Sometimes homeowners don’t need a lot of fencing. As you can see in the photos, we recently built a simple trellis and gate for a customer in Anne Arundel County. The customer already had a nice hedge enclosing their yard. All that was needed was a nice gate that allowed access to the back yard. The customer is a duck lover, so we added the duck outlines to the top of the trellis as a nice accent. Here’s the response from the customer:
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Slick staining hints
A couple weeks ago, we advised homeowners with new wood fences to stain or seal them before winter sets in. For those who want to take care of this chore themselves, we offer this how-to page for advice. (Hint: there’s also advice here for staining your wood deck.)
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What’s a deck worth?
When homeowners consider adding a deck to their homes, one factor that often comes up is the how the deck will affect the resale value of the home. It’s nice to have the additional living space and the ability to enjoy the outdoors. It’s even better if the deck can pay for itself when the home sells.
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Have you stained your new fence?
If you had a new wood fence installed over the summer, have you stained it yet? We recommend that quality wood stain or sealer (ideally both) be applied 30 to 90 days after fence installation is complete. With few good weekends left before the cold weather sets in, now is the time to get this done.
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Stairway to deck heaven
I’m often amazed by the number of homeowners who overlook adding a staircase to their elevated decks. A well-designed, well-built staircase adds to a deck’s aesthetics and says to guests, “welcome to our home.” Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to deck stairs.
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Railing on railings
With all the attention to deck accessories, lighting, and sound, it’s easy to overlook one of the most essential components of a deck – it’s railing. In most jurisdictions, you’re required to have a railing if your deck is 30 inches or higher off the ground. But a railing is far more than just a safety feature
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The right privacy for your deck
Everyone knows what a deck is. Most people are familiar with structures to cover a deck whether they are awnings, pagodas, or roofs. What may be less well known is that many homeowners add walls to their decks, and no, we’re not talking about screened-in porches. These are wall without roofs that primarily provide additional privacy for those on the deck. Here are some the options homeowners have with deck walls.
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Low-voltage vs. solar lighting
In our last post we talked about adding lights to your decking project. These days, homeowners have several options when it comes to outdoor lighting. Among the most popular choices are solar and low-voltage lighting. These eco-friendly options can save homeowners money on their electric bills. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but for your deck low-voltage lighting might be the best way to go.
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Accessorize your deck
From outdoor kitchens, to hot tubs, to pagodas, homeowners make a lot extravagant additions to their decks that make them more useful and appealing. However, don’t overlook more basic items that make your decks more comfortable. Here are some of them.
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Deck design 101
I’m constantly amazed by people who spend so much time on the design of their home interiors, then give short shrift to planning their decks. If you’re going to add a deck, it means you want more living space to enjoy and hopefully, increase the value of your home. Don’t waste your money on a deck you won’t be happy with. Deck space should be designed like any other room in your home to provide you with functionality, easy traffic flow, and a complimentary look to your home.