Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fencing & Decks

Important Considerations to Make Before Buying a New Fence

Adding a new fence is a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal and protect your property from intrusion. Read on to learn more about the factors involved in this multi-faceted home improvement:

• Primary Purpose: The considerations you make when installing a fence should start with a clear understanding of the barrier’s main function. The intended use of the fence will have a huge impact on which materials and fence styles will best fulfill your purposes. A fence installed primarily to secure your property, for example, is best constructed from damage-resistant materials. Alternatively, homeowners desiring a fence for noise reduction should focus on privacy-boosting materials with good sound absorption.
  
  
• Material Durability: Homeowners should also research which building material best fits their performance needs. Wood fences offer an appealing mix of beauty and privacy. Certain species of wood, like Western Red Cedar, are naturally resistant to rotting and warping. As a result, homeowners can enjoy the natural beauty of wood without the excessive maintenance needs associated with weaker softwoods. Metal and vinyl fences also offer high levels of durability and damage resistance: Aluminum fences are an especially good choice for securing your yard, while vinyl fences are unbeatable when it comes to ease of maintenance.
  
  
• Community Impact: Homeowners should investigate the exact nature of property boundaries before putting up a new fence. This precautionary action will make it easier to avoid complications that might lead to the need for reinstallation. Be sure to research the zoning laws and building restrictions enforced by your local government, and identify the location of underground utilities. In addition, talk about your fencing plans with your neighbors and try to be sensitive to their concerns. Taking the time to perform this preparatory work will likely save your household time and money.

Contact Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fencing & Decks today at (224) 217-9242 for more fencing tips. Our family-owned business is dedicated to providing your household with top-quality wood, vinyl, and aluminum fencing materials. 

The Beauty and Resilience of Cedar for Outdoor Surfaces

Few building materials offer the same visual appeal and service life as red cedar. Learn more about this smart decorating investment with the following summary of the benefits of cedar surfaces:   

• Long-Wearing Decks: The undeniable luster of cedar in itself makes this wood a perfect choice for a new home deck. Furthermore, a variety of hardy properties make cedar a great choice for outdoor application. Natural resistance to both UV light and moisture help cedar resist long-term fading. This durability allows decks to retain their full beauty long after installation. Additionally, cedar’s unique visual patterns add a characteristic visual appeal to decks that can’t be imitated by other decking materials.

• Sturdy Furniture: Versatile cedar provides an equally beneficial set of qualities when it comes to furniture. The most notable of these features is its natural insulating properties: Cedar wood holds small pockets of air that disperse heat so it can maintain a comfortable temperature during even the hottest summer days. Furniture made from cedar also boasts insect, bacteria, and erosion resistance, due to the natural oils contained within the wood. These qualities are matched with a robust sturdiness that’s perfect for outdoor furniture.

• Beautiful Fences: Homeowners who install cedar fencing enjoy its minimal maintenance needs and reliable damage resistance. Just as it does in furniture, the presence of cedar’s oils serve as a natural deterrent against insects and rot. Cedar fences also resist warping and cracking over time. Each of these qualities provides cedar fencing with a wide advantage over rival softwoods like pine and spruce.
   

Visit Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fencing & Decks online or call (224) 217-9242 for more tips on using cedar wood outdoors. Our large inventory of red cedar lumber provides homeowners with the best of what cedar has to offer. 

Get More Information About Making Over the Exterior of Your Home Here

Part of being a homeowner is making the exterior of your home as beautiful as possible. Maintaining your yard doesn’t just give your neighbors something nice to look at—it provides you with a strong sense of pride. 

• Want to make your yard more private? Get some great suggestions at this page from Better Homes and Gardens.

• Did you know that steel is recyclable? Find out why at this page from Recycle-Steel.org.

• Choosing the right fence for your yard is no easy feat. Get some help with this page from DoItYourself.com. 

• Need help decorating your deck for winter? Check out this page from HGTV.com.

• Every so often, your deck will need to be cleaned and restained. For help in doing so, take a look at this page from This Old House.

For more information, visit these helpful resources or call Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fencing & Decks at (224) 217-9242.  At Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fencing and Decks, we know how important maintaining the appearance of your home is. We have been Chicagoland’s premier fencing and deck contractor for over 45 years. To see why, and to learn more about our products and services, visit our website.

Types of Fencing You Can Install in Your Backyard

Whether you’re looking to keep your pets on your property, give yourself some privacy, or just spruce up your landscape, a fence is generally a pleasant addition. However, putting up a fence involves more work than you might think.  

Watch this short video from Kudzu.com to learn all about the process of putting up a fence. To make sure that everything goes smoothly, it’s important that you study your local codes, check with your homeowner’s association, and ask your neighbors. Once you’re cleared to build a fence, you should carefully select a fence style that meets your aesthetic and practical goals.  

If you’re looking to put up a high-quality fence in your yard, contact Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fencing & Decks. We’ve been serving Chicagoland for over 45 years—if you call us today at (224) 217-9242, we’ll be happy to serve you too. 

The Basics of Cedar Deck Winterization

During the summer, your deck is the perfect place to hang out with family and friends, have a few drinks, and simply relax. Unfortunately, you do not use your deck as much during winter. Still, you want to keep it in good shape so you, your family, and your friends can all enjoy it when the weather warms up again. Here’s a brief guide to winterizing your cedar deck: 

1.  Cleaning

The first step in winterization is to give your deck a thorough cleaning, as dirt and debris can decompose on it and do significant damage. Cleaning your cedar deck also improves ventilation between the boards, keeping them dry and healthy. If your deck has any mold or mildew, now would be a good time to have it removed.  

 2.  Removing Planters

Though the deck is a fine place for pots and planters during the summer, leaving them on your deck all winter can cause damage. Before you know it, pots and planters unsightly ring or box-shaped stains can form where the moisture of winter has leeched into the wood. The best solution is to remove planters and store them somewhere safe.    

 3.  Applying Finish and Sealant

Every cedar deck needs a finish in order to stay healthy. If it’s been a while since you last finished your cedar deck, sometime before the dead of winter is a good time to do so. Applying sealant is also important for keeping out the damaging moisture of winter.

4.  Covering Your Deck

If you have a big enough tarp, you might choose to simply cover your deck. If you do, it is important that you cover the whole deck, as only covering part of your deck will cause uneven weathering.  

If you need help winterizing your deck, don’t hesitate to contact Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fencing & Decks. Having built decks out of Western Red Cedar for over 45 years, we know what we’re doing. For more information, visit our website or give us a call at (224) 217-9242.