Will vinyl break? 
Vinyl fence materials can break if subjected to a direct impact, i.e. an automobile, horse or a rock thrown from a mower. Under normal use, the fence will not break when properly installed. If your fence does break, call us. In most cases the rails and pickets can easily be replaced.There are dozens of PVC products available, varying from virgin vinyl to recycled pop bottles. Be sure to select a top notch product from an established fence contractor with at least a decade of experience. You can be sure that these contractors have selected only quality products for your yard.

 Should my vinyl fence be unique to my yard? 
It is absolutely essential that you select a fence contractor who is also a custom fabricator. At The Nestor LLC, we use a five step process to build your vinyl fence. We personally meet with you to review your design and layout. We stake your yard for your review and approval. We provide you with a post layout map, showing you where each post will be installed. After the posts are set we make a fabrication drawing, illustrating the dimensions and slope of each bay. Our computerized custom fabrication shop fabricates each individual panel according to this drawing. Pre-boxed and pre-cut vinyl fencing just won’t do for your home.

 Does vinyl fence become brittle in the winter? 
As with most PVC products, vinyl will become less flexible in the colder weather. However, unless subjected to unusual impact, quality vinyl materials will not break or crack. Our PVC is manufactured right here in Nebraska, thus engineered to accommodate normal temperature swings in the PNW.

 How do you clean the fence? 
As with all exterior products, our fence will become dirty when exposed to the elements. A mild detergent and water should be sufficient to keep your fence or deck rail looking new. For tough stains, Soft Scrub or baking soda works well. Simple Green and steel wool also works to clean stubborn stains.

How does PVC hold up to weed eaters?
As with all PVC and wood products, direct contact with lawn and garden equipment can cause damage to the posts. Use caution when operating any type of equipment near fence posts, especially commercial trimmers, which are more aggressive.

 Do you cement the vinyl posts?
Absolutely! All vinyl posts should be set in pre-mixed wet concrete. Not dry mix with water added later. This application generally does not provide one hundred percent consistency in the concrete. Concrete should be placed under and around the fence post.

What is the warranty on our vinyl fence?
All of our PVC products carry a lifetime warranty. During the life of the vinyl fence, you should not expect to find surface cracking, peeling, chipping or rot. Almost all vinyl products carry a lifetime warranty. Be sure to select a reputable fence contractor with years of experience who will be around to service your warranty.

What is the cost of vinyl compared to wood?
Comparable. As a matter of fact, if you compare a typical #1 grade cedar fence and add the price of staining; vinyl fencing is more price competitive. Vinyl is less than steel ornamental.

Can I get custom vinyl fence styles?
Yes. By selecting a custom vinyl fabricator like The Nestor LLC, you can create almost any design. With the PNW largest computerized fabrication shop, we can build your dream.

Will Vinyl Burn?
PVC has a flash point of approximately 900 degrees and does not easily ignite. Vinyl is classified “Self-Extinguishing”.

How Strong is Vinyl?
Unlike wood or metal fencing, vinyl fencing has a certain amount of flexibility. However, the materials are engineered to be impact resistant with a chemical formulation that will withstand a wide range of normal use. From your ten-year old’s wild fast ball to a jumping pet’s attempt to escape the yard, your vinyl fence will hold-up to the challenge.

How long will vinyl fence last?
On this note, this is where vinyl fencing stands apart from wood and ornamental. PVC fencing will last a lifetime. You may see the fence lose a little sheen over time.

Is the PVC graffiti proof?
Although not classified as graffiti proof, vinyl fencing is easy to clean and paint comes off with just a little effort. It may require the use of a pressure washer or in extreme cases the use of paint thinner. 400 grit sandpaper can be used when some spots will not come off using the above methods.

Will Vinyl Fence fade?
Like vinyl siding and windows, vinyl fencing will lose a little of its sheen overtime. However, it will not fade. Today’s vinyl fencing has a chemical formulation similar to sunscreen. It is designed to permanently reflect the sun’s rays and hold its colors.

Why is cedar fencing so popular?
Forty years ago, cedar fence boards were rich with dark red, brown and orange hues. The boards had a strong cedar smell that was so pungent that you might have thought you were locked in yourgrandmother’s cedar closet. Back then, cedar fencing came from old growth cedar trees. When the trees were harvested; the trunks were as big around as Volkswagens, mostly comprised of heart wood with a few outer sapwood rings.

What is the difference between sap wood and heartwood?
These outer, lighter colored rings, sapwood, is the “working” part of the tree, as water and sap will flow through the sapwood much like blood through your arteries, veins and capillaries. While this part of the trunk is vital to the tree when it is living, it doesn’t make for very good stock for fencing and exterior applications. Sapwood contains a lot of moisture, will shrink considerably when dried, and is much more susceptible to fungus.

Is cedar still my best choice for wood fencing?
Due to the limited amount of old growth cedar trees and tight restrictions on forestry throughout the United States and Canada, most of today’s cedar is new growth. This new growth is from a species of cedar that grows quickly and establishes very little heartwood. Furthermore, the trees are much smaller when harvested only compounding the lack of the dark inner rings. Today’s cedar fencing is almost entirely harvested from sapwood.

What are my options over cedar?
There are options. With the restrictions and limitations on harvesting old growth cedar, the wood industry has moved on to less popular but abundant species such as Douglas Fir, White Fir and Incense Cedar.These species are in great abundance in older growth trees, providing more options for fencing boards. Because these species like Douglas Fir are being harvested from heartwood; these are proving to outperform the cedar in exterior above ground applications such as fencing. Though you may not enjoy that rich cedar smell; you will get several years of longevity from these species. Besides, after a while, the smell of cedar is just too much to handle.

Is treated better than Western Red, Incense Cedar or Douglas Fir?
Treated materials just can’t compare to the natural beauty of cedar and Douglas Fir. However, treated and stained white and red pine posts have proven to be an excellent choice for fence posts. Pine is a very dense wood that provides considerable strength. When treated with a ACQ or ACQ2 pressure treatment; the wood proves to be almost impenetrable. Treated materials may be easily stained providing a darker color compared to your Cedar and Douglas Fir rails and pickets. The contrast in colors does provide a nice combination.However, red and white pine posts will form “checks” as the posts begin to dry after treatment. These checks are long thin cracks that form along the grain of the post. This is a natural process to be expected that does not compromise the strength or longevity of the post. You should only be concerned if these cracks dig deep through the post where you can see daylight.Also, red and white pine posts are prone to slightly twist. Again, this is part of the natural maturation process of the material. This twisting is a result of uneven drying of the post. It does not compromise the quality or longevity of the post.

Should we use treated pine or cedar posts?
If the concrete footing is placed to shed water from the posts, cedar or treated is fine. We will use a premium cedar post or ACQ2 treated and stained posts. Though the treated pine posts are subject to forming checks and a slight twist; these posts have proven to outlast cedar. Cedar is less prone to form any cracking or twisting but it will occasionally warp. If not stained, cedar posts will eventually “grey out”.

Are treated materials safe for my family and pets?
Only use industry approved ACQ treated posts. Stay clear of using CCA (Cooper Chromate Arsenic)materials. If unsure how the materials are coated; look for a tag at either end of the post or inquire with your fence contractor.

What about wood gates?
Only use a heavy duty 4” x 6” posts on the hinge side of your 6’ tall gate. We recommend using three hinges per gate. Make sure all hardware is powder coated to avoid rusting.

Will I have maintenance issues with my wood gates?
Every day, we go through dozens of doors without giving it a second thought. We just don’t realize the precision that goes into a door and jamb.The cold reality is that your gates are not doors. Gates get out of adjustment and will not properly close. Why? A door is set into a jamb that completely surrounds the door. When the jamb moves the door moves in unison. Gates are set with two independent gate posts on opposite sides of your gate opening. Gate posts are subject to settling of unsettled soil, frost, extreme change in temperatures and exposure to the sun. All of these conditions will cause the gate posts to change or move. Even the slightest change in vertical or horizontal position of the hinge post will result in an exponential movement of the latch hasp on the gate. Bottom line, your gate won’t latch because the latch hasp does not align with the latch receiver on the gate post.

What can you do to fix your gates?
A standard drop fork latch will not be impacted by movement in your gate posts. These are the latches that look like two prong pitch forks that move up and down. These are common on chain link and ornamental fencing. If you have this type of latch; you should be fine. Latches that use a horizontal rod that strikes or falls into a receiver when the gate is closed; these latches will require adjustment. Latches that look like a standard door lock assembly; these will require adjustment. If you have either of these type of latching /locking mechanisms; you should request four way adjustable hinges. These are hinges that adjust up and down and in and out. With these hinges, you will be able to adjust your gate to changing conditions.If that sounds like too much to figure-out; you should ask your salesman

“What do I do if my gate does not shut?”
This should prompt your fence salesman to provide you with some guarantees and options.

Do I need to stain my Douglas Fir or Cedar fence?
If you want to maintain that reddish and blonde cedar color, then consider staining your fence within six weeks of installation. Be sure that the wood is dry prior to applying stain. In other words, it has not rained for at least a week. This continued dry weather will make the wood thirsty to receive the stain.Hire only insured professional staining contractors. Staining is a messy, messy business that can easily result in overspray onto your house, your neighbors’ houses, automobiles, etc. Only stain on calm dry days. You will want to tape off adjoining structures such as homes, sheds, and your neighbor’s fence. Lay a drop cloth to avoid overspray onto your lawn.

What about nails?
A galvanized or aluminized nail that is counter sunk to avoid popping-out is your best bet.

Will my fence rust, fade, peel or chip?
Without question, this is the greatest concern with ornamental fencing. Consequently, you should not purchase a metal fence system unless it has been E-coated. This is the exact same coating that is used on your automobile. It involves dipping the product and is generally applied with pre-manufactured fence systems. E-coating is truly the superior coating system. Don’t settle for anything less.

Can you customize my fence?
We have fabricated literally thousands of different fence and railing designs with the following process. Regardless if you purchase other pre-fabricated fence systems or a custom fence; we can add a unique appeal to your fence and gates.If using a prefabricated fence; think about adding quad flares and triads to your picket tops or rings between your rails. Keep it simple by customizing your gates with arched tops and some flare such as rings, scrolls, cast iron designs or plasma cut letters, numbers and shapes.

Are the posts set in concrete?
All posts are set in a wet mix concrete. Dry mix with water added later is not acceptable.

Do you provide a warranty?
If selecting American Fence Company product, you can count on a 10 -20 year warranty against cracking, chipping and undue fading.

Is field welding acceptable?
Only when absolutely necessary. Never let anyone field weld or “stick build” your ornamental fence in the field. The welds are immediately exposed to the elements where high humidity levels or dew can immediately start the materials to rust. All panels should be completely shop fabricated with bolt-on connections to the posts. Field welds do violate the powder coated finish and can only be touched up with manufacturer’s touch-up system.