Author: Gary Stensland

Beat the Heat this Summer with these Backyard Activates for Kids!

Gary Stensland

 

Every year, we long for warmer weather, but now that it is finally Summer we find ourselves looking for ways to cool ourselves off! It can be especially hard on kids who should not be out in the heat for too long, but that get bored or drive you crazy by being in the house all day. We suggest you take advantage of some of the ideas below that can provide some fun and relief from the heat right in your own back yard!

 

 

Water Blob Fun!

With just a few materials purchased from your local hardware store you can create your very own water blob for your kids to enjoy! The tutorial on how to make a water blob can be found here. Fill it with cold water and it will be just the thing to keep your kids occupied and cool this summer.

 

 

Water-gun Games!

Use squirt guns or pray bottles in the place of tagging and let your kids enjoy a little competition while getting soaked! Here is a list of some games that would work well in this way:

Freeze tagHide and seekBlindman’s BluffSharks and Mino’s (Out of water)Duck, Duck, Goose (use a bucket of water instead of a water gun)

 

Water Obstacle Course

Set up a sprinkler, fill some water balloons, fill a kiddie pool or two and get creative with a fun obstacle course through the yard! Use anything and everything you have to make it interesting. Create tasks for your kids to perform at certain watery locations; for example: 10 hops under the sprinkler, and so on!

 

Icey Excavation Project

Fill a container with water a third or so at a time (size depends on the size of your freezer), place toys throughout, and freeze each layer before adding more! Let the kids either chip away with tools or spray with water to melt the ice and reveal each toy!  You could make it more fun by choosing a theme such as dinosaur, ocean, or trucks! Using new toys for your kids to excavate and later enjoy once the ice is gone will make it extra special for them as well.

 

Kiddie Pool Kickball

Use Kiddie pools in the place of bases! Your kids will love the game along with making a splash each time they reach a base! For even more fun, make home plate a slip and slide!

 

Water Filled Sensory Bin

This activity is perfect for keeping toddlers busy. Simply fill a shallow bin with water (and bubbles if you choose) and the objects of your choice! The possibilities are endless with this project. Try to choose objects of different sizes, shapes, textures, colors, and materials for your toddler to discover and enjoy!

 

 

The post Blog first appeared on Frederick Fence Company.
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Secure Your Business with High-Security Commercial Fencing

Gary Stensland

Property fences of all kinds provide a level of security for homes and businesses, but some businesses need a higher level of security. In addition to creating a physical barrier, adding high-security commercial fencing to your business or organization can also provide:

Privacy: If you are handling valuable inventory or needing to shield the movements of your employees or patrons, a high-security fence can protect your facility from prying eyes.Access control: By only allowing authorized personnel into secured areas you are reducing the possibility of your assets being damaged or stolen while also keeping people safe from any hazards that may be present.Safety: High-security fencing will make your employees and guests feel safe while working or visiting your business.

Systems and Design

Security fences are typically 72″ or higher, unless restricted by local codes. They also incorporate pickets, barbed wire, or razor ribbon at the top and use very few (if any) horizontal rails to deter climbers. No two systems are the same and can be customized to meet your exact specifications and site specific details. At First Fence of Georgia we are experienced with precast concrete walls, louvered panel fencing, anti-climb chain link fence, anti-crash, and steel ornamental systems which require a variety of installation procedures and construction methods.

Secure Your Investment

High-security commercial fencing is a smart investment that creates a secure, controlled area on your property and protects your bottom line. Don’t trust just any fencing company to handle your high-security fence project! At First Fence of Georgia we know how to properly manage and administer commercial projects and are familiar with the qualities specific to these types of projects including:

Extensive inventoryCoordinating with project managers and associated tradesMeeting insurance requirementsCertified payroll and Davis Bacon wagesDraw schedules and retainageEnhanced bonding capacity

Trust the Best!

Trust First Fence of Georgia, the best fence design and installation company in metro Atlanta, to handle your project. We assist in the planning, design and construction of all types of commercial, industrial, and government fence projects throughout the

The post Secure Your Business with High-Security Commercial Fencing appeared first on First Fence.

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Spring 2021 is Here!

Gary Stensland

Did you know that just about every resident in Maryland wakes up on March 1st and realizes they urgently need a fence installed? We didn’t either, but oh boy did we figure that out this year! The spring fencing season has hit fast and hard and we are so excited for it! Thank you to everyone who has already expressed their interest in working with our company. We are looking forward to an eventful season of building fences for our new and returning customers.

That being said, we want to be honest with everyone who comes to us looking for a fence installation. We prefer to lay everything out on the table for you so that you can make the best decision for you and your needs. We wish we could just pull the perfect fence for the perfect price out of our back pocket and give it to you in passing; but wait times and special-order materials make this an impossibility.

Listed below are some of the honest aspects of the spring season that you can expect to see happen.

Winter discounts are discontinued.

For our clients out there looking for ways to save money on fencing, the springtime is not the time to try and do that. Buying a fence during the winter is the most cost-effective option in a number of ways. In addition to the fact that we offer winter discounts, costs for materials are lower during the colder months. If you can, wait to get an estimate in late fall and let us install your fence during the winter. Yes, we do fence installation through the winter.

Wait times for estimates go up.

We were not kidding about the March 1st joke from earlier. Our estimate lead time went from a couple of days to a couple of weeks during just the first week of March. Luckily, we have enlisted the help of 2 new sales representatives! Brody and Daniel joined our team of installation sales representatives just in time for spring fence estimates! Brody used to work in the showroom as a retail sales rep but has decided to come to the dark side of installation instead! Daniel, however, is a brand-new addition to the team. We are convinced he will be a great asset to the company.

Vinyl lead times are improving.

What we have been calling “the vinyl situation” is improving! Meaning we are no longer 4 months out on installing vinyl fencing. Our suppliers are doing everything they can to catch up with the crazy demand the fencing industry has been dealing with since a year ago.  The wait is still longer than stock materials, but only by a couple of weeks!

Wood prices continue to change.

Wood prices are constantly changing and as a result, so are our prices. It can seem unmanageable to change them so often, but we do this ensure the most honest price for our customers. Because of the constant ebb and slow of prices, your sales representative may only offer your quote for a certain amount of time before it becomes void and will need to be repriced. We encourage you to take our guys by their word that the price they give you is the best price we can give!

Installations are timely and efficient.

Our guys can install fences in ANY condition whether freezing cold or blazing hot. With spring being the time for mild temperatures and soft ground, there is no telling what they are capable of! Spring is the time to really dig deep (literally) and get things done! With that in mind, please let our installation team know if your ground is too wet (in your opinion) for us to be on it. The ground is the ground, and fence work can be messy by nature. We cannot guarantee that there will not be a few blades of grass out of place when we are done. If you do not want any disturbances feel free to make the decision to hold off on your installation for a dryer day.

The post Blog first appeared on Frederick Fence Company.
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Fencing Etiquette

Gary Stensland

That pristine 7-foot-tall vinyl privacy fence might sound like your dream addition to your property, but have you given any thought to how those living near you might feel about it? We believe it is within your best interest in many cases to consider a few points of fence etiquette before having your fence installed. Taking your neighbor’s feelings into account will serve you better in the long run. Trust us! We are not saying you should neglect getting the fence you need and want, but there are small adjustments that can make a big difference in the eyes of others. You might be glad you chose something that was a bit of a compromise, instead of the intrusive option you were considering earlier.

Respect Property Boundaries

Our policy is to install your fence a few inches within your property line. This is required by law in some counties, but in others it is simply for the sake of ensuring your fence is protected from any property boundary disputes that might happen in the future.

We highly encourage you to be sure about where your property lines are before we install your fence. If you or your neighbor have no documentation or proof of where the property lines are, we suggest getting a survey done. If it by chance results in a situation where your neighbor has a fence or another object intruding a few inches onto your property, we beg you to let it go and move on. A nice relationship with your neighbor is not worth risking for a couple of inches. We have seen too many situations like this cause unhappy disputes.

We also do not want you to ever assume your neighbor is ok with you using their existing fence line as your fence line on the adjoining sides of your yard. Ask your neighbors if they are ok with you using their fence as a boundary on that side before either assuming they are ok with it or paying to have a whole other fence line installed right next to it.

Follow your HOA Rules

Abiding by the rules of your HOA from the beginning saves a lot of hassle down the road. We know that some HOA’s can be very restricting, but there is no way out of them, and trying to get something installed that they will not allow will only result in fines or extra money spent on changing the fence later. Our sales representatives are experienced in the areas that they serve. It is very likely that they are well versed in the fencing regulations of your HOA.

Consider Street Corners and Drivers on the Road

Corner properties can be difficult to fence, especially in front yards. Some municipalities regulate fence height and distance from the road in order to minimize the effect on driver visibility. We have experienced cases where we have installed fences too close to the road and gotten complaints from residents who frequent those streets. We recommend that you investigate any laws in your area that might restrict your fence design. Additionally, we encourage you to be generally considerate and generous when it comes to height and distant to the road.

We want you to take as much pride in your new fence as we do! A major way this can be achieved is by making sure you follow certain “rules” of fence etiquette. We encourage all our customers to consider the points we have discussed here, but at the end of the day we will install the fence that you want. You are our first priority and we hope you will enjoy working with us as much as we will working with you!

The post Blog first appeared on Frederick Fence Company.

Finance Your Fence Project!

Gary Stensland

We know that in many situations fencing is considered something of a luxury; but when children, animals, and other extenuating circumstances are added to the equation, fencing can quickly become a NEED rather than a desire. Not everyone can pay for a new fence at the drop of a hat.  With wood prices still as high as ever, fencing is especially pricey. We know what a financial burden getting a new fence can be, and we are happy to work with those who find themselves in need of fencing and either cannot pay for it up front, or simply prefer to pay in installments.

Our company partners with Wells Fargo Bank so that we can offer the Outdoor Solutions line of credit to our customers. In other words: you can finance your fence project!   If your credit allows, you are welcome to finance the entire amount, but you can also choose to finance just a portion of it. We also offer two different interest options for you to choose from based on your needs.  

The first is a 0% interest option if paid within 12 months. If, however, the amount is not paid within that time, the interest goes way up.

The second option is 9% fixed – this option ends up taking about four or five years to pay off. 

If you are interested in financing, feel free apply on our website. The link that leads to the Wells Fargo application can be found on our home page. Click on “FINANCING,” then the grey box that appears in the middle of the screen. Once complete, it will tell you if you are approved or not and how much you can finance.

If you are not approved for the entire cost of the fence, the remainder may need to be paid up front or at the time the fence work is completed. It is up to our sales representatives to make this decision on a case-by-case basis.

 

The financing enrollment process involves a few simple steps that are as follows. . .

Fill out our online application to find out if you are approved for financing and for how much.

2. We receive a fax informing us of your financing approval.

3. Your financing approval serves as your deposit. Combined with the signed contract, we are now able to enter your fence project into our installation backlog. 

4. Erica will send a few documents via email for you to sign. These documents will finalize which financing option you wish to choose (0% or 9.9% fixed).

19,361 Sign here Stock Photos | Free & Royalty-free Sign here Images | Depositphotos

5. Once your fence work is completed, we reach out to Wells Fargo to receive payment.

6. 30 to 45 days from the time your fence work is completed, your financing will officially begin. Wells Fargo will send you your first statement in the mail and you can begin making monthly payments toward the balance.

Financing options with the Wells Fargo Outdoor Solutions credit card

 

If you have any questions regarding the financing, feel free to call the office and talk to someone about it. We would be glad to steer you in the right direction.

 

The post Blog first appeared on Frederick Fence Company.

Our Doors are Open!

Gary Stensland

 

We wish to welcome our customers back through our doors this coming July 6th! We will be returning to normal operations in accordance with the Governor’s recent orders.

Masks with NOT be required upon entry into the showroom, but feel free to wear one if you wish. Our employees with be wearing masks at their own personal discretion as well.

 

Are you ready to come see us? From our office and showroom you are able to. . .

View the many fence styles and materials we have on display.

 

Meet with our retail sales representatives and place orders in person.

 

Pickup materials.

 

Meet with your installation sales representative to sample and discuss products.

 

Make payments.

 

Meet our wonderful team!

 

Someone will always be here to serve you between the hours of 7am  and 4pm, Monday through Friday. Feel free to call ahead to ask about products we have in stock, or what samples we have on display to view in the showroom.

 

 

The past year has been a roller-coaster for the business as well as our families in many ways. We faced new challenges as a result of COVID, but we also received many blessings along the way.  We hope you will join with us in breathing a sigh of relief as we invite the post-COVID chapter into our lives.

We hope to see you soon!

-The Frederick Fence Co Team

 

The post Blog first appeared on Frederick Fence Company.

Celebrating the Dogs of the Frederick Fence Family

Gary Stensland

Here at Frederick Fence Company dogs are loved by absolutely everyone! It is not uncommon to spot one or two of our families’ pets running up and down the halls or playing together in the showroom.

Last year, Perry and Kelly Orman raised their yellow lab, Huk, in the office from a small puppy until he was ready to go off to hunting school. Now that he is grown, Huk has completed his training and started his hunting carrier with Perry. Check out this photo of their success on their very first hunt together!

Penny, an Irish Setter, is owned by Todd and Laura Powers. She is a frequent visitor to the office. Todd brings her in on days when she is not at puppy Day Care. She loves trotting through the halls to visit everyone and enjoys spending time with Todd in his office.

 

Our current mascot has been Nora, an ABT puppy owned by Matthew and Laura Braden, who both work in the office. They bring Nora to work everyday since she is still a young puppy. She even has her very own Frederick Fence T-Shirt. You might meet her playing fetch in the showroom, loving on anyone and everyone, or snoozing in her dad’s lap while he works.  Her favorite thing to do when she comes into the office in the morning is run around and greet every one of her friends!

 

Almost all the other dogs in the Frederick Fence family have been to the office. Check out their photos below along with their names and who they belong to.  Enjoy!

This is Luke and Rory “Red Dog.” They are owned by our founder, Charlie.

The newest addition to the Frederick Fence dog family is Harlow, a sweet little Goldendoodle that was recently adopted by Erica! Isn’t she precious?

This beautiful German Shepherd named Bear is owned by Brody, who used to be a material sales representative, but is now one of our installation sales representatives.

 

Roxanne Henline is one of our material sales representatives. She owns Hunter and Louie!


Hunter

Louie

Our installation manager owns this playful German Shepherd. His name is Ruger.


Ruger

Neil, one of our installation sales reps, owns Lily, Bruce, and Ella!


Neil’s Dog Lily

Neil’s Dog Bruce

Neil’s Dog Ella

Khloe is owned by Luther, another member of our sales team!


Klhoe

Justin and his family enjoy the company of Sully, their Labrador puppy.


Sully

Our sales manager Bill has Murphy, another lovable Labrador Retriever.


Bill’s Dog Murphy

 

Kelly and Perry have another dog, a Boxer named Jax.


Jax

Perry, Kelly, and their Family

Huk and Penny playingThe post Blog first appeared on Frederick Fence Company.

Frederick Fence Co, A Day in the Life

Gary Stensland

 

 

By 6:30 AM the fence crews are arriving to prepare for their jobs by fueling trucks, loading lumber, and collecting the tools they will need during the day ahead. Eric, our installation manager, oversees them all. He makes sure everyone knows where they need to go and that they get there in a timely manner.

You might also spot Eddie, our yard manager, helping coordinate and doing what he can to make sure everyone is sent off smoothly.

Jackie is here in the fence supply company office just as early as the crews. She is ready to take calls from any customers who might be wondering when their crew will be arriving. She is also available to anyone who might have questions, concerns, or need to notify of urgent last minutes changes to their schedule. In cases of inclement weather, Jackie is the one who lets customers know if there will be delays.

 

At the same time, Roxanne is at the front desk in the fence supply showroom taking early morning orders for materials and coordinating order pick up. It is not always easy to send crews out while we load materials for retail customers, but our team makes it work well.

 

As the morning goes on, a couple of team members are just about finished with the morning’s routine cleaning as additional office staff begin to trickle in. Joan is hard at work on HR tasks and processing new fence jobs in our system. Erica gets to work returning calls or emails from individuals who have asked for estimates over the past evening or weekend. The monotonous accounting, billing, pay role, and permitting tasks pick up where they left off the day before.

As you walk through the halls later on you may come across a sales representative or two when they are not out meeting with potential customers. Since the start of COVID, our sales reps have mostly been working from home. A few however, still schedule office days where they come in to do paperwork, turn in contracts they have sold recently, and check in with our sales manager, Bill.

You may also hear and spot Charlie, our beloved founder, coming down the halls and greeting everyone he meets with a “Hi! How are you?!” He does everything from assisting sales reps and meeting with customers to fine tuning certain methods or price lists and boosting moral! He might have a meeting or two with one or all of his children, who now own and run the company.

You will probably see Erin, Kelly, and Todd at multiple points throughout the day as well! Kelly and Todd handle ordering materials and managing different aspects of our fence supply company. Erin is the president and oversees everyone in the office and in the field as well as every fencing job that is sold, processed, and installed.

 

In the installation department, Matt and Jackie are busy taking and making calls to schedule fences that are due to go in within the next few days. They let customers know when they can expect the crew to arrive on the day of installation and what they can expect to see happen.

Eric is also available to handle any issues or questions that come in from customers who are currently having their fences installed that day. He also works on finalizing the installation schedule and determines which crews will install which fences. Not all our crews are alike. They all come in different sizes and abilities, but do not misunderstand us; all our crews are wonderful! Some are just better at installing certain materials or handling a larger or smaller amount of fencing per day.

 

 

By 3 or 3:30, crews start arriving back here and the office winds down for the day. Everything will start over again in the morning. The Frederick Fence team will give more estimates, install more fences, and make more customers happy. 

The post Blog first appeared on Frederick Fence Company.
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Wood and Vinyl Picket Fencing

Gary Stensland

When you say you want a picket fence, you may not have realized  just how many design options we have available! Everything from material, height, color, picket style and size, and post style are customizable. We want you to feel free to choose from all the options we have to create a fence that will be the perfect solution for. . .

Perimeter fencingPet fencingPool fencingGarden fencing

Wood or Vinyl?

Wood is a wonderful, natural material that you just can’t replicate with anything else. Wood picket fences are slightly more customizable than vinyl as well. There are more picket and post style options available. Our wood material options include pressure treated pine and premium western red cedar. Our treated pine has a life span of about 10-15 years, which is pretty good for a fence! Our cedar, on the other hand, is trusted to last 20 or even 30 years!

Our vinyl material comes into play from a whole different ball game when it comes to lifespan. How would you like to buy a fence that will last for the rest of your life? That is what vinyl will get you! So, depending on your needs and price point, we will be able to guide your decision to the material that is right for you!

Pictured here are very similar picket fence style, but in wood vs. vinyl.

Wood Picket and Post Styles

Before we discuss posts and pickets, let’s differentiate between the two when it comes to this type of fencing. The Posts are the 4″x4″ or 6″x6″ support structures that go into the ground. The rest of the fence is held up by and extends from the posts. Pickets are the smaller vertical pieces that are located in between each post and make up the majority of the fence.

 

Wood pickets come in a variety of styles. You can change the whole look of your fence just by changing the shape of the picket top. The Williamsburg is basic with its straight smooth top. If you want something more decorative, consider the Fredericktown or Victorian picket. The Seneca is a great “in between” option with its slight dog ear shape.

 

There are also a variety of post options to choose from. Some of them match the shape of pickets with the same name, but feel free to mix and match to fit your style. The following diagram also shows a couple of different sizes, which serve different purposes for certain fence needs.

Vinyl Picket and Post Styles

There are also picket and post cap style options available to choose from in the vinyl material.   Remember, you will have this fence forever, so be sure to pick something you will most likely love forever!

Space Board Picket

Our space board picket fences do not have any picket caps. Each section of this fence is topped with a horizonal board, which closes off the top of each section.  If you choose a space board picket fence there is no need to choose a picket style, but feel free to decide on whichever post cap you like.

Straight, Dipped, or Arched?

Picket fences can be straight along the top line of each section, dipped in the center, or arched in the center. Both wood and vinyl fences can have these characteristics. You can even customize the amount of dip or arch you would like! Some fences are dipped or arched more than others to create different looks.

Completely Customizable

Our desire is to build the fence you want! Everything in the following list can be customized to fit your specific needs and style. The sky is the limit . . . but not really because most municipalities have a height restriction. 

Fence HeightFence MaterialVinyl colorsWood picket widthVinyl picket width (contemporary or classical)Post sizeRadius of dip or archPicket stylePost cap styleWidth between picketsAmount of space between the ground and the bottom of the pickets

 

If you’re ready to get an estimate for a fence, call the office at 301-663-4000  and set up an appointment today! We would love to help you build the perfect picket fence.

The post Blog first appeared on Frederick Fence Company.
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Different Types of Fence Styles

Gary Stensland

The first option you have in terms of fence types is to go with a chain link. It provides excellent privacy, but it can be unattractive if put up in an inappropriate place. Chain link has a neat, clean look that blends into almost any surroundings. However, if you live in an area where there are many twigs, weeds, and other objects that want to be hidden under the ground, this option isn’t ideal. It might not even be practical in some cases.

Another type of fence that is widely used in a lot of private residences is vinyl fencing. These fences offer a lot of conveniences as well as good security. Vinyl fences are quite durable, which means that they will probably last for a long time. They are also easy to install and can provide a very attractive design to any yard. You can find vinyl fences in a variety of styles, colors, and designs.

fence types

Wooden fences offer a nice appearance, but they don’t last nearly as long as other fence types. It can be expensive to have your wooden fence replaced, so many people opt for the cheaper vinyl option. If you have a large garden or yard that’s just a bit outside of your home, then you might consider getting a wood fence. It can add a bit of privacy to your yard, but it won’t rust, break, or deteriorate.

Fences come in different types, colors, and designs. One of the more popular types of fence is a three-foot chain link. This is probably the most common of the different types of fences available. It’s usually put on a side-by-side style, with one end fenced in and the other open. You might also be able to find this fence with a post or picket fence design.

Vinyl fencing is another option that is quite popular. It’s usually put on a row or two along the perimeter of a property, with each end fenced in. Because this type of fencing is quite solid, it can be an excellent choice if you are trying to secure a small area. The only downside to vinyl is that it can be expensive to install, but if you have the funds to invest, this could be a great way to give your yard fencing options.

Chain link and wood fences can also be an option for someone who wants a more traditional fence and does not want to have to deal with the typical chain link or wooden fences. These fence styles are quite common in both commercial and residential areas. They are usually painted a white color, although they do stain well and look good at all times.

A few years ago, the most popular option was to use vinyl as a privacy fence, with a chain link style crossing above it. You could get a lot of bang for your buck by doing this, as they are very affordable, and easy to install. However, they do require a lot of maintenance, as these old fences rust and need to be replaced. Vinyl is also very susceptible to weather damage, such as ice and rain damaging the posts.

If you want to go with the tried and true aluminum option, then there are many great brands available. Aluminum is the most durable fence material you can purchase and has an excellent look to it, which some people prefer. This fencing style also requires little maintenance and is easy to install, but some feel that aluminum is too prone to rusting and snapping when the fence is touched. This style can be costly, though, and this is why many opt to choose wrought iron.