Home: Repairs & Improvements

Plano Trane Air Conditioning and Heating dealer Steve Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat Co., explains how to choose an Air Conditioning and Heating system. This is a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In this article I will cover some important aspects of how to purchase a new air conditioning or heating system. [caption id="attachment_349" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Check your Condenser Annually"][/caption] I would like to begin by asking you these questions: Have you ever bought a new air conditioning or heating system? Was it to replace an existing system or on a new home? These questions are extremely important, and your ans  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company owner, Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., sees increase is fence repair requests each spring. Spring storms tend to come through the North Texas area each year and at least one or two of those storms generate tremendous damage to fences. Straight line winds of up to 80 miles per hour are not uncommon and rotational wind events are also frequently reported. Every year Spring storms damage hundreds of fences in North Texas. Typical damages range from the level of a few pickets blown out of a panel up to complete failure of posts and hangers causing total loss of fence rows in the worst cases. It is interesting to note that fences constructed with steel posts set in concrete have a much higher survival  [more info...]

Here are a few of the articles that we have written over the last few months that you may find helpful in your investigation into which fence company to choose. Frisco Fence Company discusses fence design elemental basics. The design of your fence actually says quite a bit about your personality and your station in life. For a variety of reasons most people succumb to relatively basic..... McKinney Fence Company offers fence design guidance. When designing a custom fence it pays to be a careful observer of the natural environment. Good fence designers are good observers who pay close attention to the..... Dallas Fence Repair Company advice for building your own fence. You may want to do a little homework to do before you get your ham  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on Kill on Contact Pesticides. A common myth concerning pesticides is that the stronger they are the quicker the kill and the better the control. This is mostly false. Contact killers are what most people think of when they think of insecticides. As soon as the insect is exposed to the chemical they expect the insect to stop dead in their tracks. The usage of this type of pesticide is very ineffective for various reasons. Pesticides that kill on contact are very problematic because you are prone to attack symptoms of the problem rather than the root cause of your infestation. If you kill ants within the home they die right there on the   [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., knows that many people enjoy building their own fences. Sean offers the following advice: Here are Some Basic Considerations The initial decisions that you will need to make are basically very simple. You will need to choose a fence style that fits your aesthetic desires. You will need to consider Zoning and HOA restrictions. You will need to establish a budget. You will need to consider your ability to handle the construction required. You will need to decide on materials for the project. We can simplify the process and presume that you have decided on a traditional wood fence. In future articles we discuss other alternatives, including fences  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about Trees. I am often asked questions about trees. Although I am not an Arborist I have learned a few things about trees over the several years I have been in the Pest Control and Lawn Care business. One of the most common misconceptions I hear about trees is when a tree dies and Termites or Carpenter Ants are found in the dead tree people will assume the the Termites or Carpenter Ants killd the tree. This is almost never the case. These insects only attack wood that is already dead. Termites do not feed on green or living wood material and Carpenter Ants only nest in the dead parts of trees. The fact is that when Termites or Carpenter Ants are attacking a tree   [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., uses Cedar Fences to improve property values for home owners. [caption id="attachment_329" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Cedar Stained Wood Privacy Fence"][/caption] The pace of change is accelerating and in these modern times fences have become increasingly popular. Back in the 1950s and 1960s many of the homes in urban communities did not have a fence in their back yards. There was nothing to separate neighbors from each other. Since the 1960s the number of homes with back yard privacy fencing has increased to become well over 90 percent in urban cities such as Frisco Texas. Texas State Fence Co. understands that the most popular styles of fenc  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., offers help in selecting the best wood fence for your home. [caption id="attachment_321" align="alignright" width="300" caption="A Cedar Stained Wood Privacy Fence"][/caption] Form vs Function in a Wood Fence Trying to select which of the many options available from which to choose when you select materials for a fence can be overwhelming. You will need to consider many alternative materials and styles then make a selection. The choices that you make will affect the cost of the fence installation and it will also affect your property's value for the long term. You basically have two decision that you must make, from which all other options w  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company (Texas State Fence Company) has a wide selection of material to select from when you consider building a fence. [caption id="attachment_313" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Cedar Fence with Top Rail"][/caption] Here is a list of the quality materials we use Steel Posts Galvanized 2-3/8" steel - designed to last a long time without any maintenance WAPO brackets with 1.5" lag screws - very strong. Post set approximately 30"-36" deep in concrete - for strength against winds. Post set approximately 6' apart - to support the fence solidly Concrete mixed before it is placed into the hole - the only way to insure quality (Wood posts available, but not recommended because wood posts eventually spl  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Companyowner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., offers advice on how to deal with slopes when building a fence. Creating an elevation drawing prior to building your fence forces you to confront the fact that you fence line may traverse a slope. Fence lines are often forced to traverse terrain that has some degree of slope and dealing that the slope correctly can impact the quality, beauty, and strength of your fence for many years to come. There are three basic construction choices that you have for dealing with slopes when building a fence. Those choices are: Stepped Framing Sloped (Parallel) Framing Hybrid Framing Stepped Framing With stepped framing the fence is built in sections with ea  [more info...]

Allen Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., provides some tips for building around trees and other obstacles. Obviously the best course of action is to plan your fence so that the fence line avoids obstacles such as trees, boulders, and other immovable objects. When that is not possible you can make some adjustments to minimize the impact of the obstacle. In some cases you can create a little bump-out in the fence line to pass around the obstacle. If you must include the obstacle in the fence line, and if the fence includes posts, then you may find it useful to tinker with the framing plan on a scaled elevation. If the obstacle is a tree you will likely be tempted to simply fasten the fence to the tr  [more info...]

Frisco Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., asks... Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning system and your health. This is Part 5 in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In my last article I discussed some of the more common methods to remedy a sick home. Read: Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 and Part 4 of this series. Allergens: I consider allergens to be just about anything organic that cause the human respiratory system to be irritated. The methods of controlling and preventing allergens are basically the same as Particu  [more info...]

Plano Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., asks... Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning system and your health. This is Part 4 in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In my last article I discussed some of the more common methods to remedy a sick home. Read: Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 of this series. Particulates: Particulates are generated during new construction, remodels and even normal daily activities. Somehow all of this dust and particles need to be removed from the structure; otherwise you will be breathing it f  [more info...]

Dallas Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., asks... Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning system and your health. This is Part 3 in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In my last article I discussed some of the more common methods to remedy a sick home. Read: Part 1 and Part 2 of this series. VOC's: finding and eliminating the source of the VOC's is what we try to do as our first choice. However eliminating all sources of VOC's is not possible in most cases. A good example would be when you clean your home. In most cas  [more info...]

Richardson Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., asks... Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning system and your health. This is Part 2 in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In my last article I discussed some of the more common methods to remedy a sick home. I discussed the best way to begin was by placing an IAQ monitor in area of the structure that is frequently used such as the den, family room, master bedroom, or reception area, or a common office area. Once we get the report back we have a better idea as what type of iss  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about Starting the New Year Right. January and February is the time people begin thinking about their service providers for lawn care and pest control. Remember the best way to keep your lawn green and weed free is timely and consistent applications of fertilizer and herbicides. It is generally cheaper for the home owner to hire a licensed applicator to take care of the fertilizer and herbicide. By the time the home owner purchases the required products and equipment he has spent more than the service provider would charge. In addition, most home owners do not make the required applications at the right time and end up frustrated with weeds and thin turf. The sam  [more info...]

Plano Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., talks about wood as a fence building material. Mention the word fence and most people conjure up an image of a wood fence. While you can build a fence out of many materials other than wood the most common material, especially for residential properties in urban areas, is wood. Wood is a beautiful material that can be easily worked and manipulated to form a nearly unlimited number of styles. Wood is a material with which most people have some experience and which, at a basic level, requires virtually no experience to work with. People have been building fences out of wood for thousands of years. It is very likely that the first fences were made with either wo  [more info...]

Dallas fence repair company owner Sean Eubanks, President of of Texas State Fence Co. offers advice to home owners installing their own fences. Are you considering building and designing your own fence for your yard? You may want to do a little homework to do before you get your hammer out. The first thing to do is to check with your city zoning and building codes and Home Owners Association. The last thing you want to do is put all that hard work and expense into a fence only to find out it violates your home owner association requirements. If you have not already researched where the utility lines are located contact your local utility department to find out where the lines are laid. And do not forget it is always a good idea to   [more info...]

Allen Heating Repair Company owner Steve Lauten asks... "Could Your Home Be Making You Sick?" This article discussing the impact of Heating and Air Conditioning systems on your health is written by Steve Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX [caption id="attachment_383" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Click on Photo Image to Enlarge"][/caption] This is a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. I would like to begin by discussing the interaction of a heating and air conditioning system and the home or building that is conditioning. Many times the a/c and heat system is blamed for all kinds of issues within a conditioned space. Most of   [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about German Roaches. Adult German cockroaches are light brown except for the shield behind the head marked with two dark stripes, which run lengthwise on the body. Young roaches are wingless and nearly black with a single light stripe running down the middle of the back, and the adults are about 5/8 inch long. Egg capsules are light tan and usually yield about 36 baby cockroaches! German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), are the most common roaches found in houses and restaurants. Most cockroaches have a flattened, oval shape, spiny legs, and long, filamentous antennae. Immature stages are smaller, have undeveloped wings and resemble the adults  [more info...]

Frisco TX AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., talks about things you can do to reduce your energy costs. There does not seem to be much good news coming from the energy news these days. While prices are well below the peaks of last summer the recent trend has been back up and that bodes ill for your summer energy bills. Since heating and cooling your home accounts for nearly half of you home's energy consumption even minor cost increases can strain already tight budgets. I thought this might be a good time to provide a quick list of things you can do to keep your summer cooling costs at a minimum: Do your own energy assessment: Visit the Energy Star Home Advisor website at www.energystar.gov/ho  [more info...]

Frisco Air Conditioning Repair Company owner Steve Lauten, president of TOTAL AIR & HEATING CO., offers a full range of heating and air conditioning services. Total Air and Heating Co. offers everything from a simple service call to a complete system installation, right down to the thermostat. Service and Repair ~ We service and repair all brands and types of air conditioning and heating equipment. Preventive Maintenance ~ We offer a variety of seasonal preventative maintenance services to fit your needs. Equipment Replacement ~ We offer standard, high, and super efficiency a/c-heat equipment for residential homes. We can help you choose the system that is right you and your family. Complete Trane Comfort System installation ~  [more info...]

Plano Heating Contractor owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat, offers answers to questions about air cleaners and filtration systems. Q: I thought pollution was outside. Why should I be worried about my air indoors? A: The average North Texan spends 90% of their time each day indoors. Additionally, modern efficient, airtight homes are efficient at conserving energy, but that also makes them better at trapping potentially irritating particles inside the home. With the rising number of people who suffer from allergies and asthma, indoor air quality has become more and more important to our general health and well-being. Q: What does Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) mean? A: Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is recognized by the Fed  [more info...]

Plano Heating Contractor Total Air and Heat offers a tip on how to get the most out of your Heating and Airconditioning system. Preventative Maintenance: Don't be tricked by the under $30.00 tune up. Most contractors that offer this type of tune up are hoping to find parts to replace. In some cases the technicians are paid a flat rate fee based on the repair cost. Think about it for a minute, how can a contractor send a technician to your home for $30.00 and cover his costs? The $30.00 has to cover the technician's hourly cost, travel time, vehicle costs and overhead. Be sure to read what the under $30.00 tune up includes. In virtually all cases it does not include any cleaning, only visual inspection! A good tune up will c  [more info...]

Frisco Air Conditioning Repair Company, Total Air and Heat, offers a Home Efficiency Test that tells you how much money you are wasting due to inefficient systems. A HomeEnalasys is a high-tech check-up for your home that tests and analyzes the heating and air conditioning system in your home. Experienced, certified technicians connect special sensors to supply and return air registers throughout your home, in attic or crawlspace areas and on condensing unit outside the home. These special sensors test and measure the temperature, humidity and airflow. Data is then sent back to the technician's laptop computer. This technology allows our technicians to evaluate real time data that is collected from multiple sources and dynamically analyze   [more info...]

McKinney Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., offers fence design guidance. [caption id="attachment_278" align="alignright" width="300" caption="A Custom Fence with Stone Columns"][/caption] When designing a custom fence it pays to be a careful observer of the natural environment. Good fence designers are good observers who pay close attention to the natural surroundings and use those surroundings and incorporate them into the overall fence design process. A good place to begin is to take a stroll or drive through the neighborhood and and focus your attention on the fences that are in place. This can give you many ideas that you can incorporate into your design thoughts. You may find that a camera o  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., discusses fence design elemental basics. [caption id="attachment_275" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Custom Designed Fence"][/caption] The design of your fence actually says quite a bit about your personality and your station in life. For a variety of reasons most people succumb to relatively basic fence designs, primarily due to the lower cost of going with a mass market sort of fence. Lets face it, assembling fences from pre-made panels is much faster and lower cost than building a truly custom fence. For most people cost is the single major consideration in fence design and selection. For some people cost is not the primary concern and for th  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about Carpenter Ants. Carpenter ants are a common sight around Texas homes throughout the year. Although their natural nesting sites are in trees, carpenter ants can also invade and live indoors. Texas carpenter ant species are not usually destructive to homes, however they can become a nuisance. Carpenter ants are often first noticed in late winter and early spring. This is the time when carpenter ants and other ants emerge to mate and attempt to start new colonies. These reproductive forms are identified by their two pairs of wings and relatively large size. The presence of winged ants indoors generally means that a nest is located in the structure. IDENTIFICA  [more info...]

Total Air and Heat Co., located in Plano Texas, provides services in Allen as an HVAC Contractor, AC Repair, Heating and Allen TX Air Conditioning Services Company. Over the last year we have published a series of articles that we wish to summarize in this BLOG Articles. Please select from this short list to review information about Total Air and Heat Co. Client Testimonials Plano AC Repair Service Plano Air Conditioning Company Allen TX AC Repair Service Dallas Air Conditioning and Heating Company Dallas Heating System Contractor Richardson AC Repair Service Allen TX Air Conditioning Services Company, Total Air and Heat, is owned by Steve Lauten, the second generation owner. Founded in 1957 by Steve's dad, Fred Laute  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company (Texas State Fence Co,) says that all homes with a swimming pool should install a four sided barrier fencing. Accidental drowning was the third leading cause of death for children between the age of one and four years in the United States during 1997. Studies have shown that nearly half of all swimming pool drowning events occur in the child's home pool. Pool Perimeter fencing not only makes sound sense but most states and or cities have enacted laws that require that homes with pools have perimeter fencing to protect children from accidental drowning. [caption id="attachment_267" align="alignright" width="299" caption="Keep your children and pets safe."][/caption] Irreversible brain damage can occur within as  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co. installs fences and improves property values for home owners in Frisco Texas. [caption id="attachment_264" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Cedar Fences Increase Property Values"][/caption] The times are changing and fences are becoming increasingly popular. In the 1950s and 1960s it was common for homes in subdivisions to not have any fencing in the back yards that would separate homes from each other. During the last 20 years the number of homes with back yard fences has grown to over 90 percent in communities such as Frisco. For Frisco fence company clients, and clients in other North Texas communities, the most popular styles of fence are the boa  [more info...]

Dallas Christmas Lights Installer Maria Perez, President of Dallas Curb Appeal Landscape Design and Installation, offers this Old Family Recipe for a great tree. [caption id="attachment_41" align="alignright" width="225" caption="A Lighted Christmas Tree is Cheerful"][/caption] Here is a list of the ingredients you will need to assemble before hand... Tree... 3-6' tree. Table top or ground Small Photo frames-With baby's picture. Buy several so that you can add a new picture every year. Ornaments... Baby's first Christmas Ornament-These are readily available in most box stores. Socks & shoes-How cute are those tiny socks and shoes are little ones wear. You can use any type of material to tie them on to the tree and de  [more info...]

Dallas Christmas Light Installer answers the question... Should you buy Christmas lights-rent them or have them cut and replaced seasonally? [caption id="attachment_34" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Professional Installation Saves Time"][/caption] Whether to lease or buy lights is the same as leasing or buying a car. If you like to change them often and have money to burn, then leasing or renting is a good option for you. If you want to invest in good material and have it for 3 seasons then buying is the way to go. Both have pros and cons. Ask your contractor what type of material is being used. If the company uses substandard or inferior material there's a good possibility that they will not last 3 seasons. Commercial Gr  [more info...]

Maria Perez, President of Dallas Curb Appeal (a landscape design and installation service) is a true Dallas Christmas Light Professional who puts the focus on lighting design. [caption id="attachment_26" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Different color lights set different moods."][/caption] What does it cost to wrap a tree professionally? Cost varies depending on the type of tree and the style in which you wish to wrap it in. Lighting large live oaks can cost $2000-$4000, not including the additional electrical circuits needed to power the many sets of strands. Although LED's are 4 times the price of regular lights it might be worth it if you don't have to upgrade your electrical. You don't have to light your trees f  [more info...]

Maria Perez, President of landscape design and installation service Dallas Curb Appeal, is a Highland Park Christmas Light Professional Installer you can trust. Should you use Clear- or Colored lights? It's been my experience that the kids always want colored lights and the parents always choose clear. They say, "Its classic-it's what everyone using" Ba Hum Bug! Christmas is for the kids. If they what green, purple, and yellow lights -well mommy's going to give you Mardi Gras theme it is little darlings. [caption id="attachment_23" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Nothing is more dramatic than a wrapped tree."][/caption] Not quite color and Not quite clear. Try baby steps. White happens to be a color. You can mix whit  [more info...]

Dallas Christmas Light Professionals with Dallas Curb Appeal advises that you be careful when you store your lights with a vendor until next year. [caption id="attachment_20" align="alignright" width="300" caption="What do you do with your lights in January?"][/caption] Shakespeare once said... "To store or not to store... That is the question." He was talking about what to do with his Christmas Lights between holiday seasons, of course. Should you store your own Christmas lights? Different companies have different policies when it comes to storage. Some include it in there pricing to insure that they have command of the material. This helps them make sure everything is in working order and that they are available for installati  [more info...]

Dallas Professional Christmas Light Installation Service asks you to consider the liability that you can incur if your light installation company is not fully insured. Are you in good hands? Are your Christmas Light Installers fully Insured Contractors? [caption id="attachment_17" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Holiday Lights on Trees make Stunning Images."][/caption] I was once asked "why should I care if you have insurance". A responsible contractor will hold at least 1 million in general liability, workers compensation for employees, and auto insurance. In the event that there's an accident on your property the injured party is going to sue everyone and hope that someone will pay. If the contractor is not insured yo  [more info...]

Dallas Christmas Light Installer Maria Perez, President of Dallas Curb Appeal, warns about season scams. [caption id="attachment_13" align="alignright" width="300" caption="A nicely lighted home exudes holiday cheer."][/caption] Happy Holidays Yall! Tis the season to be jolly-that's if your fortunate enough not to have been taken for a ride-and I don't mean on a sleigh. Time and time again I've heard stories about an unsuspecting homeowner with visions of sparkling roof lines and glistening trees that ended up with a dark house, an empty wallet and a Bah Humbug holiday. Don't let this be you or someone you care about. Know what and who to watch for. That unbelievable price isn't Karma making it back to you. That great price can   [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Service Total Air and Heat helps you know when it is better to repair versus replace that old air conditioning system. In our prior article we set the groundwork for what SEER system you most likely have in your home and what is available to replace it. Let's discuss the point in time when it makes sense to replace your system instead of repairing it. [caption id="attachment_349" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Check your System Annually"][/caption] Listed below are several scenarios to consider before making a decision: Systems under 5 years of age: In most cases fix the unit. Virtually all manufacturers provide a 5 to 10-year parts warranty on the compressor. Some manufacturers also provide a 5 or   [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat answers the question of whether it is better to repair or replace that old air conditioning system. This question is asked by many of our Customer's during the hot summer months. The answers are not always cut and dried; but if you follow the guidelines below it will help you make a better decision. Let's begin by discussing the age of your system. There has been vast improvement over the last 5 years in efficiency and reliability by all manufacturers. If your system was installed as part of your new home prior to 1992 the SEER of your unit when it was new was likely around an 8 SEER. [caption id="attachment_341" align="alignright" width="300" caption="SEER Rating Equal Cost Saving  [more info...]

Allen Tx AC Repair Service Video about your services. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjPsnV4KfuI] Thanks for watching.  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about Spring Insects in North Texas. Texas pests may be cooling down as winter settles in, but that doesn't mean that the bugs are not still there. Pest do disappear for a little while, and with most things "Out of sight, Out of mind." But you may just want to rethink that thought. Bugs don't just disappear into thin air during the winter and then magically reappear in the spring. Insects settle in for the winter and then lay and wait for that perfect moment to attack again next spring. But its best to "Be Prepared" my scoutmaster taught me years ago. Why wait for the ants and the spring crickets to attack? Wouldn't you rather eliminate those bugs now? If you ar  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Service Total Air and Heat can perform a Home Efficiency Test that will show you how much money you are wasting on energy costs. A HomeEnalasys is a high-tech check-up for your home that measures and analyzes your home's heating and air conditioning system. Certified service technicians attach sensors to supply and return air registers throughout your home, in attic or crawlspace areas and on condensing unit outside the home. The sensors measure temperature, humidity and airflow. Data is then fed back to the technician's laptop computer. This technology enables our technicians to collect real time data from multiple sources and dynamically analyze both the airflow and refrigeration sides of the HVAC system performance.   [more info...]

Plano Fence Company Texas State Fence Co. installs fences, including steel post cedar fences, and improves property values for home owners in Frisco Texas. [caption id="attachment_259" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Cedar Fencing enhances the property"][/caption] The times are changing and fences are becoming increasingly popular. In the 1950s and 1960s it was common for homes in subdivisions to not have any fencing in the back yards that would separate homes from each other. During the last 20 years the number of homes with back yard fences has grown to over 90 percent in communities such as Frisco. For Plano fence company clients, and clients in other North Texas communities, the most popular styles of fence are the boar  [more info...]

Plano Fence Installation Service owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, gives DIY advice to homeowners. [caption id="attachment_257" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Do It Yourself Fence Building"][/caption] Pretty much all fences have one thing in common... you have to dig holes. About the only type of fence that is not true of is field-stone fences. Even fences made with concrete blocks need to have a foundation that requires digging holes at some point along the fence line. Before you pick up a shovel make sure that you know what you might find under the surface. Common obstacles include irrigation lines, septic tanks and drainage fields, telephone lines, sewer lines, cable television lines, power l  [more info...]

Dallas HVAC Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat Co., continues his discussion of the Energy Saving Tax Credits... By purchasing a qualifying system you can reduce your energy costs by between 40-60%. Read that again. See, in my business a few percent savings can put hundreds of dollars in your pocket each year, so this figure is staggering. But what is really important is your indoor comfort. Engineers at TRANE have developed a comfort system that will, silently and automatically, adjust energy consumption and capacity output to meet your requirements. Think about that... This technology and the tax credit put you in control of your utility bills... not Mid-East turmoil, greed or weird weather. It is up t  [more info...]

Richardson Heating Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., reminds you that you can get a tax credit this year. [caption id="attachment_311" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Furnace Schematic Diagram"][/caption] If you and I think alike... you may feel that when the US Government tries to help average folks like us - normal hard-working people on "Main Street USA" - that "help" has a way of ending up in somebody else's pockets. Maybe I have seen it too many times. However - Would you like to have a $1500 lower tax bill for 2009? That was before Congress passed a law that truly helps normal homeowners. This one affects all of us. Last year this incredible bonus was a $500 Tax Incentive Reb  [more info...]

Dallas Air Conditioning and Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., offers some simple ideas to increase home security. [caption id="attachment_305" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Preventing Burglaries"][/caption] According to reports by the FBI and to studies done by State Farm Insurance, a home is burglarized every 15 seconds. Even worse, many of the burglaries take place in broad daylight because this is when a home is most likely to be vacant. So, while you are at work and your children are at school, your home could be the target for a crime. Fortunately, break-ins are one of the most preventable crimes. Here are a few precautionary measures to keep you home safe: Use Automatic Ti  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Repair Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, discusses local materials for building fences. In addition to wood materials for fences other popular materials are rock, concrete, brick, cinder block, stone and metals such as steel and iron. [caption id="attachment_247" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Stone and Wood Fence"][/caption] Because of the weight of stone and the high cost of transportation you will find that most stone used for fences or walls is quarried locally. In North Texas the stone that is normally used is limestone but in other parts of the country you will find other stone materials that dominate local usage. Brick is another popular material but because of the r  [more info...]

Richardson Heating Repair Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, offers tips for saving energy during winter months. [caption id="attachment_300" align="alignright" width="254" caption="Energy Savings during Winter"][/caption] With cooler weather on the way, now is the time for homeowners to plan for home improvement projects before the chill of winter sets in. And, since heating and cooling account for 44% of the average home's total energy use (according to the U.S. Department of Energy, or the "DOE"), it makes sense to find energy efficient solutions. One Way? Replacing old and leaky windows with energy efficient models can bring a significant return on investment when you consider today's high energy p  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about crickets in North Texas. Normally crickets live outdoors where their diet consists primarily of wild grasses, small weeds, and leaf litter, dead insects and organic materials. When these natural food sources dry up-usually in the late summer or fall-the crickets may begin migrating in large numbers, randomly invading homes and other buildings in their paths. Summer rains after a period of drought may also trigger migrations. When the environmental conditions are just right (a prolonged wet spring season which promotes the growth of an abundance of weeds and grasses) the cricket population can build up into astronomical numbers. When fall comes and their habi  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams, President of Service 1st Pest and Lawn Management, gives some advice on how to get rid of those pesky small flies in your kitchen area. You must remove the food source and eliminate breeding areas to achieve control of fruit flies, fungus nats and phorid flies. These small flies have a life-cycle of 10 days; sanitation is the only effective resolution. Service 1st Pest and Lawn can perform a chemical treatment and/or place traps, but this will only kill adults and briefly knock down the population. The breeding cycle must be broken with good sanitation. Address these frequent problems: Clean floor drains well. This is the main harborage area for fruit flies and phorid flies. Laun  [more info...]

Dallas Heating and Air Conditioning Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, talks about balance in your HVAC System. Are some rooms in your home more comfortable than others? All rooms are not alike. Some are warmer when you'd rather they be cool, some are cooler when you'd rather they be warm. How is this happening? A number of variables could be having an impact. For example, direct exposure to sunlight heats up a room - good in winter, not so good in summer. [caption id="attachment_285" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Heat and Air Duct System"][/caption] Electronics could play a role here, if high-speed computers and accessories are plugged in, powered up and producing heat. The hei  [more info...]

Dallas Heating System Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, offers thoughts for the winter season. That shift you notice in the weather is not your imagination. It is your Calendar. Yes, change is in the air. Of course, as I watch everything going on out there, I can't help but think it's not just the season that's changing - but the whole world! [caption id="attachment_289" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Winterizing your Home Saves Money."][/caption] We sure are living in interesting times. Whether you're Twittering or texting, friending folks on Facebook, or getting LinkedIn to MySpace, we've got lots of ways to talk about what's on our minds. So what's our two cents worth on some of the  [more info...]

Dallas Fence Repair Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, discusses wood fence material options. Not all wood fences are created equal. The quality of the wood makes a big difference in the quality of the fence. There are a number of options for wood materials to consider when building a fence and understanding the differences can help you to make a better informed choice. [caption id="attachment_239" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Lumber Yard"][/caption] In general there are three types of wood that you can use for your fence, without getting into extremely high priced exotic woods. The three woods are pine, cedar and redwood. In North Texas the most common material is pine, followed by ced  [more info...]

Dallas Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, installs custom wood fencing for homeowners. [caption id="attachment_233" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Custom Residential Wood Fence"][/caption] While fence styles have not changed much over the years the materials that are available have undergone some significant improvements and changes over recent decades. A major new material on the market is a variety of plastics and hybrids that combine plastics with other materials such as wood fibers or stone. Additionally, metal has undergone a rebirth of popularity as a core material to the industry. In the North Texas area the single most popular residential fencing material is still wood due t  [more info...]

Plano Heating Repair Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, offers some simple tips to help improve the comfort of your home or office. [caption id="attachment_275" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Floor Grill"][/caption] This is the 2nd part of a series of articles that I am writing which covers issues that impact your comfort level in your home or office. In addition, I will address ways to reduce your cooling and heating bills, and extend the life of your HVAC system. In this article I will be discussing grill placement, and properly locating supply and return grills which is an absolute must in order to be comfortable. Unfortunately, grill location is typically dictated by what is cheapest to inst  [more info...]

Allen Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company,offers custom pool fencing options for North Texas home owners. Every year in the United States thousands of children drown or are seriously injured in accidents related to home swimming pools. The vast majority of these sad occurrences could have been prevented simply by having special pool barrier fences installed. Except for a very few instances these tragedies occurred when adults were not present and a fence would have made a difference. Most cities have specific pool fencing ordinances that require at a minimum that the back yard be fenced if there is a pool in the yard. The height and type of fence are often specified and fines may be assessed for f  [more info...]

Plano Fences are installed by Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company. Fence Repair and Automatic Gate Installation are also offered. Controlling the elements is almost as important as privacy and animal control as being a reason for fencing. Fences are often installed for shade and as windbreaks. Fences that are incorporated into the design of the back yard, especially when incorporated into an arbor or gazebo, can help to make a hot Texas August more comfortable. Fences are also used to hid unsightly views such as commercial or multi-family properties, and are used to help control noise from adjacent properties. Pool fencing is especially important because controlling who has access to your pool is not only a safet  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Skunks". This time of year we always get a few calls concerning skunks around the house. This usually occurs when skunks are looking for a place to over winter. The chances that Skunks will set up house near you are increased if there is a food source, especially trash dumpsters. Most of the time they will dig and nest uner porches or in crawl spaces. Skunks are relatively easy to live trap. Removeing them is the hard part. Canned pet food or sardines work well as bait. Once you have them in the trap, get a dark colored bed sheet and slowly approach the trap holding the sheet up so the skunk cannot see you. throw the sheet   [more info...]

Frisco Fence Repair Companyowner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., builds fences for people and for horses. [caption id="attachment_199" align="alignright" width="304" caption="Vinyl Horse Fence"][/caption] Good horse fences must be strong enough to contain a horse pressing against the fence, visible to the horse so that it does not damage the horse due to surprise, and at least 5 foot in height to discourage the horse from trying to jump the fence. Be sure to check your local fence ordinances as some ordinances require that the height be a minimum of six feet. If you keep stallions you should plan for a higher fence as their desire to escape enclosures is greater and they have been known to take risks with jumping l  [more info...]

Richardson Heating and Air Conditioning Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., has ways to improve your indoor air quality. REDUCE INDOOR AIR POLLUTION & HEALTH RISKS Many of us live in homes with unhealthy indoor air quality and we do not know it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks indoor air pollution as among the top five environmental health risks, with studies indicating that indoor levels of many pollutants can be up to more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. Even the cleanest homes can allow indoor pollutants to flourish. Your HVAC system can collect a variety of insidious contaminants, including bacteria, mold spores, fungi, pollen, pet dander, toxic particles and dust, and re  [more info...]

Plano Fence Repair Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., discusses animal control fencing. In North Texas there are two types of animals that are common, both of which require specialized fencing to control their movement and restrict their ability to leave your property. Both horses and dogs are common pets in North Texas. Granted, there are many more homes with dogs than there are with horses, both are common fence issues that arise. In this article we will discuss fencing designed to prevent your dogs from escaping the back yard. In a future article we will discuss fencing designed specifically for horses. [caption id="attachment_190" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Dog Digging Under Fence"][/ca  [more info...]

Plano Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., builds all kinds of fences including horse fences and other animal control fencing. One of the most common and important functions of fences is to keep pets enclosed and protected, while excluding other animals from your property. There is not single type of fence that accomplishes all of the above purposes. The type of fence needed depends on the type of animals that you want to enclose or exclude. If you have a problem with deer where you live you may need fencing the provides a barrier to deer. Since deer can jump quite high and can cover a large distance in a single bound deer fences must be either high, deep, or a combination of both. The height must acc  [more info...]

Plano Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., builds fences that hide unpleasant views, and fences for security, privacy, and decoration. Many home owners have properties that have views that are less than perfect. Whether the view is of a neighboring property that is not well kept, or if it is a commercial view, the fact is that many people simply want to hide their neighboring properties from view when in the back yard, etc. This may be equivalent to sweeping the dirt under the rug, but, is often a very cost effective solution to a problem that occurs frequently. [caption id="attachment_179" align="alignright" width="300" caption="White Picket Fence"][/caption] Fencing can also be used to hide thing  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "When to use baits to treat ants and when to use pesticides". Ants are one of the most common and difficult to treat pests in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. There are several different species of ants and ants can nest in different areas ranging from in the ground to in attics and everthing in between. Several people have asked if they should use bait to treat ants or simply spray insecticides in the areas where ants are seen. The main thing to remember is that effective ant control requires colony elimination. Simply killing dozens of worker ants will not eliminate the problem. When thinking about ant control you have to think about t  [more info...]

Richardson AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., offers tips from Energy Efficiency Experts [caption id="attachment_230" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Home AC Duct Schematic"][/caption] Is your air conditioning system prepared to handle the blistering summer heat? Now is the perfect time to install that new, energy-efficient air conditioning system you have been thinking about, or get your existing system in shape before the heat wave strikes. Fortunately, you can count on family-owned and operated Total Air and Heat for sales assistance, installation, maintenance and repair services of the highest quality, from trained and experienced professionals. SERVING THE METROPLEX FOR 50 YEARS  [more info...]

Garland AC Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. Describes Things That Impact Your Comfort [caption id="attachment_227" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Truss Mounted HVAC Ducts"][/caption] Part 1-Duct Design This is the 1st in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your comfort level in your home or office. In addition I will address ways to reduce your cooling and heating bills, and extend the life of your HVAC system. I would like to begin by discussing duct design, it seems to be one of those dark secrets that many air conditioning and heating contractors don't want to talk about. Yet a correctly installed and designed duct system yields the biggest benefits  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Rover Ants". Rover ants have become a huge problem for home owners and Professional Exterminators in the Dallas Fortworth Metroplex. We do not know much about this species. Colonies nest in soil and leaf litter, often under covering objects such as stones. I have also suspected them nesting under the foundation and/or porches and sidewalks. These ants feed on a variety of sweet and greasy food sources and they reproduce at an extremely high rate. They first started showing up in this area about 6 years ago and you can find them foraging on or near just about every house in the metroplex. Home owners complain when they find these a  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Fall Pre Emergence Herbicide for Your Lawn". If you are not overseeding your lawn, which I recommended you don't, It is about time to apply Fall Pre Emergence Herbicide. Fall Pre Emergence Herbicide is applied at this time of year to help control Winter Annual Weeds. In North Texas that means Henbit, Annual Blue Grass, Dandelions, and Rescue Grass. Most professional lawn care companies will use a liquid pre emergence herbicide which works best because you get more complete coverage over the area to be treated. If you plan to do it yourself, granular products are recommended because they do not require special spray equipment and the  [more info...]

McKinney TX Automatic Gate Repair Service owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co. discusses easements and boundary lines related to fencing issues. Easements must be considered when designing a fence. An easement is a property use agreement that supersedes the property owners rights. Easements are avenues of access that must be granted to persons other than the property owner and which give those persons the right to enter or traverse the property at their will for a variety of purposes. Fences can not be constructed that interfere with the rights of the easement owner (as opposed to the property owner). The easement owner may be a utility company that has a statutory right to cross the property to maintain and service pu  [more info...]

Allen TX Automatic Gate Repair Service owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., discusses Fence Laws and how they impact fencing decisions. When you want to build a fence the best place to start your research is to contact the local building code enforcement department at city where you live. All North Texas Cities have building codes that affect fences and you should make sure that you know what is and what is not permitted in your city. If you live in a community where there is a Home Owners Association the next thing you should do is check your HOA documents, or contact the HOA directly, and determine what restrictions, if any, are placed on your ability to build a fence. While HOA restrictions can not give you permis  [more info...]

Frisco Automatic Gate Repair Service owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co. continues the history of fencing with another installment. While the Medieval socities struggled with the evolution of fencing and how it impacted the concept of private versus public property by the time that settlers from Europe began to arrive in America there had been developed a stable model for how fences impacted the community and where and where their uses were suitable in a 'modern' society. Many of the early colonies had legal statutes addressing fences and generally the consensus was that fences were suitable for enclosing land that was being farmed, or yards surrounding a home, but were not suitable for enclosing property that was eit  [more info...]

Plano Automatic Gate Repair Service owner Sean Eubanks is President of Texas State Fence Co. In this article Sean offers a brief history of fencing. As a modern society the concept of a fence as a privacy barrier and as a tool to screen out prying eyes seems like a very ordinary concept. The well established right to fence your private property seems almost inherently obvious, yet, throughout history the evolution of property rights and the usage of fencing has changed dramatically. What is now considered a normal and accepted expression of private property ownership was once considered a radical and dangerous affront to the communal rights of society. Of course homo-sapiens grew up as hunters and gatherers. Human society gradually mo  [more info...]

Richardson TX Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., offers some tips to help you get ready for Winter. What you need to know about your heating system: Many homeowners do not realize the importance of checking their heating system on a yearly basis. Like many things in your home, the heating system is typically ignored until it breaks. Lack of maintenance is costing you money from higher utility bills, shortening equipment life, and can be a serious safety issue. Natural gas prices are projected to increase by 30% this year. Electric rates will likely rise as Natural Gas prices increase. Most Utility companies use Natural Gas to generate electricity. If your heating and air conditioning system   [more info...]

Richardson TX AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., tells how to save money cooling or heating your home or office. Steve Lauten routinely publishes articles with advice on how to reduce your energy costs, both during the hot summer months and during the cooler winter months. This articles was published in a newsletter that Steve sends to his clients and has been re-published here for your reading pleasure. [caption id="attachment_218" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Dirty Air Ducts can affect system efficiency."][/caption] We have already had a small sample of 100 degree weather this year and the last time it hit 100 degrees in April was 1925. Were you ready for these temperatures, and  [more info...]

Texas State Fence Co. has been installing Plano Fences and Automatic Gates for homeowners for over 15 years and takes great care to do it right the first time, each time. What is a fence? That may seem like a simple questions but the answer begs a story. Fences change the landscape and can disrupt views and change well traveled paths. Because of this the changes that are created by fences can create discomfort as readily as having a positive impact. Sometimes a fence is just a fence, however, a Fence can be much more than just a fence. All through history fences have symbolized many things. While often being objects of beauty they are also responsible for inciting strife between classes, inducing advances in agriculture, and have be  [more info...]

Allen TX AC Repair Service offers the Top 5 Things You Can Do To Save Money Cooling Your Home This Summer: Get a professional tune-up performed on your a/c unit. Approximate cost is $75-$100 and includes cleaning the coil on your outdoor unit. If done properly the cost spent will be recovered in reduced operating costs and it will extend the life of your unit. Clean Air Filters-The most overlooked item and critical to keep you're a/c unit properly operating. If you use 1" standard filters, change them every 30 days in the summer, if you use 1" pleated change every 60 days, 4"-5" inch pleated filters should be changed every 6-12 months. Proper Attic Ventilation-Many homes attics are way too hot! Be sure your attic has enough air   [more info...]

Frisco AC and Heating Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., has advice for slowing down when you are going too fast. Steve Lauten routinely makes presentations to his peers at the annual Air Conditioning Contractors Association Meetings for the North Texas Chapter. Here is a talk that he gave in the Summer of 2006. This is presented to give you insight into how one of the most successful HVAC Contractors in Texas runs his business. It is our hope that knowing how a reputable, high quality, HVAC Contractor runs his business will help you understand why you should select such a company to help when you need AC or Heating repair services. I'm Going Fast! Here we are about ½ ways thru August and it's   [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten reports: We Beat the Heat, Heated The Country, and Blitzed Habitat For Humanity. What's Next? Every year Steve Lauten devotes much of his personal energy to helping those members of his profession that are struggling to learn more about how to build a better business. Having higher quality standards, better trained employees, and presenting a better image to the public helps all of the members of the Air Conditioning Contractors Association. Higher quality providers do a better job for customers and everyone benefits. Here is a note that Steve circulated to local members encouraging voluntary participation in the local industry association that promotes these goals. Let me begin by saying   [more info...]

Plano Heating Repair Companyowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., picked up some words of wisdom about how to improve customer service. The following is a report that Steve Lauten gave to local HVAC Contractors following his visit to an industry associate trade show in 2006. The following gives some insight into how Steve runs his business and is presented so that you the reader may better understand how Steve focuses on quality of service in every aspect of his business. As promised I am reporting on some of the sessions I attended at the ACCA National Convention in San Jose. Over the years I have attended many HVAC conventions and always came away with enough ideas to make it worth my time. I left this conventio  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Controlling Rats and Mice". Get ready for the fall invasion of Rats and Mice. This time of year Rats and Mice begin looking for places to overwinter. Your garage or attic make a perfect spot. Inside there is food, water and shelter. The best way to fight this battle is limiting rodent access to food, water and shelter around your home. Remove Food Sources: Remove food sources around your house. Some of the things that attract rodents to your property are Bird feeders, pet food dishes and trash cans. Rats and Mice love bird food. As a matter of fact most rodent bait is made with bird seed. If you or your neighbors have bird  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Service Texas State Fence Co. installs fences, including steel post cedar fences, and improves property values for home owners in Frisco Texas. The times are changing and fences are becoming increasingly popular. In the 1950s and 1960s it was common for homes in subdivisions to not have any fencing in the back yards that would separate homes from each other. During the last 20 years the number of homes with back yard fences has grown to over 90 percent in communities such as Frisco. For Frisco fence company clients, and clients in other North Texas communities, the most popular styles of fence are the board-on-board and stockade styles with cedar wood or cedar stain. Most fences being installed have steel posts due to t  [more info...]

Plano fence service, Texas State Fence Co., installs fences, including steel post cedar fences, and improves property values for home owners in Frisco Texas. The times are changing and fences are becoming increasingly popular. In the 1950s and 1960s it was common for homes in subdivisions to not have any fencing in the back yards that would separate homes from each other. During the last 20 years the number of homes with back yard fences has grown to over 90 percent in communities such as Frisco. For Frisco fence company clients, and clients in other North Texas communities, the most popular styles of fence are the board-on-board and stockade styles with cedar wood or cedar stain. Most fences being installed have steel posts due to   [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Fall Fire Ants". Fire Ants are very active in North Texas during the Fall Season. The reason is they have been growing their colonies all Summer long unnoticed. They are un noticed because when it is dry they go deeper under ground where there is moisture present. When it gets cooler in the fall they not only move there colonies above ground creating mounds but are also very active establishing new colonies. Treating fire ant mounds in the fall is very important. If left untreated, they might move under your house when the weather gets cold looking for a place to over winter. Many times they begin showing up in bathrooms and other   [more info...]

Allen Air Conditioning and Heating owner Steve Lauten has grown his business into one of the most respected in the Industry. Steve's thoughts on marketing provide insight into how he runs his business. This can help you decide if Steve is the kind of business owner you want to trust with your commercial and residential service needs. This article is the text of a talk that Steve gave to an Industry gathering of his peers. What Kind of Marketing Does Your Company Use? As I reflect upon the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl, I have to ask myself "Did the massive amount of money spent on a 30 second commercial pay for itself?" Can you remember the commercials from the Super Bowl? There were a few that I can remember the commerc  [more info...]

Frisco Air Conditioning and Heating Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Plano based Total Air and Heat, shares with his peers how to NOT go out of business quickly. Some Like It Hot, but not on a Tin Roof As I sit here writing this message the forecast is one that I really like, mid to high 90's for the next 5 days. Most people outside our industry think we are crazy! Just for the record we are not crazy, just extremists. The perfect outdoor conditions are 10 degrees or 110 degrees without a cloud in the sky and nice dry pavement. You know we are not the only ones that like a real hot summer, swimming pool contractors, outdoor water themes parks, the "Ice Cream" man, Just Add Water swim suit store, sun tan lotion makers, boat dea  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Do It Yourself Lawn Overseeding" Many homeowners in the North Texas area overseed their Bermuda Grass Lawns with Winter Rye grass. This gives the lawn a lush green look through the winter that is eye catching. The recommendation is often made by the home owner's lawn service company. Of course having actively growing grass through the winter keeps them busy and helps boost their revenues through the slow winter months. I usually do not recommend overseeding for two reasons: First, the Rye grass takes nutrients out of the soil that would normally be stored up for use by the Bermuda grass in the spring and summer. Second, the Rye gras  [more info...]

McKinney Heating and Air Conditioning owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Company, recommends that his peers should offer First Class Service. Note: This article is the text of a speed that Steve Lauten gave to the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors Association) in July 2006. This article gives you some personal insight into how Steve runs his business with an intense focus on First Class Service. *********************************************************** As I sit here writing this article, I'm wishing I was back on my flight to Hawaii that I took in May. It was the first family vacation in six years with both kids and needless to say, Janice, my wife was in heaven the entire time! It was also my wife's firs  [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning and Heating owner Steve Lauten discusses the Next Generation of consumers and how businesses need to prepare for a new type of customer. Note: Steve Lauten routinely speaks to his peers at conferences and conventions for the Air Conditioning industry. This is a talk that he gave to the ACCA-NTX Convention in January 2006. It gives you some insight into how Steve runs his business. **************************************************** How many of you are old enough to remember the original Star Trek Television Series? I am sure I am not the only reader of this newsletter that had to make the tough decision of watching Star Trek or The Wild, Wild, West when they ran in the 1960's. I am sure you are asking yo  [more info...]

Allen Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks of Texas State Fence Co. recommends all homes with a swimming pool install perimeter fencing. Accidental drowning was the third leading cause of death for young children between in the United States during 1997. Studies have repeatedly shown that almost half of all swimming pool drownings occur in the child's home pool. Pool Perimeter fencing not only makes sound sense but most states and or cities have legislation that require homes with pools install perimeter fences to protect children from accidental drowning. Brain damage can occur as quickly as within four to six minutes and survival without impairment is unusual if submersion occurs for greater than five minutes. Property line fencing is   [more info...]

Frisco Fence Repair Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., helps improve property values by installing and maintaining fences. In the last 50 years fences have become increasingly popular. During the 50s and 60s it was normal for homes in subdivisions not to have any fences separating their back yards from each other. Es[ecially over the last 20 years the percentage of homes with fenced back yard has increased to over 90 percent in communities such as Frisco. For clients of Texas State Fence Company the most popular styles of fence has become the board-on-board and stockade styles constructed with cedar wood or with pine that has a cedar stain applied. Most new fences that are installed are installed with stee  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Do It Yourself Cicada Killer Wasp" control. Home owner's often become alarmed this time of year with the emergence of the Cicada Killer Wasp. Their appearance is ominous, but they rarely sting. The females can sting but rarely sting people unless it is an accident. The males are more aggressive in protecting the nest but do not have stingers. They will fly towards people trying to scare them away from the nest but usually shy away at the last minute. If left untreated they can become numerous in one area even though they are a solitary wasp not a social wasp. I have seen dozens nesting in one flower bed at times. When  [more info...]

Richardson Air Conditioning Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Company, has tips growing your business. Steve Lauten is a current member and a former Director (on the Board) of the Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ACA). The ACA is devoted to helping professionals in the air conditioning business learn from each other about how to provide a higher quality set of services and products in a manner that allows them to offer competitive prices to the consumer. It is important to note that many people selling and installing home air and heat system do not stay in business because they do not know how to price their services and manage their businesses well enough to make a fair profit that allows them t  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Repair Companyowner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, talks about the fencing industry. We live in a part of the United States that is blessed with fair weather most of the year. True it gets a little hot during July and August but that is balanced most years by winters that are mild enough to get outside and enjoy your yard, and golfing and other out door activities, most of the winter. Our Spring season can be a little windy and we do get the occasionally wind storm. Hail storms are also not uncommon, but, we are fortunate not to have too many tornado's in the North Texas area. That is a threat that our neighbors to the north suffer more than we do. The extremes of heat and cold do have a very neg  [more info...]

Plano Fence Repair Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., recommends that you replace damaged wood posts with steel. It is a simple fact that steel posts are stronger than wood posts. Properly installed steel posts can withstand significantly greater wind stress loads that wood posts. Steel posts have the added benefit of not being susceptible to wood destroying insects. Steel posts also resist water damage if the steel is either stainless or galvanized. Simply put, if you are planning on living in your home for the long term you will want to lower the maintenance costs and reduce the probability of wind damage. [more info... ] Allen Fence Repair Company owner, Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence C  [more info...]

Allen Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, discusses some common wood fence options. So, you just finished another project and you have some lumber leftover and you are interested in building awood fence. Here are some things to consider. There are some important considerations to keep in mind when you shop for wood fence materials because the lumber will be in direct contact with the ground and will be exposed to the natural elements. [more info... ] Plano Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, answers your questions about fencing. Q: I have some lumber leftover from another project and I am interested in building awood fence. What should I consider? The  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Do It Yourself Termite Control" Do it yourself termite control is a risky business. There are products on the market at your local Home Improvement store that are designed for do it yourself termite control. In Texas we mostly deal with Subterranean Termites. The products available are mainly synthetic pyrethroids, Imadicloprid and termite bait stations. There are very few professional pest control operators that use synthetic pyrethroids. These products are widely used for general use pesticides but do not provide the efficacy required for long term termite control. Imadicloprid, sold under the product name PREMISE, was the first ge  [more info...]

Plano Dentist, Dr. Denton Wiginton, provides services at his Plano Dental Office located near the S. E. corner of Coit and Legacy. The first thing that you will notice when you visit Dr. Wiginton will be that his office is packed with the latest technology. Now, I am a bit of a techno-geek and I love it when my Dentist has more advanced imaging technology than anything that I have dreamed of. What is doubly interesting is that when you first meet Dr. Wiginton you will notice that he is a very quiet, non-assuming, almost a shy person, but, the truth is that he is so extremely confident of his abilities that he has absolutely no need to be gregarious or outgoing about his own skills. His ego is completely in check and I think that is an aw  [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten routinely gives industry speaches about business management. Here he talks about "Rate of Learning" The only advantage any organization has is... "It's Rate of Learning" As a business owner I am always looking for a magic bullet that will give me an advantage over my competitors. I want one that is only mine and nobody else can have it. Does this sound familiar? If you look at virtually any successful American Corporation, or for that matter any in the World, nobody has a magic bullet forever. Whether it's a miracle drug, or a super widget, eventually the patents run out, or somebody takes the original idea and makes a better one. IBM made the first personal computer, now they don't m  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Companyowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, TX reflects on the state of our country as he looks back on 2006. A Year to Celebrate! As I sit here writing my message this month I am reflecting on what changes occurred in our Nation, our State, and our Chapter. The recent elections should send a strong message to everybody that the "status quo" just got its butt kicked. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I liked the strong message sent, in particular the changes in Dallas County with the majority of the judges losing re-election is cause for concern. My main point being is I really don't see what politics has to do with being a judge at the County level? The focal point should be is the  [more info...]

Allen Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, discusses some common wood fence options. So, you just finished another project and you have some lumber leftover and you are interested in building awood fence. Here are some things to consider. There are some important considerations to keep in mind when you shop for wood fence materials because the lumber will be in direct contact with the ground and will be exposed to the natural elements. You should be cautions of what type of wood you select because not all lumber is equally suited to be used as wood fence materials. Because the wood in a fence is exposed to the weather it should be made of a rot-resistant wood such as cedar. A good alternative i  [more info...]

Plano Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company, answers your questions about fencing. Q: I have some lumber leftover from another project and I am interested in building awood fence. What should I consider? There are specific considerations when you shop for lumber for a wood fence because the lumber will be in direct contact with the ground.... A: You must be carefull what lumber you select because not all lumber is suitable for wood fencing. Because the lumber in a fence is exposed to the elements it should be made of a rot-resistant wood such as cedar or it should pressure-treated lumber. The lumber should also be painted or stained. Fence Posts are usually 4 x 4 lumber that is at least 8' lon  [more info...]

Allen AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten talks candidly about increasing sales and about how profits benefit the customer. Originally offered as a presentation in August 2006 to his peers at an industry seminar the topic of the talk was: How Much Money Are You Leaving On The Table Per Sale? The purpose of th presentation was to help his peers consider how they can best serve the consumer by both offering options that help the consumer and lead to a more profitable business. Profits are what keep the business viable and allow them to serve the consumer. How Much Money Are You Leaving On The Table Per Sale? This Applies to both Commercial and Residential Sales! I talked a lot this year about understanding your costs when pricing   [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano Texas speaks to his industry peers about quality control. This is an article that Steve Lautan presented to an Industry Association. The article title is: I Can See Clearly Now The Pain Is Gone I don't know about you, but it seems to me in my quest to stay on top of the quality improvement process I take 2 steps forward and 1 step backwards most of the time. Sometimes I do the opposite! Regardless of how many steps I take to enhance quality, it seems like there is always pain associated with change. The pain is not always mine, it normally belongs to those who believe "we have always done it that way" why change now? I will be honest in  [more info...]

Frisco Airconditioning and Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, talks about success. Total Air and Heat has been in business ofer 50 years. Do You Own Your Company or Does It Own You? This question has always been one that I have asked myself and to be honest the answers have changed over the years depending on what stage my company was at. Let me begin by saying that the problems I am discussing are for the most part due to a lack of business knowledge. I started in this business as a technician and most HVAC companies get their beginnings the same way. There is a key difference in my case, I was blessed to have a father who worked for an Aerospace manufacturer during the day and ran his HVAC busine  [more info...]

Plano Airconditioning and Heating Company talks about summer heat. In 2007 Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat in Plano gave the following address to an industry convention. The Summer that Never Showed Up! So here we are about to celebrate Labor Day and I am asking will it ever get really hot this summer? To be honest..... I doubt we are going to see many more days above 100. So what do we do now? Get ready for winter? My answer is you have to look for all of the opportunity on each call you run. Whether it's a service or sales call, you must go slow enough to completely assess the needs of that customer. It might be a Commercial customer that has 20 year old package rooftops and a duct system more snarled that DFW   [more info...]

McKinney fence repair service (Texas State Fence Company) installs ornamental iron and aluminum fencing as well as traditional wood fences. Many people consider Ornamental Iron Fences to be the most desirable type of fencing. In terms of aesthetics, current trends and durability it is often favored over wood. While iron fencing is a decorative addition to your home it also provides extra security measures and durability. Likewise, automatic door openers and gate openers made from ornamental iron can be both decorative and a durable security solution. A current trend in modern homes is a powder coated galvanized steel. Powder coatings will not only allow the homeowner to choose from a wide array of colors but it provides corrosion   [more info...]

Frisco fence repair company owner Sean Eubanks of Texas State Fence Co. offers D-I-Y advice to home owners wanting to install their own fencing. Interested in tackling the building and designing your own fence for your yard? There is a little homework to do before you get your hammer out. Always, check with your city zoning and building codes and Home Owners Association. The last thing you want to do is put all that hard work and expense into a fence only to find out it violates your home owner association requirements. If you don't already know where the utility lines are located contact your local utility department to find out where the lines are laid. And finally, if you are friendly with your neighbors touch base with them bef  [more info...]

Allen fence repair company Texas State Fence Company has been installing fences and improving property values for home owners in Frisco Texas for since 2001. A lot of us grew up with no fences separating our yards or perhaps just small picket fence property dividers. Today builders are trying to fit more houses onto smaller lots, fences and privacy fences have almost become a necessity. Instead of Tom Sawyer's white washed picket fences we are seeing the popular board-on-board and stockade styles with cedar wood or cedar stain. Wooden posts are decreasing in popularity only to be replaced by steel posts. Fence owners are finding the steel posts to be a stronger choice over time especially in regard to withstanding termites and high winds  [more info...]

Plano Fence Repair Service owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., provides us with some advice on how to shop for automatic gate openers. In the market for an automatic gate opener for your driveway but don't know where or how to start researching the subject? Look no further, Plano Fence company owner, Sean Eubanks of Texas State Fence Company has provided some concise things to look for when in the market for automatic gate installations. First things first, what will be your power source? Similar to the battery in your car an automatic gate opener takes a 12 Volt DC power source. Naturally, the battery needs to be recharged either on a continual basis or periodical basis. Most of us however are not going to remembe  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers tips to control the weeds that come with summer and invade your yard. Now that summer is here, the tough summer grassy weeds will start to grow. Here are some tips on controlling them. Weed Control In the summer time we move our focus from winter and spring annual broadleaf weeds to summer grassy weeds. In Texas that means Crabgrass and Dallis grass. These two summer grassy weeds are very difficult to manage. Use Google to identify which one you are dealing with. It is a good Idea to make an additional pre emergent application on the lawn between May 1st and May 15th. This may prevent some Dallis grass and Crabgrass seeds from germina  [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Company in Plano offers tips to lower your energy costs and raise system efficiency. Maintenance Agreements Do you really want to pay more for less? That would not make sense. Become a member in our Maintenance Agreement Program and you will PAY LESS for MORE!. Membership entitles you to priority service response in case of emergency during busy peak seasons, discounts on repairs, PLUS you will reap the benefits of a more efficient system and lower energy costs. It just makes sense. Programmable Thermostats - Just Set It then Forget It! With a programmable thermostat you program your ideal temperature for comfort and savings. Then, let it adjus  [more info...]

Allen AC Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Company in Plano has been a foul and fair weather friend to home owners since 1957. "Well Friends, here we are again. The temperatures are getting warmer and Spring has come and gone. If you are like me you enjoy the start of the new season. A change of seasons and scenery does us all some good. Spring gave us a chance to catch our breath before the start of the summer heat and Spring gives us a chance to catch up on chores that we let slide during the colder, grayer, winter months. As a professional in the business of making your indoor climate comfortable our busiest seasons are, naturally, the winter and summer months when the climate offers the extremes of  [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat in Plano, warns of rapid expansion of inexperienced vendors in N. Texas. The old adage of what goes up must come down applies to many different phenomena in life. It certainly applies to commodity prices, but it also applies to the movement of people in our society. The recent rapid decline in the new home construction industry across the U.S. has created two disturbing recent trends in North Texas. As we all know the North Texas economy, while certainly not humming along like it was a couple of years ago, it is still relatively strong when considered against the back drop of the recession impacting the United States. As a result we are seeing many people rel  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat in Plano, warns of indoor air summer pollutants that can cause health problems. There are two times of year when the weather drives us indoors... the dead of winter when it is too cold, and the dog days of summer when it gets too hot. During those times we tend to spend more time indoors where we can benefit from the comforts afforded us by our heating and cooling systems. Unfortunately, each of these seasonal swings presents some air quality challenges that should be considered. Indoor air quality has become so serious that the EPA has begun to address the issue with special studies to assess the extent of the danger. EPA studies of indoor air pollutants have   [more info...]

Plano Fence Repair Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., recommends that you replace damaged wood posts with steel. It is a simple fact that steel posts are stronger than wood posts. Properly installed steel posts can withstand significantly greater wind stress loads that wood posts. Steel posts have the added benefit of not being susceptible to wood destroying insects. Steel posts also resist water damage if the steel is either stainless or galvanized. Simply put, if you are planning on living in your home for the long term you will want to lower the maintenance costs and reduce the probability of wind damage. Sean recommends that you contact your insurance agent and discuss the impact that steel posts will   [more info...]

Allen Fence Repair Company owner, Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., has seen a spike in requests for fence repairs. The storms that came through the Dallas Fort Worth area on June 10th and 11th 2009 caused tremendous damage to fences. Straight line winds of up to 80 miles per hour and a few reported 'twisters', rotational wind events, damaged hundreds of fences in North Texas. Damages ranged from the minimal level of a few pickets blown out of a panel, to wholesale failure of the posts and hangers causing complete loss of fence rows in some cases. An interesting observation is that fences which had been constructed with steel posts properly set in concrete had a much higher survival rate than fences with wood posts, Of  [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, Texas, often speaks to industry groups about the importance of training. "The way you treat your employees is the way they treat your Customers! Keep that in mind when it's 105 degrees outside, and you ask your techs to run another service call, or your installers to do another job. All I am saying is to make sure your employees know you appreciate what they do for your company and its customers. Tell them Thank You! Keep a call log for Call Backs-record every call back by employee. Review the call back and see if it shows an opportunity for training? The purpose of the log is find opportunities to support your employees. Speaking of call  [more info...]

(Plano AC Repair Service Owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat Co presented the following to the ACCA-NTX Board of Directors at the 2007 Annual Meeting.) As things wrap up for the ACCA-NTX fiscal year I wanted to reflect on a few things. The most important words I have to say to each of you reading this article: You need to make sure you thank the 2007 Board of Directors for the efforts they made on your behalf. I can assure you that each Board member went above and beyond to volunteer their time to address a vast array of opportunities and challenges presented to them. This year in particular has required a lot of thoughtful consideration to insure all size contractors and their needs were considered when the new Technician Regist  [more info...]

McKinney TX AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., talks about things you can do to reduce your energy costs. There does not seem to be much good news coming from the energy news these days. While prices are well below the peaks of last summer the recent trend has been back up and that bodes ill for your summer energy bills. Since heating and cooling your home accounts for nearly half of you home's energy consumption even minor cost increases can strain already tight budgets. I thought this might be a good time to provide a quick list of things you can do to keep your summer cooling costs at a minimum: Do your own energy assessment: Visit the Energy Star Home Advisor website at www.energystar.gov/  [more info...]

There are many potential benefits of automatic gates as described by Frisco Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Company. The three main reasons that people install automatic gates on their home driveway are: 1) Security: An electric driveway gate completes the security perimter of your property and when properly connected to a high wall or fence can be a strong deterrent to unwanted entry. This is especially true of the casual, opportunistic form of home invasion or burglary. If you do not have a solid gate there is very little benefit of having a solid fence around your home. If you leave your gates open all of the time because of the inconvenience of getting out to open and close the gates you have a mu  [more info...]

Plano Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, President of Texas State Fence Co., offers some practical considerations for installing an automatic gate on your drive. There are several things that you should consider when selecting and installing an automatic gate opener: 1) Power Source Most Automatic Gate Openers are powered by 12 volt DC power sources. 12 Volt DC Power is what your car battery uses an you can use many components from the automotive parts supply house if you wish. The battery will need to be charged either on a continual basis or periodically. Since it is not typically practical to remove the battery and charge it there are a variety of recharging systems that are available. The most common is to run a 110 Volt AC pow  [more info...]

Frisco HVAC Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., warns of homes that are too air tight. Proper ventilation is essential to good quality indoor air. We are all too familiar with the pressure to conserve energy, lower our costs, and protect the environment. But often our efforts have the exact opposite effect of what we intend. This is particularly true with the trend of making new homes air tight. The recent wave of air-tight construction has accomplished its goal. We now can effectively keep outside air outside and the air we have heated or cooled inside of the home where it belongs. But wait, as with any good prescription there are side effects that must be considered. Air that had previously been coming a  [more info...]

Allen HVAC Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., warns consumers to beware of potential scams from unlicensed technicians. Let the buyer beware is sage advice but even the most astute shopper can fall victim to a bad purchase, or worse, become the target of a feloneous scam. Typical schemes appeal the the natural desire to save money and start with a statement similar to... "A sweet deal like this does not come around often". When you hear a technician offering you a deal that is too good to be true be sure to keep a close guard on your wallet. While not every good deal is a scam and not every interesting proposal is an invitation to disaster you need to keep a sense of proportion and you should always get   [more info...]

Plano HVAC Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., helps reduce health problems by cleaning the air inside of your home. Did you know that every day 11 people in America die from Asthma? Did you know that since 1980 Asthma related deaths have risen by 50% overall and by nearly 80% in children under 19? Given the above it is hard to think of a more pressing topic than the quality of the air in your home. For each of the last 17 years the EPA has ranked indoor air pollution among the top 5 environmental risks to public health. Even though it is well know that indoor air quality is a major concern statistics continue to show that little progress has been made toward cleaning up the air inside of our homes. Even i  [more info...]

Plano Fence Company owner Sean Eubanks, of Texas State Fence Co., offers fence care and maintenance advice for your fence. This is the last in a series of articles about installing your own fence and taking care of it. Prior articles in the series include: Allen Fence Company provides instructions for D-I-Y fence builders McKinney fence company - DIY fence design and layout guidelines Plano fence company - DIY Guidelines for digging postholes Allen Fence Company offers advice on digging and setting fence posts. McKinney Fence Company tells how to install panels and pickets Frisco Fence Company discusses gate installation and fence finishing You can significantly extend the life of your fence and reduce maintenance costs  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company owner, Sean Eubanks of Texas State Fence Co., discusses gate installation and finishing the fence to increase life and lower maintenance. This is the sixth article in a series about installing your own fence. The prior Articles include: Allen Fence Company provides instructions for D-I-Y fence builders McKinney fence company - DIY fence design and layout guidelines Plano fence company - DIY Guidelines for digging postholes Allen Fence Company offers advice on digging and setting fence posts. McKinney Fence Company tells how to install panels and pickets Installing a Gate Decide which direction the swing of the gate will be... left or right. Mount the hinge hardware in advance at the proper height  [more info...]

McKinney Fence Company owner, Sean Eubanks of Texas State Fence Co., tells how to install panels and pickets for do-it-yourself fence builders. This is the fifth in a series of articles about installing your own fence. The prior Articles include: Allen Fence Company provides instructions for D-I-Y fence builders McKinney fence company - DIY fence design and layout guidelines Plano fence company - DIY Guidelines for digging postholes Allen Fence Company offers advice on digging and setting fence posts. Cutting Posts to the correct height The easiest way to insure that your posts are level is to run a string from one corner post to the next corner post and keep it taut. Due to the inevitable dipping of gravity in the cente  [more info...]

McKinney Air Conditioning Company owner Stevel Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat, offers system financing options for client installing new or replacement systems. You have options! If you are replacing your home heating and cooling system this can be a major decision; one you don't want to make based strictly on cost. You've already learned through this web site that you shouldn't replace just one part of your system. To get the most efficiency and reliability get a complete matched system. That means replace the indoor coil and furnace and the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump. Those efficiency ratings you read about are for matched systems. And since breakdowns usually occur at inconvenient times ask us about the financing t  [more info...]

Frisco HVAC Air Conditioning Repair Service Company recommends that you have two maintenance visits for your air conditioning and heating system each year. Didyou know? That your heating and cooling system requires regular maintenance for reliable, energy efficient operation. The manufacturer of your equipment, and the utility company highly recommend this service be performed twice a year once for heating and once for cooling. If maintenance is neglected, then you spend more on utility cost, you spend more on major repairs, and your equipment may break down when you need it the most. When maintenance is neglected it will void your warranty. Worst of all, neglected maintenance may put your family's safety at risk. At TOTAL AIR   [more info...]

Fort Worth, Southlake, and Colleyville Landscaper, (Harvest Landscape) offers Tips and Tricks for Spring plantings and yard care. The rainy season is here! The recent spring rainfall has given plants a good watering; but with young leaves still developing, plants, trees and shrubs are vulnerable to insects and fungal infections at this time. Soon the dry, hot and humid weather will return and bring with it a host of new potential problems. Harvest Landscape Services would like to offer you these important tips! Due to the cool, rainy weather, leaf spot has become a big issue especially on Photinias, Hawthorn, and Cleyera. It's important to keep the fallen leaves out of the beds to minimize the spread of the disease. Let us know if  [more info...]

Allen TX Air Conditioning Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat, warns about dirty air in the home and how it can affect your health. Findings from leading experts on clean air and you... You've probably seen a lot of air cleaning technologies currently being advertised on TV. And what many products claim can be difficult to believe. In fact, a leading consumer magazine recently challenged the effectiveness of many of these air cleaning products. That's why when we say TRANE CleanEffects™ is the world's most effective whole-house air filtration system, we back it up with research from some of the industry's leading experts, including professors Dr. John McCarthy (read bio) and Dr. John Spengler (read bio) from t  [more info...]

Allen AC Repair Company owner Steve Lauten, president of TOTAL AIR & HEATING CO., offer sa full range of heating and air conditioning services. Total Air and Heating Co. offers everything from a simple service call to a complete system installation, right down to the thermostat. Service and Repair ~ We service and repair all brands and types of air conditioning and heating equipment. Preventive Maintenance ~ We offer a variety of seasonal preventative maintenance services to fit your needs. Equipment Replacement ~ We offer standard, high, and super efficiency a/c-heat equipment for residential homes. We can help you choose the system that is right you and your family. Complete Trane Comfort System installation ~ We specializ  [more info...]

Frisco Air Conditioning Company owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat, offers answers to questions about air cleaners and filtration systems. Q: I thought pollution was outside. Why should I be worried about my air indoors? A: We spend 90% of our time every day indoors. Plus, today's efficient, airtight homes are excellent at conserving energy, but that also makes them better at trapping potentially irritating particles inside the home. With the rising number of people who suffer from allergies and asthma, indoor air quality has become more and more important to our general health and well-being. Q: What does Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) mean? A: Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is recognized by the Federal Trade Commission (  [more info...]

Fairview Tx Air Conditioning Company owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat gives answers to some frequently asked questions about furnaces and heating systems. Q: How often does my furnace need a check-up? A: All manufacturers recommend annual maintenance by a trained service technician. On a gas furnace, this helps ensure safe and efficient operation. If you have an oil furnace, yearly tune-ups are a must due to the dirty fuel and a more sensitive burn cycle. A modern oil furnace that is not maintained can drop efficiency from 80% to 50-60% in just two years. Clogged fuel filters can lead to fuel pump failure. A dirty burner can cause soot buildup in the heat exchanger and chimney, requiring an expensive chimney cleaning. An annua  [more info...]

Allen Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat owner Steve Lauten answers some of the questions that are frequently asked by home owners about AC Repair and Maintenance. Q: Why is my indoor A/C coil/pipes/compressor covered with ice? A: A frozen indoor coil indicates that the refrigerant level is low, or the air filter is clogged. In either case, the coil will get colder & colder until the condensation on the coil turns to ice. This condition can be very harmful to the air conditioner, and is a common cause of bad compressors. In the event of a freeze-up, turn the system off. Check the air filter. If the filter is not clogged, the air conditioner probably needs service. Q: Does my air conditioner use freon? Is freon "illegal?  [more info...]

When McKinney Air Conditioning Company,Total Air & Heat, finishes installing a new system or provides a service, we survey our customers to find out how we did. This feedback is used to encourage its employees and also to look for opportunities for improvement. Here's what some of our clients have had to say... I have used Total Air & Heat for quite a number of years and I have never been disappointed. They have always worked with me to find a convenient time for the service, as I work full time. It is a pleasure doing business with them. R. B. Sharker, Plano Texas We were impressed with all Total Air's people! Elaine Dennison, Dallas Texas Thank you for helping me out so quickly ... I really appreciate that since I had out-o  [more info...]

Allen fence company owner Sean Eubanks (owner of Texas State Fence Co.) provides these guidelines for digging and setting fence posts. Digging Post Holes The general rule of digging post holes is to set the post into the ground at least 1/3 of the depth of the overall length of the post. For example, if you have a 6 foot tall fence you want a 9 foot post that will be buried at least 3 foot into the ground. If you have an 8 foot tall fence you will want posts that are 12 foot long and you will want to set the posts at least 4 foot deep in the ground. Corner posts and gate posts should be set at least six (6) inches deeper due to the added structural load that those posts will carry. Dig the hole approximately three times the widt  [more info...]

Plano fence company owner, Sean Eubanks with Texas State Fence Co., warns that something as simple as digging post holes can make a huge difference on final results. Installing Fences on Sloped Terrain In North Texas most yards have a fairly level grade, however, even local property owners can have gentle slopes to contend with. Slopes provide some unique problems and may require an adjustment in the selection of the style of fence. There are basically two methods for dealing with slopes when installing fences: Step Method - Preassembled panels can only be installed using the Step Method. It is common to use earth berms or landscape elements to compensate for the spaces left under the downhill side of the panels. Parrallel Meth  [more info...]

McKinney fence company owner, Sean Eubanks with Texas State Fence Co., offers guidance on preparation, design and layout when building your own fence. Preparation The first thing you must do is check with local authorities to make sure that you know what the building codes and home owner association policies are. Be sure to contact local utility companies and find out where underground utilities are buried. The last thing you want to do is start digging and run into a utility line. It is also good advice to consult with your neighbors and make sure that you are not overlooking a concern that would impact your design or layout decisions. Design and Layout Determine the number of posts, panels, and gates that you will need for y  [more info...]

Allen fence company, Texas State Fence Co., owner Sean Eubanks knows that many people enjoy building their own fences. Sean offers the following advice: Basic Considerations The basic decisions that you must make are really very simple. You must choose a fence style and material that complies with your aesthetic desires, with your zoning or HOA restrictions if any, with your budget and with your ability to handle the construction required. For the moment lets simplify the process and presume that you have decided on a traditional wood fence. In other articles we will discuss the other alternatives including fences made with Chain Link, Pole, Rail, Iron, Concrete, Brick, Cinder Block, Vinyl, Steel, and with Landscape Elements. Choos  [more info...]

Frisco fence company Texas State Fence Company has been installing fences and improving property values for home owners in Frisco Texas for since 2001. Times are changing and fences have become increasingly popular. During the 1950s and 1960s homes in subdivisions often did not have any fencing in their back yards to separate themselves from each other. Over the last 30 years the number of homes that have back yard fences has steadily increased to over 90 percent in communities such as Frisco. Frisco fence company clients find the most popular styles of fence are the board-on-board and stockade styles with cedar wood or cedar stain. Many modern fences are installed with steel posts due to the greater stamina that steel posts exhibit  [more info...]

Frisco Fence Company, Texas State Fence Company, owner Sean Eubanks, provides aluminum fencing to both residential and commercial clients in North Texas. Aluminum is highly regarded as a construction material due to its light weight and ease of working. As a material for airplane and pleasure boat construction it has been used for many years. As a material for fence construction it is only recently becoming a major material. Aluminum is very light but has issues with strength so if you are interested in fencing as a security system component aluminum may not be your best choice. In its natural finished state aluminum is a silvery white material which can be finished with either a smooth highly polished, almost mirror like finish, or c  [more info...]

Colleyville Fence Company (Texas State Fence Company) recommends that any home with a swimming pool install four sided barrier fencing. Accidental drowning was the third leading cause of death for children between the age of one and four years in the United States during 1997. Studies have shown that nearly half of all swimming pool drowning events occur in the child's home pool. Pool Perimeter fencing not only makes sound sense but most states and or cities have enacted laws that require that homes with pools have perimeter fencing to protect children from accidental drowning. Irreversible brain damage can occur within as short as four to six minutes and survival without impairment is unusual if submersion occurs for greater than fi  [more info...]

Allen Fence Company (Texas State Fence Company) installs both ornamental iron and aluminum fencing along with traditional wood fences. Traditional ornamental iron fencing is considered by many people to be the most beautiful type of fencing available. Many other people consider the decorative trim that ornamental iron fencing provides to be a very complimentary accent to the home. While decorative the truth is that ornamental iron fencing is also amonng the most sturdy and durable fencing that you can install and is especially effective as a security fence. Additionally, automatic door openers and gate openers made from ornamental iron are effective and functional additions to the home security system. Wrought iron is often replaced   [more info...]

Fort Worth Landscaping Firm Harvest Landscape Designs & Installs Beautiful Landscapes to Improve Property Values. Smart landscaping improves the curb appeal and value of your home. A variety of studies reveal that landscaping can increase the value of residential and commercial property from 7% to as much as 20%, with the average around 15%. Besides the personal enjoyment you'll get from a prettier yard, landscaping adds more value than almost any other home renovation. Even if you have no immediate plans to move, landscaping is the one home improvement that actually appreciates over time, if properly maintained. If your bushes and trees are healthy and properly trimmed, then enhancing your landscape could be as simple as adding se  [more info...]

Southlake Landscaping Company Harvest Landscape offers tips for how to handle Fall and Early Winter landscape maintenance. Here are some tips for the month of November that will help keep your garden looking it's best! Install Seasonal Color for Fall and Winter if you haven't already. Now is a great time to plant trees! Root systems grow and develope at this time. More rain and cooler temperatures allow trees to get a head start on spring! Install Winter Rye. Winter Rye thrives in the cooler months, leaving you with a fresh and green lawn. Call us today to set up a time for installation. Don't forget to mulch all garden beds. Winterize your lawn. Get a jump on spring weeds. Look out for Brown Spot Fungus in your lawn. If y  [more info...]

Colleyville Landscaping Company (Harvest Landscape) offers tips for Early Spring maintenance that will help to make your yard more beautiful and fun for outdoor living. February is the month to get ready for spring by getting your garden in shape. March will be quickly approaching and will be time for those early season annuals. Water your plants sparingly. This time of year shrubs and trees require little water and cooler temperatures help your beds will stay moist longer. Even your annuals, like pansies and violas, don't need a lot. However, it is important to make sure your beds are moist if a hard freeze is expected. In this case, the moisture in the beds actually helps to insulate the roots of the plants. Late February is also  [more info...]

Fort Worth Landscape Designer (Harvest Landscape) discusses THE HOTTEST DESIGN TREND: Creating your Outdoor Dream Kitchen! Refrigerators, cooktops, & warming trays are great additions to the Outdoor Kitchen The hottest design in kitchens right now is to put them outside. Cooking outdoors is one of those wonderful pleasures! The smell of grilling food is mouth-watering and the thought of everything tasting so good (and hot off the grill) conjures up the thought of fun with your family and/or friends! It's hard to not have a great time - that is, unless you're the harried host running back and forth between the grill and the kitchen for the meat, drinks, spices, plates & utensils, as well as condiments. An outdoor kitchen can help yo  [more info...]

Fort Worth Landscaping Company (Harvest Landscape) is expert at handling difficult and challenging landscape delimmas through creative and innovative designs. Dilemma Design - What can be done with my drainage problem? How can I enhance the view from my patio? The Reed's called Harvest Landscape to ask for help. Their next door neighbor changed the slope of their back yard, which created a drainage problem for the Reed's. The neighbor's property was already at a higher elevation than the Reed's. Instead of the rain water draining along the side of the house, it now ran down a hill into the patio of the Reed's home. The Reed's were already thinking about enhancing their backyard. They expressed an interest in adding a waterfall in order t  [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning Company (Total Air & Heat) has a variety of tools and services which can drastically lower your heating (and cooling ) costs. There doesn't seem to be a lot of good news coming from the news these days. Even as oil prices finally began to drop, OPEC slashed production to keep profit margins from slipping. And that means the cost to heat homes this winter continues to rise. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that the average home oil heating bill will climb by 22% over last year's costs. Since heating and cooling accounts for nearly half of your home's energy consumption, these increases can put a strain on already tight budgets. So what can you do now to keep your home heating bills down   [more info...]

Southlake Landscape Company offers outdoor Arbors, Fire Pit and Kitchen for residential and clients in Fort Worth, Southlake, Colleyville and Flower Mound. Entertaining outside in Texas is now available almost year-round! Whether you're entertaining on a warm summer evening, or during the springtime or fall, you can now extend your living area outside! The ability to entertain, spend time with your family, unwind after a hard day surrounded by a beautiful landscape is simply priceless! We take your dreams and help make them a reality. Harvest Landscape brings creative and thoughtful design to your porches, patios, pools, terraces and backyard, thereby extending the living and kitchen area of your home. Are you interested in the latest  [more info...]

Fort Worth Landscape Company offers Swimming Pool Design services to residential and commercial clients in Fort Worth, Southlake, Colleyville and Flower Mound. Harvest Pools uses the latest design methods to ensure that your pool is what you want it to be. Computer design along with hand drawn styling is used to deliver a functional yet originally designed pool. Our Landscape Architects and Designers, oversee all pool designs delivering their many years of experience to supply you with a pool that is pleasing to the eye and structurally sound. Adding an outdoor living area to your pool turns your Fort Worth backyard into a getaway, and gives you the cooking and leisure areas to maximize your pool. There are many different styles of po  [more info...]

Carrollton Fence Company (Texas State Fence Company) provides information that you can use to help select the best wood fencing for your home. Wood Fence: Form vs Function It can be overwhelming trying to select which of the many options avaialbe you should select when considering a fence. There are many alternative materials and styles to choose from and the selection you make can affect the current cost of the installation and the properties value for the long term. Your basic consideration comes down to two choices, from which all other options spring: Form - style, etc. Function - purpose, etc. With careful consideration you can create a happy conjunction of form and function, but it is not always easy to achieve. Conside  [more info...]

Plano Fence Company (Texas State Fence Company) offers some simply consideration for privacy fencing which may include both wood or vinyl fencing and landscape elements. Living in today's crowded suburban environment often means that our outside living area, the back yard, is so close to neighbors that we desire to have a little added privacy. Fencing can be a valuable part of your landscape, can actually add value to your property, and can have the added benefit of being both aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. The first thing to consider when thinking about privacy fencing is whether to use traditional fencing or to use landscape elements such as trees and shrubs. Privacy fencing is usually some sort of wood fence that off  [more info...]

Westlake Landscape Company offers Irrigation & Drainage services - Westlake Landscape Company offers Irrigation & Drainage services to residential and commercial clients in Westlake and the towns of Southlake and Flower Mound. Lawn & landscape irrigation is a highly specialized skill that combines the use of plumbing, electronics and hydraulic engineering to deliver the correct amount of water... [more info... ] Fort Worth Landscape Company offers Commercial Landscape Services - Fort Worth Landscape Company offers Commercial Landscape Services to clients in North Texas, including Dallas, Arlington, Carrollton, and Grapevine. Our business customers understand the importance of displaying a professional landscape. They provide servic  [more info...]

Westlake Landscape Company offers Irrigation & Drainage services to residential and commercial clients in Westlake and the towns of Southlake and Flower Mound. Lawn & landscape irrigation is a highly specialized skill that combines the use of plumbing, electronics and hydraulic engineering to deliver the correct amount of water to your lawn and landscape plants. The correct amount of water to keep plants and turf healthy can change every day. Rainfall, temperature, wind, day length, soil type, soil water capacity and several other factors all change on a daily basis to affect how much water your lawn & landscape needs. We offer rain sensors that turn off your system after natural rainfall has occurred. They will even keep your system tur  [more info...]

Fort Worth Landscape Company offers Commercial Landscape Services to clients in North Texas, including Dallas, Arlington, Carrollton, and Grapevine. Our business customers understand the importance of displaying a professional landscape. They provide services to small and larges businesses, including retail and non-retail. We also provide landscape services for churches. No matter what type of business you own, we can offer the following services: Landscape Design & Planting Mass Flower Plantings Landscape Construction Mulching Waterfalls & Water Features Tree & Shrub Pest Control Tree Removal & Stump Grindin Tree & Shrub Fertilization Drainage Systems Tree & Shrub Pruning Land Clearing, Brush Cutting Sidewalk &  [more info...]

Southlake Landscape Company Harvest Landscape offers a variety of landscape maintenance services to help maximize the value of your landscape investment. Don't have a green thumb? Don't want to handle your yard maintenance yourself? Harvest Landscape offers expert lawn care to make sure that your yard is in top shape. Maintaining your lawn and outdoor plants in a careful manner insures that the exterior of your home or commercial business area continues to add value to your property. And, the condition of your lawn directly affects your property's curb appeal. Life is too short to mow your own grass! At Harvest Landscape, we care about our customers lawn needs. We believe that you should protect your investment in your lawn. We offer   [more info...]

Colleyville Landscape Company, Harvest Landscape, discusses Water Features and Water Gardens and how they can improve the back yard environment along with add value to your home. Imagine hearing the sounds of a waterfall while you are resting and relaxing in your outdoor sanctuary. Water plays a dramatic role in any landscape design. Water features not only add visual beauty, but movement and the cooling, soothing sounds of flowing water. Adding the natural element of water to your landscape design can also be inviting to a special garden in your landscape. Whether you're looking for a tranquil koi pond for your backyard, a cascading water fountain to provide a striking focal point for an entrance or a completely custom pool landscape de  [more info...]

Fort Worth Landscaping firm Harvest Landscape Now Offers Landscape Designs with 3D Video technology. Harvest Landscape understands the importance of helping homeowners and commercial property owners realize the added value that professional landscaping can bring. You can reap substantial returns now and in the future with a Harvest Landscape designed and built solution. [more info... ]   [more info...]

Fort Worth Landscaping firm Harvest Landscape Now Offers Landscape Designs with 3D Video technology. Harvest Landscape understands the importance of helping homeowners and commercial property owners realize the added value that professional landscaping can bring. You can reap substantial returns now and in the future with a Harvest Landscape designed and built solution. Harvest now offers landscape designs in 3D video technology, which greatly enhances our ability to work with you in creating the yard of your dreams. 3D video technology is the ability to view pictures in an animated, three dimensional form. Our clients can now visualize how their new landscapes will look right down to intricate details such as plants, trees, shrubs,  [more info...]

Dallas Fence Company (Texas State Fence Company) recommends that any home with a swimming pool install four sided barrier fencing. Accidental drowning was the third leading cause of death for children between the age of one and four years in the United States during 1997. Studies have shown that nearly half of all swimming pool drowning events occur in the child's home pool. Pool Perimeter fencing not only makes sound sense but most states and or cities have enacted laws that require that homes with pools have perimeter fencing to protect children from accidental drowning. Irreversible brain damage can occur within as short as four to six minutes and survival without impairment is unusual if submersion occurs for greater than five mi  [more info...]

McKinney Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat offers tips on Partnering with Home Builders for Heating and Air Conditioning needs of new homes. Trends in consumer interests, the housing industry, and HVAC technology create major opportunities for residential HVAC contractors. There's just one problem: Most of us don't recognize them! Everywhere you look, Americans are choosing products that promote healthier, more comfort-oriented lifestyles. You don't need to look very far to find examples: Unbleached linens, a $2 billion annual retail market for home comfort appliances, cars with passenger-compartment air filters, and even mattresses with individual firmness controls. At the same time, the construction industry is building   [more info...]

Plano Heating and Air Conditioning Company Tip #1 - Plano Heating and Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat offers a tip on how to get the most out of your Heating and Airconditioning system. Preventative Maintenance: Don't be tricked by the under $30.00 tune up. Most contractors that offer this type of tune up are hoping to find parts to replace. In some... [more info... ] Plano Air Conditioning Company - Repair vs Replace My Air Conditioner? - Plano Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat answers the question of whether it is better to repair or replace that old air conditioning system. This question is asked by many of our Customer's during the hot summer months. The answers are not always cut and dried; but if  [more info...]

Plano Heating and Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat offers a tip on how to get the most out of your Heating and Airconditioning system. Preventative Maintenance: Don't be tricked by the under $30.00 tune up. Most contractors that offer this type of tune up are hoping to find parts to replace. In some cases the technicians are paid a flat rate fee based on the repair cost. Think about it for a minute, how can a contractor send a technician to your home for $30.00 and cover his costs? The $30.00 has to cover the technician's hourly cost, travel time, vehicle costs and overhead. Be sure to read what the under $30.00 tune up includes. In virtually all cases it does not include any cleaning, only visual inspection! A good tu  [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat answers the question of whether it is better to repair or replace that old air conditioning system. This question is asked by many of our Customer's during the hot summer months. The answers are not always cut and dried; but if you follow the guidelines below it will help you make a better decision. Let's begin by discussing the age of your system. There has been vast improvement over the last 5 years in efficiency and reliability by all manufacturers. If your system was installed as part of your new home prior to 1992 the SEER of your unit when it was new was likely around an 8 SEER. What is SEER, that stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and it is similar a comparison of m  [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat offers a Home Efficiency Test that allow you to know how much money you are wasting due to inefficient systems. A HomeEnalasys is a high-tech check-up for your home that measures and analyzes your home's heating and air conditioning system. Certified service technicians attach sensors to supply and return air registers throughout your home, in attic or crawlspace areas and on condensing unit outside the home. The sensors measure temperature, humidity and airflow. Data is then fed back to the technician's laptop computer. This technology enables our technicians to collect real time data from multiple sources and dynamically analyze both the airflow and refrigeration sides of the HVAC syste  [more info...]

Coppell - Lewisville fence company (Texas State Fence Co.) uses only the finest materials when they build your fence, insuring high quality and lasting value. Materials We Use Board-on-board Privacy fence. No cracks from wood shrinkage. Pickets overlapped approximately 1-1/2" on each side of picket. (Some sunlight may occur in gate area & at corners. These are difficult areas to achieve complete coverage). Gates Gates are double posts for extra strength. Standard width is 42" (Larger widths available upon request). 8' fences will have a header over the gate for added strength and include 4 hinges. 6' fences will have 3 hinges on gates. Gates larger than 42" and double gates should be installed with a metal fram  [more info...]

Plano Fence Company (Texas State Fence Company) offers a wide selection of materials when you consider building a fence. Materials We Use Posts Galvanized 2-3/8" steel WAPO brackets with 1.5" lag screws Post set approximately 30"-36" deep in concrete Post set approximately 6' apart Concrete mixed before it is placed into the hole (Wood posts available, but not recommended because wood posts eventually split, warp, twist, and rot.) Pickets *Premium grade, or clear upon request. **Clear is available at an additional cost. Available in 1"x 6" flat top or dog ear. *Premium is defined as the best quality of wood available in the industry at any given time. Texas State Fence Co. uses more than one supplier to in  [more info...]

Frisco fence company Texas State Fence Co. installs fences, including steel post cedar fences, and improves property values for home owners in Frisco Texas. The times are changing and fences are becoming increasingly popular. In the 1950s and 1960s it was common for homes in subdivisions to not have any fencing in the back yards that would separate homes from each other. During the last 20 years the number of homes with back yard fences has grown to over 90 percent in communities such as Frisco. For Frisco fence company clients, and clients in other North Texas communities, the most popular styles of fence are the board-on-board and stockade styles with cedar wood or cedar stain. Most fences being installed have steel posts due to t  [more info...]

Frisco fence company Texas State Fence Co. installs fences, including steel post cedar fences, and improves property values for home owners in Frisco Texas. The times are changing and fences are becoming increasingly popular. In the 1950s and 1960s it was common for homes in subdivisions to not have any fencing in the back yards that would separate homes from each other. During the last 20 years the number of homes with back yard fences has grown to over 90 percent in communities such as Frisco. For Frisco fence company clients, and clients in other North Texas communities, the most popular styles of fence are the board-on-board and stockade styles with cedar wood or cedar stain. Most fences being installed have steel posts due to t  [more info...]