Tag: Houston Fence Company

How to Child-Proof a Fence

Many people install fences so their children will have a safe, private place to play. Yet you won’t be able to create a genuinely safe play area if you don’t take the time to child-proof the fence.

After all, children are resourceful. They can think of all kinds of ways to get into trouble, and sometimes, their imaginative play inspires weird ideas. Taking the proper childproofing steps can stymie them when they’re about to do something crazy.

Here are the steps to take. 

#1) Choose the Right Fence

Wooden fences, metal fences, and smooth metal fences are perfect for children. 

Masonry fences and chain-link fences are less ideal. Chain-link fences essentially present kids with a series of convenient handholds to help them scramble right over the fence. An excellent climber could also use the natural ridges offered by brickwork to get over a masonry fence.

You also need the right fence design. Many parents prefer privacy fences with tight slats that can’t be seen through or squeezed through. This keeps bad actors from staring at your kids and prevents kids from squeezing through the slats: a win-win on both counts. 

#2) Install Safe Latches

If you don’t pick a child-proof latch, you won’t have to worry about climbing and squeezing because your child will be able to walk right through the gate. 

You can add plenty of safety latches to a fence that is too high for children to reach or too difficult for them to open. You may even consider adding a keycode lock just for your fence. 

#3) Pay Attention to Fence Maintenance

Fence damage can pose a hazard to your children. It can frustrate all your efforts to keep them on your side of the fence. Certain fence damage can even cause injuries. 

Give your fence regular inspections. If you see damage, call us. We are happy to handle fence repairs as well as installations, and we want your child to be safe, too. 

WROUGHT IRON 65

chain links Climbing Plants

Want help choosing the perfect fence for your family’s needs? Want to find out how much it will cost to install the fence of your dreams? Call us anytime!

The team at Lone Star Fence and Construction is ready to help.

How to Hurricane-Proof a Fence

The odds of a major hurricane hitting Houston sits at 7%, and statistics tell us that Texans can expect an average of three hurricanes and tropical storms to hit over a four-year span. 

Since it’s hurricane season now, we thought we’d offer some insight into how hurricanes might impact your fence and whether there are any steps you can take to keep it standing in the face of high wind and driving rain. 

Construction Matters

No amount of planning or tricks can help you if your fence wasn’t constructed properly in the first place.

That’s why our team sets fence posts high and deep, ensuring they’re secured with concrete. These steps help ensure that it’s difficult for the wind to yank your fence right out of the ground.

Materials matter, too, and of course, some materials are better than others. Our masonry fences, wooden fences, and wrought iron fences are especially hurricane-resistant. Our chain-link fences also do a great job of standing up to nature.

Vinyl fences are harder and, by their very nature, a bit flimsier. We choose good vinyl, but it’s just never going to be as sturdy as the alternatives. Many of our customers don’t mind since vinyl is also less expensive and very easy to maintain. Plus, there are still some mitigation steps we can take during the building phase, such as ensuring that there are gaps between the slats, which allows the winds to pass right through the fence. 

Maintenance Matters

In addition to regular cleaning, inspections, and repairs, you can make your fence more hurricane-resistant by trimming the vegetation around it and trimming back your trees so they don’t hang over it.

Falling debris, such as big, heavy branches, is a common hazard during hurricane season. It doesn’t even take a hurricane to produce them. We’ve all been in intense, tornado-spawning thunderstorms that rip branches right out of trees and litter them all over the road. Keeping the hazard away from your fence protects it year-round, not just during hurricane season. 

We recommend checking your fence after any storm so you can catch and make repairs quickly. If you call Lone Star Fence and Construction, we’re happy to make repairs. 

Alertness Matters

Nobody’s watching the news as often as they used to. If you don’t have the proper alerts set, it can be easy for a hurricane to creep up on you. 

Find a way to check the weather daily so you know when to respond. Your fence won’t react well if the wind picks up a piece of your lawn furniture and hurls it right into the nearest post. 

You need enough advance warning to get out there and pick up anything that might be at risk.

Need a New Fence?

We install year-round, even during hurricane season, and we always build for Houston weather conditions. While there are no guarantees, our fences do have a track record for withstanding severe weather conditions. 

Check out our photo galleries to see our past projects, and call (832) 981-2402 if you’re ready for a quote.