• Utilize Firepits and Fireplaces – Firepits are a great way to introduce heat to the patio area, outdoor kitchen and, if it’s done properly, the deck as well. The firepit can become a centre of outdoor activity as the weather darkens and cools and provide unforgettable atmosphere on those cold, clear winter nights when there’s a new blanket of snow on the ground and the house is ablaze with holiday lights. Making sure your outdoor kitchen includes a covered area with a generous size fireplace is another way to keep the backyard open for business when the weather turns cold.

• Create a Winter Garden – A winter garden can keep your backyard landscape alive at a time when everyone else in the neighbourhood is giving up on theirs. Winter garden plants that will dazzle year round (along with the colours of their blossoms) include:

• Flowering Quince (red)
• Snowdrops (white)
• Winterberry (lipstick red)
• Witch Hazel (red and yellow)
• Camellia (red)
• Christmas Rose (white and green)

• Provide Cover – One of the simplest and best ways to extend your yard’s useful period into the cooler months is to provide cover for yourself and guests. Awnings, either fixed or retractable, will help trap any heat generated by a fire pit or activities related to an outdoor kitchen. Remember, heat rises. So creating a block for that rising heat in the form of an awning or even a covered pergola will go a long way toward making at least part of your backyard useful into colder months.

• Take Advantage of Foliage – Foliage happens. Why not have your Ottawa landscaping company take advantage of it? By the time the leaves have turned most folks have thrown in the towel on the yard until next spring. But you don’t have to. Extend the magic of fall foliage and keep your landscape alive by planting a variety of trees that display different colours and shed their leaves at different times. If you want to keep things green all year long plant a variety of pine, hemlock and fir trees, sprinkling in a few deciduous and flowering trees to create colourful accents during the spring and fall.

• Lighting – One relatively simple way to ensure your backyard landscaping doesn’t go into hibernation during the winter months is to install an outdoor LED lighting scheme. Outdoor lights can provide the much needed visual and thematic continuity that helps maintain interest in a yard even after the leaves have fallen and the first snows have moved in. One of the most difficult things for most people to deal with during the winter months is not the cold, but the dark. A well thought out backyard lighting scheme will not only provide the aesthetic benefits mentioned above it will also go a long way toward lifting the spirits of everyone in the house.

You own your property 12 months a year you should be able to use it 12 months a year. A landscape that includes a mix of deciduous and non-deciduous trees, lively winter gardens surrounding a heated pool, a semi-covered outdoor kitchen with fireplace and a hot tub, and all tied together with a tasteful, property-wide lighting scheme can attract as much attention in the fall, winter and spring as it does in the summertime, when the fish are jumping and the living is easy.

The post How to Utilize your Backyard All Year Round in Ottawa first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

Give it a Cleaning

From the active summer months of barbeques, backyard parties, dirt, and burrowed debris, it’s always a good idea to get out a power hose along with a wood-safe cleaner and give the surface a good cleaning. If you need a little extra power, use a good scrubbing brush to get into those crevices.

Replace any Rotten Wood

As you go along cleaning the deck or fence, pay particular attention for signs of extreme rotting. If you notice a few sections that are rotting, you can hire a fence repair company to replace those slats with new wood. Ignoring these and simply covering them up with a protective finish will only allow the problem to fester. However if the support beams are rotten, it becomes a serious safety issue and it may be time for a new fence. You can purchase a new wood fence, or opt for a PVC fence, ornamental iron fence, or chain link fence instead.

Strip the Paint

Between dragging deck chairs around, the high foot traffic, and your furry loved ones running around, painted decks can start to wear down. If your painted/stained deck looks like it’s had a lot of wear and tear, you might want to consider stripping the paint off before applying a protective coat. This may take more time and effort, but it will not only help to keep the wood protected, but also make it look great for the next year.

Apply the Protective Coat

Once your deck or fence has been thoroughly cleaned, you can apply a water-repellent protective finish. You can select from a variety of colours and stains that suit your taste. Just ensure that you follow the instructions carefully and apply as many coats as required to get a strong seal from those winter elements.

Your wooden deck and fence are essential and costly features of your backyard. And after the wear and tear from the summer months, it’s important to do what you can to maintain them so that you can get the most out of them. Increasing the longevity means performing a few simple up-keeping tasks at the end of each summer. So be sure to refinish and protect your exterior wood surfaces so that they’re in great shape for the next year.

The post Prepare your wooden fence for winter first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

Vinyl or PVC fences are rising in popularity. Is it for you? We list off some pros and cons of PVC / Vinyl fences for you. Before diving into the pros and cons of PVC/Vinyl fencing, we highly suggest you read our  What is PVC fencing? post.

Pros of PVC Fences

• Modern, sleek, and beautiful. Vinyl fencing is a beautiful choice to fit in any time of house. It has a blend of modern features but also the feel of classic characteristics.
• The many designs and colors options PVC / Vinyl fences can create endless choices. PVC fencing can match any home and any style. 
• Easy matching of PVC gates with your vinyl fencing. We know security is a big plus, PVC gates are just as flexible in options as PVC fencing.
• Vinyl fencing has a longer lifetime than many wood fences which can fade, crack, and rot. This means you will be worry free for a long time.
• Vinyl fencing is easy to clean and requires almost no maintenance. Check out our How to Maintain PVC fencing: 4 Easy Steps post for amazing some amazing tips and tricks.
• Many manufacturers have lifetime replacement for their vinyl fencing in the case of cracking, fading, or other types of natural damage. Check out our warranties.

Cons of PVC Fences

• The cost of vinyl fencing is much higher than the materials used to create a fence out of wood, rock, wire, or cement. Contact us today to see how much each fence material costs.
• Vinyl fences do not have a long lifetime in very sunny climates because too much exposure to sunlight can cause them to crack and crumble. In Ottawa, winter dominates, therefore this would not be as much as a problem. For Winter maintenance, check out our post on Winter Fence Maintenance – Wood, PVC, Iron and Chain link.
• If a vinyl fence becomes damaged, it can be tricky to repair, depending on the fence style and manufacturing company. 
• Vinyl fences are not good for temporary use, due to the posts and concrete. They cannot be moved after they are installed.

For more information, we explained the 5 Benefits of a PVC Fence in Ottawa. We know that you might want to explore some other fence material therefore we have a post on How to choose the right fence material | Wood vs Iron vs PVC vs Chain-link.

Still have questions, contact us today.

The post The Pros and Cons of PVC / Vinyl Fence first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

Aesthetics

Fences can enhance the look of your home. Don’t think of it as simply a fence – think of it as part of your design! There are many types of fences, including wood, PVC, iron and chain link. Each material has a unique look and style, allowing you to choose the option that best complements your home. From a design standpoint, fences made from iron and PVC are usually very visually appealing.

Safety

According the Pool Enclosure By-law No. 2013 – 39, the City of Ottawa requires enclosures for any privately owned outdoor pools (enclosures can include anything from a PVC to an iron fence). This regulation ensures the safety of others and the prevention of drowning accidents.

For those with dogs, fences are a must. A fence allows your pet to roam without any worry about them wandering. Meaning, a PVC fence can actually make the difference in your peace of mind, your pet’s safety AND the safety of others.

Privacy

Installing fences offer homeowners something very precious – privacy! No one wants to sit in his or her backyard facing crazy neighbor Dave mowing the lawn without a shirt on again. Fences offer your family the comfort of your backyard, privately. To enhance privacy, try opting for fences made from wood or PVC. Materials like PVC are especially durable and they provide noise-reducing benefits as well.

Property Value

Installing a fence is actually an investment. Whether it’s made from PVC or chain link, properly installed fences will enhance the curb appeal of your house. Why? Well, for all the reasons mentioned above. And, while a new fence may just be your lowest maintenance investment, make sure to check for insect nests and keep an eye out for damage. If you see any broken pieces, call for repairs right away. Opting for a strong material such as PVC will avoid maintenance issues and ensure a long lasting investment.

The post Why get a backyard fence in Ottawa? first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

1. Check the damage
2. Determine the size of the damage
3. Clean the fence
4. Replace or repair the fence
5. Paint or stain the fence

1. Check the damage

Use a pry bar to check the areas of your fence which are broken. In case there are nails fixed to the wooden posts of your fence, use a pair of pliers to remove them. You need to always wear a pair of work gloves when you are mending a fence which was broken in bad weather.

2. Determine the size of the damage

Measure the broken sections of the fence by using a tape measure. Buy a new supply of wood to replace the broken pieces from the fence. Try to purchase wood that matches the one from your fence as much as possible. Measure the wooden post of the fence and use a rip saw to cut the wood to fit the measurements of your damaged fence.

3. Clean the fence

Remove the surface layer of aged wood can bring a new life to your fence. With a power washer, clean your fence. A power washer that operates at 1,500 or 2,000 psi max. Use 15- and 25-degree spray tips. The power washer’s spray will slightly raise and roughen the grain on smooth wood. This allows more sealer to soak in and improves the finish. The wood’s color will brighten as the surface is stripped away. Watch closely and stop stripping when no more color change occurs. You don’t have to remove too much surface to expose fresh wood, and continuing to spray won’t improve the color.

4. Replace or repair the fence

With the fence clean, it’s time to fix or replace damaged boards, refasten loose boards and countersink any protruding nails. Remove the damaged wooden posts and replace them with the new posts by installing them properly in the gap where the broken posts were once located. Place a level on the new post of the fence to make sure that it is straight. Use a hammer and nails to fix the posts to the frame of the fence. Make sure to hammer down the nails in even spaces between one another so that the new post is firmly fixed to the fence’s frame.

5. Paint or stain the fence

Before applying the stain, be sure the fence is dry. Allow at least 24 hours. If it’s cool and humid, allow another 24 hours. Apply paint to the surface of your wooden fence. Make sure that you using exterior paint of a very good quality to paint the fence. Let the exterior paint dry thoroughly after you finish painting and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Painting the fence is optional but it is a very good idea because it conceals the storm damage repair. To preserve the natural color of the wood, use an exterior semitransparent oil stain. It seals the wood while allowing the grain and color variations to show through. And its pigments add an overall color tone. Make sure the stain contains ultraviolet inhibitors, which will slow down bleaching by sunlight, and a mildewcide to slow fungal growth. Look for samples on cedar at the paint store, or bring in your own piece of wood to test. A test sample is the best way to ensure a satisfactory result. Most semitransparent oil stains are guaranteed to last two to five years. (Solid-color stains last longer but are more difficult to renew.) Fences usually face severe weathering, so expect the finish to last no more than three years. Plan on recoating the fence within this time frame to keep your fence looking fresh. Before recoating, wash the fence with a garden hose sprayer and use a bristle brush on stubborn dirt deposits and stains. Let the fence dry and stain it using the same method.

The post How to repair water damaged fence first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

Why wood? – Cost, maintenance, and longevity?

It’s inexpensive and lightweight, to be sure, but so is chain link. The main reason is that a wood fence can easily be shaped to give properties character and individuality. You can choose from dozens of styles, including linear post-and-rail and crisscrossing lattice, as well as myriad picket patterns and post-cap designs. And you can stain the wood to make it pop out or recede from the landscape as either a vibrant or subtle frame for what’s behind it.

On the following slides, see some of the forms a wood fence can take, and learn the basics of buying, installing, and maintaining it. Take the time now to carefully consider your choice; if you follow our tips, you’ll be looking at that fence—and enjoying it—for many years to come.

It lasts about 20 years, if made of rot-resistant wood. Then posts are usually the first to go; panels survive longer because they typically don’t touch the ground. Posts should be plumbed and tamped every three years or so. If the wood has a coating, the schedule varies; clear toners and waterproofers need annual refreshing, semitransparent stains last three to four years, and solid-color stains go five to seven. Paint is not recommended.

Which Wood Type?

Which Style?

The post Wooden Fences – Frequently Asked Questions Answered first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

A Wall of Green
Shrubs, plants, and trees can be your best friends when it comes to shielding your view from those sunbathing neighbours. There are a variety of shrubs and miniature trees that will grow and can easily be maintained for creating a perfect barrier of green space. It’s a great way to recapture some privacy without feeling offensive by installing a towering fence, especially if you prefer a more natural look to your garden. Evergreens are a common choice for this reason.

Potted Plants
There’s such an array of potted plants that can grow nice and tall to get that perfect touch of privacy. For example, ferns or even bamboo are great for placing in pots along your deck or seating areas. They’re convenient because they can be easily moved into those key spots that have a view that’s a bit too clear for your liking.

Wooden Pergolas and Vines
For outdoor spaces such as a dining area, lounging area or deck, you can construct a simple pergola with wooden panels that act as a natural enclosure. Plant a few vines along them and you’ll have the perfect amount of privacy and shade, all in one.

Fountain and Ornamental Walls
If you’re looking for a way to not only block the view but also drown out the sound, consider installing a fountain piece, coupled by an ornamental wall behind it. They look great and they compliment each other as a feature piece, while drowning out the sights and sounds next door.

Decorative Curtains
One very simple way to get instant privacy it is by hanging a few decorative curtains along your deck or enclosure. You can drape them along in sections, bundle them up, and close them fully when needed.

Privacy Fence
You didn’t think we’d forget to mention adding a new fence, did you? As Ottawa’s premier fencing company, we have a wide range of privacy fences in a number of different materials, finishes, and colours to suit your exact needs and style preferences. Wood fences and PVC fences are particularly effective as privacy fences, but ornamental iron fences in combination with these other elements such as shrubs and plants can also create a sense of seclusion.

The post How to get Backyard Privacy? first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

DO know what the snow drifting problem is, where it is, and why it exists. Determine the prevailing wind direction that produces the blowing snow. The wind direction determines the area that contributes drift snow, and the fence orientation. Determine the amount of blowing snow that must be stored. This can be done by past winter experiences with the problem area, and by calculating the amount of winter precipitation that will drift. Is the problem long-term or short-term?

DON’T build snow fences before the snow drift problem is completely identified and a system with adequate storage has been designed.

DO build the snow fence tall enough to store the required amount of snow. Tall fences are cheaper to build for the amount of snow stored. For example, a snow fence 12 ft (3.4 m) tall will store as much snow as seven rows of 4.5 ft (1.4m) tall fences. The amount of snow stored behind snow fences of different heights, when the fence is filled to capacity.

DON’T build snow fences too small to do the job. It’s not cost-effective and will not solve the problem.

DO extend the fence past the problem limits on both ends, to account for varying wind directions (up to 30 degrees), and the reduced trapping efficiency and storage capacity near the ends of the fence.

DON’T build the fence line to short, because snow blowing around the ends of the fence will be deposited in the problem area.

DO located the snow fence far enough upwind of the problem to leave room for the resulting drift. On flat terrain with a 50%-porous fence, this distance would be 35 times fence height, H (). Storage capacity and drift length increase for fences placed on down-sloping terrain, and decrease on upslopes. Locations at the crests of ridges or hills, and sites upwind of topographic depressions increase snow storage.

DON’T place the fence too close to the problem site. This common mistake of not allowing enough room for the drift formed by the fence often makes the problem worse. Fences should not be placed in locations where drifts form naturally, such as in depressions or on the downwind side of hills. Steep, upwind-facing slopes reduce both trapping efficiency and storage capacity. However, fences built to reduce snow loading in avalanche zones should not be placed on ridge crests, which would increase the cornice size.

DO build permanent, tall fences to solve long-term drift problems. These fences should be built in one continuous line with no holes or gaps between panels. Fences may be supported by steel or wood posts set in the ground (post-supported), or by a surface-mounted framework, anchored or counterweighted to resist overturning in the wind (truss-type). Horizontal boards 6-in wide with 6-in gaps (50% porosity) are among the best fencing materials. Synthetic fencing materials include woven fabrics and extruded plastic net. These show no great snow-trapping differences among materials having 40% to 50% porosity.

Post-supported fences, without guys or back braces, work well on ski area sites, where snow is removed from the fence area to cover rocks and bare ground, and where skier safety is a concern. However, these fences are usually more expensive to build.

DON’T leave holes or gaps between panels. Don’t build poorly constructed, to solve long-term drift problems. These greatly reduce snow storage temporary snow fences as an attempt.

DO use the same rules for locating portable fences that apply to permanent fences. Fences that can be removed and stored until the next snow accumulation season are sometimes necessary on cultivated lands, for example. On ski areas, portable snow fences may be used for constructing or protecting snowboarding ‘half-pipes’, where safety requires removal.

DON’T use poor construction techniques for portable fences, or temporary snow fences to solve short-term problems.

Author Credit: R. L. Jairell and R. A. Schmidt

The post Snow Fences? Tips and Tricks! first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

Most people think of landscaping tasks, but deck maintenance is equally as important. Investing just a small amount of time before the worst of weather hits can make all the difference in how your deck will look and perform as the temperature rises.

Western Red Cedar decks are loved for their unmatched beauty and many homeowners with wood decks are familiar with the regular maintenance needed to keep wood decks looking their best. Even decks made of Western Red Cedar, one of the best performing wood species for outdoor applications, need occasional maintenance to keep them in top shape. Regular deck “spring cleaning” enables a wood deck to last for years, even decades.

To make your spring deck maintenance easier, the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) recommends these simple tasks right now. 

REMOVE DIRT AND DEBRIS

Sweep away all leaves, pine needles and branches from your deck. If you have a large quantity of leaves, you might consider cutting back the trees and bushes that drop the foliage.

Eliminate all debris from between deck boards. Dirt and leaves can build up, causing standing water or other moisture to stay on top of the deck rather than drain through. Proper ventilation is crucial to avoiding moisture build up.

ELIMINATE MILDEW

Mildew should be removed from a deck soon after it appears. Allowing it to grow untreated, even in the winter, can lead to additional deck damage. There are a number of commercial products that can be purchased at any home center or retail lumberyard. And there are some simple solutions that can be made from common household cleaners. The WRCLA suggests killing and removing mildew with a simple solution made from items you have in your home right now.

Using a common garden sprayer, combine 3 quarts of water, 1 quart of oxygen bleach—Oxyclean and Ajax Oxygen Bleach are two of the most popular brands—and 1/4 cup of ammonia-free liquid dishwasher detergent within the spray canister. Apply the solution liberally to the deck surface and allow the mixture to set for about 10-15 minutes. The bleach will kill the mildew and the dishwasher detergent helps emulsify the mildew to aid in its removal. Liquid dishwasher detergent works better than regular dish or laundry detergent because it will not foam.

After allowing the solution to set, simply rinse the surface clean. For tougher mildew stains, apply the solution with a soft bristle brush.

POTS AND PLANTERS

Setting planters and pots directly on a deck’s surface may cause staining. Since there are drain holes in the base of potted plants, moisture that runs off never has a chance to evaporate between the deck and the planter. Consider removing planters from your wood deck or moving them around on a regular basis to decrease the effects.

To create space between the deck and planters, place planters onto 2″ x 2″ cedar. Cedar has natural compounds that form a resistance to deterioration, rot and decay—it is these same compounds that give cedar it’s unique fragrance—and the extra space created by the cedar will allow moisture to evaporate. Adding cedar stand-offs underneath other large objects like storage boxes, benches and umbrella stands can also go a long way to promoting a healthy deck.

USING YOUR DECK DURING THE WINTER

If you are going to be using your deck regularly during the winter for using the hot tub, barbecuing, and even sitting around an outdoor fireplace, chimnea or open fire pit, here are some simple tips to safeguard against doing harm to your deck.

If your deck will be covered with snow and you are going to be shoveling it off, run the shovel lengthwise on the deck boards. Shoveling cross-wise can scratch or cut in to the deck. A plastic shovel will also be more forgiving than metal on both the finish and wood. And if possible, avoid salt or other ice melters. They may discolor or damage some deck finishes.

PLANNING FOR THE SPRING

With some initial maintenance and repairs already taken care of, you will have more time to tackle other projects once the weather improves. Maybe this is the year to consider adding a trellis, pergola or other outdoor structure. Spark your ideas by visiting your local home center or retail lumberyard, or visit the many resources available online.

The post Prepare your deck for winter first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.

In the past we have listed some helpful tips and tricks:

• The Ultimate Backyard Fencing Guide
• How to plan for a fence installation – THE CORRECT WAY
• How to Prepare Your Yard for Fence Installation

However we never went over what could go wrong! Today we shall change that fact! Below we list 6 common but costly fencing mistakes!

1. Wrong Kind of Fence for your Home

This is the big one. Choosing the wrong kind of fence is one of the worst fencing mistakes you can make. If your garden fence doesn’t keep large pests out. It is useless. If your dog can escape his fence. It is useless. There are a lot of choices so how do you choose the right one? We dedicated a complete post on this issue: Choose the Right Fence for Your Home. You also might find How to Choose the CORRECT Paint or Stain for your Fence helpful!

2. Unsecured Anchor/Corner Posts

Corner posts are very important to the integrity of a fence. They bear a lot of the pressure, especially when constructing the fence. If you don’t secure them to the ground and support them with braces or other anchors you will slowly see you fence start to cave in. Or your posts might even snap under pressure. And no one wants that. Make sure your corner posts and your gate posts are deeply secured in the ground and properly braced.

3. Underground Utilities

The other day the city was putting up new guard rails on our road. Sometime that morning our internet went out. Then later that day we went out to do some errands and came to the work crew digging every single guard rail post by hand. And lots of new flags dotting the area showing where cable lines were running under the ground. Those guys looked thrilled to be using a manual post hole digger instead of their fancy post drilling machine. So make some calls before you plan your fence. Make sure you won’t be cutting off your neighborhood’s utilities. Make sure you know where your own septic system is. Because that is one fencing mistake you just don’t want to deal with.

4. Wrong Location

So let’s say you’ve spent all your free time fencing in whatever it is you are fencing. You’ve dug in posts. You’ve stretched wire. You’ve cemented in your gate posts and hung the gates. You are super proud of all your hard work. Then you start using the area that is now fenced in and you realized just how inconvenient your gates are. Maybe they are smack dab in the exact area where water and mud gather after storms. Maybe you want to walk you tiller from your shed to the newly fenced in garden and you have to go WAY around to get there. Maybe you didn’t quite plan all scenarios and you now you can’t fit a tractor in through the gate to deliver hay or bush hog or whatever. Before you start any fencing project make sure you have thought out exactly where you need your gates, what they will be used for, and if everything will work as they are supposed to. Because once those gate posts are secured and the fencing stretched…you really don’t want to move your gate. It’s not impossible to do, but it’ll cost you a lot of time and money and cause a headache or two.

5. Incorrectly Spaced Posts

Now let’s say you are crunching numbers for your new fence, and you figure you will save a few bucks by spacing the posts just a little farther then they ought to be spaced. This might work okay for a non-working fence. But let me tell you, if you’ve got an animal inside that pasture, they will be sure to find those weak points in the fence. You don’t want to spend your free time fixing a fence you just put up because the goat knocked it down again. And you don’t want to spend the money to insert new posts to help strengthen the wire. So if your fence needs posts every 8 feet, then put them every 8 feet.

6. Property Lines?

Didi you know that in some places, if a fence is placed on a property line incorrectly and no one contests it, after awhile (years)  that fence becomes the new property line? So if you don’t pay attention you could mistakenly give part of your land away to your neighbor. On the flip side, do you want to take your fence down and move it over a few feet when you neighbor complains that you just fenced in part of his yard? Or even worse, you could get a fine for accidentally fencing in public or government owned property. If you are at all unsure as to where your property line is, then call a surveyor. It’ll cost less in the long run.

So there you have it, 6 Fencing Mistakes That Cost You Time and Money. Whether you are planning a fencing project in the future or mid-job, hopefully you can skip making these mistakes and have a strong, well-made fence that will last a life time!

The post Common Costly Fencing Mistakes first appeared on Capital Deck and Fence.