• The Rule of Thumb: For a standard 6-inch picket (which actually measures 5.5 inches), you want at least a 1-inch overlap on both sides.
• The Math: This means the "gap" between your base-layer pickets should be roughly 3.5 inches.

• Shrinkage: Wood is a natural product. As it dries in the Florida sun, it will shrink. If your overlap is only 1/4 inch, that gap might open up in six months. A 1-inch overlap guarantees privacy even after the wood seasons.
• Wind Resistance: A board-on-board fence is heavy. Proper, even spacing allows for better structural integrity and weight distribution across your 4x4 posts.
• Visual Symmetry: Nothing ruins a high-end wood fence like having a 1-inch overlap at one end of the panel and a 2-inch overlap at the other.

1. Access Google Maps: Go to maps.google.com.
2. Find Your Property: Enter your home address in the search bar.
3. Switch to Satellite View: Once your property appears, click the "Layers" icon in the bottom left corner and select Satellite. Zoom in as close as possible.
4. Start Your Measurement: Right-click your mouse on the exact starting point of your planned fence. Select "Measure distance" from the menu.
5. Map the Perimeter: Click on the next corner or end-point of your fence line. Continue clicking at every corner or gate location until you’ve traced the entire path.
6. Get Your Total: Look at the "Measure distance" box at the bottom of your screen to see your Total distance in linear feet.

• Account for Roof Overhang: If your fence starts at the side of your house, remember that satellite images show your roofline. Start your point slightly "inside" the edge of the roof to ensure you are measuring from the actual wall.
• Note Your Gates: Google Maps won't distinguish between a panel and a gate. Note how many gates you need, their widths, and if they must meet specific pool code regulations.
• Existing Fence Removal: Does an old wood or chain-link fence need to be removed? Letting your contractor know the material helps make the "ballpark" quote much more accurate.

• Heavy Tree Canopy: If your yard is heavily wooded or has large oak trees overhanging the fence line, the satellite may not be able to "see" the ground clearly enough for an accurate click.
• Significant Slopes: Google Maps measures "flat" distance. If your yard has a steep grade or significant elevation changes, the actual amount of fencing material needed may be higher than the 2D map suggests.
• New Construction: If your home was built very recently, the satellite imagery might still show an empty lot or a construction site, making it impossible to pin your house corners.

Note on Property Lines: Please remember that Google Maps is an estimation tool, not a legal survey. It does not accurately reflect your official property lines or easements. We always recommend referencing your certified survey to ensure your new fence is installed exactly where it belongs.

1. Swing it Wide: Open your gate 180 degrees until it is flush against your fence panel.
2. Weight the Bottom: Use something heavy but soft—like sandbags, bags of mulch, or potting soil—at the base to hold it open.
   • Pro Tip: Avoid pavers or cinder blocks. They have a small "footprint," and their sharp edges can scratch or crack your vinyl or wood.
3. Tie the Top: Use a bungee cord or rope to secure the top of the gate to the nearest post (or the top of the pickets for wood fences).
4. No Wiggle Room: Ensure the gate is tight. If it has room to "wiggle," the wind will eventually work it loose, turning it into a swinging wrecking ball.

1. Lock the Latch: Close your gate and engage the lock. Whether you have a double-sided key latch or a mechanical latch with a padlock hole—lock it. This creates a solid point of contact on the gate's weakest side.
2. Double Buffer the Base: Place sandbags or bags of mulch on both sides (inside and outside) of the gate’s bottom edge. This prevents the gate from "racking" or twisting under pressure.
3. Secure the Top: For extra peace of mind, run a bungee cord across the top of the gate to the post to minimize vibration.

Note for Double Gates: If you have a drive-through double gate, follow the steps above for both doors, ensuring the drop rod (the pin that goes into the ground) is also firmly seated and be sure you still add the weight to the bottom of the gates just in case the drop rod comes loose.

1. Search Your Address: Type your address into Google Maps.
2. Zoom In: Get as close as possible while keeping your entire property visible.
3. Set Your Start Point: Right-click exactly where you want your fence to begin and select “Measure Distance.”
4. Trace Your Fence Line: Click each corner or "change point" along your desired fence line. Google will automatically add up the total footage.
5. Get Your Total: Once you click your final point, look at the bottom of the screen for the Total Linear Footage.

• Aluminum Fence Calculator
• Vinyl Fence Calculator
• Wood Fence Calculator

• Linear Footage: Input the total number you received from Google Maps.
• Fence Option: Select the specific style (e.g., Privacy, Picket, or Shadowbox).
• Single Gates: Enter the number of standard walk-through doors (usually 4’ or 5’ wide).
• Double Gates: Enter the number of large openings for vehicles or trailers (usually 8’ or 10’ wide).
• Tear Out: If we are replacing an old fence, input the linear footage here. If it's a new build, leave this at 0.

Note: This number is a standard price-per-foot estimate. While it is highly accurate for most jobs, final pricing may shift slightly based on unique site conditions, such as extreme slopes or difficult underground obstructions.

• Jurisdiction: This exemption only applies to unincorporated Volusia County. If you live within city limits (like DeLand, Deltona, or Orange City), you must still follow city-specific permitting rules.
  
  
• Height & Setbacks: Residential fences are generally limited to six feet in rear/side yards and four feet in front yards. Corner lots have stricter "visibility triangle" rules.
  
  
• Orientation: Fences must be installed with the finished side facing out toward neighboring properties or the street.
  
  

•  Height: Minimum of 48” tall with a minimum of 42” between the bottom support rail and the next rail up
• Picket Spacing: No more than 4 inches between pickets, so a 4 inch ball can’t push through
• Ground Clearance: Less than a 4” gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground
• Setback: A minimum of 20 inches from the pool’s edge, with a 36 inch setback from any structure that could be used to climb the fence.

• Self Closing and Self Latching: Gates must automatically close and latch without any assistance.
• Opening Direction: Gates must open outwards, away from the pool.
• Latch Height: The latch mechanism must be at least 54” from the bottom of the gate.

1. Power Washing: A quick solution for removing surface dirt and contaminants for immediate aesthetic improvement.
2. Soft Washing: A longer-lasting option that uses specialized chemicals to kill algae and mold and loosen embedded grime, followed by a high-pressure rinse. Though it requires more effort, soft washing provides superior protection by completely removing deep contaminants, resulting in a more durable clean. Safety Note: Never use bleach or abrasive materials when cleaning your vinyl fence.
   

• The most important thing to do is cut back any trees or branches, especially bamboo. You need to maintain at least a 2 foot buffer between any tall plants and your fence. This allows for sway of the plants in the wind.
  

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• Second, secure your gate. 90% of our repair calls after a hurricane for is for gate repairs. Their are two options to secure your gates during a hurricane.
  
  

1. If you don't care about securing your yard during the hurricane you can open the gates 180 degrees and secure them to the fence itself. This can usually be done with a bungee cord at the top and something wedged against the gate at the bottom like a sand bag of large cinder block. It will need to be something heavy. A spare paver or brick won't work.
   
   
2. If you want to keep your yard secure during the storm or if your gate can't open far enough to be fastened to the fence you will need to secure it closed. First make sure it is securely latched, then lock it. If you have one of our vinyl or aluminum fences you can simply use the key lockable latch to lock the gate. If you have one of our wood fences you can use the locking mechanism on the Maxima Deluxe latch and them put a lock or piece of wire in the lock hole, just to be sure. If you have a simple thumb latch or double sided latch, they all have holes so you can install a pad lock or even a piece of wire or zip tie. The after the latch is secure you need to put something heavy like a sand bag or cinder block on BOTH sides of the gate. This helps prevent the wind from forcing the gate at the bottom where there is no latch to secure it. This is especially important for double gates since they do not have a post that is secured in the ground to latch to.
   

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• Lastly you need to walk your fence and just wiggle the posts. If the post moves easily it may have a problem like a broken post. Fences can still stand upright with a broken post, until pressure is applied and then it will topple over. If you have a broken or loose post you have two options.
  
  

1. Call a fence contractor, like us at Gifford Fence, and have them come out and repair or replace the post. Doing this before the storm will save extra costs of replacing panels or sections of fence after the storm.
   
   
2. Try to secure the fence yourself. If you have a wood fence you can drive a metal rod or wood stake in the ground against the back side of the post and then bungee or tie the post to the rod or stake. If you have a vinyl fence you will need to drive a rod or stake on both sides of the posts. Because of the way vinyl fences are constructed you can't really put the support on one side and them secure it to the post. If you have a loose chain link or aluminum fence you can do the same thing as a wood fence since you have access to all sides of the post.
   

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