North Texas Begins Stage 3 of Water Emergency Response Plan

On June 1, 2013, North Texas entered Stage 3 water restrictions as a part of the North Texas Municipal Water District‘s Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan. This means residents and business owners are limited to watering their landscape with a sprinkler to only once every seven days. North Texas has seen less rainfall this year than this time last year, and experts say the recent rainfall is not enough to bring our reservoir levels to where they need to be to provide throughout the expected dry summer. Precautionary measures taken now can help residents conserve water as the Texas weather heats up. Did you know about 50% of water used in outdoor watering is lost due to evaporation, wind, runoff and ineffective watering systems (source: NTMWD)?

The North Texas Municipal Water District, in partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service  have developed a resource for North Texas residents to gauge the amount of water needed to maintain your landscape. You can access this tool at www.watermyyard.org. Just choose your area of town and enter your precipitation rate or select your sprinkler type and find out tips about how long you can/should water based on what level of water restriction your city is under.

Some ideas on ways you can conserve water at home:

• Make sure your irrigation systems is working properly. Check for leaks and make sure your system is operating at maximum efficiency.
• Look for plants that are native to the North Texas area – they will be better adapted to our climate.
• Water during the cool areas of the day. When you water very early in the morning, there is less chance that the majority of your water will evaporate before providing benefits to your plants.
• Be mindful of which plants need certain amounts of water. Some plants will require less water than others – saving you time and allowing you to better allocate your resources.
• Consider a drip irrigation system.
• Cover the soil around plants with mulch to maintain moisture for a longer period of time.

We hope you have found this information useful. Please enjoy a safe, relaxing summer!

Barn-Inspired Gates and Fences

Over the past few months, Southwest Fence & Deck has focused efforts on building our Houzz page. If you are planning to build a new home, renovate or add to any part of you existing home, you have to explore Houzz! It is an incredible resource to gather design ideas as well as a way to find local vendors. It is comparable to Pinterest, but the focus of the entire site is your home. Plus, you can find great tips from interior designers, landscape architects and other seasoned professionals – for free! Homeowners are encouraged to post their “design dilemmas” for professionals and other design enthusiasts to explore and help you find the right solution.

As we have added photos to our various projects, it has been interesting to see what designs are added the most to other people’s ideabooks. Although some of our large-scale projects receive attention for publications, Houzz is a great place to feature all types of projects, now matter how simple or extensive. And it is rewarding to receive comments on some of our older projects, which shows us that those timeless designs are still relevant.

One design theme that has sparked interest among our Houzz followers is barn-inspired outdoor elements, particularly gates and fences. The great thing about the clients we work for in the Dallas, Texas area is that each homeowner has a different style, even within the same neighborhood. There are no limitations and we are never pigeonholed into one category of work. We may design a southwestern style outdoor living area for one client and their next door neighbor will be interested in a contemporary space. We are awarded the opportunity to be creative and no two projects are ever the same.

Check out our barn-inspired projects below. You will notice that this style can be expressed in many different forms. A rustic feel is achieved with stain and over-sized hardware, and a more traditional look is attained when combined with arched brick or stone. The rural style even looks appropriate in a more contemporary setting when combined with other textural elements such as a stucco wall or iron.

The design possibilities are endless. Just like the infinite ideas you can find on Houzz, Southwest Fence & Deck has always said: If you can envision it, we can build it.

Aruba Iron Works – Drive Through Gate

Southwest Fence & Deck Walk Gate

Southwest Fence & Deck Drive Gate

Southwest Fence & Deck – Barn Inspired Walk Gate

Southwest Fence & Deck – Barn Inspired Walk Gate

Southwest Fence & Deck Barn Inspired Fence

Southwest Fence & Deck Walk Gate

Southwest Fence & Deck Star Walk Gate

Fresh Designs

Southwest Fence & Deck is wrapping up a few Dallas area projects just in time for the Texas summer to arrive. This project welcomes summer with a soft and fresh look. The white arbor and trellis serve as a backdrop to a charming bench that overlooks the beautiful, mature landscape that surrounds the pool area. A peaceful place to relax and retreat from the warm summer sun.

Southwest Fence & Deck Trellis

The arbor off the home’s back patio provides shade and a place for fans. The clean lines accentuate the symmetry of the home and outdoor space.

Southwest Fence & Deck Arbor

Southwest Fence & Deck Arbor

The balcony off the other patio also serves as a cover for the lower level and a rooftop seating area on the upper level. The design mirrors the arbor, while also introducing another design element through the balcony railing.

Southwest Fence & Deck Outdoor Patio

A pathway around the corner leads to a private arbor which serves as a decorative overhang for the stone fireplace. Two trellises also surround the fireplace to create a symmetrical frame drawing the eye to the center. This area will be a great gathering place for all seasons – a shaded area in the summer, and a cozy, private area in the winter months.

Southwest Fence & Deck

 

The charm of this outdoor space is complete with a green gate and lantern fixture. The traditional style compliments the rest of the outdoor area and serves as a warm welcome to guests.

Southwest Fence & Deck Gate

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

Camp Turrentine, the 15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament, commenced on April 27th, 2013. We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather, a great turnout of friends and colleagues, the best food (as always!), live music from a local favorite, Prophets and Outlaws, and wonderful support for the Ronald McDonald House. Thanks to all who shared the day with us, and a special thanks to everyone who helped make it possible! We will see you all again next year!

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

Beautiful day for gathering with friends…

Southwest Fence & Deck 15th Annual Bocce Ball Tournament

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

Crawfish Boil at the 15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

BBQ and Crawfish in the Picnic Area

Camp Turrentine

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

Sharing a laugh at the 15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

The Camp Site at the15th Annual Southwest Fence & Deck Bocce Ball Tournament

Special thanks to those that made it happen!

Jamie introduces Prophets and Outlaws

Live Music from Prophets and Outlaws

What is a camp site without s’mores?!

Southwest Fence & Deck: Fence Inspiration

Although our work consists of a full range of projects day to day, Southwest Fence & Deck does have its beginnings in one of the most under-rated projects in your outdoor space – the fence! Whether you are simply looking to build a fence for the most basic reason – privacy – or you are looking to add a decorative element to your outdoor space, the fence can be a unique, beautiful and functional delineation of your property.

Southwest Fence & Deck Fence

Our specialists will work with you to select the fence style best suited to your needs and taste. We install the following types of fences: dog ear, lattice top, saddle, scalloped, cap, rail, picket, shadow box, corral, board on board, composite Trex, composite Fiberon, chain link, vinyl, security fencing and a wide array of custom, ornamental iron fencing. Throughout the years, we have had many opportunities to be creative with different styles of fencing. From contemporary, horizontal fences to lattice panel fences to coordinate with landscaping and ornamental fences which create a cohesive look with a home, Southwest has proven that a fence can be just as much a part of the design process in your outdoor space as some of the more obvious elements.

Southwest Fence & Deck – Fence

Southwest Fence & Deck – Fence with Lattice Panel

Southwest Fence & Deck Horizontal Fence

Perhaps the most important element in maximizing the life of your fence is the quality of the installation. At Southwest Fence & Deck, our field crews have years of experience and are qualified in all aspects of fence installation. We complete thousands of feet of fencing every year and receive many referrals for our work.

As mentioned earlier in this post, Southwest Fence & Deck also specializes in custom iron fencing and gates. We are one of the most experienced providers of custom iron work in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with our own in-house metal fabrication facility – Aruba Ironworks. Our designs have graced many of the area’s most distinctive homes and lend a classic appearance to most any property. The scope of this work includes: wrought iron fences, swing gates, slide gates, drive gates, balconies, handrails and staircases.

Custom Iron Railing

Although many fences are derived out of necessity, we hope that this post has encouraged you to consider the visual impact a well designed fence can add to your outdoor space. It should coordinate with the look of your home and further extend your style into the outdoors.

Spring Cleaning

Private Dallas Area Residence Entrance

Come on in and check out one of our projects that is currently in progress! A while back, Southwest Fence & Deck completed work for a Dallas-area private residence – this entry gate being part of that project. You can imagine our delight when we were invited back recently to this same residence to renovate an existing outdoor kitchen and arbor. You could call it spring cleaning, Southwest Fence & Deck style!

Private Dallas Area Residence – Demo Phase

The existing stonework and foundation of the project were in need of replacement and the wood on the arbor was beginning to rot, so the Southwest Fence & Deck crew began the demo process right away. This first step of the project also included expanding the current area to include a stone and brick fireplace.

First Stage of Building – Private Dallas Area Residence

Once the posts have been set and the stone work is settled, it is time to begin working on the overhead structure. The Southwest Fence & Deck crew makes careful decorative end cuts to the large beams that will be one of the main focal points of the structure.

Southwest Fence & Deck Construction at Dallas Area Private Residence

After much tedious work, the overhead structure is complete with the stone and brick fireplace as the focal point for the outdoor living area at this private Dallas area residence. The watertight structure allows for a covered area on rainy days, a shaded area during the hot summer months and a cozy, warm area away from the wind during the cooler months. This makes for the perfect outdoor living area that can be enjoyed all year long.

Private Dallas Area Residence – Construction Phase

This project is almost complete! Check back soon for the finished product as well as some detail shots of the fireplace and outdoor kitchen.

Do you have ideas for an update to your outdoor living area? We want to hear about them – what are you doing to prepare for this summer?

Looking for More from Southwest Fence?

Southwest Fence & Deck has been blogging here for almost two years now! We originally started the blog to share our successes with you, bring you into our world behind the scenes to show you first hand what goes on during the design and build process, and to give you more insight on the people who live and breathe Southwest Fence & Deck. Along the way we hope that we have provided you with inspiration to embark on any outdoor project you dream of (no matter how impossible it seems, the pros have a way of making it happen). We hope this blog has provided you with more knowledge about our industry and shed more light on everything that goes into choosing someone to transform any area of your home. At the end of the day, it is your home and the projects we complete are simply an extension and reflection of your style and what delights you. That is the reason we feel so flattered each time a homeowner grants us the opportunity to work with them.

During this time, we have also worked on expanding our reach across the ever-changing world of the Internet, providing you with more ways to connect with us. We realize that some people who visit our website may want more from a content perspective, while others that visit our blog may prefer more of a visual. That is why we strive to constantly add new modes of communication – we want to give you a well-rounded vision of the Southwest Fence & Deck personality.

Southwest Fence & Deck Pinterest Page

Southwest Fence & Deck Houzz Page

Southwest Fence & Deck Facebook Page

Southwest Fence & Deck YouTube Channel

If you want to talk to us, we definitely want to listen! We love nothing more than hearing from you – whether you have a question about one of our projects, or maybe you are a happy client who wants to brag about how much you enjoy your outdoor space, an industry peer, or even if you just want to tell us what you love about our latest photo on Facebook, we want to know. You can always leave comments here on our blog or visit our Facebook page – we will answer, promise! We have also recently added many photos to various sites for our more visually inclined followers. Our Pinterest page has many photos and videos separated by various projects. Feel free to add our pins to your boards – find details that inspire you. Somewhat similar to Pinterest, but more targeted to our homeowners looking to begin home construction or remodeling, our Houzz page offers photos separated by project type which you can add to your “ideabooks.” This site provides a great way for you to put ideas together and organize by area of your home. You can also ask us questions about our specific projects or ask for tips on how to keep your outdoor space looking top-notch – an area we just might be able to help you with! We also have our very own YouTube page – can you believe we convinced Jamie to allow us to film him!? Here you can see Jamie as he gives you a tour of his home and our showroom, and find out what it is really like to work with Southwest Fence & Deck from previous clients, both residential and commercial.

And if you really love Southwest Fence & Deck, so much that you just cannot contain it, please let the world know! If you are a Google+ user, visit our Google listing and tell us what you love about Southwest Fence. If you frequent Houzz, be sure to visit our review page there and let all of your followers know about your love affair with all things Southwest Fence & Deck. And who knows, if you really really love us Jamie may even ask you to do a video!

Thanks to all who keep up with us through our various channels on the web – we appreciate all you do to support Southwest Fence & Deck!

Choosing a Contractor Who Is Right For You

As the warm weather season quickly approaches (hello, March!) we imagine that you are researching ideas and contractors to get your home and outdoor space into shape. As you explore different contractors, we encourage you to revisit these helpful hints fron Southwest Fence & Deck owner, Jamie Turrentine, on how to choose a reputable contractor for your needs. Since these contractors will be spending a great deal of time around your home for possibly an extended period of time, it will pay off for you to ask these questions and do a little extra research ahead of time.

1. Find out if they specialize in the area of construction you are looking for. Pictures on their website might look good, but seeing the work with your own eyes is very important. Request to see a job they have recently finished as well as one they may have completed several years ago. This will give you a better idea of the scope of projects the contractor is capable of designing and actually bringing to life.

2. Find out who is working on the job. Do they have employees or subcontractors? More importantly, how long have they been working with them? Stability should be an important factor in choosing any contractor.

3. Check to see if they are contributing memebers of local trade organizations. In the state of Texas, these might include: the American Fence Association (AFA), the Texas Fence Association (TFA) and the National Organization of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). These organizations hold their members to very high levels of best practices in order to retain membership. Furthermore, as in other industries, the more actively involved a company is in various trade organizations, the more likely it is that they are committed to education and proper design and installation practices.

4. Obtain a detailed contract. A detailed contract should spell out the exact work you have agreed upon. There will be no surprises with a detailed contract. Make sure everything is in writing – this is very important!

5. Make sure they are insured for the type of work they do. A good idea is to have your own insurance agent review their insurance policy to be sure nothing is missing, and you won’t be held liable. Proper workers’ compensation insurance is important – make sure you understand their policy.

We hope this information will be useful to you as you research contractors for your next project. If you are interested in having a Southwest Fence & Deck professional dream up something exceptional for your outdoor space, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Fencetech 2013 Heads to Houston

Next week (February 27th through March 1st) the American Fence Association will host Fencetech/Decktech 2013 in Houston, Texas. Southwest Fence & Deck has been a longtime member of both the American Fence Association (AFA) as well as the Texas Fence Association (TFA). After serving as President of the TFA, Southwest Fence & Deck owner, Jamie Turrentine, is now serving on the Board of Directors for the AFA.

Fencetech/Decktech 2013 will bring 4,000 of the industry’s leaders together to showcase the most cutting edge products in the industry. You will find the large showroom packed with industry professionals, outdoor demos and educational opportunities. Join industry peers for a networking opportunity Thursday evening, which is a great time to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Two Keynote Speakers will be in attendance to provide inspiration at this year’s Fencetech/Decktech. FDNY Chief Richard Picciotto will share his account of surviving the 9/11 World Trade Center Catastrophe and emergency response. Captian Jim Lovell will also share his story of the Apollo 13 mission.

Fencetech/Decktech 2013 is sure to be a success this year as we travel to the 4th largest city in the country. Houston, Texas has plenty to indulge in – first class shopping and dining, lively nightlife and an array of Texas history. If you are new to the industry, we encourage you to attend this annual event to give you a chance to build relationships with other industry professionals and find out what is on the horizon for the future of the industry. If you have been in the industry for some time, we also encourage you to attend this event to reconnect and inspire yourself to take your business and ideas to the next level. If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to contact Board Member Jamie Turrentine at Southwest Fence & Deck.

Southwest Fence & Deck Named NARI 2013 Regional Contractor of the Year

Southwest Fence & Deck Receives 2013 Regional CotY Award for Residential Exterior $100,000 and Over

Dallas, Texas, January 29, 2013 – The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named Southwest Fence & Deck 2013 5 South Central Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) in the Residential Exterior Projects $100,000 and Over category of its annual awards competition.

For 30 years, Southwest Fence & Deck has been the premier fence and decking company in the Dallas area metroplex. We pride ourselves on innovative and individually customized work to meet your specific needs, with strict attention to detail.

Contractors from seven regions around the country vie for CotY Awards on an annual basis. National winners will be announced and honored at NARI’s Evening of Excellence reception on Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Intercontinental Kansas City at the Plaza, in Kansas City, Missouri. National winners will be announced via Webcast the evening of April 12, and the Webcast will be available for viewing 30 days afterward on www.nari.org/eveningofexcellence.

All projects submitted for judging were an improvement or an addition to an existing structure, with the exception of one category, “Residential Exterior Specialty.” Otherwise, new construction projects were not eligible.

For this particular project, the homeowners needed an outdoor living area where they could relax privately, as well as a living area to provide entertainment. With the house nestled on a golf course, the backyard was already equipped with a spectacular view. However, this also posed a challenge, as a living area would have to be designed that would not impose on the view. Southwest Fence & Deck owner Jamie Turrentine, achieved this by keeping the fireplace to the side of the structure and putting it on an angle to provide the homeowners a view of the golf course while enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. Ample seating room was important as well, so a bar top area was tied into one of the columns of the structure to provide an additional seating area that over looked the golf course without intruding on the living area. One final goal of the design was to make the structure look as though it was built with the house. This was accomplished by keeping the pitch of the additional structure same with the house as well as using similar materials. Stone from the existing pool deck and natural cedar material from the existing patio covers around the exterior of the house were incorporated into the structure in order to make it a seamless addition.

Competing projects were completed between July 1, 2011, and November 30, 2012, and were not submitted in previous NARI National contests. An impartial panel of judges, experts within the remodeling industry and associated fields, selected winners based on each entrant’s binders, which include “before and after” photography and project descriptions. Judging focused on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty  and entry presentation.

To be considered for a CotY Award, a company must be a NARI member in good standing. The entries of this year’s competition totaled over $71 million worth of remodeling projects. NARI members represent an elite group of the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as remodelers.

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About Southwest Fence & Deck:

At Southwest Fence & Deck, we are proud of our reputation for quality work and superior customer service. Our business is built on referrals which is why we work hard to guarantee that each of our clients is completely satisfied with every aspect of our service. When you call our office, expect to speak to a knowledgeable member of our team – not a machine. Most of our employees have been with the company since it was founded. Our designers work directly with you to create an individualized outdoor space that is specifically designed for your needs and budget. We have an in-house scheduler who keeps you informed of project progress and what to expect on a weekly basis. Our crews are also in-house – not subcontractors – to allow for efficient and effective scheduling and total quality control. We provide a one year warranty on workmanship and have General Liability and Workers Comp insurance above industry requirements.

About NARI:

NARI is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. The Association, which represents member companies nationwide – comprised of 63,000 remodeling contractors – is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.” To learn more about membership, visit www.NARI.org or contact national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Illinos, at (847)298-9200.

Homeowners are estimated to spend a total of $127 billion on home improvements in the U.S. through the first quarter of 2013.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. According to results from the 2012 Member Profile Study, NARI members outpace the industry norm in sales, production and employees, when compared to professionals represented in the Home Improvement Research Institute’s (HIRI) 2011 Remodeling Professional Study.

Consumers may wish to search www.NARI.org to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI or call NARI National at (847)298-9200 and request a free copy of NARI’s brochure, “How to Select a Remodeling Professional.”