Green Building: Focus on Fencing

Environmentally preferred fencing is becoming more and more popular. Fencing made with recycled, synthetic or composite materials all qualify as being environmentally preferred and require less maintenance than traditional natural wood fencing.

Traditional wood fencing often requires a lot of maintenance and periodic replacement. That means more natural resources are used over time. If wood is still your material of choice, consider Ecolife™wood, protected with a revolutionary, non-metallic preservative plus wood stabilizer system, offering the natural beauty of real wood combined with advancements in weathering protection and fastener performance. The environmental attributes include lowered maintenance and a longer lasting fencing.

One of the most environmentally preferred fences you can buy is vinyl fencing. Vinyl fencing comes in all different styles and many colors. You can buy white, tan, and other colors to blend into your backyard or enhance the appearance of your home. But the best news is vinyl fencing lasts for years and requires very little maintenance.

Vinyl fencing seldom needs replacing. You only have to wash it every now and then to prevent mildew, but there’s no painting required. It’s also much more durable over time. It can be used to enclose the yard or to create a private hot tub or patio area. Moisture is never a problem for vinyl so you don’t have to worry about where you use it. Because it doesn’t have to be replaced like wood fences, less energy is used also.

There are other environmentally preferred options. New composite fencing uses a combination of materials to produce a strong and enduring fence. Many companies use recycled materials to produce the composite materials giving twice the benefit. Composite fences have an advantage over vinyl fencing in that they can look just like wood. You can even buy the fencing in the wood color of your choice such as redwood or cedar. If you don’t like the look of vinyl, then composite fencing is the perfect alternative. Composite materials have been used in decks for years so it is well-tested in actual use.

Houses today are being built with energy and natural resource savings in mind. It only makes sense to apply the same concepts to other household components. Designers work all the time to create new materials that are more enduring and require less maintenance. Life is hectic and the more you can reduce the amount of maintenance required the better for your life.  If you want to buy the most environmentally friendly fences on the market, then look for fences made with recycled materials.

Sources: reliableremodeler.com and treatedwood.com

Which Type of Fire Pit is Best for Me?

Since ancient times, fire pits have served as focal points for both work and play. This remains true today, as fire pits continue to become popular. Current designs blend modern engineering with ancient principles to present a dizzying array of choices to anyone simply wishing to choose the best outdoor fire pit for their circumstances. There are a variety of styles from which to choose, as well as materials with unique decorative properties, and accessories that add whole new dimensions onto the containment of fire. Much of your reason for choosing one pit over another will involve expense, size, portability and other factors. Even so, each design offers various practical advantages that can influence your choice.

Traditional Fire Pits
Traditional fire pits are usually constructed from brick or stone. The height of the supporting wall can vary according to your preferences. The fire bowl sits on the wall and is usually finished off by coping stones, depending on the style. A fire pit can have many different looks, depending on the type of brick or stone, the size of the pit, whether seating or a table is included in the design, and the size of the fire bowl.

Roman Fire Pits
A Roman fire pit is a freestanding fire bowl supported at the base by either metal legs or a pedestal. The bowl is made of metal, traditionally copper, but is often iron. The fire is usually laid on a grill that sits in the bowl; the ash collects in the bowl.

Chimneys
Chimneys are sometimes called chimeras. These ovens originated in the South and can be a striking feature in a small backyard. Traditionally made from clay, they can also come in pottery or metal finishes. Some chimneys have a door and inside grill to enable cooking. Chimneys also channel smoke more effectively, avoiding the shifting of smoke commonly a deterrent for those wishing to enjoy a recreational fire. Unlike other models, however, chimneys must often be cured before use to ensure longevity.

Fireplaces
The most elaborate design by far is the outdoor fireplace, of which the chimney is a variation. These styles tend to be more vertical and more contained, than bowls and barrels, and also tend to offer more customization options and require more maintenance. These can often be more decorative than barrels and bowls, and may be better in instances where you want the fire pit to be a major aesthetic focus of your yard, however it is important to pay attention to any special maintenance or safety concerns when considering more elaborate materials.

Fire pits can add new life to your yard. They can make it a focal point for outdoor cooking and meal preparation, as well as a warm space to relax during chilly nights. The many choices available in fire pit designs and features means that surely one is available to satisfy whatever needs and decorative concerns you may have.

Source: ezinearticles.com

Because these fence types can look so similar, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the differences.

Wrought iron fencing: Wrought iron is an extremely strong and expensive material ideal for heavy-duty applications or when high security is needed. It is quite heavy and rigid, and because of the nature of the material, it can eventually rust. This type of fence is the classic, hand-forged (wrought) iron, usually distinguished as an art form, and often found in historic areas. It is more practical for a single showpiece gate, for example, rather than an entire fence. Occasional maintenance is needed to preserve the beauty of the fence.

Ornamental iron fencing: Ornamental iron is actually ornamental steel, and is similar in strength to wrought iron but is galvanized and coated to prevent rusting. It is less expensive, requires less maintenance and is easier to repair than wrought iron, but still more expensive than ornamental aluminum.

Ornamental aluminum fencing: Aluminum is a lighter, more flexible, and longer-lasting material made to look like ornamental iron. Aluminum is low maintenance and will not rust or need painting. Many types also are guaranteed not to peel or crack. It is usually less expensive to install, both because the material is cheaper and because installation will be easier because of the lighter weight. Repairs are also easier because a single picket can be removed and replaced, whereas with wrought iron fencing, entire fence sections must be removed to facilitate repairs.

Source: fenceindustry.com