Comfortable House

We rely on fences to serve an array of different purposes. They keep children and pets safe, offer privacy from nosy neighbors, transform yards into outdoor entertainment centers, and add beauty and value to property. Choosing the right fencing can be a bit perplexing when you see the myriad of fencing options available. However, as long as you know your landscape and stay focused on your purpose, you’ll be able to get off the fence and take action.

When fence-shopping, consider these ten factors before purchasing:

Stick to the mission. Once you know your goal–child safety, pet containment, privacy, entertainment, aesthetic enhancement, or multi-purpose–stick to the mission by picking fencing that best serves your goal. For safety, choose fencing with pickets close enough together so a child or dog can’t stick their head through and become trapped or strangled. For privacy or noise reduction, choose a taller, solid fence.

Know the lay of your land. Know your landscapes intimately–their hills, valleys, and slopes–no matter how small. They can cause big installation problems and impact your fence’s appearance. For yards with many ups and downs, avoid disasters by using stair-stepped fencing, which ensures a level fence.

Ditch the high maintenance. Wooden fences are charming until they weather, warp, and rot from the elements or lack of diligent annual maintenance. Wood requires frequent sealing to keep it viable. Vinyl or virgin vinyl (non-recycled) fencing withstands harsh elements and offers carefree maintenance. Extremely durable, vinyl requires only occasional power-washing. Choose vinyl containing titanium dioxide (TI02) to prevent UV damage. An example is Triple Crown™ Fence manufactured by Royal Outdoor Products, a pioneer in vinyl fencing, since 1982. Our new Triple Crown™ Signature Series provides a rich, wood-grain texture for a natural wood appearance with the convenience of vinyl.

Know your posts and gates. All fences require posts. For vinyl posts, thicker may be better, but beware–some companies use foaming agents to boost wall thickness without boosting strength. Choose vinyl posts with wall thickness in the .135 to .150 range. If you need gates, remember that steel reinforcement inside the gate hinge-posts is key; most gates are too heavy for vinyl alone to accommodate.

Consider your climate. In frosty, northern climates, use concrete to anchor fence posts. Planting posts 36-inches into the ground prevents heaving during cold snaps. In humid, rainy areas, wood is more susceptible to water damage, so vinyl is a better choice. High quality vinyl fencing, such as Royal Outdoor Products’ complete Triple Crown Fence line and Triple Crown Signature Series, won’t blister, peel, crack, or turn brittle, even when installed in extreme hot or cold climates.

Don’t reinvent the fence. While do-it-yourself fencing is popular, the results are often surprising (not in a good way). Installing fencing is no walk in the park. Get professional help. Enlist a fencing contractor before purchasing anything. The results are worth the cost.

The proof is in the fencing. Check out a company’s installations in person. Reputable companies often have customer sites where you can see completed fences firsthand.

Get neighbors on board. Make sure your fence doesn’t block your neighbors’ view. As a courtesy, talk to them before choosing fencing, so you don’t wind up feuding later. Getting the neighbor’s input can make them more agreeable to whatever fencing design you ultimately choose.

Don’t zone out on building codes. Check with your municipality about local zoning ordinances and building codes. Your fencing project may require a permit.

Know your warranty rights. A limited lifetime warranty is common for fencing. But warranties typically only protect against structural failure, so unless your fencing collapses, you can’t make a claim. For added protection, get an installation warranty from your contractor.

For more information on fence planning, contact: Royal Outdoor Products, P.O. Box 360, Milford, IN 46542-0360. Phone: 1-800-488-5245. Fax: 1-877-725-3325. Web Site: www.royaloutdoor.com.

Royal Outdoor Products offers a complete package of vinyl deck, fencing, railing systems, columns and full trim which can be custom configured to suit all style applications.

You don’t have to hop on a plane and travel thousands of miles to find a relaxing retreat. Just step outside your front or back door. Now anyone can transform the exterior space around their home into a beautiful, carefree haven using vinyl columns, decking, railing, and fencing that revitalize home facades and yards—without breaking the bank or incurring a lifetime of upkeep hassles.

How about a vinyl deck that starts in the garden and climbs toward the treetops? Or a welcoming wrap-around porch with elegant vinyl columns? It’s easier than you think to create an enjoyable, unique outdoor space or give your home exterior a beautiful facelift. With so many affordable, low-maintenance choices available, homeowners have fresh opportunities to get creative without committing weekends every year to repainting and re-sealing worn outdoor surfaces. And, let’s face it, who wouldn’t rather relax on their breezy backyard deck with coffee and a good book?

When rejuvenating your home exterior, materials matter. You want durable weather-resistant products that add beauty and style—vinyl is the best choice for decks, porches, columns, rails, and fences. Of course, vinyl materials never have to be painted or sealed. Most wood, if not painted or treated regularly with sealant, can warp, split, and rot from moisture damage or attract termites and other critters seeking their own refuge.

“Decks and porches can extend living and entertaining spaces into the lush outdoors and function as the heart of any home sanctuary. Their design is limited only by your imagination and type of system you choose,” said Deron Manwaring, National Marketing and Sales Manager, Royal Outdoor Products.

A backyard deck can be ground-hugging and garden-friendly—or it can zigzag, wind, and soar upward, depending on terrain and budget. Front porches can be as inviting as they are elegant. Interlocking vinyl plank systems, which ensure fast, easy, error-free deck and porch installation, are perfect for people who want decades of reliable use, eye-catching beauty, and carefree maintenance. Decorative vinyl railing, posts, and trim add finishing touches.

Vinyl columns can give any home a fast, high-impact facelift. They add striking details to your home entranceway, front porch, or backyard deck. Vinyl columns should come ready-to-install with no paint needed, or prime-coated with flaw-free, ready-to-paint surfaces, so you can add your choice of color. If you have an older home with weathered columns or posts, you can replace them or purchase Decorative Column Wrap housing that cleverly hides worn supports.

Different styles of fencing, made from vinyl can create the enclosure you desire behind, in front of, and all around your home. “Fencing can be installed to follow the landscape for a natural and rugged look, or it can be uniquely configured to enclose a garden, patio, pool, hot tub, or other personal hideaway, ” said Manwaring. For a secluded space, choose solid fencing styles in various heights for different degrees of privacy and coziness. Picket and decorative fencing can be used anywhere to enhance home beauty and serenity.

Finally, look for vinyl products with a limited lifetime warranty (not that you’ll ever need it). For more information contact: Royal Outdoor Products, P.O. Box 360, Milford, IN 46542-0360. Phone: 1-800-488-5245. Fax: 1-877-725-3325. Web Site: www.royaloutdoor.com.

ABET LAMINATI, a leading manufacturer of High Pressure laminates, continues its tradition of daring, innovative design with Serigrafia — now in a raised Longline finish. The 16 new designs, produced by ABETs special silk-screening techniques, emulate exotic fabrics with a slightly raised surface of vertical lines. In addition to wallcovering, this laminate can also be used on furniture or any application that does not require a horizontal surface.

When combined with the already existing Serigrafia line of 21 dazzling designs in a smooth surface, the new silk-screened patterns bring the total number of choices to 37. Each sheet of postforming Serigrafia is individually silk-screened and measures 51 inches by 120 inches.

ABET LAMINATI continues to be the leader in high pressure laminate design. As with all our products, the Serigrafia line is in stock at ABET’s U.S. distribution centers as well as local distributors across the country. For further information call 1-800-228-2238 or 201-541-0700, fax 201-541-0701.