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Sunday, May 5, 2019

Cost to Install an Invisible Dog Fence

Cost to Install an Invisible Dog Fence

By Gene and Katie Hamilton
Most everyone we know who has an electric or "invisible" fence for their dog agrees that it’s a good way to keep them safe and within their property. Today’s containment systems can give their pet the freedom to roam while their owners can feel assured the dog is safe in the yard. An added benefit is the ability to create boundaries and a barrier within the property to restrain the dog from flower beds and shrubs and confine them to specific areas. And the fence eliminates the chore and cost of maintaining a hard fence that requires paint or stain. An in-ground fence system includes antenna wire, a transmitter, and a battery-powered receiver and collar. When the pet approaches the buried wire, the receiver delivers a warning sound and mild correction or shock if the pet crosses the boundary. It doesn’t hurt, and it usually happens only during the training period.
Here's the numbers: An electronic fence for a 1/4-acre lot, or approximately 600 linear feet of wire, with a second electronic boundary within the yard say, near a garden bed, costs about $977. You can buy a kit for about $300 and save 69 percent by installing it yourself. The job involves digging holes, laying wire, mounting a transformer, installing the receiver and connecting it all together. For an additional cost, you can rent a power lawn edger to eliminate digging.
You'll find do-it-yourself kits and installation information at Web sites like www.dogfencediy.com with detailed instructions on how to install and train a dog on an invisible fence.
A good time to add an invisible fence is when you’re planning to change the landscape of your yard so you can incorporate its placement in the design.
Since you're a dog lover you may be interested in the Jen Reviews post about the size of dog crates. Here's a link What Size Dog Crate Do You Need?
Wrapping up, given the average cost to install an invisible dog fence you can compare the price of a contractor’s bid with doing it yourself. For a local cost input your ZIP Code.
Improvement and Repair Cost Updated 2019
The cost and time data is generated by averaging labor and material data from annually updated cost books used by contractors and refined by the authors' experience remodeling 13 houses. They are authors of 20 home improvement books and Do It Yourself or Not, a weekly column syndicated by Tribune Content Agency. The national cost can be adjusted by ZIP Code.  

How to Decide When to DIY and When to Hire a Professional

How to Decide When to DIY and When to Hire a Professional

Last fall, my husband and I had a new fence installed in the backyard. It’s white cedar and the wood has dried out enough since it was installed that it’s time for us to stain and seal it before the weather starts to take its toll. The thing is, we really don’t want to do it.
Every time we discuss it, we both get whiny and groaning about it; our weekends are so busy already and the rain is a constant factor. Mostly, though, our hesitation is the fact that one large portion of the fence sits six inches from our neighbors’ tall white vinyl fence/wall (twin-home-living for the win). We can’t figure out how to effectively stain the back side of that portion of the fence, and we’re really sick of debating the best possible method.
We just want to hire someone, but it seems so silly to do that. It’s not that big of a job. It’s pretty low in the “skills necessary” department. And, as one acquaintance helpfully pointed out, we can probably just uninstall that portion of the fence, stain it and reinstall (hahahaha that’s not happening).
There are some home improvement projects you could do. But just because you could, does it mean you should? And how do you know the difference?
Consider the equipment and materials you’ll need
Lots of home improvement projects require just a few basic supplies. If you want to repaint a bedroom, you know you’ll need the paint, some brushes and rollers, a tray, maybe some blue painter’s tape and a few drop cloths. You probably already have some of those items from previous projects, so purchasing a few updated supplies isn’t a big deal.
Installing a backsplash in your kitchen, though, might require tools (such as a trowel and a tile saw) that you don’t already have and that you may never use again. If you don’t have a lot of storage area for tools, the amount of money and space you devote to rarely used items might factor in.
Also, if it’s a project for which you need to borrow and operate a large piece of equipment for the first time, identify your comfort level. Borrowing your neighbor’s power-washer to clear off your deck in the spring is one thing; renting an excavator to move some earth is another. If you’re naturally handy and good at maneuvering heavy equipment, then have at it. If you’re not... proceed with caution.
Consider the complexity
I have a general rule about DIY projects: if I watch a YouTube tutorial or two and find myself more confused or overwhelmed than when I started out, it’s time to place a phone call to a professional. If something is pretty easy or straightforward, a good tutorial will make you feel confident about the task ahead. If it doesn’t look easy, chances are it’s not.
Consider the consequences
Before you pick up that sledgehammer or shut off the water line to begin whatever you’re about to do, ask yourself this: How bad could it be? If I do this wrong, if I screw this up, what’s the worst that could happen?
My home has one bathroom, so you better believe if we ever have a major issue with our toilet (*knocks on wood*), I’m calling in help immediately. I can’t afford to mess around with that situation. Also, anything dealing with electricity is a hard no for me because I’ve never been shocked and don’t intend to start now. But maybe you don’t mind a little jolt now and then; to each their own.
Consider the manpower required
When freelance journalist Tove Danovich was trying to decide whether to jack-hammer up a portion of her driveway herself, she got a lot of advice from folks who said they’d never pay someone to do such an “easy” job. She writes for Curbed that in the end, she did choose to hand this cakewalk over to the professionals, which proved to be a good decision:
There were five men in safety-orange vests. They held jackhammers and pickaxes. They wielded a contraption roughly the size of my lab-mutt that looked like a chainsaw attached to a row of knives. Another machine was so big it came with an enclosed seat for its driver. It took them three hours to finish this “small” job.
If I think a project is going to require a “crew” of construction workers, I’m hiring it out.
Consider your budget
It usually comes down to this in the end, doesn’t it? You might not have the right equipment or knowledge or time or desire to retile your shower, but if you don’t have the money to hire someone, you might not have a choice. You do it or it doesn’t get done. In that case, watch extra tutorials and be ready for multiple trips to the hardware store.
If you do have the money, though, and you just don’t wanna mess with it, it’s okay to hire someone. You don’t need to feel guilty about “wasting” money on something you technically could do yourself. Sometimes your time and energy is worth more than it would cost to pay someone and they’re almost always going to do a better job than you could have anyway.
With all of this in mind, I don’t care how lazy the neighbors think I am; I’m hiring someone to stain my fence.
For more from Lifehacker, be sure to follow us on Instagram @lifehackerdotcom.

Homeowner on hook for fence repair after Niagara Regional Police cruiser crashes through backyard

Homeowner on hook for fence repair after Niagara Regional Police cruiser crashes through backyard

A St. Catharines homeowner fears he could be left paying thousands of dollars to repair damage caused when a Niagara Regional Police cruiser skidded to a stop in his backyard a week ago.
Bassam Faraj was at work when his terrified children contacted him last Friday evening. “My daughter called me. She was really screaming.
She was crying,” he said. “I thought something very dangerous happened.” Faraj raced home to find a cruiser in his backyard on Valour Way, amidst wreckage that had been his wire mesh fence. His neighbour Manny Poulos said he watched as the police SUV left the road, tore through a row of cedar trees and fence along Welland Canals Parkway, continued across his backyard and through a fence that divided his property from Faraj’s. He said he ran outside to help, and was relieved to learn that no one was hurt — including the officer and the police dog who were in the SUV, or the 22-year-old driver of a grey 2012 Chevrolet that was also involved in the collision.
Const. Phil Gavin said the crash occurred at about 6:26 p.m. April 26, when an officer was responding to a call for service with lights activated.
The driver of the other vehicle turned left from Rockwood Avenue into the path of the police vehicle. Gavin said the officer collided with the rear driver side of the car before leaving the roadway, striking the fence and coming to rest in Faraj’s backyard.
He said the crash caused about $10,000 to each of the two vehicles. Gavin said police have since determined that the driver of the Chevrolet was at fault in the crash, and he was charged with “turn not in safety.”
Now, Faraj is primarily concerned about the cost of repairing the damage. He said police assured him that they “we’re going to fix everything, and everything would be done by next week,” but it has been a week since the incident and muddy tire tracks still mar his property, along with debris from the ruined fence and trees.
“I called police and they said they’re not going to issue any payment,” Faraj said. Gavin said “damage of this nature and this potential value would be directed through respective insurance companies.”
But Faraj said his insurance company told him he would have to pay a $2,000 house insurance deductible to start his claim — and that’s likely more than the cost of repairing the damage
Allan.Benner@niagaradailies.com

Fencing choices can help define look of home

Fencing choices can help define look of home

Do you believe good fences make good neighbors? Or are you with Gene Autry, looking for wide open country? If you live in close quarters with your neighbors, you're probably in the former camp — whether it's a fence to keep a dog at home, an aluminum barrier around your pool for safety or a privacy fence to shield naked sunbathing, there are a lot of options and local fence contractors to choose from. And just like light fixtures, backsplash tile and color schemes, fence is subject to trends.
Melissa and Jerry Haley founded their Colonie business, Backyard Fence, in 1997. Back then, wood ruled the day, both the spaced pickets that call Tom Sawyer to mind, and the panels that create both a barrier and a privacy shield. Melissa Haley said she rarely quoted vinyl in those days because it was so expensive, compared to spruce and cedar options. Now, the reverse is true. Vinyl has come down in price, Haley said, and the price of wood has skyrocketed because of supply issues when it comes to importing lumber. Wood and vinyl are frequently close in price, and customers often go with vinyl because it is low-maintenance and long-lasting, Haley said, and the material now comes in a variety of colors, not just white.
"There are places where only wood will do, because the property is heavily wooded and vinyl would look out of place," Haley said.
Fencing falls into four categories — in order of cost, it's chain link, aluminum, vinyl and wood. Installation labor costs depend on location, Haley said — the digging is easy in Rotterdam, where it's sandy, but trickier in Altamont or Cohoes, where the soil is different.
While chain link is cheapest, you can spend as much as a new car on fancy fence options — vinyl with aluminum on top to create a decorative element or aluminum fence with decorative panel inserts. Haley said a combination of styles is common — at her house, she has chain link around the backyard and decorative vinyl in the front facing the street.
Kyle Stevens, manager of the Queensbury branch of AFSCO Fence & Deck, has also seen a shift away from wood and toward vinyl. New recycling initiatives make it more appealing. Stevens said he works with a company that takes broken, leftover and unused pieces and grinds them down to create new PVC products.
Matt Rogers, the residential manager at Siena Fence in Clifton Park, said vinyl is easier to install than wood — many contractors avoid concrete footings because it accelerates rot in the wooden posts. Rogers said he still gets a lot of requests from customers for wood. A wood fence will last 12 to 14 years if left untreated; up to 20 if you stain it every two years, said Eric Reyome, also a Siena Fence employee.
lhornbeck@timesunion.com • 518-454-5352 • @leighhornbeck
Matt Gonyea, left, and Nick Lettus, right, with AFSCO Fence & Deck, measure a piece of aluminum fence before cutting it to size on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Wilton, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)

  • Matt Gonyea, left, and Nick Lettus, right, with AFSCO Fence & Deck, measure a piece of aluminum fence before cutting it to size on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Wilton, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
    Photo: Will Waldron

  • Matt Gonyea, left, and Nick Lettus, right, with AFSCO Fence & Deck, measure a piece of aluminum fence before cutting it to size on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Wilton, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
    Matt Gonyea, left, and Nick Lettus, right, with AFSCO Fence & Deck, measure a piece of aluminum fence before cutting it to size on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Wilton, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
    Photo: Will Waldron
    Fencing choices can help define look of home

    Choosing the Right Fence for Your Home

    Choosing the Right Fence for Your Home

    If you are in the Dallas area, there are many options when it comes to fences for your home (and fence contractors). No wonder, given the many different styles of homes in the area. But how do you choose what will add the most beauty and value to your home? In truth, there’s no better source than a reputable Dallas fence company.
    What the Fencing Experts Say About Home Fences
    a steel fence of a home that can be provided by a St. Louis Fence Company
    Here at Ameristain, we’ve been hiring and training industry experts for over a decade. Here are some of the things our experts tell homeowners who are planning a new fence:
  • Think about what your fence needs to do.Do you need to keep pets or children (or both) safe in your yard? Is privacy important? Is the fence meant to be a barrier between your property and the next, or is it more for style?
  • Consider the total cost to you. Fencing installation is just part of the cost of ownership. For example, with a wood fence, painting and staining will cost money over time. So will repairs and eventual replacement. The cost is much, much less with maintenance free material as you would find in a vinyl fence, ornamental steel fence, or simulated stone fence.
  • Look at the styles before you judge. We’ve had some customers who never would have dreamed of installing a vinyl fence, only to fall in love with a modern style that simulates the look of natural wood. So don’t discount a fence right off the bat. Look at some different styles and see what you like.
  • Plan it out with a reputable fencing company. A good fencing company will help you plan layout and other details of your fence with you, helping to anticipate any challenges, to meet municipality and subdivision requirements and find a style that works for your home. (If you are looking for a St. Louis fence company specifically, we can help!)
  • A Style for Every Home
    swing chair and a plant in front of a brown fence that can be provided by a St. Louis Fence Company
    Every home is different, and everyone home should have a fence to match. Here are some ideas of what to look for:
    #1: The Traditional Wood Look
    If a yard fence to you means a white picket fence, then the traditional look in vinyl might be for you. Colonial or older style homes tend to look best with this traditional look.
    Vinyl fences that are made to look like painted wood fences are a great option for this look. They also have the benefit of being maintenance-free and pest-free.
    #2: The Classic Metal Look
    Homes in more dense urban areas often have a character of their own. Arches, brick walkways, and ornamental iron gates and fences are common, lending an elegant yet lively feel. Federal style and “stick style” homes fit this look, as do many townhouses.
    Ornamental iron, however, has issues when it comes to rust and deterioration. An ornamental steel fence or aluminum fence, on the other hand, can be sculpted to look like wrought iron, but without the need to repair or replace it every few years. (You can compare all three here.)
    #3: The Backyard Oasis
    More modern homes (contemporary, post-modern, Northwest style, etc.) are trending towards making the backyard a quiet oasis where you can rest, read, or share an evening with friends. That means privacy combined with a more “natural” look.
    For this, simulated stone (“faux stone”) can provide the ultimate backyard oasis. Not only do the panels provide privacy and nice sound-dampening properties, but it also has a realistic stone appearance.
    #4: Sheer Privacy
    Many vinyl fences come in larger panels between widely spaced posts. The effect is a vinyl fence that looks more like an outside wall or barrier than a more traditional fence.
    This option is great if you want to keep pets and kids in—and peeping eyes out. We’ve seen this style on everything from larger estates to small suburban homes and places of business.
    Contact us now for answers to your questions, or to arrange a meeting with one of our fencing experts. We offer free at-home estimates and will make sure that you get a fence that works with your home’s style—and your budget.

    Lattice Fence Ideas


    Vines trained on lattice soften the vertical or diagonal lines.
    Vines trained on lattice soften the vertical or diagonal lines.
    Due to its low price point and some haphazard installation, lattice gets a bad reputation as a cheap, inferior material to use around the home -- but lattice can look appealing when installed with attention to detail. Lattice sheets are quite flimsy and do not make good fencing material alone, but they can make a sturdy and attractive fence when installed with strong posts and horizontal rails.
    Solid Lattice Fencing
    A fence using solid lattice sheets as fencing panels is one of the cheapest wooden fencing options because lattice costs considerably less than fence pickets. The spacing between the intersecting wood or plastic strips -- usually measuring about 2 inches across -- provides partial privacy while still allowing sunlight and a view through the holes. The resulting fence with diamond- or square-shaped holes serves the same function as see-though chain-link fencing, but the wooden cross strips provide a more natural look. In order to increase the sturdiness of the fence, you should install horizontal top and bottom rails and attach a sheet of lattice on each side of the rails with the holes lined up to give the look of a single, thick panel.
    Privacy Extender
    Stockade fences with solid panels that let no light pass through are intended to provide complete privacy to your yard, but your existing fence might be too short to block your neighbor's view, especially if your house sits downhill from your neighbors'. Instead of replacing the fence with longer pickets, you only need to extend the height of the fence posts, add horizontal rails, and attach a short lattice pieces to extend the height of the fence. Stagger the joints of the two lattice pieces to better block the view.
    Living Fence
    Lattice might be more affordable than alternative fencing options, but the look might not be for everyone. After installing a fence of solid lattice panels, you can plant vigorous flowering vines along the fence row so they can climb on the fence and conceal the lattice. Similarly, you can plant vines to fill in lattice installed above a stockade fence. Try star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), a tropical vine hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, which features star-shaped flowers with a fragrance similar to true jasmines (Jasminum spp.) If you prefer bright colors, try "Jackmann" clematis (Clematis "Jackmanii"), which features 5 to 7 inch diameter, deep-purple flowers. "Jackmanii" clematis grows in USDA zones 4 through 8. There are many fruiting and flowering vine options to cover a lattice fence.
    Low Border Fence
    Low border fences define the boundary of flower beds and can help protect them from accidental trampling or destructive mowing. You can use lattice to construct a border fence at a fraction of the price of pre-fabricated options. The border fence should measure about 6 to 12 inches long, depending on the plant height within the garden. You can easily cut a 4-by-8-foot lattice panel down to the desired height, using a circular saw for precision cutting. The lattice must be attached to wooden stakes measuring 12 inches longer than the desired fence height. After driving the stakes 12 inches in the ground -- using a rubber mallet or hammer -- you can attach the lattice to the stakes with wood staples.
    About the AuthorAmelia Allonsy
    A former cake decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the kitchen or with her hands in the dirt. She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites.
    Photo Credits
  • Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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    Allonsy, Amelia. "Lattice Fence Ideas." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/lattice-fence-ideas-75479.html. Accessed 05 May 2019.
    Allonsy, Amelia. (n.d.). Lattice Fence Ideas. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/lattice-fence-ideas-75479.html
    Allonsy, Amelia. "Lattice Fence Ideas" accessed May 05, 2019. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/lattice-fence-ideas-75479.html
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    Man Paints His House Bubble Gum Pink, Infuriates Neighbors

    In the Pflugerville, Texas community, houses tend to look pretty regular… Like most suburban neighborhoods! The homes that line the Mountain View street are your average homes — neutral colors, rooftops, front doors, you name it.
    That’s how it was in this neighborhood for a while, until Emilio Rodriguez moved in, that is.Man Paints His House Bubble Gum Pink, Infuriates NeighborsSource: StatesmanADVERTISEMENT
    When he was just four-years-old, Emilio was in a horrific car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. After that, he spent all of his young adulthood undergoing continuous surgeries and today, he is in a wheelchair.
    In a series of hardships, there has always been one simple thing that really boosted Emilio’s mood, and that is the color pink. He found the color to be a calming mood-booster, especially when dealing with all of his medical issues.
    He loved the color so much, that he had a life dream tied to it. It was kind of a stretch, something that not many people do, if any. His dream was to paint his house pink. Pepto-Bismol pink.Man Paints His House Bubble Gum Pink, Infuriates NeighborsSource: StatesmanADVERTISEMENT
    When he moved into his new home in Pflugerville in 2018, his family, friends, and girlfriend begged him not to do it. But Emilio knew he had to follow his gut instinct.
    The bright shade of pink was inspired by a specific tattoo on his left arm, which includes a pink tongue wagging out of the mouth of a skull.
    After he found the perfect tint, he went ahead and covered his entire house in it. Statesman stated that he was apparently going for a “wet slime” look.Man Paints His House Bubble Gum Pink, Infuriates NeighborsSource: Statesman
    …He may have just succeeded.
    He started the paint job in January, about two months after he and his girlfriend moved in the Creekside subdivision near Dessau Road and Wells Brand Parkway. Everything except some kitchen cabinets has been painted.
    It doesn’t even end there, though.
    Emilio plans on adding more to it: a pink-tiled driveway and pink spotlights in the yard. He even wants to paint his wheelchair hot pink. He said that covering every external inch of the house in pink is sexy, and that it makes him feel “perfect.”Man Paints His House Bubble Gum Pink, Infuriates NeighborsSource: Statesman
    While Emilio is super enthused about finally getting the exotic, bubble gum-esque house he has dreamed about for years, his neighbors are not as happy.
    According to his neighbors, the house sticks out like a sore thumb on the block. Plus, now that the story has gone viral, Emilio has received nasty comments and threats.
    But in the video below, Emilio says there is nothing his neighbors can do. And so what? If Emilio has been through a major hardship, and this is what he has been wanting his entire life, why not let him do it? He ain’t hurting anyone!
    What do you think? Who is in the right in this situation: Emilio or his angry neighbors? Let us know what you think!
    Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
    Source: Little Things
    Read more news up-to-date at: https://break.com/
    Source: https://shareably.co/man-paints-dream-house-bubble-gum-pink-infuriates-neighbors/

    The Best Grapevines for a Patio Cover

    The Best Grapevines for a Patio Cover

    Grapevines can provide shade from the sun and a tasty snack.
    Grapevines can provide shade from the sun and a tasty snack.
    The best grape for your patio depends on what you expect from your vines. One thing to consider is that different grapes produce fruit at different times between midsummer and fall, so your patio will have a different look at those times. You should also think what you want to do with the fruit. The best grapes for eating from the vine may be different than those you use to make wine. European grapes (Vitis vinifera) tolerate more cold than American grapes (Vitis labrusca), but both grow in mild climates.
    Midsummer Grapes
    If you want the fruit on your vines to appear in July, the best choice is midsummer grapes that produce fruit early. For example, "Perlette" grapevines produce a medium size pale green fruit. It's seedless and can be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 11. The "Perlette" grapevine produces fruit in mid-July. They're sweet and tart at the same time. Another grape that produces in mid-July is the "Flame Seedless" grape. "Flame Seedless" grapes can be grown in USDA zones 7 through 11. They're a purple-red color and the fruits are large and bright. "Flame Seedless" grapevines produce fruit in July. The grapes are firm and can be dried out and eaten as raisins.
    Late Summer Grapes
    If you want your vines to bear fruit later in the season, the best grapevines for your patio cover are those that produce fruit in August and September. "Black Monukka" grapes grow well in USDA zones 6 through 11 and produce fruit in late August. The berries themselves are longer than some other European grape cultivars. "Black Monukka" grapevines are hardy, so they're the best choice for a beginning gardener. "Muscat of Alexandria" grapes are a European cultivar and grow in USDA zones 7 through 11. They produce fruit in September. The color is a blend of green and gold. "Muscat of Alexandria" grapevines may produce a lot of fruit one season, and little the next.
    Table Grapes
    If you intend to eat the grapes straight from the vine, the best grapes may be sweet varieties. "Thompson Seedless" grapes, which grow in USDA zones 7 through 9, are sweet, small grapes. They're green and have a mild flavor. "Zinfandel" grapes are also sweet, and they become increasingly sweet throughout the season. The berries are large with thin, dark skins. "Zinfandel" grapes grow in USDA zones 7 through 10 and prefer warm weather. Both varieties have active vines that will provide a great deal of cover.
    Wine Grapes
    If you want your grapes to do more than just provide an attractive cover, wine grapes may be the best choice for you. They provide shade and you can harvest the fruit to use in wine-making. The "Cabernet Sauvignon" grape is good for home growers because it's both pest- and cold-resistant. It grows in USDA zones 7 through 10. Because the grapes have thick skins, they're less likely to burst and stain hard surfaces below when they drop. The "Chardonnay" grape, which grows in USDA zones 7 though 10, is another excellent wine grape to use on a patio. The vines adapt well to being trained for cover and should create a showy, full canopy. "Chardonnay" grapes tolerate more pollution, making them a good choice for urban areas.
    Tips
    When planting vines above a patio, consider attaching the vines from underneath the patio cover so birds can't eat the fruit as easily in the summer. Plan for one grapevine for every 50 to 100 feet of patio space that you want to cover.
    About the AuthorMelly Parker
    Melly Parker has been writing since 2007, focusing on health, business, technology and home improvement. She has also worked as a teacher and a bioassay laboratory technician. Parker now serves as a marketing specialist at one of the largest mobile app developers in the world. She holds a Master of Science in English.
    Photo Credits
  • Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
  • bibliography-iconicon for annotation tool Cite this Article Choose Citation Style MLA APA Chicago (B)
    Parker, Melly. "The Best Grapevines for a Patio Cover." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grapevines-patio-cover-99729.html. Accessed 05 May 2019.
    Parker, Melly. (n.d.). The Best Grapevines for a Patio Cover. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grapevines-patio-cover-99729.html
    Parker, Melly. "The Best Grapevines for a Patio Cover" accessed May 05, 2019. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grapevines-patio-cover-99729.html

    This Is the Backyard Pergola of My Dreams

    This Is the Backyard Pergola of My Dreams

    From Marie Claire
    With the arrival of summer comes warm nights spent outdoors making s'mores, afternoons spent with a glass of rosé and old friends, and plenty of outdoor parties, all of which would benefit from an incredible backyard space. Which brings us to this amazing DIY pergola and fire pit setup. Created by Lauren Ashworth of Little White House Blog, and featured on Remodelaholic, this structure is the grown-up backyard playset of your dreams. It seriously has it all-a fire pit, a movie screen, Adirondack chairs, six (!) porch swings, a built-in bar, and a pergola.
    "It is truly an outdoor oasis and an area we created for the sole purpose of bringing our family and friends together," Lauren wrote on Remodelaholic. "It's a conversation piece around our small town and we love making s'mores, star-gazing, and relaxing here at the end of the day."
    Lauren and her husband Brett built this entire project from scratch for just $2,300 over the course of two weeks. Upon close inspection, you'll see that Lauren and Brett thought of everything when putting this outdoor oasis together: Guests can sip on drinks and munch on snacks at the built-in bar, firewood can be stocked in the storage area, and film buffs can screen their favorite movies on a sheet hung over the rectangular frame. Outdoor lights add the finishing touch.
    Photo credit: Courtesy of Little White House Blog/Remodelaholic
    More
    You could make one even more spectacular (if that's possible!) by installing a cement or stone foundation, adding a covering to create shade for hot summer days, or including a stock tank cooler for drinks and treats. This beauty will be ready to host your festivities all summer long.
    See the rest of the project on Little White House Blog, and get the building plans at Remodelaholic.
    For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

    Wooden Decking Market 2019

    Wooden Decking Market 2019 Global Industry Competitive Landscape on Size, Share, Revenue, Leading Players and Regional Trends 2023

    Apr 29, 2019 (MarketersMedia via COMTEX) -- Wooden Decking Market Research Report 2019: Industry Size, Share, Trends, Growth and Opportunity Assessment, Regional Analysis and Segmentation By Type (Pressure-Treated Wood, Redwood, Cedar Wood, Tropical Hardwood and Others), Application (Floor, Wall, Railing and Others), End User (Residential and Non-residential) and Region - Forecast To 2023
    Pune , India - April 29, 2019 /MarketersMedia/ --
    Global Wooden Decking Market Research Report Covers Historical Market Trends, Current Market Dynamics, Market Valuation by Segmentation as Well as Region, Country-level Analysis for Every Segment, Key Player's Market Share Analysis, Competitive Landscape and Supply Chain Analysis.
    The key market players in the global wooden decking market include Mohawk Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Weyerhaeuser Company (U.S.), Vetedy Group (U.S.)., Universal Forest Products, Inc. (U.S.), Trex Company, Inc. (U.S.), Cox Industries Inc. (U.S.), Mendocino Redwood Company (U.S.), Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (U.S.), West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (Canada), UPM-Kymmene Corporation (Finland), Metsa Group (Finland), Setra Group (Sweden), James Latham plc (U.K.), Humboldt Redwood Company and Danzer (Austria).
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    Wooden decking is used to make patios, garden landscaping, flooring, walls, extend living areas, railing, among others. Wooden decking has gained popularity in recent years since consumers prefer wooden decking for its longevity and visually aesthetic appeal. According to Market Research Future (MRFR), the global wooden decking market is estimated to grow at 1.37% CAGR during the forecast period.
    The market is expected to witness rapid growth due to the increase in disposable income of the consumers globally, leading to a rise in demand for home renovation projects. Additionally, the rising awareness and need for environmentally sustainable and low maintenance products are driving the market. However, the availability of several substitutes of comparatively low cost is a restraint to the wooden decking market.
    Segment Analysis
    The global wooden decking market has been segmented by type, application, end-user, and region.
    Based on type, the market has been segmented into pressure-treated wood, redwood, cedar wood, tropical wood, and others. Among these, pressure treated wood is accounted for the largest market share, due to its durability, longevity, and its ability to endure extreme moist and icy weather conditions. It can also be treated with waterborne preservatives for resistance to internal decaying, rotting, and insect repellant, thus raising the demand for pressure treated wood. It is most commonly used in the residential and infrastructural industry.
    Based on application, the market has been segmented into floor, wall, railing, others. Changing lifestyle and interior designing trends have encouraged the market growth of this segment, owing to the aesthetic value and environmental sustainability of wooden furnishings. Significant growth is estimated over the forecast period, in the floor segment of the wooden decking market owing to its growing popularity. Railing segment is also a strong consumer preference and is estimated to show steady market growth over the forecast period. The wall segment has a significant market share in APAC regions, especially in China and Japan.
    Based on end-user, the market has been segmented into residential and non-residential. There is a massive demand for wood decking in the residential segment, owing to the rise in disposable income of consumers which has an impact on their lifestyles. Additionally, the construction industry has developed significantly, which subsequently contributes to the wooden decking market. The non-residential segment is estimated to grow substantially over the forecast period, influenced by the growth in sectors such as hospitality, education, retail and corporate.
    By region, the global wooden decking market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the world.
    Regional Analysis
    North America has been accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to witness significant market growth influenced by factors such as the growing demand for low maintenance products, growth of commercial and residential sectors in the U.S., and increasing consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products.
    Europe is the second largest market for wooden decking, primarily led by the improved lifestyle of the consumers in this region.
    Asia Pacific is assessed to rise at the highest CAGR over the forecast period, driven by the fast growth of the construction industry, the steadily growing popularity of wooden decking. The market for wooden decking in this region is majorly growing in emerging economies such as China, Japan, India, and Singapore.
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    Scope of Report
    The report for Global Wooden Decking Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.
    Table of Contents:
    1... Executive Summary
    2 Research Methodology 2.1 Scope Of The Study 2.1.1 Definition 2.1.2 Research Objective 2.1.3 Assumptions 2.1.4 Limitations 2.2 Research Process 2.2.1 Primary Research 2.2.2 Secondary Research 2.3 Market Size Estimation 2.4 Forecast Model
    3... Market Dynamics 3.1 Market Drivers 3.2 Market Inhibitors 3.3 Supply/Value Chain Analysis 3.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    Continued......
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    Trex reports setbacks launching new decking line

    Trex reports setbacks launching new decking line

    May 2, 2019 Updated 5/2/2019

    Bill Schwab A sample of the Trex Enhanced Basic line of decking, which was designed with a scalloped bottom to reduce material costs and compete against pressure-treated lumber decking.
    Start-up problems in Virginia for a new line of composite decking and equipment failures at a manufacturing plant in Nevada cost Trex Co. Inc. about $10 million in the first quarter.
    Production of the new Enhance Basic decking line proved a challenge until the profile was modified with "less pronounced scallops" on the underside to improve the throughput.
    Trex promoted the scalloped profile at the International Builders' Show in February, saying it engineered cost out of the equation for homeowners wanting to upgrade from pressure-treated wood decking to composite decking made from recycled polyethylene plastic film and reclaimed wood fiber.
    The scalloped profile uses less material and the savings are being passed on to consumers to close the spending gap with pressure-treated lumber.
    However, ramp up to production was hampered by manufacturing inefficiencies in Virginia until the profile was redesigned, along with equipment failures in Nevada that took down two extrusion lines for 30 days.
    "These costs adversely impacted our first quarter by $10 million. While start-up costs are to be expected, this has been a challenging ramp up and the magnitude of these associated costs was greater than we had anticipated," Trex President and CEO Jim Cline said in a quarterly conference call April 29.
    In Virginia, lead times have increased beyond Trex's usual two weeks, and in Nevada, the company moved to an allocation program through the end of July to ensure a more balanced distribution of product to western states.
    Demand continues to be strong, Cline added.
    "Unfortunately, we are not going to be able to fully satisfy all of our good customers," he said. "And it is unfortunate that we're there, but we're doing everything we can to make sure we're able to do that. One of the changes that we did make was to change that profile on the scallops. That was not without considerable expense, but it did enable us to get to the kind of throughput that would help our customers get through this season in a more orderly fashion."
    Despite the setbacks, first quarter sales increased 5 percent to $180 million, which was consistent with expectations.
    Cline offered guidance for the second quarter of consolidated sales at $195 million to $205 million, which is a decline from last year to reflect the impact of operating inefficiencies, lower-than-planned finished goods inventory at the end of March, and suboptimal production level in Nevada.
    "We continue to dedicate significant resources to increase production throughput," Cline said. "In essence, 2019 will bear the cost of the investment in the Trex company's long-term growth, with the highest cost behind us and progressive improvement expected as we move through the year."
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    Fencing choices can help define look of home

     

    Do you believe good fences make good neighbors? Or are you with Gene Autry, looking for wide open country? If you live in close quarters with your neighbors, you're probably in the former camp — whether it's a fence to keep a dog at home, an aluminum barrier around your pool for safety or a privacy fence to shield naked sunbathing, there are a lot of options and local fence contractors to choose from. And just like light fixtures, backsplash tile and color schemes, fence is subject to trends.
    Melissa and Jerry Haley founded their Colonie business, Backyard Fence, in 1997. Back then, wood ruled the day, both the spaced pickets that call Tom Sawyer to mind, and the panels that create both a barrier and a privacy shield. Melissa Haley said she rarely quoted vinyl in those days because it was so expensive, compared to spruce and cedar options. Now, the reverse is true. Vinyl has come down in price, Haley said, and the price of wood has skyrocketed because of supply issues when it comes to importing lumber. Wood and vinyl are frequently close in price, and customers often go with vinyl because it is low-maintenance and long-lasting, Haley said, and the material now comes in a variety of colors, not just white.
    "There are places where only wood will do, because the property is heavily wooded and vinyl would look out of place," Haley said.
    Fencing falls into four categories — in order of cost, it's chain link, aluminum, vinyl and wood. Installation labor costs depend on location, Haley said — the digging is easy in Rotterdam, where it's sandy, but trickier in Altamont or Cohoes, where the soil is different.
    While chain link is cheapest, you can spend as much as a new car on fancy fence options — vinyl with aluminum on top to create a decorative element or aluminum fence with decorative panel inserts. Haley said a combination of styles is common — at her house, she has chain link around the backyard and decorative vinyl in the front facing the street.
    Kyle Stevens, manager of the Queensbury branch of AFSCO Fence & Deck, has also seen a shift away from wood and toward vinyl. New recycling initiatives make it more appealing. Stevens said he works with a company that takes broken, leftover and unused pieces and grinds them down to create new PVC products.
    Matt Rogers, the residential manager at Siena Fence in Clifton Park, said vinyl is easier to install than wood — many contractors avoid concrete footings because it accelerates rot in the wooden posts. Rogers said he still gets a lot of requests from customers for wood. A wood fence will last 12 to 14 years if left untreated; up to 20 if you stain it every two years, said Eric Reyome, also a Siena Fence employee.
    lhornbeck@timesunion.com • 518-454-5352 • @leighhornbeck


  • Matt Gonyea, left, and Nick Lettus, right, with AFSCO Fence & Deck, measure a piece of aluminum fence before cutting it to size on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Wilton, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
    Matt Gonyea, left, and Nick Lettus, right, with AFSCO Fence & Deck, measure a piece of aluminum fence before cutting it to size on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Wilton, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
    Photo: Will Waldron

  • Matt Gonyea, left, and Nick Lettus, right, with AFSCO Fence & Deck, measure a piece of aluminum fence before cutting it to size on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Wilton, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
    Matt Gonyea, left, and Nick Lettus, right, with AFSCO Fence & Deck, measure a piece of aluminum fence before cutting it to size on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Wilton, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
    Photo: Will Waldron