Winter Fence Installation in New Jersey
When it comes to residential fence installation and commercial fence installation, you might think it’s important to wait until the warmer months to do it. The ground is frozen and it is cold out there, after all. People have different reasons for wanting to install a fence in the winter. Perhaps you bought the house in January and you’re ready to enjoy your privacy, for example. Maybe you want to give your kids a chance to play in the snow safely.
Homeowners may not have the tools to break through frozen ground and install fencing, so for DIY fencing jobs in New Jersey, it may be best to wait until later spring or summer when the ground is thawed and dried out. You could seriously injuring yourself without the right tools or end up having to work harder than you need to. However, if you are looking to have a professional fencing contractor out to install a new fence, then winter is actually one of the better times to do it.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait Till Spring
Fencing contractors will be busy and in much higher demand as the weather gets warmer because so many people were waiting to call for their installation. In the busier season, you may have to wait a while for your product to be delivered or for the contractor’s calendar all for your project to be scheduled. Also, it may take longer than you would expect for the ground to thaw enough to dig and installing fencing in soft, water-logged ground is not ideal.
Get the job done now so you can enjoy your yard in spring and summer when you actually want to be outside. A fence installation by the right contractor can be done in a timely manner, but between waiting for your scheduled appointment and the actual installation, having a fence installed in your yard can interfere with those beloved outdoor activities. Have the contractor install your fence when you would much rather be inside so you can enjoy it when it gets warm.
Landscape friendly
Having your fence installed during the fall or winter when much of your landscape has gone dormant is less damaging to your plants. If you have bushes or roses that are near where the fence will be installed, they can be trimmed back or even relocated during their dormancy without causing long-term damage.
When grass is dormant it’s less affected by workers or equipment. Many perennials will be safely protected under the soil as our crews work above them.
If you do need to replace some plants or re-landscape areas where the fence was installed, getting the fence project done during the colder months will allow you to get new plants in the ground right away come spring. They will be well established before the summer heat causes stress that can harm immature plants.
How is Fencing Installed in the Winter?
While you are more likely to get a fence installed quickly in the winter due to the general lack of appointments that a fencing contractor has, most companies will only work during certain times. A professional fence contractor has specialized equipment to help with this task of installing a winter fence in relatively cold weather and soil conditions.
What kind of specialized equipment? A jack hammer is used to dig the 4″ – 8″ that has to be dug in order to reach the unfrozen soil beneath the frost. A special additive may be incorporated into the concrete for the footings to keep it from freezing up.
No matter how determined you are to install a fence in the winter, there is a point where it simply can’t be done. If the temperature falls below 25 degrees, the task becomes virtually impossible. It would simply be too cold for the workers and the materials, plus they would have to essentially shovel the snow in your yard in order to even get to the ground.
Ideally, a fence should be installed before the heavy snows fall and the temperatures drop too far. When installing a fence in the winter, contractors will use a jackhammer to easily dig the post holes in the frozen ground, they will then be installed with concrete. If it is too cold, an additive can keep the concrete from freezing quickly. This is what makes installation possible, but the contractor needs to be able to see the ground to accurately install an even and beautiful fence. When they have to dig out several feet of snow to get to the ground, it can lead to problems.
New Jersey Fencing Options
If you have been looking at your yard or business and realized you want to put a fence around it, don’t wait. Fencing can be installed in the winter, and it is usually faster because you won’t have to wait to schedule the work, but the winter conditions do need to be right for the installation.
You can have everything from wood fence to steel fence installed during the winter, but the conditions in your yard need to be right for the installation. Generally, it’s recommended that owners who purchase a vinyl fencing system install during the fall or spring. This time of year has less impactful weather changes, making it easier to install than a winter fence. If you are installing a fence this winter, keep in mind that vinyl will contract and change slightly from the cold temperatures, causing instability.
Winter Fence Maintenance
During winter, New Jersey will experience a significant change in temperature. With the cold weather, many other changes can happen around the home. Maintenance is a priority with both the interior of your house and the exterior of your property.
Many homeowners who own or will own a fence around their property, may not know of the care that goes into maintaining a winter fence. To debunk some of the common winter fence myths here’s some useful information about installing a winter fence.
How the Cold Affects Fences
For a homeowner who is thinking about installing a fence, there’s an array of materials to choose from.
With a winter fence, there’s the question of which material will hold the best year after year. For wood fences, maintenance is required before the winter season to make them last. With vinyl, one of the top benefits is that you don’t have to do any preparation before the winter season.
Despite the longevity of a vinyl fence, please be aware that drastic and sudden temperature changes can make your winter fence brittle, making it prone to crack or shatter upon impact. Avoid hitting your fence with snow shovels, or blowing, throwing, or piling snow against it.
Vinyl Fencing Maintenance
During the winter, vinyl fencing is relatively simple to keep in good condition. If you are in an area that experiences snow, here are a few useful tips:
- Don’t use your snowblower to throw snow directly at your fence – blow it away instead.
- Install plow markers or reflective driveway markers to indicate curbs and edges to prevent damage.
- Brush snow off the top of your vinyl fence with a broom.
- Shovel snow away from the vinyl fence panels.
No matter what fencing you choose, a winter fence can add great appeal and value to a home. If you are planning to install a winter fence, get the best out of the experience with a professional.
If you need a fence in Ocean or Monmouth County, New Jersey contact us today for a consultation to see what we can do to meet your fencing needs and if your yard is right for a winter installation. Contact our office today to find out more about your NJ fencing options or to request an estimate.