Sprucing up a Wooden FenceWood fences come in a lot of different styles, but they all have one thing in common: They get noticed. If your fence is getting noticed for the wrong reasons, find out how to get it looking good enough to be a highlight in your yard — not an eyesore.
1. Clean the fence thoroughly with a wood cleaner. Cabot makes one that's called Problem-Solver. Mix the cleaner with water in the recommended ratio in a pump sprayer (you can make the solution stronger if the fence is really dirty). The cleaner, which contains bleach, works inside the wood bring it back to life. (Be sure to protect any plants or lawn from the solution.) Then use a brush to scrub down the fence.
Or use a pressure washer, which "scrubs" at the same time it sprays. A gas-powered unit will work better than an electric one.
2. Let the fence dry for three to five days; if it rains during that time, start the drying-out period over again. The wood must be completely dry. If you're not sure about it, you can get a moisture meter to check. You don't want to stain wood that has more than 15 percent water in it. You might be able to borrow a moisture meter from the paint store.
3. Choose the stain for the fence. The stain is what protects the wood from the sun. Don't waste your money on clear preservatives or sealers. Oil-based stain is a good choice; the oil soaks into the wood. Behr makes an emulsifying stain that is acrylic- and oil-based that works very well, too. While you're at the paint store, pick up a good-quality brush, such as a China-bristle brush, which is great for use with oil-based products.
4. Apply the stain with the grain of the wood. Work it into the grain as you go. You also can apply stain with a sprayer; that will get it well into the wood, too. One good, heavy coat of stain should do the job, but if you want to add a second coat, check to see if you need to apply it while the first one is still wet.
Stir the stain periodically as you work. The colorant tends to settle on the bottom of the can; you need to keep it mixed.
Front Yard Hardscaping The unlikely combination of stepping stones, fiberglass and foam can work together to boost your home's curb appeal.
Seating. If your house has a front porch, you probably already have at least a small seating area for the front yard. But if it doesn't, consider adding one. Porches have become very popular again because they help encourage a sense of community among neighbors. Even without one, though, you can have a patio with a couple of chairs and a small table — and for a lot less money than adding a porch would cost.
Use stepping stones to create the patio area. Use any arrangement you like — closely spaced or leaving wide gaps for lawn to show through. Allow an area about 6 feet square for the patio. Once you've added some seating, you'll be able to use it as an outdoor living space.
Fountains. Water features are very hot right now, and they work well in the front yard. You can create a nice, well-proportioned fountain for very little money. For example, you can make one with old whiskey barrels for about $129. Or drill a hole for the water return in the bottom of an urn, and set it in a bed of decorative stones. You may have to dig a hole as a kind of catch basin for it, but it won't be a huge one.
For something even simpler, build a water container garden and fill it with exotic plants such as water lilies or a dwarf papyrus. If it's in a shaded area, you can even add a goldfish or two to keep mosquitoes from taking up residence on the water's surface.
Lighting. You can dress up your home's appearance by replacing the builder-grade exterior lights with some really nice ones. Don't be afraid to spend some money here; the lights are one of the most visible features of the front of the house. Sconces on each side of the door really dress it up.
Don't forget other details, such as the mailbox. Again, it's worth investing in one with some appeal because it's so prominent.
Potted flowers. Use plants as accents. Hanging baskets are great, especially if you add a fiberglass "cover" to the plastic basket that the flowers are growing in. Even though they're lightweight and relatively inexpensive, they look very high-end.
Other containers to consider filling with colorful plants are foam planters that look like iron or pottery. They come in styles and colors for just about any style; they weigh almost nothing; and they insulate the plants' roots from severe hot and cold. They also protect the plants from drying out too quickly, which can happen with terra cotta pots.
