. Also, doing your own fencing is a good way to get exactly the project that you want, assuming you’re skilled enough to create it.

For most homeowners, though, fencing isn’t a DIY project. In that case, you should call an experienced Dallas-area vinyl fence contractor such as our team at Future Outdoors®. We can repair or replace any vinyl or wooden fence, and we’ll also help you choose the exact style and color to meet your needs and match your home. Call (972) 576-1600 to schedule your free estimate or visit our Facebook and Twitter pages for more information and tips.

The Most Common DIY Vinyl Fence Installation Mistakes

Even though we offer installation for all our Dallas-area vinyl fences, some people prefer the accomplishment that comes with installing their fence themselves. A vinyl fence is actually a very good DIY project - they’re easier to install than wood fences and the materials are lighter and easier to handle. That said, you can still make mistakes when installing your vinyl fence. Here are a few of the most common vinyl fence installation mistakes we see.

Mistake 1: Not Planning the Job

In some ways, poor planning is not just the biggest mistake a homeowner can make when doing a fencing job, it’s the only mistake. Before buying a fence or charting your property or tearing anything down, make sure you plan out every step of the project beforehand. That way you know you’ll have the tools, materials, permits, and anything else you’ll need to get the job done. If something unexpected does happen, you’ll always have your plan to fall back on.

Mistake 2: Not Following Property Lines

If you’re installing a vinyl fence yourself, it’s vital that you follow your property lines closely and avoid accidentally installing your fence on someone else’s land. Making installation mistakes can result in fines or fees from the government, civil suit from your neighbors, and the high cost of having to move and reinstall your fence in the right place. Similarly, you might find that your property lines are further than you originally thought, which could result in running out of fence.

Fortunately, you can avoid this mistake pretty easily with some careful measuring and forethought. Request either a property plat (a chart that shows your property lines and measurements) or a blueprint of your property from your township so you can verify the location of your property line. You can also pay to get a survey done by professional surveyors to ensure you don’t make any mistakes. Either way, don’t trust the existing fence line or your gut - always measure and double check.

Mistake 3: Not Following Fencing Laws

Many townships and neighborhoods (especially those that have HOAs) don’t allow all types of fences, or require owners to have a specific type or style of fence to ensure uniformity across properties. If you build your own fence without following the zoning laws or fence regulations, you could end up facing costly fines, and you might even have to replace your fence to conform with the rules.

The best way to avoid this mistake is to check with your local permit office or planning commision to see if there are any restrictions or regulations about the types of fence allowed in your area. If your neighborhood does have an HOA, you should also check with them about the same thing.

Mistake 4: Not Marking Utility Lines

Fences require digging, and digging means you could hit a utility path. Unfortunately, many DIY vinyl fence installers think that by simply placing their new fence posts in about the same place as their old ones, they’ll avoid striking anything. This is not the case. The process of removing old fence posts and installing new ones can easily put your shovel or post digger in contact with a gas, electric, or other utility path.

Instead of trusting your gut, call 811 at least two days before you dig and have your property and project information ready. The 811 operators will contact the relevant utility companies, who in turn will come out and mark your utility lines so you can dig safely. There’s no cost for this service except the time it takes to do, so do it early and stay safe.

Mistake 5: Not Installing Your Fence Properly

This final mistake is actually several mistakes in one. There are a multitude of mistakes a homeowner can make when installing their fence, from setting posts improperly to cutting sections prematurely to failing to account for sloping ground. Any one of these mistakes can ruin a fencing project if you aren’t careful.

The best way to avoid these mistakes is to read guides or product manuals that specify the right way to handle different situations or circumstances. For instance, vinyl fence posts must still be set at least three feet into the ground to avoid shifting later on. If your property is on a grade, you’ll need to measure the angle of the grade and compensate for it by either buying angled fence panels or cutting your panels to match the grade. Not taking these aspects into account can result in a weak or unstable fence that won’t last more than a few years.

All things considered, installing a vinyl fence isn’t the hardest job in the world, but it’s not the easiest either. Unless you’re a skilled DIY-er, you might be more comfortable allowing a professional vinyl fence installer handle the work. At Future Outdoors®, we’ve installed hundreds of miles of vinyl fence in and around the Dallas metro area, and that means we have the experience and skill to install your fence right the first time. Contact us today at (972) 576-1600 or visit our Facebook or Google+ pages to learn more.

The Top Reasons to Install a Vinyl Privacy Fence

For homeowners, business owners, and property managers, a fence is a great investment for many reasons. A privacy fence isn’t just a barrier between your property and the outside world - it’s a feature in its own right. There are several good reasons you should consider a vinyl privacy fence for your property.

Reason 1: Privacy

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that increased privacy is one of the chief benefits of a privacy fence. Vinyl privacy fences are perfect for enclosing your property and keeping out prying eyes, which makes them perfect for homeowners in suburban areas with houses that are close together. A quality privacy fence makes it easy to create your own backyard oasis where you’re free to do what you like. Privacy fences also make your yard safer for children to play in, and they prevent dogs from barking and howling at passers by.

One of the best things about choosing a vinyl fence for your privacy fence needs is that you can make them as private as you want. Full privacy fences block virtually all sight lines between inside and outside, but they can also be ordered with open accents or in semi-privacy styles that allow limited visibility through the fence.

Reason 2: Security

No matter where you live or work, keeping your home or business safe is probably a priority for you. A quality vinyl privacy fence is perfect for increasing the security of your property. Along with strong and durable six-foot fence panels, vinyl privacy fences are also available with sturdy and secure locking gate options for increased security. Because of vinyl’s increased durability compared to wooden fencing, it’s the perfect material for a long-lasting privacy fence.

And remember, a privacy fence doesn’t only secure your property from the outside - it also keeps things on the inside safe and secure, too. Your children and pets will be able to play safely and securely inside your fence without worry that they could escape.

Reason 3: Durability

When you install a privacy fence around your property, it isn’t with the expectation that you’ll have to do it again in just a few years. However, if you don’t take care of a wooden fence at least every other year, you’ll find that it breaks down and weathers much faster than you’d like. In contrast, a vinyl fence will stand strong for years upon years - from 30 to even 50 years - without needing any maintenance at all beyond a simple wash with a garden hose.

Plus, vinyl privacy fences stand up to difficult conditions like wind, hail, and ice storms better than wooden fences do. Unlike a wooden fence, a vinyl privacy fence never becomes waterlogged and never rots or warps due to temperature and humidity changes. That means your vinyl fence will last far longer than a comparable wooden fence, with far less maintenance.

Reason 4: Value

Along with all the other reasons, a vinyl privacy fence is a great investment for your property because it holds its value better than wooden fences. Since it lasts so much longer and it’s so much more durable, vinyl fences cost much less over time than wooden fences do - especially when you factor in the costs of staining and repairing a wooden fence over time.

Vinyl fences add value to the properties they’re on, too. If you’re trying to sell your home, a vinyl privacy fence is a big plus to many potential buyers. They’ll see it as a maintenance-free solution that won’t require lots of repairs and replacement down the line. When you buy a vinyl fence from Future Outdoors, it comes with a lifetime warranty on the material from the manufacturer, and that warranty is one-time transferable to a new homeowner.

If you’re interested in learning more about vinyl privacy fences and why they’re a great option for homeowners and business owners, contact us today at Future Outdoors®. We’re the top provider of vinyl privacy fences and other vinyl fencing and shade structures in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro. Call us at (972) 576-1600 to set up your free vinyl fence estimate, or follow us on Facebook or Google+ for more helpful tips and information.

Creating the Perfect Four-Season Vinyl Deck

Most people see a deck as a summer-only space. With planning, though, you can create a vinyl deck that serves as a perfect outdoor living space the whole year round. And the vinyl decking and fencing experts at Future Outdoors can help you do just that. Here’s how.

Step 1: Plan Your Ideal Deck

The first step to designing your perfect deck space is to think of the features you want and how the deck will be used throughout the year. Try to envision what you want in an outdoor space: Do you want an enclosure that will protect you from insects and sun? Are you planning on putting in a pool in the backyard (or do you have one already)? Will you be using the deck for entertaining guests, or just as an outdoor relaxation spot for you and your family?

Coming up with answers to these questions will help you plan the features and overall look and feel of your vinyl deck. Today’s vinyl decks can be built with a variety of features built-in, including benches, fire pits, garden planters and more. This makes them extremely personalizable, but it also means you need to know what you want to get the most from your deck.

Step 2: Choose a Look

Vinyl decking comes in huge variety of styles and colors. It can be used to simulate the look and feel of wooden decking, or you can get a more sleek and modern look with other types of vinyl. Either way, you’ll need to plan out what you want your deck to look like when its finished.

Many people will use home and design magazines to help them find inspiration for their deck. These are a good resource for people who aren’t sure exactly what they want and need some ideas of what is possible. Take a look around for photographs of other vinyl decks, or search online to find more inspiration.

To help with these stages, some people will also use 3D modeling tools like SketchUp to draw their own plans for what they want the deck to look like. These tools are pretty simple to learn and use if you give them a little time, and they can help you visualize what your deck will look like and how it will feel in your yard long before you break ground.

Step 3: Get Quotes

After you have an idea of what you want you’ll have to find a vinyl deck supplier that can provide it. A good vinyl deck contractor will be transparent through their whole process and give you advice on what works well for your property, and they should also keep you involved through the process of building your vinyl deck.

When you’re getting quotes from your vinyl decking contractors, keep a few questions in mind:

• How long have they been in business? A company with a longer record and more experience will most likely provide better products than one that’s only been in the business for a few years.
• Where are they located? It’s always better to work with a local contractor, since you can meet with them first-hand and easily address any concerns. Even if the prices are better, it’s usually not worth it to contract with someone from further away just to save a few bucks.
• What’s their customer service like? When you call your vinyl deck provider, do they pick up the phone or just let it ring? Does someone return your calls quickly? Do you get the answers you need? If you feel like your chosen contractor doesn’t care for or appreciate your business, don’t work with them.
• Do they offer warranty service? Companies that trust their products will work with you to make sure you’re happy. If the contractor or the manufacturer doesn’t offer warranties, or the warranty is conspicuously short or restrictive, ask yourself why.
• Can they offer other products? Vinyl decks are great, but you might also want a fence, a shade structure, or other outdoor improvements at the same time. Make sure you work with a versatile contractor that can deliver on a variety of projects.

Once you find a contractor that you’re happy with and can trust, all you have to do is sit back and wait for your perfect vinyl deck to take shape. It will only be a short time until you can enjoy your new outdoor living space all year long.

Future Outdoors® is an experienced and qualified vinyl fence and deck company in North Texas. We work with customers around the Dallas-Fort Worth metro to bring quality vinyl fencing, vinyl decking, and vinyl shade structures to their homes. Contact us today to get a free no-obligation quote on your fence or deck project. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter to get news and updates on our services.

Visit Future Outdoors at the 36th Spring Texas Home & Garden Show

Want to learn about the latest and greatest updates in home and garden solutions? Visit the 36th annual Spring Texas Home & Garden Show on March 6th through the 8th at the Dallas Market Hall. We’ll be one of the hundreds of exhibitors showing off great indoor and outdoor products and innovations to make your home beautiful.

At the Future Outdoors booth, you’ll find all the information you need about our fantastic vinyl fence and deck products as well as details about our vinyl shade structures and contracting. We’ll be able to tell you all about our vinyl products, including:

• What makes vinyl so much stronger than wood and other materials;
• Why vinyl requires less maintenance than other fencing types;
• How vinyl fences and shade structures hold their value better and add more value to your home;
• What kinds of options you can get with your vinyl fence, deck, or shade structure.

Additionally, we’ll have a full display of our vinyl products available at our booth so you can see the quality of the vinyl as well as the color options you can choose from. Our colors include Chestnut Brown, Redwood and Weathered Cedar, as well as the traditional white vinyl.

Finally, you’ll be able to talk to our knowledgeable contractors and salespeople at the event, giving you plenty of opportunity to learn about the benefits of vinyl fencing and shade structures compared to wood and other materials.

Attending the Show

If you’re interested in attending the show, you can purchase tickets at the door or ahead of time at the Texas Home & Garden show website. Tickets cost $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and military, and nothing at all for children age 14 and under.

In addition to the Future Outdoors booth, you can also visit some of the other attractions and events at the show, including:

• The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) pavilion, where you can talk to expert home remodelers and even show them home plans for advice and tips.
• The Dallas County Master Gardeners Stage, where master gardeners will give you advice and answer questions about your garden projects.
• Saturday and Sunday workshops on a variety of topics and subjects, suitable for any home and garden enthusiast.
• An expanded KidsZone featuring inflatable rides and educational classes and projects to entertain the little ones all day.

If you’re interested in learning more, visit the Texas Home & Garden show website. And to get updates on the latest vinyl fencing and shade structure projects from Future Outdoors, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also call us at (972) 576-1600 to get answers to your questions and set up an appointment for your free vinyl fence or shade structure quote.

Signs That You May Need to Replace Your Fence

Nothing is forever, and that goes doubly true for wooden fences. At the top end a good wooden fence will last for a decade, but eventually all wood rots and degrades. If you have a wooden fence in your yard, you know that you need to regularly maintain it with stain and paint. However, you should also make sure to inspect it regularly to see if it’s experiencing any of these issues. If it is, it may be time to replace the fence with a new one, such as a quality vinyl fence.

Issue 1: Missing Fasteners

Most wooden fences are held together with a combination of nails, wood screws, and firm metal fasteners designed to keep the wooden panels and boards in place. However, over time these fasteners can loosen and even fall out due to wind, ice, and other natural forces. When inspecting your fence, check to see that nails and screws are regularly placed and that there aren’t holes where nails used to be, or discolorations to indicate a missing fastener.

Issue 2: Loose Connections

Along with missing parts, nails and screws can become loose over time. This is due to several factors. First, the natural action of wood swelling and contracting with heat and moisture can cause nails and screws to lose their grip. Second, rot and decay can make the wood split or rot out around a fastening, leaving it with nothing to hold. Third, rust can cause the nails and screws themselves to break apart over time, letting the wood break free. All of these issues are indicative of a fence in need of repairs or replacement.

Issue 3: Wood Rot

Northern Texas is known for hot, dry summers, but there are still plenty of opportunities for rot to set in. The wet, rainy spring and fall seasons in the Dallas area give moisture plenty of time to seep into your fence. Winter brings snow and ice that can work its way into the pores in the wood, rotting it from the inside out. In all of these cases, wood rot only needs time to cause irreparable damage to your wooden fence. Once wood starts rotting, there’s no saving it. Plus, sealants and moisture repellants only work for so long - you’ll need to reapply them regularly to have a chance of beating the rot.

Issue 4: Cracked or Broken Boards

Cracking is common in older fences, especially in boards that have remained untreated for too long and have been damaged by moisture or high heat. In unprotected wood, moisture can seep into the pores, causing the wood to swell and change shape. Because parts of the wood are held in place by nails or screws, the board can’t extend laterally very much. Instead it bends and bows. Over time, this deforming motion can cause the board to crack or warp permanently. Cracked boards are obviously not good for a fence - they can cause splinters, can easily break in inclement weather, and are a much bigger security risk.

Issue 5: Too Expensive to Fix

In isolation, many of the issues above can be repaired by installing new parts or panels in the fence. However, if your fence is extensively damaged, it may be cheaper to tear the whole thing out and replace it with a new fence. Get quotes from a Dallas-area fencing company and determine how much it would cost to repair your fence versus replacing it outright. If the prices are similar, you may as well replace it. After all, a repaired fence may still need lots of maintenance after the repairs, whereas a new fence will likely last much longer.

Of course, if you are planning on getting a new fence, there’s no reason to limit yourself to wood again. The above issues with a wooden fence will happen no matter what if given enough time. In contrast, a fence made from a material like vinyl will not decay over time or lose its structural integrity. Vinyl fences are known for lasting years longer than wooden fences, and they require virtually no maintenance over their entire lifespan.

To learn more about vinyl fences and their many advantages, contact us today at Future Outdoors®. We’re the vinyl fence specialists in the Dallas-Forth Worth Area, and we’ll give you a free no-obligation quote for your vinyl fencing project. Call us today at (972) 576-1600 or follow us on Facebook and Google+ to learn more about our products!