MAINSTREET FENCE IS HERE FOR YOU!

At MainStreet Fence Company, we have a combined experience of over 75 years between the three owners, and our positive experience with Western Red Cedar has stood the test of time. Western Red Cedar is attractive and durable. It naturally resists rot, decay, and insect attacks. This is the perfect lumber for any fence or garden structure built for years of enjoyment. Other lumbers are helpful, but we want to make the strongest, longest-lasting structures possible for our clientele. For more information on Western Red Cedar, please visit http://www.realcedar.com/why-real-cedar

Yes. Main Street Fence Company installs fences in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties. That means we work in over 250 individual municipalities, all with different codes and zoning requirements. We ask our homeowners to check local building codes to determine if a permit is needed and then secure your permit. In cases where the townships require the contractor to secure the permit or if a homeowner is too busy or out of state, we charge a small processing fee to secure permits from within our office. If travel time to your municipality or other services is needed, that cost would be discussed before beginning the process.

No. Pennsylvania One Call system marks underground lines and utilities so our installation crews can dig safely. Our policy is to contact PA One before we begin any project requiring digging. PA one call will mark all publicly run utilities. Any privately run utilities will not be marked, and Main Street Fence cannot be held responsible for hitting any privately run lines. Communication with our homeowners is essential; any information on the location of privately run utilities is appreciated.

Pool code can vary from township to township. Most of the municipalities in our area adhere to the BOCA code (international building code). However, several municipalities created their code. Homeowners must check with their townships for compliance. Here are some (not all) of the most important factors which go into the BOCA code:

Fence must be at least 48” (4 ft) tall

The mid-rail must be at least 45” above the bottom rail.

The spacing between pickets must be less than 4”.

The space between the bottom rail and the ground must be less than 4”.

Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward (away from the pool area).

The opening mechanism of the latch must be at least 54” above ground.

Proper post-installation is the foundation of any good fence installation. Any unforeseen, hidden obstacles, such as rock, concrete slab, root, or landfill, that cannot be determined before excavation by the seller or the buyer and result in additional time and materials may require an additional charge. At the time of the estimate, many obstacles will be pointed out and accounted for in the proposal, such as core drilling, jackhammering through asphalt, posts on plates, and exposed root systems from trees. If we encounter any unforeseen obstacles, we will bring you to the area and address the situation before continuing. No additional costs will be incurred without full knowledge and acceptance from the homeowner.

In 2009, Pennsylvania passed a Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act to protect citizens against unscrupulous contractors. Every residential contractor must register with the state of PA and post its HICPA # on all printed materials. You can find our HICPA # at the bottom of each page on this site. For more information, please refer to www.phfa.org/forms/renovate_and_repair/r_and_r_forms/hicpa_info_sheet.pdf

We use Western Red Cedar because it naturally resists rot and decay, but like all wood, it will age, weather, and eventually turn a beautiful red tone with a grey that blends perfectly with many landscapes and stone facades. However, a grey fence is not for everyone, or if you want to protect your investment for even longer, water sealing or staining is recommended. No matter what may be applied, we recommend installing the fence for at least 9-12 months before anything is applied. Lumber used in construction is generally moist, and that moisture needs to seep out before it is covered. Water sealing will slow the aging process, while stains can and will change the appearance of the wood. We recommend Cabot Stains at www.cabotstain.com. Remember that red cedar contains an acid called tannin; if you want to stain a solid color, a special primer must be applied first to lock in the tannin. It should be applied per the manufacturer's recommendation if you decide to water seal or stain.