Fence Options for Backyard Privacy

A private backyard oasis to enjoy during the summertime is one of my favorite things about being a homeowner. In my experience, creating a place that’s inviting and relaxing can make balmy weekday evenings feel like a mini-vacation, especially when a barbecue or bonfire is involved. 

But having an at-home retreat also means taking steps to ensure that your backyard is private and secure, especially when there is a pool or water feature in the mix. So today, I’d like to give you a peek into a range of fencing options to protect your yard and provide seclusion without forgoing great design.

Many homeowners love the aesthetic of a beautiful, timeless wood fence. They look elegant, provide fantastic privacy, and are easy to install. The downside, of course, is maintenance. With our hot summers and brutal winters, a wood fence will need regular staining or painting, a job that every homeowner dreads. On the positive side, if you like to update the look of your backyard frequently, wood can be painted in any color imaginable and it’s one of the most affordable options on the market. A six-foot panel will run around $25-$50 depending on the type of wood.

If you love the look of wood, but the upkeep has you thinking twice about the material, you might want to think about composite fencing. Composite is made from engineered wood, and while it mimics the look of the natural stuff, its lifespan is much longer with very little maintenance requirements and no worry that it will rot, splinter or warp.  The cost will vary based on the design and type, but you can expect to pay $100-$150 per six-foot section.

If you want something that’s sturdy and maintenance free, a chain link fence might be a good option for you. While they generally aren’t the most stylish in terms of design, a chain link fence will keep your backyard protected and they can be slightly customized in different colors and gauges. If you need more privacy, you can upgrade a chain link fence with metal slats. Best of all, it’s the cheapest of options, coming in at $100 or less for a 50-foot roll. If you like the idea of a metal fence, but prefer something a little more upscale, go for an aluminum option, which is powder coated and needs very little maintenance. A six-foot panel will run you $50-$75 depending on the height.

Finally, if you want something that will protect your pool without making it feel enclosed, there’s nothing like glass. A glass or plexiglass panel fence is beautiful for enclosing water without shutting out the rest of your property. Glass fences are durable, but they do tend to scratch easily and need to be cleaned regularly. They are also generally the most expensive fencing option, especially if they need to enclose a large area or in-ground pool. You’ll be looking in the ballpark of a few hundred dollars per panel.

With so many options, which do you like best? Send me an email or message me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/odonnellbros 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

On Trend at Home with the Color of the Year

If you’re like one of the millions of people forgoing a vacation this year, you might instead be looking for ways to make your home more comfortable, fresh, and even appealing to potential buyers. You’re not alone: according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau report, home centers, hardware stores, garden centers, and building materials suppliers have seen close to a 25 percent increase in sales from last year alone. Recent research from Consumer Specialists and the Home Projects Council found that 57 percent of homeowners put an emphasis on home improvement during the first three months of COVID-19. As the pandemic continues and the colder weather sets in, more and more of us will have time to focus on making those improvements that we keep putting off. 

One of the most popular upgrades that people usually enjoy doing themselves is painting which just also happens to be a fantastic project for fall. The weather is cool enough for the paint to dry quickly, but not so cold that leaving windows open for a day becomes unbearable. Indoor painting can be tedious but it’s also a job that will give your home a major facelift with a little time and effort. 

With that in mind, the question then becomes, “what color should I paint my room?” This is, of course, a very personal choice, but with the real estate market booming and many people looking at potentially listing their home in the near future, choosing something that’s trendy and modern is an option worth considering. 

Around this time of year, the major paint brands unveil their “Color of the Year”, a hue that's often chosen for its likeability, longevity, and how it captures and enhances interior design forecasting for the future. The first paint company out of the gate is Sherwin-Williams, which announced that Urbane Bronze is their Color of the Year for 2021. Equal parts trendy and timeless, the deep organic shade was chosen for both its connection to nature and the warmth it provides when incorporated into a home sanctuary.

According to Sherwin-Williams, “Now more than ever, our homes have become the backdrop to our lives, reminding us that the moments worth cherishing have always been right in front of us. As we're looking to create the ultimate retreat for reflection and renewal, we're turning to a hue whose natural simplicity and nature-inspired energy cultivate a sense of calm from the ground up.” Say that three times fast. 

If dark paint colors aren’t your style, Urbane Bronze can be used as an accent with warmer neutrals such as a popular Modern Gray or the company’s Messenger Bag, which offers a slightly more khaki feel. 

Wondering what your other options might be? Stay tuned: Benjamin Moore will be making their Color of the Year announcement on October 14th. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Clean and Seal Your Deck for Decades Worth of Endless Summers

The life expectancy of a wood deck is about 10 to 15 years, but did you know that it could last north of 20 years with proper cleaning and maintenance? That’s right, with a good seasonal scrub and sealing, your deck could stay looking beautiful long after your neighbors’ needs replacing.

A deck takes a lot of abuse during the seasons. The summer sun is especially harsh and the humidity forces the wood to expand and contract, which can lead to shifting and splitting. The winter is no picnic either as snow, ice, and freezing temperatures will do their fair share of damage to both the surface and the joists. With all those elements taking their toll, it’s no wonder why a deck is so susceptible to rot. Luckily, there is plenty that you can do to take care of it, so let’s get to it.

Attack the Crevices

The first thing you have to do is sweep the surface of your deck clean, and then grab a putty knife to dislodge all the debris stuck in the nooks and crannies. Whirlybirds and leaves can do a lot more damage than you think because they begin to rot as soon as they get wet. Leaving them trapped in the wood will most certainly send your deck to an early grave. This is also a great time to sand down any splintered areas and replace deteriorated or popped nails or screws.

Scrub the Wood

Once your surface is completely debris-free, it’s time to give the wood a deep clean. You might remember my affinity for a pressure washer and deck cleaning is where this machine really shines. A year’s worth of dirt, mildew, and gunk can be tough to take off, and while a stiff scrub brush and some serious back-aching effort will do the trick, the pressure washer will tackle the task in half the time. Many people recommend a bleach and water solution but I prefer to use a non-toxic alternative such as Spray Nine which has no corrosive chemicals and won’t kill your plants. Give the deck a good, solid coating of cleaner and let it sit for 15 minutes before pressure washing or scrubbing.

Stain and Seal

Staining the deck is an optional step but sealing it shouldn't be. Many decks experience discoloration over time and staining is one great way to give your wood a facelift and make it look new. But regardless of if you’re staining or not, applying a weather resistant seal is your best defense against having the replace your deck sooner than you expected. Apply the sealant in a thin coat using a medium paintbrush or a roller, working with the wood grain to ensure an even finish. It’s important not to apply the sealant in direct, hot sun as it will dry too quickly and the wood won’t be able to absorb it. If instructed, apply a second coat, working in the same way. Finally, allow the sealant to dry for 24 to 48 hours before placing deck furniture or planters back on the surface.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy your beautiful like-new deck for the rest of the summer and beyond. Your wood will thank you.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.