Fencing & Decking

Steel fences combine grace with strength. They offer clean lines and charming designs, yet they may also have fail-proof security features. Welded steel is stronger than aluminum, but it can rust, so be sure to opt for a galvanized coating if you choose to put up a steel fence.

Steel fences are sometimes called “tubular,” meaning the various fence parts are hollow. Still, such fences are quite strong because the vertical elements run through the railings at the top and the bottom of the fence. Due to their strength, steel fences are often used for commercial security purposes, but they also make great residential fences with a wrought-iron look.

Many steel fences are beloved for their beauty. Because the front and back of steel fences are identical, they may be enjoyed on both sides. Cappers and other design elements allow for great individuality in steel fences.

Taking a step further within the scope of loft-type architectural constructions, a new trend is apparent: the rehabilitation of whole buildings that house multiple loft-type apartments and also new constructions with this end in mind. In many cases the facade already indicates a different interior from that of typical buildings apartments. Their original shapes, sizes, and exterior openness speak for themselves, and indicate unified spaces that convert the dwelling into a shared zone. In many cases, these are lofts for solely domestic use,
but buildings have also been designed in order to house different typologies that adapt to the individual needs of each owner: lofts on a single level, duplexes, or studies combined with homes in the same
space or on different levels, yet visually united.

These buildings offer a new way of dealing with house sales. Given the lack of floor space for construction within large cities, these projects enable the few available feet per apartment to have the least number
of partitions possible, thus achieving a greater sense of space and luminosity, thanks to large windows that provide abundant natural light. They are, in essence, multiple loft-inspired dwellings that share
the same structure.

Select a Theme

What do you want your new deck to “say”? Perhaps you’d like an energizing space with plenty of cheerful plants. The Mediterranean style may be your best bet. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a place to meditate over your breakfast cup of green tea, Japanese elements will put your mind at ease. Of course, if no specific theme appeals to you, a traditional cedar American deck is always a beautiful choice.

Consider Color

From calming blues and greens to stimulating reds and oranges, color definitely impacts our mood. As you imagine your deck, think about which colors would best compliment your landscaping and home design. Don’t limit yourself to just one color; especially in multi-section or step-down deck designs, contrasting or complimentary colors may be best. Stains in nearly every color of the rainbow are available for wood decking, and composite decking comes in many colors as well. (If you use colored composite decking, you can’t change the tone down the road, so be sure you’re 100% satisfied with your choice.)

Choose strong, galvanized
 fasteners. Screws are better than nails over the long run but cost more.

Make sure the foundation
 of the deck is strong.

Leave space for drainage
around wood and between boards whenever possible; this will help it dry out.

Do not place blocks of concrete
straight onto the ground to support your deck. These are not grounded enough, so a deck constructed in this way might wash away in an extreme storm.

Use brackets to support the beams
of the deck. Do not simply drive nails or screws into the side of the railings. This puts too much pressure on the fasteners. A bracket will help the deck “float” in place.
Use pressure-treated wood◊ for the foundation of your deck. This material stands up to the elements best.

Wood was the original decking material, and it’s easy to see why. Wood is easy to work with, fairly lightweight, pleasant to the touch and beautiful. Assuming you use the right species, wood is also strong enough to support a deck.

Another benefit of wood is that it is easy to spruce up. A worn-down wood deck can be refinished to create an entirely new look. A final advantage of wood as a decking material is that it is fairly low-cost.

However, there are also disadvantages to using wood for decking projects. As explained more thoroughly in the Wood Fencing chapter, wood is affected by moisture, sunlight and changes in temperature. Over the long term, wood decks can fade, splinter, warp and crack without proper maintenance. Wood decks must be refinished every few years. Finally, some woods are not insect-resistant.

Split rail fences. Because they were traditionally made from split logs found on the property, many ranches use split-rail fences. Cedar split rail fences are highly decorative and work well for defining property lines.
Picket Fences. Wood picket fences were once considered the American standard. Although picket fences are still popular, many homeowners now choose to build them out of vinyl rather than wood to avoid maintenance.
Post-and-Rail Fences. Easy to build, and fairly easy to maintain, this is one of the most popular fence styles, especially for horse owners.
Privacy Fences. Cedar is an especially wonderful wood for privacy fences, as it blocks out nearly as much noise as concrete.
Lattice. Whenever you want to maintain a degree of visibility, consider building a wood lattice fence. Despite being fairly inexpensive, lattice is beautiful, so it’s great for masking unattractive features on your property, such as utility tanks. Lattice is most often used as a decorative touch on the top of another fence style, such as a privacy fence.