Fencing as part of the bones of the garden or the back yard
Every garden or back yard needs fences to keep the world out and the dogs and kids in. Fences are the walls of your garden and deserve just as much attention to set the stage for the ambiance of your summer living space.
lot of thought. They are a key part of the bone structure in any garden. Some people add mirrored windows. Some put up artwork. Some
P
use their fences as the backdrop for vertical plantings, to support flower baskets or to create a living wall. The six-foot wooden fence painted brown is so passé, especial-
ly when there are thousands of paint colours to choose from that might reflect your home and your personality more accurately. You can also dress up a boring fence with post finials or other inexpen- sive finishing. The fence should reflect the style of your home and your own personal taste. Today, the sky is the limit in terms of possibility in product today.
Wood Wood, especially pressure treated wood, followed by western red
cedar remains the number one product in building both fences and decks. And wood is used to build gazebos and arbours, bridges and even walkways. Nothing is more effective in creating a rustic look. The pressure treated products of today can last 50 years and are
now available impregnated with a copper-based product, which has replaced arsenic as a fungicide to keep down decay and deter insects. These wood products are more expensive than the old
24 • Early Spring 2012
erhaps nothing is more important to your outdoor living space than the fence that makes this space your own. Fences are the walls of your private outdoor world and deserve a
CCA wood products, which are made with chromated copper and arsenic, but many folks feel more comfortable with the newer product, especially if they have kids. Both the copper and arsenic can leech into the soil, but copper will not be reabsorbed by the body. If this is a concern to you, look for the letters ACQ or CA on treated wood. Cedar, on the other hand, contains its own natural oils which
help protect it from insects and fungi. Cedar will last about 25 years and perhaps longer if you treat it with stains or paint on a regular basis.
Paint is just one of the many ways to personalize a fence, even
those inexpensive prefab wooden fences that are so popular today. These panels often have latticed tops and it is advisable to paint or stain them. Be sure to add fence caps to prevent warping or rot- ting. In some places, prefab fences with horizontal fence boards and roller coaster lattice tops are available. Vinyls and resins
Homeowners of today’s super houses are leaning toward a more finished, sophisticated look to go with the style of their homes. New products such as vinyls and resin composites impart that clean, modern look. These products have added advantages. First among these is their very long life span. It is said that you
would have to replace your wooden fence a half dozen times before you need to replace a vinyl fence. Vinyl fences are also very easy care,
www.localgardener.net
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32