Happy Spring!

With the sun finally out and the bad weather behind us (hopefully!), it's time to start thinking about all the outdoor projects you want to do this Spring!

Why not consider a new fence or even adding an arbor or trellis to your yard? 

At Franklin Fence and Deck, our fencing specialties reach anywhere from aluminum fences to custom wood fences, vinyl, chain link, farm fencing, wrought iron and commercial fences. If you can dream it, we can do it! 

While you may be inclined to think, "It's just a fence. How hard can it be?", there is an art to building just the right fence for your home. We guarantee that no other company will produce the quality craftsmanship and care that we do at Franklin Fence and Deck.

Additionally, Franklin Fence and Deck specializes in arbors, gazebos and screened porches for your backyard and property. 

For over 30 years, Franklin Fence and Deck has been providing outstanding quality and service to the Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin and surrounding areas. Give us a call today to see what we can do for your home! 615-790-8428. 

Be sure to visit us HERE to sign up for our specials! Also, LIKE us on Facebook! 

Proper Deck Maintenance

Proper deck maintenance is essential to protect not only the investment you've made in your home, but your family as well.

Washing your deck is probably one of the most critical things you can do. An unwashed deck is an invitation to mold and mildew, which can cause rot. To properly wash your deck:

• Remove debris from between deck boards using a putty knife. Pay special attention to the areas where deck boards cross the joists.
• Protect all shrubs and plantings. Wet them and cover them with plastic sheeting.
• Thoroughly sweep the deck.
• Choose an appropriate cleanser - For a wood deck use a standard deck cleaner and follow its directions. For a composite deck use a cleaner specifically formulated for composite material. Attack grease and oil stains with a commercial degreaser and detergents. For a vinyl (cellular PVC) deck you’ll only need to use warm water and a mild soap to remove mold, mildew, and dirt.
• Clean the deck. Choose a cloudy day when the decking is cool and the sun won’t evaporate the cleaner.
• Let the deck dry.

*Important: If you plan on sealing your deck, wait at least 2 days. You should expect to need to re-seal your deck annually.

To seal your deck first you need to choose a two-day period when you’ll have clear skies and moderate temperatures. You don't want to be doing this in 90 degree heat (although, right about now, 90 degrees doesn't sound too bad!)

• Lightly sand the deck. Use a pole sander equipped with 80-grit paper to remove any furriness caused by washing.
• Replace any missing or popped nails and screws. Replace protruding nails with deck screws slightly longer than the nail. If a nail only slightly protrudes, you may do more harm than good trying to pull it out.
• Apply the sealer or stain. Use a roller to apply the sealer to the decking, covering three or four boards at a time. Use brushes and small rollers for railings, planters, and benches. Don’t let the sealant dry or puddle. 

Now while you can do this at home, we recommend having the professionals at Franklin Fence and Deck come out and do the work for you. Not only does it save you time, but it ensures that it will be done correctly. If you're interested in getting your deck ready for spring, call us today at 615-790-8428. Be sure to visit us HERE to sign up for our specials and coupons! Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook!

Fence & Gate Design Ideas

The old expression, Good fences make good neighbors is true, but it's only half the story. This refers strictly to perimeter fences that surround a homesite. But fences play a more diverse role in landscaping where they help solve problems and create opportunities within a homesite. These interior fences may be called "partitions", because they work just like walls indoors to enclose a space such as a swimming pool vegetable garden. But partition fences also help to define space in a more open way, improve homesite safety, and control views.

Design
Fencing design is as much about location and configuration as it is height and detailing. Fencing can be a strong design element or it can be made to disappear into the background of the landscape. All of these decisions are made by your landscape and fencing designer (such as Franklin Fence and Deck) in the process of creating an overall site plan that is both attractive and functional.

Materials
There are soooooo many options in fencing materials. Vinyl has finally come of age, offering far greater range of color and style than ever before. Wrought iron, now tubular and much more light weight is far more affordable and easily adapted to a wide range of sites.

Innovation
Within this world of fencing there is a new emphasis on security and technology. Video cameras and entry gates with buzzers and intercoms are making homes more secure and offering greater backyard security. There are a few very important kinds of fences that are whole realms unto themselves. For example, deer fencing is particularly challenging due to the scale of rural landscapes and the cost of fencing expansive areas. Recent innovations have yielded new and unusual designs that prove equally effective as very tall barriers. For historic or cottage style living, the picket fence has become totally maintenance free. Integration of steel posts has also solved problems with rotting earth to wood anchorage.

No matter what your architectural style, your site requirements and the regional limitations, Franklin Fence and Deck has your fencing solution! The key is understanding the newer options and evaluating whether or not they are an improvement to the traditional wood fence.

Boundary Survey for Fences
The property lines of rural properties and even some suburban lots can be tricky. It is important to know exactly where the property line runs during the design process and particularly before you finish with the cost estimates. In many cases it is worth the additional expense of a legal survey before construction of a fence. It may be just setting the corners of the property, or you may need a full property line survey if the parcel is irregular. Insist on a licensed land surveyor for this job to avoid future boundary disputes. To save money, neighbors will sometimes work together to share the cost of the surveyor for mutual property lines, which also ensures both are satisfied with the proposed fence.

For all of your fencing needs, call Franklin Fence and Deck at 615-790-8428. We service all of Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood and surrounding areas.

Be sure to visit us HERE and sign up for special offers and discounts! Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook!