Simple Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Vinyl Fence

Now that summer is here and storm season is winding down, many people will be turning their attention to grooming their yards and gardens for another summer of fun and outdoor activity. One important step in this process is maintaining your fence. While wood fences might need repainted or re-stained, not to mention replacement for any warped or damaged boards, a vinyl fence makes your summer maintenance program easy. 

Cleaning Your Vinyl Fence

Vinyl fences are incredibly tough and keep their appearance for many years – but they still get dirty. Strong Texas winds and spring rains can kick up a lot of dirt and debris, at least some of which will end up on your fence. Fortunately, cleaning a vinyl fence is a relatively simple activity.

1. Clear the Area

Before cleaning your fence itself, it’s important to make sure the area around your fence won’t interfere with your maintenance. If you have trees or shrubs planted near your fence, this is a perfect time to trim them back to ensure they aren’t touching or growing against the fence. A rubbing branch can wear down your vinyl fence over time, and leaves and branches growing against the fence can cause damage or unsightly wear. 

You’ll also want to clear away any leaves, fallen branches, or other material resting against the base of your fence. Wood and leaves rot, and they can leave ugly stains on your vinyl fence if they’re allowed to sit for too long. By clearing these materials away you ensure your fence will keep looking brand-new for years.

Spray it Down

After clearing away the debris from around your fence, it’s time to start cleaning. Most people will use a garden hose and a simple cleaning solution to wash dirt and other material from their fence. A hose will be able to remove most of the marks and debris that are on your vinyl fence, but in the event that some remains you might have to use a cleaning solution. 

There are a variety of cleaning solutions you can use on a vinyl fence. They include:

• Soap and water: The simplest way to clean a vinyl fence is often just with a little dish soap and water, along with a cleaning cloth or non-abrasive pad. You’d be surprised how much dirt and grime a little bit of soap can take off.
• Bleach and water: If your vinyl fence has more stubborn stains, such as mud, grass stains, or mildew, you may need a stronger cleaner. A diluted mixture of bleach and water is an effective cleaner for stubborn stains on vinyl fences. Mix approximately 4 to 5 parts water to one part bleach, and then apply it to the fence using a cloth or non-abrasive scrubbing pad. Make sure to wear rubber or vinyl gloves while working with this cleaner, too, as bleach will quickly harm your skin. Also, if your fence is colored (as opposed to white) you will want to test an inconspicuous area of the fence first, to make sure the bleach will not affect the color.
• Other cleaning solutions: Sometimes a vinyl fence gets stained by something that you can’t remove with simple household products. This can include tar, paint, wood stain, or driveway sealant. If you get any of these products on your vinyl fence, and you can’t get the stain out with household cleaners, give us a call and we’ll help you find a solution to get your fence back to top condition.

Power Washing a Vinyl Fence

Instead of using cleaning solutions, some people choose to use power washers or pressure washers to clean their fences and other outdoor equipment. In the right hands a pressure washer can be a great way to save time and labor, but they also require considerable care. Improper use of a power washer can severely damage your fence.

To power wash a vinyl fence, you’ll want to choose a spray tip that has a wider, cone-shaped spray and a lower PSI, around 300 or so. If you use a higher pressure spray tip or too much water pressure, you run the risk of denting or cracking the vinyl. At that stage the only option is to replace the damaged fence – not an ideal solution.

Remember also to not get too close to the fence as you’re washing. The ideal distance for using a pressure washer on a vinyl fence is about 3 feet between the nozzle and the fence. If you get too close, you could cause dangerously high pressures that could easily lead to damage. Keep a little distance and stay safe. If there are any areas that you can’t get to from further away, use a regular hose and some cleaning solution instead of risking damage to your fence.

Do you have more questions about care for your vinyl fence? Or perhaps you’d like to know how you can get one of these low-maintenance fences for yourself? Contact Future Outdoors to get the answers you need! We’re the number one provider of vinyl fences and structures in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with years of experience helping customers get the right fence or shade structures for their homes. Our friendly representatives are waiting for your call!

Why Vinyl is Perfect for Pool Fences

With the weather warming up, chances are you’re getting ready to enjoy your swimming pool – or maybe you’re just starting to think about putting one in. But whether you've had your pool for years or it’s still in your dreams, a vinyl pool fence is the perfect way to keep your pool safe and secure.

According to Dallas law, every in-ground pool and any above-ground pool less than 48 inches tall must be completely surrounded by a fence. The law says nothing about what kind of fence you must have, though. Whether you want it to be wood, metal, vinyl, or anything else, it’s OK as long as it meets the minimum requirements.

That isn't to say that all pool fences are created equal – far from it. The fact of the matter is that vinyl fences offer superior durability and a longer lifespan than other kinds of fences, and they look better too.

Pool fences need to be durable. Unlike privacy fences and decorative garden fences, pool fences get a lot of abuse. We hang our towels on them, splash them with pool water, and open and shut the gates dozens of times a day. Your pool fence needs to be able to stand up to both constant use by you and your family, and constant exposure to sun, rain, and other weather.

That’s why vinyl is the perfect material for a pool fence. Unlike wood and metal, vinyl doesn't deteriorate over time from exposure to sun, rain or normal use. Wood fences swell and shrink when they get wet or dry, and metal fences like chain-link can rust over time. Vinyl is the only product that keeps 100 percent of its strength for its entire lifespan.

Another advantage of vinyl is that it keeps its appearance just as well as it keeps its strength. Vinyl fencing doesn't fade in the sun, doesn't stain from water or rust, and doesn't need to be painted or otherwise protected. This makes it great for pool fencing – after all, you already have enough maintenance to worry about with taking care of the pool itself. Why would you want to add your fence to that list?

At Future Outdoors, we can install a great, high-quality vinyl pool fence in your yard at the lowest prices you’ll find anywhere in the greater Dallas area. All of our pool fences feature code-specified safety features including self-closing and self-locking doors and correct height and spacing requirements. Plus, they’re far stronger and more durable than wood or metal fences, meaning once you have it you’ll have it forever! Call Future Outdoors today to get a free quote on your vinyl pool fence, or follow us on Facebook and Google+ for updates and special offers.

Four Great Spring Landscaping Projects for Your Home

Spring is the perfect time to complete some backyard landscaping to improve the look and feel of your home. We’ve put together a list of five great backyard projects that you can finish by the end of spring so you can enjoy them all summer long. Better yet, all of these projects work well with any home or budget. Read on to see what they are!

1. Fire It Up with a Fire Pit

A fire pit makes a great addition to almost any backyard - it provides a central gathering spot for outdoor activities, adds visual interest to your yard, and can be used to cook out or just keep warm during chilly fall evenings. Fire pits come in a variety of sizes and styles, from simple stone-ringed campfire circles to exquisitely constructed backyard structures. But in every case, you’re sure to enjoy the way it looks in your yard and the entertainment it makes possible.

2. Add Evergreen Beauty

If you’re looking to add visual interest with something a little more green, you can always create some appeal with evergreen trees. Spring is a good time for planting; just make sure your new trees can get adequate water when the weather warms up. Remember to choose a tree that can handle heat and dryness, as many long-needled firs will dry out quickly in the hot Texas summers. Or if you want to keep long-needled trees, you can always install an underground irrigation system to keep them green all year.

3. Refresh your Fence

The cooler spring season is a great time to work on your outdoor structures. For instance, the lower temperature days are a great time to paint, stain, or even replace your tired old fence. If you’re tired of having to perform maintenance on your fencing year after year, replacing your wooden fence with a new vinyl fence is a great option. Vinyl fencing is stronger and more durable than wood, and it doesn’t need to be painted or stained. This could be the last spring you’ll need to work on it! 

4. Prep your Yard

A great spring project for those of us with lots of grass is to get it ready for the year’s growing season. Simple tasks such as aerating your soil, feeding the grass and soil with high-phosphorous plant food, and cleaning up fallen leaves and branches can help your grass get green earlier and grow hardier during the spring and summer. Spring is also a great time to spray for weeds, as they won’t grow back as quickly in the cooler temperatures.

Do you have some more great ideas for spring landscaping projects? Leave a comment below to tell us about them, or call us for more ideas on how you can improve your backyard with functional and attractive yard structures. You can also follow Future Outdoors on Facebook and Google+ for updates and special offers!

Vinyl Ranch Rail Fence - The Best Choice for Your Farm or Ranch

Livestock owners know the importance of a decent fence. If you have cows, horses, or other animals on your ranch, it’s vital your fence is able to stand up to years of use and abuse. After all, a poorly constructed or broken fence could cause a massive loss, both in repair costs and veterinary bills for injured animals. That’s why vinyl fencing is the best choice for your ranch or farm.

What makes vinyl superior to other types of rail fence?

Vinyl is more durable than wood. A vinyl fence doesn’t absorb water, doesn’t bend or warp in the heat or cold, and doesn’t rot like wood does. Wood fences can’t compete with vinyl in terms of durability, and they need much more maintenance over their lifespan, such as regular painting, staining, or sealing to avoid water and sun damage. This makes them much more costly to maintain over a long period of time.

Vinyl is also superior to wire fences, the most common type of ranch fencing. Though wire is cheap, it breaks easily, meaning you have to devote large chunks of time to monitoring and repairing your fence line. Plus, animals can easily become tangled or cut themselves on barbed wire, increasing the chance of injuries.

With vinyl rail fencing, you never need to worry about stain, paint, or other treatments, and you encounter a much lower chance of injury to animals. Vinyl fence is ready to install right off the truck, and it stays the same for as long as you use it - no warping, stretching, or other problems. Plus, vinyl fences are much more visible than wire, making it less likely your animals will harm themselves. You avoid losing functionality in your fence due to exposure, and you get a classic, traditional look for your ranch. And with vinyl, you get to enjoy that look for as long as you have the fence.

Vinyl ranch rail fence is also stronger than wood or wire, making it particularly good for standing up to adverse conditions. With four times the tensile strength of wood and five times the flexibility, vinyl ranch rail fencing can handle strong winds, hail, debris, and abuse from animals as well. With wood rail fencing, split beams and damage are common, which can detract from both the usefulness and the appearance of your fence (and your ranch). Meanwhile, wire can break, and the wooden posts are susceptible to the same problems as a wooden fence. Vinyl fences have none of these issues

Detractors will tell you that wood or wire fences are easier to fix than vinyl in the event of serious damage, or that vinyl will fade and crack as it ages, or that it’s too expensive to be useful. But with modern vinyl ranch rail fences, these complaints hold no water. Modern vinyl fencing is made with a high quantity of UV inhibitors to protect it from the sun, and the modular fencing panels make fixing damage a breeze. And while vinyl is more expensive, it pays for itself in lower maintenance and less frequent damage.

In short, vinyl ranch rail fencing is the best option for a ranch or farm in nearly every case. And if you want the highest quality of vinyl fence for your property, you need to contact Future Outdoors. We’re the number one vinyl fence contractor in the Dallas metro, and we would love to show you how a vinyl fence can give you years of reliability and performance. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our vinyl fencing options, or follow us on Facebook to get special deals and updates!

Four Classic Yard Structures that Improve Your Home

No matter what time of the year it is, it’s never the wrong time to plan improvements to your home or yard. To give you some ideas for great, simple outdoor improvements that you can make to your home, we at Future Outdoors have compiled a list of the best outdoor features that add visual interest and functionality. Read on to find some great inspiration for your own backyard!

1. Add a Deck or Patio

Decks and patios are a great addition to almost any home. They can be made in virtually any style, and are only limited by your imagination (and your budget!). Depending on the style of your house, you may want to go with a raised wooden or vinyl deck, or a stone or tile patio that lies flush with the ground. Either way, a patio or deck is a great way to add a functional outdoor space to your house that also makes it more attractive to the eye.

2. Put Up a Pergola

Pergolas are an increasingly popular outdoor addition to many homes.Their simple looks and clean lines make them perfect for almost any style of home, and they look great in gardens, under trees, or alongside the house itself. They can also be trimmed with lattice for additional sun protection and to promote the growth of vines. Pergolas come in wood or durable vinyl, and there are many sizes and designs available.

3. Plant a Flower Bed or Garden

Green spaces give your backyard color and allow for a lot of potential variety. You can use them for flowers, shrubs, ornaments, and even growing fruits or vegetables. Plus, a well-landscaped garden or flower bed gives your yard extra structure. Flower beds can be raised from the ground or flush, and can be bordered with wood, stone, or any other durable material. You can be very creative with the planning of a flower bed or small garden - just make sure it complements, rather than stands out from, the rest of your yard.

4. Place a Water Feature

A small pond, waterfall, or other water feature is a lovely addition to the right home. While it may not look right on every property, with enough space and planning you can make a water feature the centerpiece of your yard. However, they are also big projects that require a lot of expertise. Don’t think you can just go out and dig a hole in the ground - you’ll be better off if you do some research and find a qualified professional.

All of these projects can add visual appeal to your home and backyard, and they make great focal points in an otherwise plain space. Don’t be afraid to get creative, and if you have any questions you’re always welcome to talk to us at Future Outdoors! We're the number one vinyl fencing and shade structure contractor in the Dallas metro, and we can help you get your backyard just the way you want it. Follow us on Facebook for more inspiration and great ideas!

How Does Fencing Affect Home Value?

Spring is the most popular time of the year for home sales. If you’re looking for simple ways to boost your home’s curb appeal before you sell, there are plenty of things you can do. One of the most popular improvements you can make to boost the value of your home is to add a vinyl fence around your property.

It’s a well-known fact that having a strong, sturdy fence around your yard can boost your property values. The exact percentage of the value boost is based on a number of factors; for instance, your home’s value will go up more if you’re in a neighborhood where most of the other houses already have fences.

Of all fencing types though, the kind that holds and displays its value the best is a quality vinyl fence. What makes vinyl superior to other types of fencing?

First, vinyl is more versatile than other types of fencing. Vinyl fences can be used in every way a traditional wood fence can, but you can also use them in locations where wood would rot or deteriorate quickly, such as areas with lots of sun or rain. Vinyl handles adverse weather better than wood does in every circumstance.

Vinyl is also stronger than wood fence. Because it has higher tensile strength and greater flexibility, it stands up to wind and debris better than wood. A vinyl fence won’t chip or break from a hailstorm, and you can safely use your weedeater right along the side.

Because vinyl fences are stronger than wood, a vinyl fence keeps its original appearance much longer than wood fences do. Vinyl fences never need to be stained, painted, or treated – they keep the same look even after years in your yard. Many vinyl fence products come with lifetime warranties. Try finding the same offer on a wooden fence.

All of these factors combine to create a product that is attractive, durable, and an excellent overall value. When you put a vinyl fence on your property, that value transfers to the property itself – some estimates say that a well-built vinyl fence can add thousands of dollars of value to your home.

Future Outdoors is the number one provider of vinyl fencing products in the Dallas metroplex. If you’re interested in learning more about our vinyl fences, or you want a quote for your home, call us today. You can also follow us on Facebook for updates and special offers!