Landscaping & Outdoor Building

There are many reasons to build a wood fence --aesthetics, privacy, durability and cost. Fences are great for keeping people out while keeping children and dogs in. With a wood fence, it is...

Fences can add privacy and help increase the value of your home. There are many types of fencing material and posts are generally required to help provide a structurally sound fence. The number of...

A wire fence with T-posts is one of the easiest fences to build. Unlike an all-wood fence where every post must have a hole dug, T-posts are driven into the ground. Only the corner and support...

There is something artistic about a wire fence that is so straight that looking down the end of it there seems to be only one post. On the other hand a crooked fence is unsightly and the...

Composting is an essential part of the cyclical nature of gardening. Turning your organic remains into a nutrient rich substance for putting back into the earth benefits the plants and helps...

Chain-link fences are a common sight. Made of interlocked metal links and held by fence posts, chain-link fences are used for keeping animals out of farmland, or for keeping them in a certain...

When building a picnic shelter, there are many different things to consider, such as types of materials, strength of materials, ability of materials to protect you from the weather, type of...

One of the easiest ways to build a fence is to use pre-built fence panels. These panels tend to cost more than buying all the materials separately to make the panels. However, the additional cost...

Snowboarding is a popular winter sport. Gliding top speed down a quiet, snow covered hill while the adrenaline courses through your body can be almost spiritual. Unfortunately, as with other tools...

The first step in any fence installation project is determining how much fence material you will need. If you over-estimate your needs, you'll end up spending extra money on material that you...

A screened patio in the backyard provides protection from bugs that sting and bite. Small children can safely play outdoors in a screened-in patio without the fear of stray animals or snakes. A...

Garden fences help create privacy, reduce noise and create a visible boundary between you and your neighbors. Fences can also keep pests away from your garden produce. Knowing basic fence...

Fences serve many functions, including providing privacy and security, establishing boundaries, hiding unpleasant views and controlling animals and the elements. Homeowners trying to select the...

Enjoying the warm summer air is even more wonderful when sitting on a porch at dusk. The drawbacks can be the insects that buzz around while you are trying to enjoy your evening. Consider putting...

Hotbeds have been in use for hundreds of years, starting with Arabs living during the Dark Ages of Europe in what is now called Spain and Portugal. The Moors, as they were called at the time, used...

A fence around your porch is a good way to preserve your porch and keep unwanted animals or people out. However, without a gate, a fence is inconvenient and unusable. Installing a simple porch...

A pergola is a small, open-air structure, sometimes covered with vines. Adding a pergola to your garden will accent your plants and provide a relaxing shaded area. You can construct a DIY garden...

Planning a fence project includes considering the type of fence posts that will work best for the fence's purpose. For solid support and a permanent solution, many consumers choose concrete fence...

Cedar is widely considered to be one of the most desirable woods for outdoor deck or fence construction. Both its beauty and natural resistance to rot and decay make cedar an optimal choice for...

Installing a 4-foot wire fence on your own can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on labor and installation costs. A wire fence can protect a garden from animals or improve the quality...

Cedar fences withstand the weather better than many other types of wood fencing. But digging and installing your own fence posts might seem difficult. If you ever wanted to install a cedar fence...

When planning and building a deck, fence or other light-duty structure, nothing is more important than the first stabilizing posts. When wooden posts are rushed, inadequately installed, unbalanced...

Outdoor building projects often begin by setting posts. As these posts will literally form the backbone of your structure, setting them properly will help ensure your success. Setting large...

Installing a cedar fence in your yard can be a fun project that will give you privacy and peace of mind. Cedar fences last longer than most types of other wood fences. When you DIY a cedar fence...

If you own a home with a fence, you'll likely have to replace it someday. As fences age, they can begin to decay or rust away, which is unsightly and can make your property less secure. Consider...

Driving fence posts is hard work, but it can be accomplished by anyone willing to put in the necessary effort. On mountain properties, you can use an ATV or similar vehicle to carry the fence...

Making your own pergola for your patio or garden is much easier than you may think. With the right plan and preparation, you can build it quickly and make it look masterful. Make sure you choose a...

Cord wood construction consists of post and beam framing and mortared cord wood. The frame provides the strength of the building, while the cord wood provides the wall filling. If you are planning...

Known for its rot and warping resistance, black locust wood is a good choice for fence posts because you want a post that lasts for years and is not easily damaged. Working with black locust might...

A lean-to is a simple three-sided structure with a sloping roof. Often the front---the largest side---faces away from the prevailing wind and weather, and the roof reaches completely to the...

Getting the appropriately size fence posts is important for your project so that your fence fulfills your needs and stays within budget. Posts that are too long are a waste of money, and posts...

Wooden fences add to the appearance of your home by providing a backdrop for shrubs and other landscaping. They also improve security, deaden noise, mark property boundaries and increase the...

Weld wire mesh fencing is sturdier than other mesh fencing, which makes it easier to install. It is not necessary to stretch the fencing like with poultry wire; simply pull it tight and fasten....

Installing temporary fence posts for an electric fence is a suitable fencing option if you use rotational grazing (fencing in small paddocks and rotating your animals between paddocks on regular...

If fence posts need replacing, they have probably rotted below ground, causing them to break off. The life of a fence can be extended by using pressure-treated posts that are resistant to...

A vinyl privacy fence offers an attractive privacy solution that's durable and low-maintenance. More costly than traditional wooden privacy fences, a vinyl fence lasts longer and is less subject...

Whether it is meant to hedge out unwanted fauna from getting to the garden or just to spruce up the look of the yard, the picket fence has long been a popular way of enhancing the aesthetic of...

Split-rail fencing is a good choice if you are looking for a rustic, traditional and highly visible type of fencing. It does need proper installation, however, to last and can require a lot of...

When most people think about a cozy little cottage, our mental image usually includes a picket fence. While other fences, such as stockade fences, are primarily utilitarian in nature, a picket...

A patio allows you to enjoy the outdoors while staying close to your house on a nice concrete footing. However, you will still be exposed to the elements. If you want to protect yourself while...

Installing a gate for your fence is probably the most important part of the job, since the gate will be the focal point of the fence and will get the most use. For that reason, you should consider...

If you are looking for an open structure which can define a space in your backyard, a pergola might be for you. This structure is made out of wood and is a great overhang for a small seating...

A courtyard pergola can be a beautiful addition to any home or estate. It can provide a place to lounge and hideaway or just be a decorative structure onto which vines are attached. If you are...

One of the easiest fences to build, as well as the least expensive, is a post and rail or split rail fence. Although originally built for farms to keep livestock from roaming, split rail fences...

Pole building is one of the most basic construction techniques available. Instead of an elaborate frame, the building is supported by poles and a minimum of cross bracing. The average...

Do you want to lower your electric bill? One good way to cut costs on those utility bills is to air dry your clothes outside, it's the natural way. Clothes can be dried in the great outdoors year...

Fences make good neighbors, as the saying goes. Fences help define your property and provide privacy, depending on the type of fence you build. An upright palisade fence, also called a picket...

A patio arbor can be one of the most rewarding projects that you might add to your home. Sometimes wrapped in beautiful wisteria, roses, or other vines, the patio arbor can be a place to hide away...

Building a wooden fence in your yard is a great way to distinguish property lines or add a more uniform design to your garden. Once the basic frame of the fence is up, the only thing you have to...

Backyard fences must periodically be replaced as the wood deteriorates. Do-it-yourself fence installation can save you a significant amount of money over paying for a contractor. Everything you...