Port Orford Cedar
PVC Decking
TigerWood
Handrails
Underdeck
Benches
Cedar
Vinyl
Aluminum
Chain Link
Pasture
Aluminum Framed
Wood Framed
Vinyl Pergolas
Cedar Pergolas
Cedar Gates
Vinyl Gates
Ornamental Gates
Chain Link Gates
Arbors
Retaining Walls
EcoStone PVC fencing
Sometimes a bit of destruction is required to create a stunning cedar decking area. That was certainly the case with today’s spotlight project, a cedar deck resurfacing project we recently completed in Oregon City. If your deck is looking dull, drab and just plain worn out, this renovation project may interest you.
One unique aspect of this renovation was that we were able to incorporate the existing multi-story frame, which was perfectly sturdy enough to sustain years of use. Engineer types will appreciate that the structural support for elevated decks like this one get better airflow than ground-level decks, thus minimizing the tendency for dry rot and allowing contractors like us to reuse the still viable frame. However, to give the tired-looking 480-square-foot deck a “facelift,” we tore off and replaced the cedar decking surface as well as the handrails. This approach saved the customer several thousands of dollars while still delivering the appearance of a brand-new deck.
Winter in the Pacific Northwest can be a drab time. One way to make your yard more interesting during this drizzly season is to add a few new plants. Below, we offer tips for planting along your fence, as well as a list of suggested species for adding winter interest.
Dog-eared wood fences enjoy enduring popularity among homeowners. The boards in this fence style are slightly altered at the top. Imagine the rectangular shape at the top of a fence board; on a dog-eared fence, the top corners are removed. The flat spot that’s left behind reminds one of a folded page in a book. This is where the dog-eared fence gets its name – the shape of the board looks somewhat like a floppy beagle ear.
One reason for the popularity of dog-eared fencing is its design flexibility. With no extra spacing between boards, a dog-eared fence makes an excellent privacy fence. Or, if you’re aiming for more of a picket fence design, individual boards may be spaced out evenly. Alternatively, if you want to allow wind to blow through, or you simply want both sides of the fence to look the same, opt for a Good Neighbor dog-eared fence. In this style, boards are placed on one side of the fence, and then the other, in an alternating fashion. This creates a visually interesting pattern and a fence that looks equally good from both sides.
Throughout history, fences have always served a security purpose. Although today’s fences may also be decorative, the oldest fences in the world, such as the Great Wall of China and Hadrian’s Wall, were built to keep certain undesired people out of a certain area. Indeed, even the word fence originally referred to “the act of self defending” in the Middle Ages. If you hope your privacy fence will serve this original purpose, you’re not alone. Security is the most common reason homeowners cite for building a fence.
Top Materials for Security Fences
Among fence design options, the white picket fence is a darling with a pedigree. It appears in classic American works of literature, such as Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer. It’s mentioned in dozens of songs, including Billy Collins’ “The History Teacher” and Five for Fighting’s “White Picket Fence.” And the dream of white picket fencing comes up in dozens of films, from “Big Fish” to “My Own Private Idaho”; most frequently it connotes a suburban, comfortable, established lifestyle.
One could even argue that the white picket fence design is a key ingredient in that collective meme known as the American Dream. The promise of America – that a “nobody” can become a “somebody” with hard work, creativity and honor – implies that there will come a time when you can afford to have the neat, beautiful home – and the white picket fencing that goes with it. This can be a powerful motivator for those of us in the workforce.
Fences don’t have to be boring. A unique fence design can add style and visual interest to any yard or garden. However, many fencing installations are plain, utilitarian stretches of “same old, same old” materials, with no spark of individualism. Create a fence design through which your creative spirit can shine by following the tips below.
When you’re designing a fence, combining more than one material opens up design options that are not available using single material methods. Stone, wood, metal and vinyl fencing materials can be combined in countless ways to achieve stunning results that will enhance the overall value of your property. Cinder blocks and brick may also be incorporated, particularly when retaining walls are needed. Property owners may want to consider composite materials, as well.
The first step in creating a mixed-materials fence is to figure out why you’re building a fence in the first place. Below, is a look at common reasons homeowners give for building a fence, along with a suggested fencing material or two for each goal. Here’s a basic overview of how each fencing material can achieve different goals:
A microclimate is an atmospheric zone where the climate is different than that of the general area around it. Microclimates can range in size from a couple of square feet to several miles. Museums often create their own microclimates to help preserve materials in storage or on display. San Francisco’s Bay Area is an example of a large-scale microclimate with its own sub-microclimates because of the basins, valleys and marine air.
A gardener can take advantage of the microclimate in his or her own backyard by carefully positioning a cedar or vinyl fence installation and thoughtfully arranging the surrounding plants. A vinyl or cedar fence installation can also help make an area in a garden cooler, wetter or less windy. Read the rest of this entry »
Vertical gardening is one of the latest trends in gardening, as real estate lots continue to shrink and yards are increasingly eaten up by outdoor living spaces. With sustainable practices on the rise, more and more homeowners are getting their hands dirty and growing their own food. For homeowners who don’t have a lot of space to plant a garden, however, planting up instead of out is often the best option.
Vertical gardeners use a variety of materials and methods to extend their gardens toward the sky. Trellises, arbors and pergolas have been commonly used for this purpose since long before vertical gardening had a name. Many homeowners have also begun using their fences for vertical gardening – wood fences, vinyl fencing and especially the ubiquitous chain link fence can all become support structures for vertical gardens. This serves a dual purpose by allowing the garden to expand upward while also beautifying a boring or unattractive fence. Read the rest of this entry »
