Archive for the ‘Landscaping Outdoor Decorating’ Category

Wood Fence Design and Layout

Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Scott L Schulz asked:


You have decided you need a fence, so now what? Now its time decide on the layout of the fence, where you would like the gates to be located, if you would like to incorporate a double gate, and the style of the fence you would like. The first place to start is with your Home Owner’s Association, or HOA, if you live in an area that has one. The HOA will have rules and regulations about fence types, designs, heights, and fence placement. Once you know what the HOA will allow, you can start planning and designing within their guidelines. It would be very frustrating to spend time planning and designing a wooden fence only to find out the HOA only allows aluminum. The common things HOA’s will ask for is a copy of your lot survey with the proposed fence line drawn in red, a material list telling the specifications of the material to be used, and a picture of the fence you would like.

Now that you know what the HOA will allow, its time to plan the placement of your fence. Some HOA’s require the fence to be on the property lines, while others will let you place the fence in from the property line to allow for shrubs. The HOA will also tell you how far up the house you can come, such as the rear corner, 20′ from the rear corner, or to the front of the house. Decide what works best for you and meets HOA regulations. Gate placement is also an important factor in fence layout. I usually suggest two gates- one on each side of the house. I also suggest making one of those gates a double gate. A double gate allows to you to get larger items in your back yard such as a vehicle, a shed, a play set, or anything else. The wonderful thing about a double gate is that it functions as a single gate and the second gate leaf only opens when you choose for it to. When considering gate placement, think of ease of entry and exit. You may want a gate close to the side door in a garage. A good place for a double gate is the side of the house close to the driveway. That way if you do need to get a vehicle through it, you don’t have to drive across the front yard. Gates in the back of the fence can be nice if you have a deep lot or back up to an easement. Gates into next door neighbor’s yards can also be nice, but keep in mind if you or the neighbor sell the house, the gate may not be welcome by the new occupant.

After you decide where to place the fence, you need to pick a fence design you like. Since this series of articles is on wooden fencing, I will tell you about common wood fence styles. The great thing about wood is the design is almost endless. Most fence contractors are also skilled carpenters and can help you design and build a fence that is unique to your tastes. With that being said, there are common fence designs. Dog Ear, Scalloped, Arched or Half Moon, Flat Top, Shadow box, Board on Board, Spaced Picket, and Trim Top are some of the most common fences we install.  Some of the fence styles can mix, such as an arched shadow box or a scalloped board on board. The easiest way to see pictures of these designs is to go to google images and type in the fence style followed by the word “fence”. The search term may look like “arched fence”, or “shadow box fence”. Take some time and look at the different styles. Also consider what your goal is. If you desire privacy you may not want a spaced picket fence. If you want some privacy but also want your neighbor’s to see in your back yard for security purposes, you may want a shadow box. If you want to keep your dog in the yard but also want people to be able to see you have a dog, perhaps a spaced picket would work well. Take the time to make sure the wooden fence you want will meet your needs, and the fence that meets your needs is a fence you like.

Once you know what you like, its time to get estimates and select a contractor. Contractors can also help you in selecting a fence style and answer any questions you have. But that’s another article and will be published soon.

Wood Pellet Stove And Boiler Guide

Firewood Racks

Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Simon Douglass asked:


I grew up in New England so I know that curling up by a warm, cozy fire is the best past time during the cold winter months. If you are one of the lucky homeowners who have a fireplace or wood stove inside of your house then you can understand where I am coming from.

Anyone who lives in the Northern section of the country deals with freezing cold weather and snow burdened days. And, whether you live in a house, a log cabin, or a rustic mountain inn, having the option to light up the fireplace is a luxury at best. The hardest part about having a fireplace or wood stove is collecting the firewood. And, with a load of firewood to attend to you must also have a firewood rack.

Firewood racks are used for two main reasons; to keep the firewood off of the ground and to provide easy access to it. No one wants to pick up a snow soaked piece of firewood, nor do they want to have to face the inclement weather every time they need a few logs. The answer to solving these two dilemmas is to use a firewood rack.

It doesn’t matter if you chop your own firewood or have it delivered to your home; you still have a pile of it sitting outside in the yard. You may decide to restack the firewood on the porch but that doesn’t necessarily keep it dry. In addition to having to stack the firewood you also have to have access to it in order to spark up the fireplace. Doesn’t the thought of having a firewood rack specifically made for firewood peak your curiosity?

Firewood racks can be as simple or as elegant as you want. They can be constructed from a few pieces of wood nailed together or from steel tubing. The idea of using a firewood rack is to protect the wood from the elements and make it easily attainable; the material used to build the rack is completely up to you, and your taste. Firewood racks be as small, or as large, as you need them to be and some of them can even be covered to provide extra protection against harsh elements.

When considering a firewood rack for the inside of your home you will have the choice of a plan that is plain and simple or a plan that is extremely decorative. Some firewood racks can even be considered as a piece of finely crafted furniture. If you need a firewood rack for the outside of your home then you should really choose one made of steel tubing. The tubing material is lightweight but very sturdy and is generally powder-coated for longevity.

Using a firewood rack is a great solution for protecting your firewood and is also a way to store firewood near the fireplace for easy access. Take my advice and purchase a few different sizes and styles of firewood racks. Get one for your home, one for your yard, and maybe even a small one to take camping with you. You will see that using a firewood rack is a blessing in disguise!

Wood Pellet Production Guide

Choose Wood Privacy Fence – Why?

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Tim Casey asked:


Wood privacy fence is a major contributor to the “curb appeal” factor of a home, esp. in an urban community. They are the traditional compliment to any home. A well-chosen and appropriately designed, fence gives homeowners the pleasure of enjoying their private space without necessarily giving the impression of being an unfriendly neighbor. The color shape and ultimate design, frames the first impression of the passers-by eyes. Wood privacy fence popularity is mainly due to its gorgeous, classic look. After new fence home owners see their fence installed, they automatically know they made the right choice.

The wood fence has become an icon within American culture. Don’t think that your fence has to be cookie-cut, as there are many styles of wood fencing available.

A wood fence has many more benefits than just its beautiful appearance. New processes help decrease the commonly known problems in wood, such as rotting, decay, and insect damage. Wood fences are the least expensive on the market. Many experts consider them to be the most cost-effective fencing material. The initial cost of a wood fence is significantly less the other fence types. It is also easy and cheap to repair. Plus, there’s an abundance of choice concerning wood privacy fence options. To provide a unique sense of selection styles, there have been several innovations as far as form, stain, and finish options that alter the appearance of the fence woods.

That’s all for now. Throughout the next few articles, we’ll review some specifics of the topics mentioned above. Bye the time you are ready to get your wood privacy fence there will be nothing left to do but kick back with a glass of lemonade and watch the wood fly! Thanks for stopping in! Come back soon ya hear!

Wood Outdoor Rocking Chairs – Comfy Seating That Is Sure To Please

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Jennifer Akre asked:


If it is wood outdoor rocking chairs that you are after then jumping online and browsing the online stores is the perfect way to find exactly what you’re looking for.

A lawn or patio is a place to relax with family and having the perfect seating is important especially for those sunsets. A wood outdoor rocking chair adds to the setting, whether it is with a single chair or the bench chair. Cypress or Chippendale rocking chairs will give your patio an elegance while keeping the intimate appearance. The outdoor rocking chair will add to the wood patio furniture you already have by adding a bit of relaxation to the atmosphere.

Personal style is important when choosing the perfect wood outdoor rocking chair. Monetary resources will be a factor in the choice of chair whether it is a simple rocking chair or a glider any outdoor rocking chair will brighten up your style. If you prefer to have two rocking chairs with a table between them for the after work relaxation the resources are available. Romance of the double rocking chairs adds to the intimate style you already possess with the informal wood patio furniture.

The loveseat rocking chair is the perfect complement to the intimate patio. Add one of the wood patio tables for a place to set your drinks or as a footstool and the romantic setting will be perfect. The pieces are individually sold giving way to personal style and giving you the choice of having both a loveseat and individual chair. The double rocker style gives an individual back for each person without giving up the intimacy of a couple. The variety of wood and colors for the double rocker also help make the personal taste attainable.

The styles differ in slates as well whether you find the horizontal slat to be more comfortable than the vertical slate. The width of the slates also differs from a wider slate to the slate that is closer together. Comfort will determine the slate choice and is personal.

Whether it is your patio that needs the furniture or your front porch the styles exists for both. The front porch is often more intimate requiring the loveseat rocking chair or glider while the patio may need an individual seat with a table to place your drinks on.

Depth of the rocking chair is also personal comfort. If your comfort lies in leaning back in the chair to take a nap or gazing at the sky then the Rustic Low Back Rocking Chair may fit you better than the straighter porch rocker. The porch rocker adds a support to your back that you may find more comfortable to eating during a party than the lower back rocking chair.

Remember no matter what your personal style is and the limit of your finances the wood outdoor rocking chairs adds style and comfort to your patio or porch through the type of wood, the depth of the chair, and the accompanying furniture. The rocking chairs add to the wood patio furniture as a complement for a table or your basic patio chair.

Wood Pellet Production Guide

Wood Garden Benches Are Easy to Clean and Care For

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Mary Buckingham asked:


When the weather is nice and the outdoors beckons, no one wants to be stuck doing cleaning instead. By designing your outdoor space to be low maintenance, you can spend more time relaxing and less time cleaning. Wood garden benches, a popular mainstay of patios and garden, are low maintenance and usually pretty easy to clean.

Here is how you can keep your wood garden benches in good shape all year long:

Start by removing dirt and dust from your benches. If you don’t remove the dirt first, you will only make a mess once you try to wash it.

Check the type of wood your benches are made from. Some types of wood are easy to care for, while others require more effort. Teak is a durable wood that is highly water resistant and durable. Teak is so durable, in fact, that it is often used in the manufacturing of boats. In India, some ancient temples contain teak beams that are over 1000 years old.

If your wood garden benches are made with teak, they can usually be cleaned with a mixture of bleach, water and laundry detergent. Sometimes, just some warm water alone will do the trick. If you prefer to buy commercially prepared cleaning products, look for one that is designed for teak and similar woods.

If you need to remove grease, wine, ketchup or other hard-to-remove stains, look for a cleaner designed for this purpose. If you are unsure, ask a store sales representative to help you. You can also try looking for recommendations or helpful ideas by searching the internet. If you are buying a new set of wood garden benches, you might want to stain or seal them first to try to prevent stains from discoloring your new furniture.

Once you are done using a cleaner, be sure to rinse your wood garden benches thoroughly with a garden hose. A pressure washer may be too tough on outdoor furniture. You may also want to dry them with an absorbent towel, just to ensure that water doesn’t collect in any spots and attract mosquitoes.

If your bench is made from a wood other than teak, be sure to use a cleaner that will work for that particular wood. Cedar is often used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture. Cedar, with its pleasing aromatic odor, is resistant to moths and other insects. It is also water-resistant and good for use outside.

Cedar should be cleaned gently with a mild cleanser. To preserve the aroma, be sure to use a cleaner without strong chemicals. Soap and water often works well and won’t cause damage.

If your wood garden benches have cushions on them, you will want to be sure to brush off any dirt and clean them at the same time that you clean the furniture. There would be little point in putting a dirty cushion on a freshly cleaned bench. Some cushions can be removed or unzipped and tossed in the washing machine. This is a great way to keep your outdoor set fresh and clean.