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Find the Right Fence Replacement Parts: Identifying Your Fence and Gate Hardware

Our family recently moved into our new home, a lovely Victorian that most would classify as a “fixer-upper.” As a DIY weekend warrior, I classify it as a dream come true, as it’s given me lots of wonderful home improvement projects to delve into on nights and weekends. But the big obstacle for me is finding the right replacement parts and hardware items. What’s more, I have the added challenge of trying to find parts that match the style of my home. I felt especially out of my element when I went outdoors to fix up the fence and gate...

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The Best Pergola Decorating Ideas: Vines, Fabric, and Decorative Hardware Spruce Up a Bare Pergola

Decorative, powder-coated hardware can take your pergola to the next level, making it look more finished and elegant. I spent a couple weekends constructing my new pergola. I was really happy with the finished result, but when my wife emerged from the house to check out my creation, she said: “It’s nice….but it’s too bare. It needs some decoration!” At first, I was a bit insulted. After all, I’d spent the better part of two weekends working on this project; how could it be anything but fabulous? But if I’m honest with myself, my wife’s words echoed a thought that had already...

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Pergola vs Gazebo: Building a DIY Pergola or Gazebo in Your Yard for Entertaining

Both pergolas and gazebos make great areas for entertaining and relaxing, although DIYers should know that pergolas are a simpler project. It took a bit of searching, but you finally found the perfect house. There’s just one problem: the yard isn’t exactly inviting and you love to entertain! A fabulous backyard is an absolute must-have for your new home, but you have to work with what you have. To spruce it up, you’ve narrowed it down to just two possibilities: pergola vs. gazebo. But choosing isn’t easy and the right choice will vary depending upon your individual preferences.

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How to Easily Install a Fence Post Near or Next to Your House With a Post Hole Digger Tool

A post anchor provides an easy way to install fence posts without leaving piles of dirt or requiring a lot of space. You finally gave in and brought home that puppy your kids have been talking about for months—but now that little ball of fur needs room to run…outside of the house. That backyard fence you’ve been meaning to install is suddenly a priority this summer. The great news is that it’s a fairly straightforward process even for a beginner weekend DIYer, with one exception: that tricky spot where the fence meets the house. Whether you’re installing a backyard fence to contain...

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Selecting the Right Fastener for Your ACQ Pressure Treated Lumber Project

Pressure-treated lumber can be corrosive to metals, so you’ll want to choose specially-designed fasteners. It is starting to warm up outside and you’ve finally decided to get to work on some yard projects, maybe replacing that gate that was damaged last year, or building some raised beds in your garden. But when you’re loading up your lumber you notice the tag “Pressure Treated” or “ACQ”. What exactly does that mean? Pressure-treated lumber undergoes a chemical process that may cause the accelerated corrosion of metals that come in contact with the wood (like screws and other fasteners). Once the fasteners have corroded, replacing...

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Choosing Hardware That Won’t Rust for Hurricane-Prone Areas

When you live in a hurricane-prone area, make sure you use hardware that won’t rust such as powder-coated, hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners for your building projects. You’ve been hunkered down for the last two days while the wind and rain ripped past your house, but it’s time to head outside to view the damage. A few shutters are swinging, part of your fence came down, and your mailbox went AWOL. It’s nothing that can’t be fixed in a weekend, right? Then you find the pergola you worked so hard to build a few years ago. It’s still upright, but...

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