[Andyboy]

I am interested in garden furniture and wood structures such as trellises and arbors. I have been reading these forums for some time and I can't seem to remember ever seeing anything posted about these topics or even decks and fences. Am I missing something or has this just been coincidence? I would love to start a discussion about this sort of thing but maybe I'm in the wrong place? Any thoughts?

Jason

[Stonehenge]

You're in the right place - if I had to guess, it's that work work like fences and decks have been around long enough that there aren't as many questions about it as there are for other stuff. But a lot of us work with wood, too.

So fire away. If I have an answer, I'll give it.

[wnklandscaping]

With mine and my brothers background in construction we are going to be offering decks along with our landscaping services. There is actually alot of new growth in this area as far as housing goes, and most of the builders do the bare minimum on their spec houses in this area. So when we get into a development we are hoping to get these as an add on. I will post some pics of our work once the season really gets rolling and we get some projects going.

Bill

[John Palasek]

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I love building decks, as well as porches, pergolas, shade arbors, planters and so on.
(Check out my website under "Woodwork")

I find that the demand changes from year to year. Some years I build many, some years hardly any. I guess it goes with trends and whatever HGTV is pushing as the next "it" thing to have.

I do enjoy building them and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.



-JP



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[Pelican]

Diversity is what has kept me afloat during tough times. This past year, I saw the demand for hardscaping drop and ended up building a couple decks. Pretty much anything outdoors is fair game here at GTX!

[Andyboy]

Thanks everyone for the offer to help answer questions.

John, on your website (very nice stuff by the way) a lot of your decks have raised planters. What is involved in building them in order to retain soil, not rot and generally stay up? Is it just 2x4 frames or are they built up with 4x4 timbers?

Thanks,

Jason

[John Palasek]

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Andy,

Generally, I just frame them in 2x4's, (pressure treated of course), and I don't buld them too deep. I make them about as deep as a big flowerpot would be, (about 12 to 14 inches, more or less). I set up a box frame and then build in another smaller frame to make the flowerbox.
I line the box with PT plywood on the sides and bottom and I drill a series of drain holes in the bottom. I then line everything with Geotex fabric and they're done.

They're meant more for annuals or small perennials than anything else.





-JP





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