Landscaping & Outdoor Building

Bird watching and feeding has been a long time relaxing and enjoyable hobby for many people. Unfortunately most often, the local squirrels, raccoons and dear keep getting fatter and you keep...

Concrete is typically a very strong and durable building material, and for that reason is one of the most commonly used materials for features like walkways and patios. For a number of reasons...

Aluminum fences provide the strength and beauty of an iron fence while remaining relatively maintenance free. Because aluminum fences prohibit rust, they are ideal for areas near swimming pools...

The mere thought of bats brings up scary images of flying vampires, monsters, and rabies. The truth is, bats are beneficial in controlling mosquito and other insect populations and are welcome at...

A wood basket weave fence is an aesthetically pleasing fence typically used for privacy as they will block the property from view. The degree of privacy can be varied by changing the height of the...

Vinyl fencing is a more expensive alternative to traditional wood fencing, however it requires almost no maintenance and lasts much longer. Installation requires two people and multiple days to...

Brick steps leading up to a front door are a popular choice over wood steps because brick stands up to weather for a longer period of time. Most front door steps include railings to support...

Vinyl fences are durable and maintenance-free fences made from non-toxic, fully recyclable plastic. Unfortunately they're also fairly expensive, and the cost of professional installation only adds...

The United States Post Office delivered over 203 billion pieces of mail in 2008. With over 32,741 Post Offices nationwide and 1.2 billion miles driven by letter carriers and professional truck...

A loose fence post usually has one of two causes. It was not tamped in properly when the post was first put in, and as the ground settles, a gap opens around the post allowing it to shift. The...

Chain link fence is a relatively inexpensive type of fence that blends well with the backdrop of your yard. It delivers an effective boundary around your property without the confining effects of...

Cedar split rail fencing is an inexpensive type of fence that's simple to install. It's a great border fence that won't block the view around your yard. A cedar split rail fence can be put in...

Mailbox gardens have become a popular way to add curb appeal to a home. Use the bare piece of ground at the base of a mailbox for a mix of evergreen flowering perennials like pinks and lavender....

Wood fences need to be securely anchored into the ground to prevent leaning and falling. With vinyl, aluminum, or chain-link fences, simply insert concrete posts into the ground to create a firm...

Should you want to remove an existing fence or just replace one, you may need to remove posts that were set in concrete. While not a difficult job, this process can be labor intensive.

The most important part of installing a chain link fence is setting the posts correctly. If you can do that, installing the rest of the fence will be much easier. The posts need to be the correct...

Vinyl fence really isn't as difficult to install as you might think--anyone with the proper tools and some know-how can do it. Installing your own vinyl fence can save you a lot of money on...

Aluminum fences come in a wide variety of designs from basic to ornamental. If you want to do more than just mark where your property line begins and ends, consider an aluminum fence. Several...

The mandevilla is a glossy-leaved tropical vine that is loved for its large, trumpet-like flowers of red, white, pink or yellow. Often used as a summer annual, a popular use is to allow it to...

Installing a mailbox post for the curbside delivery of mail is regulated by the United States Postal Service. Consult the local postmaster for any special rules regarding specific heights or back...

A gazebo can add a great deal of charm and functionality to your property. They serve as great gathering spaces for outdoor events and parties. But as charming as they appear, they are also very...

Setting a post for a fence or mailbox can be hard work, so you'll want the post to last as long as possible. An unprotected fence post could start to rot in as little as three years. With proper...

Mounting a mailbox to a cedar post in front of your home can serve several purposes. Cedar is strong and attractive; it will provide durability you might not get from a metal or plastic kit and...

You can install a barbed wire fence that will last for years, provided that you observe a few basic guidelines. There are three essential steps: setting the H-brace corners and steel fence posts;...

Chicken wire is one of the most affordable types of fencing available to consumers. It serves a variety of purposes, such as caging in small animals like chickens (hence the name "chicken wire")...

Adding rails to an existing deck is an easy way to add dimension, and style to your outdoor space. The installation is also quite simple, especially if you purchase a handrail system with the...

Removing a fence post with concrete attached requires some hard work and may even seem impossible if you aren't sure what you're doing. Unless you are willing to spend money to hire a professional...

Traditionally, fences are built out of wooden posts and slats. Over time, wooden fences can begin to sag and lean due to the shifting of the ground or wood rot. Leaning fence posts can pose a...

Trellising cucumbers, tomatoes, squash vines, pole beans and gourds lets the gardener use less space to grow more vegetables. This vertical form of square foot gardening can provide 6 feet or...

Wooden fence posts can wear, rot and become an eyesore. They can fall over or crack and will eventually need replacing. Having a post replaced by a professional can be pricey, so it's...

When digging a hole for a post, a shovel becomes more cumbersome as the hole gets deeper. To remove dirt from the hole with a shovel, you need to widen the hole. A post-hole digger has two...

While they often evoke images of prisons and military bases, electric fences are most commonly used as an efficient, non-lethal way to manage free-range livestock and keep wolves, bears and big...

Installing a light post requires seven days to complete because you have to allow the concrete footer to set before the post can be mounted correctly on top of it. Note that the conduit is...

Red cedar can be used successfully as fence posts. According to the Oregon State University of Forestry, the general lifespan of a red cedar post is up to 24 years. All red cedar contains a white...

Treillage, the art of training climbing plants onto frames, has been a garden pastime since the 12th century. The key to a trellis is geometric regularity. Take advantage of trellises to force a...

A newel post is the central or main post that is located at the bottom of a staircase located on the inside or the outside of a home. If you are installing a new handrail or replacing an existing...

Mounting your gate can be the most difficult part of installing your fence. If it isn't done right, the gate will sag or rip itself from hinges that aren't strong enough to support the weight and...

Wooden supporting posts for porches and fences are subject to moisture and bug deterioration when set directly into soil without a protective barrier having been placed around the base of the...

Cedar fencing is an easy and practical way to fence your yard. Fencing with cedar also makes for a beautiful fence that will last for years to come. If you are planning on a DIY cedar fence, you...

Much like windblown sand, windblown snow always seems to pile up where we don't need it or want it. Oceanside venues employ fencing to encourage dune formation, while homeowners facing a brutal...

As your property gets older, you may find that the original fencing is beginning to fall apart and needs to be replaced. When replacing fencing, you have several options to choose from, depending...

Setting your wooden fence posts with Quikrete assures you that your fence will not be as easily damaged by bad weather, high winds, or animals. It makes the posts and your fence more secure by...

A fence keeps animals like deer out of your garden or keeps your pets from marauding through your neighborhood. Many people build fences to make their yards a safer place for young children to...

Mailboxes often sit on posts or perches that elevate them off the ground for the postman to put mail into and for residents to easily access. These posts are often thin but sturdy enough to hold a...

You just moved into a new house and you need to put up a mailbox. How and where you place the box may not be as simple as randomly picking a likely-looking spot. Before you grab a shovel and start...

Electric fence insulators are a key part of your electric fence system--they allow you to attach the fence to your posts without grounding the wires out. Choose electric fence insulators based on...

The U.S. Postal Service requires that curbside mailboxes meet certain minimum standards. If you want to install a custom mailbox, you need to contact your local postmaster for approval first. As...

Installing a driveway gate is fairly straightforward, however a couple of pitfalls await the unwary. The old carpenter's rule of measuring twice and cutting once is appropriate here, as are...

Shadowbox fences have the advantage of offering a fair amount of privacy while looking equally attractive on both sides. This means a clean look for both you and your neighbors. The design of...

The mailbox is an important component in completing the look of a house. It is one of the first things people see so it should be presentable and attractive. However, to have that box, you must...