tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83045270662538240572023-11-15T07:49:19.098-06:00Dr. Post Fences and DecksDr Post is a Manitoba-based construction company that specializes in the design and construction of fences, decks and outbuildings. Dr Post provides services to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Northern Ontario. Visit our website at www.drpost.caRobert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-75009474347043705822011-05-09T10:51:00.000-05:002011-05-09T10:51:12.973-05:00How To Deal With Grass Shaded By Fences<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Meticulous gardeners and backyard hobbyists find that one of the most frustrating tasks is to maintain good quality lawns and gardens in areas where a fence blocks out sunlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few solutions available that offer hope.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Solid fences, although attractive, pose a number of issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the wind resistance that they present, solid fences are more vulnerable to sway and swing, and often become out of alignment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solid fences also draw considerable heat from the sun’s rays, and dry out the soil more quickly on their sunny side than on their back sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This creates significant temperature swing that is stressful for plants and grasses next to that fence line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not uncommon to see burned grass in mid-summer right next to the solid fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of their design rainfall tends to pool as kit runs off the vertical fence side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The easiest solution to resolve problems created by solid fencing is to till the soil about six inches back from the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This allows water to drain more freely and provides, like loose-fill insulation, a moderating effect on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>temperature swings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the shaded side, hostas, ivies and other woodland floor types of ground cover are ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ground cover will wick up the excess moisture that the aerated soil is unable to absorb.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are a number of shade-tolerant grasses that grow well along the sunlit-deprived fence lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By blending a mix of one part open-area grass seed to three parts shade grass seed, and overseeding in the first one to two feet near the fence, you will be able to maintain a good lawn, and very little variation in grass colour will be detected.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Because fences that are built low to the ground do not allow for proper air movement, moss and other shade-craving nuisance plants will develop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ideally, construct solid fences (not those made with brick or stone) with a four to six inch gap at the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will allow for good air flow and a minimal amount of light to penetrate.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A less attractive, but viable option for solid fences that block sun to grassy areas is to apply a layer of decorative stone (river rock or crushed mica, feldspar or similar stone) along the six inch edge along the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not use bark or other mulching types of material, as these will hold the moisture. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A unique option for areas where the light is limited in only a small space is to use reflective design features, such as ponds, mirrors, or even aluminum barbeques and accessories, strategically placed so that the sunlight will reflect back against the fence or dark corner for a few hours each day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The best option, though, is to avoid constructing a solid fence section<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where lack of sunlight will cause problems with the grass or plant growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the alternative, plan to eliminate vegetation in <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those areas, and, instead, find more attractive non-plant solutions.</span></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-3422532226548844092011-05-02T11:20:00.002-05:002011-05-02T11:20:24.948-05:00Integrating fence into deck or patio<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Particularly in urban environments, decks that are bordered by a fence, or decks that integrate the fence component into the design are common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a variety of advantages to coordinating fence enclosures with your deck that contribute to that appeal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A border that flows easily from one backyard structure to another provides an aesthetic advantage, which makes a standalone structure less intrusive. Landscaping that further amalgamates various elements of your back yard provides a smooth transition from the natural environment to the man-made modules. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Continuing the construction design of a deck with a fence constructed of similar materials provides cost and construction savings, as well. However, disparate materials and accents can provide a focal point for specific features that you wish to highlight.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When designing the layout, materials and visual impact of your fence and deck combination, you should view the package as an extension of your inside living space since, indeed, you are expanding your home by adding this seasonal outdoor living feature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider, carefully, how you have utilized your outdoor space in the past, what your social entertainment needs for the space may be, and how you would like to use this space to greatest benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than attempting to emulate a design that you saw in a magazine or at an outdoor living show, adapt your plan to meet your individual wants, needs and preferences. Having a large deck with a host of accent pieces, fancy accessories and so on may look great in the showroom or in a magazine, but may not meet your personal needs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">By integrating the fence into your deck design, you will be able to isolate this outdoor living space more effectively, and develop features that blend well. For those of us that prefer to hold larger social gatherings in our back yards, consider a more Spartan design, with fewer adornments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The open, Spartan feel will allow for greater freedom of movement by guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that instance, a simply designed fence, with clean lines, will suit your needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you prefer more intimate gatherings, consider building alcoves or seating elements into the perimeter enclosure, turning the fence into seating and areas more amenable to one-on-one conversations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you prefer to use your backyard as a place of privacy and contemplation, consider deck swings and softer bench designs that blend into your fence and deck, and allow for the two of you to contemplate your surroundings peacefully.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Practical considerations are important in planning the layout of your fence and deck combination, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For decks that are elevated 24 or more inches above ground, building codes in your region may well require a fence that meets minimum standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a ground-level deck, a fence may act as an impediment rather than an attraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If children or pets are involved, you may need to provide a fence that offers security and a safe enclosure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The design and integration of a fence into your deck and patio should not be a casual consideration, but undertaken only after considering the use to which the area will be put, and your specific needs or requirements. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-22313455577470661672011-04-24T13:20:00.000-05:002011-04-24T13:20:02.134-05:00Deck Gardening<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Gardening on decks<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has made a comeback that rivals the comebacks of Brett Favre, George Foreman or Evander Holyfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new “green” movement, combined with the 100-mile diet has stimulated backyarders and urban farmers to rejuvenate their green space into black and green (as in soil and veggies).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But the new gardening enthusiasm has opened myriad new prospects for petunias and venues for veggies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Across urban North America, rooftops are blooming with flowers, glowing with grass and topped with trees, as green roof technologies offer an assortment of benefits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indoor gardens, hydroponics and soilless systems grace countertops and coffee tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even patios, verandas and decks relinquish space to pots and planters of all sorts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This gardening phenomenon (don’t call it a craze!) offers even more opportunity for avid green-spacers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Built-in growing stations – larger than pots, and with watering or light-guiding systems – are found on deck edges and parapets of balconies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most novel approaches is to design eco-friendly fences with recesses and alcoves for favourite flowers or fruit bushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">More than decorative, these planting spots add a chance to include fresh fruits and vegetables to your city diet, fresh from your own city farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Some of these planters have been incorporated into wooden fences, offering a break from the visual straight-line perspective that conventional walled fences present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others have been built into stone retaining walls, or dry-stack fencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still more fit nicely into cinder-block or split rail fences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, planters constructed into fence lines can be included in any material system, from wood to PVC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Planters that have been included in the integrity of a fence also may add stability, offering reinforcement against wind load, and a solid footing for longer lines of continuous-run fencing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But garden fences offer the ability to combine a variety of fence styles and materials in one run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply by including climbing vines, like clematis, grapes, hops or scarlet runner, the galvanized chain link fence, open horizontal board fence or even split rail fence is provided with a decorative façade that hides the plainness of these materials.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Constructing these fences, though, requires a professional touch and a personal flair for eye appeal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this reason, homeowners are urged to work with a quality fence builder, to ensure that their dreams and mental images are realized in the final design.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While the days of back lot vegetable gardens are not likely to return to the prominence that they had in the 1940s, the new gardener sees significantly more options and avenues to explore his own inner gardener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And fences, no longer, are a barrier to garden growth! </span></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-48142648659217405162011-04-11T18:49:00.002-05:002011-04-11T18:49:37.665-05:00How to Use Deck Pads<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The term “deck pad” actually is an inappropriate term for a construction product that most often is used inappropriately, largely because of its name.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Many of the cement blocks used as deck support blocks actually are nothing more than 15 by 15, 18 by 18 or 24 by 24 inch patio slabs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These slabs are generally 1.5 to 2” thick, which is insufficient for most deck applications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, a thickness of 3 or more inches on a pad is needed to bear the weight of most deck posts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In addition, because deck pads seem so simple to use, they are often installed incorrectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A deck pad for any sized deck needs to be installed only after a level area of the surface soil has been scraped away and a layer of one inch of sand per square foot laid down and packed in place, to allow for proper drainage.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">By installing the pads in a manner that is not solid or level, excess weight bears down on a smaller area of the pad, and can contribute to the pad breaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the pad and deck are installed on a sloped surface, the posts (generally 4 by 4 inch) rest unevenly on the surface, and may actually slip downward over time, resulting in partial or complete collapse of the deck.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the better deck pad designs “traps” the four by four post in a raised square of concrete, preventing it from slipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, where the height of the deck exceeds two feet or more, those four by four supports become nothing more than free-standing stilts, relying on whatever anchor is used to hold them to the deck framework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With repeated vibration, or even strong winds, those pillars may shift.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The most appropriate use for deck pads is where the deck is not elevated at too high a distance from the ground, and where the deck is not excessively large. In some situations, deck pads may be used to support small extensions, or in between piles that are secured in the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this manner, they act as supplementary supports.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Deck pads also can be used where the deck is securely anchored to the building, and where there is no angled pressure or weight on the pad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ideally, deck pads work best where the cupped square opening allows the deck beams to rest fully in the cradle, rather than on a short or long post.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In softer soils, deck pads will rise and fall with varying moisture content, resulting in uneven deck plates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this reason, they must be installed on packed porous surfaces.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Many cities specify, in their building codes, where pads may or may not be employed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are in doubt, and if your region does not have its own building code, review that of a nearby city, to determine what they see as the minimum standard for the use of deck pads versus footings, piles or foundations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-70803425632970534492011-03-30T11:19:00.002-05:002011-03-30T11:19:58.814-05:00How to reduce paint/stain fade on fences<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wooden fences are particularly vulnerable to fading and flaking of paint or stain, regardless of whether they are built in open sun, full shade, the arid southwest or the humid northwest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are a number of choices of materials that make that problem less of a concern.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Woods such as cedar contain lots of oils, that tend to repel moisture and insects,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently, if cost is less of a factor in your choice of woods, cedar is more viable than spruce, pine or fir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure, though, that you are purchasing cedar, and not cedartone wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For wood posts, choose treated four by four or six by six posts, either in brown or green treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This treatment delays the onset of wood rot.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when you have selected treated wood, though, you will need to reapply preservative periodically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, on horizontal deck surfaces, you will need to recoat every few years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Conditions that are too dry, too moist, too cold, or too hot all impact on the lifespan of your fence treatments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That pretty well covers the entire continent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perhaps the harshest weather element is direct sunlight, which dries the woods rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When applying a protective coating, it is critical that you do not apply paints or stains in direct, hot sunlight, as the temperature variations along the boards will cause the finish to penetrate and dry at uneven rates, or even to fail to penetrate at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Applying stain or paint to wood that is wet will, likewise, not allow the product to penetrate adequately, although water-based paints and stains will integrate better than oil-based ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stains generally work better than paints on softwood materials, and last somewhat longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they, too, will dry and powder out of the wood eventually. Varnish or lacquer applied to a fence is definitely not recommended, particularly where that varnished area will be exposed to a hot sun.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are a variety of ways to reduce the rate at which paints fade on fences exposed to sunlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shade trees and bushes, grown at a distance away from the fence and blocking some of the hottest rays of the sun will increase the lifespan of the paint application.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wood preservatives and moisture repellents are great on horizontal surfaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure that you do not install reflective surfaces such as ponds or stainless steel barbeques so that light is reflected directly on the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, consider exterior blinds for windows that reflect the harsh sun directly on a fence surface.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, even better solutions are available, if you choose to use materials that are pre-painted, or where the colour is impregnated into the materials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This includes aluminum products, resins and PVC fencing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If wood is your only choice, however, recognize that, regardless of what surface application you use, eventually, you will be outdoors, sprayer, brush or roller in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hand!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-64491102834781645992011-03-17T14:28:00.000-05:002011-03-17T14:28:10.516-05:00Increasing the lifespan of your fence<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Most of us assume that the best way to increase the lifespan of our fence is to apply a new coat of paint or stain each spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is only one small step in to the process of ensuring that your backyard enclosure lasts as long as possible.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The procedure of maintaining your fence and ensuring its longevity actually begins prior to building the structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too often, we build inadequately and then attempt to compensate by repeated, desperate attempts at salvaging a project that is nearly beyond redemption!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the hallmark, too, of many disreputable fence contractors, who construct what is initially an attractive project, but that deteriorates rapidly in an environment for which it was ill-suited.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Before you even dig the first post hole or set the first support, consider all of the impacts and inputs that will affect your fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such considerations as the amount of direct sunlight, exposure to winds, accessibility to foot traffic on sidewalks (and risk of graffiti, vandalism or inadvertent damage), contact with prolonged moisture, proximity to gardens and plants or soil and substrate conditions all will determine how successfully you will be able to extend the lifespan of your fence. Of course, underlying all of these factors is the choice of materials, the choice of design, and the integrity of the structure itself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Each material has specific advantages and disadvantages, in various applications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the pvc products, for example, resist fading, can be set into high-moisture environments, and are structurally sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, the continuity of one colour is an open invitation to graffiti artists in urban settings.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While wood is eschewed by some homeowners because it may rot, degrade or deform in harsh environments, those problems are often the consequence of choosing the wrong wood for the particular situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Treated woods are much more appropriate for higher-humidity situations or for setting in soil that does not drain as well as other types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wood such as cedar has a natural resistance to rot due to high humidity, but is less friendly to a variety of paints in high-sunlight areas.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fences in high wind zones need to be constructed in such a manner that they are able to withstand the blunt force of wind on their surfaces, or so that they deflect the wind or allow it to move more freely around and through the structure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fences exposed to sunlight need regular treatment with good, absorbing paints and stains, and need to be painted or stained when they are fully dried and cured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saving on materials by buying poorly dried woods will result in blistering and paint failure more rapidly than if you invest in well-dried woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pre-treatment and sealing of many materials is critical to ensuring durability of finishes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Many fences that are otherwise designed and constructed well will fail, because fasteners and supports at critical junctures are inadequate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Particularly in areas to frost heave, such as near building walls exposed to sunlight in winter, poor anchors will cause the fence to shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hinges and section fasteners that may be adequate, but are not installed at critical load or weight-bearing points will allow the fence components to move or distort.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fences that are built so that plants and growth is allowed to encroach on them will deteriorate at those spots more rapidly than in areas where air flow is unrestricted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By edging lawns and gardens a few inches away from the base of the fence, air movement allows for the ability of the fence to breathe as naturally as the rest of the structure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, even with all the proper precautions and prerequisites taken care of, any fence ill still require ongoing care, whether it be regular washing of PVC materials, readjustment of hinges and brackets, or periodic painting and tightening of screws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A healthy fence, like a healthy body, needs care and consideration that is ongoing.<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></span></div><ul type="square"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.35pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 15pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-3969582588790026212011-03-08T11:32:00.002-06:002011-03-08T11:32:54.085-06:00Privacy Screen Fence Options<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The first image that comes to mind when discussing privacy fences is that of a high-rising, solid wood or stone wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While that, in a very literal sense, is a definitive privacy fence, there are myriad options that should also be considered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Materials that run the gamut from cloth to green-growing fencing, from lattice to bamboo, or from PVC to concrete provide viable privacy screen fence options. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and applications for which some are suited while others are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the best privacy fence designs incorporate a combination of two or more options.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The first of these is the “green” screen fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That buzzword may intimate either a growing, shrub or plant-based divider or an eco-friendly concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In as many instances as possible, eco-friendly considerations should form a part of your decision-making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, pure green-growing fences have the advantage of being almost maintenance free, and generally more economical to plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, long growing times may mean that your “fence” may not be truly private for a decade or so!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In winter, all but evergreens will shed their foliage and leave you exposed to the outside world.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eco-green fences are a bit more nebulous, with some claiming that only a wood fence is “green,” while others insist that the materials used must be recycled and reclaimed, as well as requiring sustainable installation processes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality is that even PVC fencing can claim to be “green,” due to its very low maintenance regimen, the dearth of painting required, and the low demand for equipment for installation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bamboo is one of the “green material” choices that has exploded in popularity recently.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bamboo is used for dinnerware, window shades, flooring, walls, fences even clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the proper climate and environment, it is durable, and offers a distinctive natural look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, simple bamboo pole construction is not as sturdy as is needed in extreme environment conditions, and requires special care in design and installation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Shade cloths and semi-transparent natural cloth or manufactured materials are excellent choices for patio dividers and for toppers on fence segments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While great accent pieces, they are not generally recommended for exterior standalone fencing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Commonly, homeowners are choosing lattice fencing, lattice fence toppers or lattice used as a net for climbing plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The choice of materials runs from softwoods to light low-grade wood to vinyl. Low-grade wood lattice is inexpensive, but very fragile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While vinyl materials often are 400-500% more expensive than inexpensive wood, they are far more durable, low maintenance and equally easy to install.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Stone, manufactured stone, concrete or cement decorative block fences can be quite costly, labour-intensive to install, and sufficiently heavy to result in sag and shift over a period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there is such a range of attractive materials and design that many homeowners prefer these types of privacy structures.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the considerations when contemplating a solid, transparent or semi-transparent “privacy” fence is the impact it will have on the surrounding vegetation, if sunlight is blocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The concept of “privacy” is, for the most part, a two-way street, and if the fence blocks out views from the outside looking in, it will similarly block views from the inside looking out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When planning your fence, consider to what purpose it will be put, and what the ramifications of your chosen deign will be.</span></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-82475917841617348222011-03-03T11:09:00.002-06:002011-03-03T11:09:38.493-06:00Ground Screws Versus Piles<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The use of ground screws in fence construction has been a widely accepted practice for more than a decade, yet the use of ground screws for decks has not been as well embraced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, these innovative products offer significant advantages over conventional piles & posts or pad and post systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have evolved considerably in recent years, with a wider array of types and widths.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Consumers are well advised, however, to either consult with a knowledgeable supplier or research the best type of screw to use with each specific application, to avoid the risks associated with employing a screw, pile or post that is inadequate for the task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many do-it-yourself decks are supported, in large measure, on good faith and not good foundation!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Simple, one-level smaller decks may well be adequately supported by a 4 by 4 post on a concrete deck pad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even then, though, improper levelling can lead to unbalanced load distribution and shifting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One step beyond pad and post supports is pile or pile and post supports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Piles offer the advantage over pads of distributing the weight into the soil below the deck, and providing an underpinning that is less likely to shift with varying soil moisture content and heavy deck traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most cases for larger or multi-level decks, pile systems are the minimum standard to ensure stability, durability and strength.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But ground screws go beyond pile or pile-and-post construction, particularly for the home handyman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple ground screws can be easily removed and repositioned, unlike piles. With no digging, significant manual labour is eliminated.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ground screws act in a similar manner to wood or metal screws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their spiral allows for less force to be needed to insert the screw into the soil, while the increased surface area of the screw face provides more stable contact with the binding soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This results in decreased frost heave and shifting due to dry or wet soil conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, the screw is not suitable for some soils, such as those with lots of rubble, loose compact such as gravel or sand, shale, sandstone, dense or frozen soils. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In spite of these drawbacks, though, screws are more adaptable, and casnn be inserted in close proximity to overhangs, where piles could not be driven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Screws can be easily installed on slopes, and the light-weight equipment used for most applications is less disruptive than heavy pile-driving machinery.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Less digging and soil disruption means less waste left over and less cleanup and less noise during construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both screws and pre-cast pilings can be subjected to structural load immediately after installation, whereas poured-in-place piles require drying time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In spite of the numerous advantage of screws, though, factors such as cost, building code requirements and aesthetic considerations need to be factored into decision-making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ensure that your deck supports are properly designed, we advise that you consult with a building professional, to determine the application that is most appropriate.<span style="color: #643e29; font-family: Frutiger-Cn; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Cn;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-62320638569874743882011-03-02T12:20:00.000-06:002011-03-02T12:20:06.696-06:00Proper Planning of Your Back Yard Project<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The enthusiasm for a new project often overcomes the logic of planning that project properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nowhere in the realm of the home handyman is this more true than in back yard upgrades and, in particular, decks and fences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, it is with proper planning that you will get the greatest enjoyment out of your project in the long run.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the common pitfalls of a homeowner installing a fence is the failure to check property lines accurately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Past mistakes and mis-measurements often are compounded by assuming that the original fence line was accurate. If you do indeed build in a manner that encroaches on a neighbour’s property, he may end up owning the fence, or, worse, could remove the fence or claim damages from you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A second failing is to properly assess the soil, the sunlight, the need for gate strength or the lines and geometry of the fence, resulting in shifting fences, frost heave, access restrictions and lawn or gardens that are killed by poor lighting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The problems resulting from proper planning are more severe where a deck is involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first concern is to know and adhere to your local building code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, in the City of Winnipeg, homeowners need a permit if they build a deck that exceeds twenty-four inches above grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a modestly-sloping wheelchair ramp requires a permit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There re restrictions on how far back from a property line a structure must be, and those distance vary, depending upon whether they are located in the front, back or side yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, fences on each perimeter have maximum height restrictions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For piles and footings, it is vital that you check to see that there are no power lines or gas or water mains running across your property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cutting into one of those vital utilities could result in severe injury, extensive damage and even death!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But, beyond the need to conform to building code, a properly constructed deck is essential to avoid damage, failure or injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anchoring a deck is critical, for example, but if done incorrectly can result in extensive damage to surrounding areas or structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anchoring to a building requires ensuring that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you are anchoring to a solid component, rather than just into a façade or weakened piece of lumber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poorly planned deck supports can result in the deck shifting or collapsing, while posts and piles that are not properly set can cause warping, shifting and rot.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Even the location of a structure requires careful planning to get maximum enjoyment from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider how it will be used today, as well as how it may be used in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider how it will impact on nearby structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at how and when it will receive light, and how sheltered or exposed it will be to the elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look overhead, to see if it will impede with power lines.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Instead of rushing ahead with a project, hoping to enjoy it before that first warm weather of summer expires, take the time to plan carefully, consult with professionals, understand your requirements and explore all options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, dive in! Carefully.</span></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-46889681666684598312011-02-25T11:30:00.002-06:002011-02-25T11:30:49.579-06:00Retaining Walls<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Retaining walls serve to retain the lateral pressure of soil. Basement walls, for example, are retaining walls, but the term is most commonly used to describe the decorative or structural build-up of material to hold back soil on a sloped surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most commonly, these are seen on shore lines of creeks, or on hilly slopes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As a landscape feature, retaining walls provide an eye catching focal point in a yard layout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must be designed to resist the pressure of soil, but also often are required to resist hydraulic pressure. Because these pressures are the least at the top of the wall, most designs allow for a tapered construction, thicker at the base than at the top.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Gravity walls are constructed in such a manner that they rely on their mass to hold back the soil, while cantilevered walls often have a footing that helps to distribute lateral pressure into vertical pressure on the ground below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They generally are reinforced internally with steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anchored walls are more commonly used in rocky terrain, with the wall anchored into the solid rock behind the wall.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For the typical homeowner, though, most retaining walls are designed with both practical and aesthetic uses in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While a piled wall, consisting of precast heets of concrete, slabs of steel or thick timbers pounded into the ground may serve the practical purpose well, they may be quite unsightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes such designs are augmented by dry-stacking stone or brick in front of the sheet, to provide the illusion of a retaining wall constructed solely of that decorative material.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The most common landscaped decorative retaining wall is the cantilevered structure, using poured concrete, decorative imitation stone, or real rock and bricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These allow for a continuation of the lawn or garden surface right to the lip of the wall, without unattractive gaps.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A design option that is gaining in popularity is the use of interlocking bricks, that work much like a Leggo block system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These bricks come in a plethora of styles, sizes, shapes and colours, and are easily installed by most dedicated handymen, in one or two days.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When installing a retaining wall that will also act to resist hydraulic pressure, it is important to install proper drainage systems, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where the home handyman most often fails, and where consulting with a professional fence installer or landscaper becomes critical.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Professional installers also are able to provide the guidance that will turn a functional retaining wall into a work of art, deserving of attention and praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the cost may be substantial, the benefits, in the log term, will readily exceed the investment.</span></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304527066253824057.post-42597837880467144862011-02-25T11:28:00.002-06:002011-02-25T11:28:51.164-06:00Wind Breaks<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Contrary to myth, solid fencing does not provide the best wind break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The force of the wind on the solid flat surface creates both pressure on the windward side and pressure differences on the leeward side, somewhat similar to the way an airfoil works.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To illustrate this, note that snow fences are designed with porosity, allowing some of the wind to work its way through, yet decreasing and deflecting the air flow. As a consequence of the design, snow will tend to accumulate a few feet in front of the fence, as the vortices of wind redirect.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When designing a wood fence as a windbreak, stagger the boards 2 inches apart for every six inches of width.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ideal porosity for windbreak fences is 25-33%, and such a gap will give a 25% porosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This provides a protection that will extend eight to ten times the height of the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another option is to slope the fencing material, if you are intending to use the fence as a shelter for livestock.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For home and farmyard applications, consider building the fence in staggered sections, with each panel offset from adjacent ones by a foot or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gapping increases airflow redirection, while also reducing wind load on the panels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Varying the height of the panels also will aide in this redirection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intent, of course, is not to stop the wind, but to reduce and redirect.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When installing a wind barrier that is intended to act as a snow fence, do not install the fence right at the point where the snow is to be stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, set the fence back several yards, at least, so that the snow that is impeded will drop and accumulate prior to the road way or clear area that you require.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that, since the wind break (if properly installed) will create a protection area that is eight to ten times the height of the fence, a four-foot fence will provide a dead zone that is up to 40 feet in front of the fence.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Some permanent wind breaks are nothing more than a good tree or brush line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, solid rows of trees provide less protection than porous rows, so do not plant so that an impenetrable barrier is created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, use staggered plantings, offset against each other.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Although it may seem counterintuitive, mesh fences can provide good wind barriers, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Materials such as the mesh seen along the perimeter of golf driving ranges, plastic and resin meshes and even chain link fencing provide a nominal measure of protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To illustrate the effectiveness of a simple screen, open your house window on a cold, relatively calm winter day, and feel the coolness of the air coming in against the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then stick your hand outside and feel the difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That screen has partially blocked the transfer of heat due to convection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It works similarly for wind.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wind breaks, then, are not so much wind barriers as they are wind speed bumps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holding back the wind, to paraphrase Jim Croce’s song about spitting in the wind or tearing the mask off the old Lone Ranger, should not be foolishly attempted!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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