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Building a Fence
Besides privacy, fences, gates and walls can frame views, defining and accentuating them. Tall, solid fences also restrict the view from the outside and improve security.
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Building a Fence
Aside from providing protection, a fence can do wonders to enhance the appearance of one's home. Before starting construction, there are a few basic planning steps that should be taken. This is true for starting anew or even if you plan to replace an existing fence.
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Building a Lasting Deck
Anyone who has ever built a deck can attest to the satisfaction derived from a job well done. Such a deck, surrounded by landscaping, can transform a poorly utilized section of barren land into an outdoor "oasis" ideal both for backyard entertaining and improving a property's value.
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Building a Redwood Deck
The addition of a wood deck is an easy and economical way to improve your home.
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Building Deck Stairs
If you have plans to build a deck that will have more than one level or will be more than about 15 inches above the ground, you'll need stairs. Stairs can be one of the more challenging aspects of a deck-building project.
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Building Your Own Deck
In addition to adding useful space to a garden, a deck can serve as an area for entertaining and, in some cases, can connect two otherwise remote points in a large yard. While building a deck isn't one of the easier do-it-your-self projects, it is one that handy homeowners can accomplish with a bit of training.
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Cleaning and Preserving Wood Decks
According to reports by most major home improvement magazines, a deck is one of the ten best ways to improve the value of one's home. The value continues to appreciate provided the deck is well maintained.
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Composite materials make for cool, low-maintenance decks
Over the last few years, composite building materials such as roofing, siding, and decking have evolved as popular alternatives for people wanting to reduce or eliminate maintenance problems associated with traditional wood building materials.
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Concrete Blocks and Bricks for Decks and Patios
Concrete is wonderful stuff, but it isn't very user-friendly. Yes, it's easy to pour. Yes, it can be shaped or formed to follow intricate curves. Yes, you can even create a pond or fountain using it. But, the problems begin when you try to make a smooth, uniform surface.
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Constructing a Retaining Wall
Heavy rains in various parts of the country this winter have caused soil to end up in locations where it otherwise would not be. These mudslides cause damage ranging from minor landscape repair to major structural work where mountainous soil has settled along the wall of a home.
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Deck-post Systems
Leaks in tile decks can be disastrous to surrounding areas and are costly to fix. The deck-post system is an important consideration and a logical alternative.
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Decking alternatives: How about composite wood?
Much like the kitchen phenomenon indoors, decks are a social "magnet" where those who live there relax and will spend a great deal of time and it is where guests gather and socialize.
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Decking Options
Warm summer days and balmy star-filled nights have homeowners venturing outdoors, eager for lazy fun and barbecues. But all too often, relaxing and entertaining has to be put on hold until wood decks are cleaned, refinished or repaired due to the ravages of winter.
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Decking Over a Slab
Using concrete makes for a great patio. Concrete takes irregularity out of the grade and produces an interesting and easy-to-maintain surface. It can be tooled as a surface drain to distribute water away from the home. It is relatively inexpensive and can be formed and poured in a weekend. And, a concrete slab can last a lifetime.
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Enjoying Automatic Gate Openers
While an automatic garage-door opener might be the best thing since sliced bread for many, it does little for folks who don't have a garage door, but who instead have an entry gate across their driveway, entry path or road.
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How to Build a Redwood Deck
Warm weather seems to bring out deck builders. So, now is a good time for a few tips on how to get the most for your money when building a deck.
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Hybrid Decking
“Hybrid decks” offer all of the advantages and ease of framing on a slope coupled with the natural beauty and ease of maintenance of stone. Although these new systems are ideal for sloped lots; they may also be used for roof top decking and decks above living spaces, as well at traditional backyard deck applications.
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Installing a Brick-like Path
Crossing one's backyard often means negotiating weeds, rocky soil or a muddy mess. Stepping stones can make things a bit easier, but really don't offer the safety and convenience of a continuous brick path. Aside from the practical advantages, a brick path can be quite attractive.
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Installing a Post
One of our first "solo" building projects was a fence. This was an exciting project because it involved more than nailing. The work included layout, digging, concrete, framing and the installation of fence boards.
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Installing Interlocking Block Retaining Walls
One of the most annoying yard projects we can think of is dealing with a sagging wood retaining wall. Now we agree, compared with other types, wood retaining walls are easy to build and inexpensive.
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Maintaining Your Deck
Besides making outdoor cooking and lounging more pleasant, a well-maintained deck is important to the appearance of your yard, and will last for years and years. Most people think that water is a deck's biggest enemy. Although it is by no means a friend to decking material, it's the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun that is the major cause of damage.
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Making Your Deck Like New
The key to keeping a deck looking good is maintenance. Grit, grime and environmental fallout should be removed via periodic washings. In most cases, a couple of thorough washings each year will do the trick. That together with regular hosings will make your deck the envy of the neighborhood.
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Overcoming Fence Obstacles
It is said, "good fences make for good neighbors." And good fences provide a margin of safety and security, as well...
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Patching a Wooden Deck
It's the time of year to refinish or repair your wood deck, whether it be patching, power washing, sanding or applying a fresh coat of preservative and-or stain. Since we are acutely aware that you want to use your deck not spend the entire warm season repairing and refinishing it we will share a repair technique with you that will save you time and money.
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Picket Fences
Have you always dreamed of having a white picket fence in your yard? Here's your chance to build one yourself!
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Planning a Deck
One of our favorite building projects is a deck because it is so instantly gratifying. How wonderful to be able to transform neglected, weed-infested terrain into a work or art.
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Repairing Outdoor Wooden Structures
Oil, wash, oil, wash, oil, oil and more oil. No matter how hard you try to protect outside wood structures, sooner or later cracking, splitting, cupping and shrinkage will occur. They are but a few of the ongoing conditions that eventually will affect your wood deck, porch, rails and stairs.
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Repairing Your Fence
Most of your fence is in good repair, but one of the boards is not. You have renailed it many times, and now it's so far gone that it must be replaced. Your first thought is to go to the local lumber yard, pick up a replacement board, cut it to fit and nail it in place. The problem is you might have to spend all weekend trying to color it to match the rest of your fence.
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Restoring Concrete Patio Dividers
If your concrete patio is in good condition except for gray, tattered and splintering wood dividers then wood replacement may be in order.
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Restoring Concrete Patios
If your concrete patio is good condition except for gray, splintering wood separator strips, repair is relatively inexpensive, and although somewhat time-consuming, fairly easy.
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Simple Care for Patio Repair
If you have a concrete patio or walk that contains one or more curling or bowed wooden dividers, pay close attention to this easy repair.
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Some Concrete Ideas
Don't let a cracked or stained concrete patio, porch, path or garage slab drive you to a sledgehammer. If the prospect of pulling out and replacing concrete doesn't appeal to you, put down the sledge and pick up a paintbrush.
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Some Concrete Not All It's Cracked Up to Be
Putting in a concrete walk, curb or patio takes quite a bit of expertise. If you don't want to undertake such a project yourself, it's important that you know what to look for from a contractor.
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Staining Your Deck
A handsome cedar fence, an expansive redwood deck and a stately cedar gazebo all are constructed of wood. Thus, their appearance and lasting quality depends upon how well they are cared for.
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Tips About Fences
About two years ago we had a storm in our area that took down half the fences in our yard. In fact, fences were blown over throughout our entire county. Shrubs were damaged, plants were crushed and our privacy disappeared.
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Wood Deck Maintenance
Unfortunately, as the yard became spectacular, our decks looked really shabby by contrast. It became apparent that it was time to perform a little serious deck maintenance.
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Yes, Fence Me In
When we first began writing this column 20 years ago, a fence consisted of rows of vertical wood posts placed in holes filled with concrete. And what worked then still does today. However, there are more alternatives now than ever before, alternatives that can save you time and money.
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