Gazebos - New Designs

The first of Our new Gazebo Designs -- (just kidding, there will be more new gazebos this summer)

This floating gazebo showed up in my in-box this morning... Thought I'd share it.

L

Final Word on Free Deck Designs

Our poll shows that nearly 50% of our visitors are homeowners looking for ideas. That means that the majority of contractors think that offering free designs is short sighted.

Who's idea was that?

When you are good at something you should get rewarded well for your efforts. When you are practicing your craft--sure, you are willing to do for the experience of doing.

In my case having my work showcased in numerous magazines, being emulated by Landscape Architects and Builders worldwide, (and shipping historical plans worldwide), being on TV, in Newspapers and having tens of thousands of websites pointing to us as the world's best means that we don't have to do design work for free.

Free deck plans?

The trouble is, if we offered free deck plans--that's all we'd have time to do.

The fact is, there are stores and companies that offer free deck designs and plans, however they normally turn out to be worth precisely what you pay.

Most of the time these "Free Deck Plans" are loaded into the cost of the materials (in the case of big box stores), and into the cost of the Deck that many companies offering free deck designs will high pressure sell you in your living room.

A Call to your local GardenStructure.com Deck Builder for a quote and for our input into how to improve your deck design ideas or to find out what options we can add to bring the deck design up to our level of detail will get you on the right track. Our Builders may have a token fee however I am confident you will find them knowledgeable and creative.

Our Deck Builders will always supply free quotations on decks or pergolas if you have deck designs already.

If you don't have plans and need design assistance and don't trust lesser builders to design your dream deck--you can contact Paul Corsetti at 416 455-5515 for complete landscape plans as well as structure and deck designs,

Or Lawrence Winterburn (Principal Designer for GardenStructure.com ) at 416 951 9998. Paul and I do charge for consultations and design work--but keep in mind we do it professionally. L

Xtendex Update

Starting A Deck, Fence or Pergola Company in 08

To view our article about "Starting a Deck Company" click

Best Places to Start a Deck or Fence Company in 2008
There are always locational factors to starting a deck, fence or pergola company. Economics have to be examined when deciding where to locate your company. Certain areas are on trend for a healthy economy going forward, Calgary Alberta, Waterloo Ontario, New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, DC, Connecticut, Washington State, Coastal Florida, San Diego, and most of California in the older cities still have strong markets for Deck and Fence Builders. There are about a thousand cities with healthy economies in the US that I have missed.

…Others may go through some economic pain yet, however we have proven that even in a slow economy we can help you sell more.

Every year there are hundreds of deck and fence companies starting businesses--they will usually sell on price because typically—that’s all they have to offer. When you are looking to compete you can either work for free (like them), or position yourself with us ( Deck Builder Group click for details )

There is another option - buy a franchise from a deck franchise company. Please don’t treat this as me telling you that you should buy a deck franchise, because some of the Deck Franchise Companies in business today may not make it through this recession. $50-100,000 is a lot to pay to have a boss.

I know of one Deck Franchise that has lost nearly 20 franchisees in the recent past. When they are fleeing in those numbers there are troubles.

Before you buy a deck franchise be aware that most countries mandate that they have to make available a list of past franchisees and their contacts so that you can contact them and get feedback.

Because of the economy more people will be fixing rather than moving. Housing prices will come back up, and everyone knows that they always have. The jobs may be a little smaller than in years of the strong economy but that doesn’t mean less profit—It will likely mean more referrals in fact!

This has been the longest winter in many years in Toronto—there’s 4 feet of snow in places and folks are calling to build fences and decks every day. There are still areas around Toronto Available, North York, Oakville, Orangeville-Caledon and Kitchener Waterloo.

Give me a call to get involved—and if you are looking for sub-contract or hourly work, get us resumes or summaries of experience soon.

Lawrence Winterburn
888 293 8938

Free Deck Designs

When I initiated the poll “Should deck builders do free designs?”, I fully expected a blowout. I’d love to know what you all think so please—treat this as an invitation to post comments on this subject.

It was a tie for the first week or two but the result was, 58% yes, deck builders should do free designs with over 50 votes.

I guess to interpret these results we need another poll. (See the new poll in left margin)

Some Lawyers do Free Initial Consultations—normally ½ hour maximum.

Many deck builders feel that free estimates are your opportunity to “Sell” the homeowner on your ability and prowess.

Others see it as “You train your clients”. If you acclimate your clientele to expecting you to work for free, (depreciating the worth of your time), then they will expect you to do work for free later.

Some of the Leading though declining Deck Franchises actually force you to do Free Deck Designs for every single potential customer. I’ve been told that it takes roughly 10 hours for the average contractor to do a free deck design to their standards for a “Potential Client”.

Any Business that forces its employees, (worse still—investors), to work for free, (Slavery), is nothing short of “Tyrannical”. Slavery is just plain wrong, but when you have slaves you need to feed them, cloth them and house them. Forcing people to do 50 hours a week for free is worse than slavery.

If you are to do 5 estimates a week, (Often I will do 5 Initial Consultations in a day—not free), and those free designs eat up 10 hours each… ahem…When on earth are you to be making your living?

When things tighten up—as they have in the US presently, deck builders may well need to hustle. Free initial consultations may well be necessary. But Free Designs for Decks, or pergolas, or gates?

Members of our "Builder Group", have a large portfolio and "Design Elements" which is a line art portfolio of designs. Potential clients can pick and choose elements that they like and the builder simply has to use these details as specifications. No need to reinvent the wheel. (Call Lawrence at 888 293 8938 for more about the Builder Group). Our Builders are inspired to do a little marketing so that they get more leads--when you have more leads you can charge for designs and even consultations in many cases.

I just don’t agree with the practice of working for many hours for free.. If you must do free estimates, so be it. When it comes to the deck business I believe that deck companies in general don’t charge enough—before factoring in working for free. This business needs an injection of professionalism.

When you do deck designs for free, you are either just doing it for fun, or really bad at it, or you may be using some automated software that spits out boring and elderly designs in an attempt to take over the world one deck at a time—and in that case it is worth precisely the price charged.

It is truly a shame when you get duped into driving an hour to see someone so that you can be milked of your expertise and then shamed into 10 hours of toil under the pretense of being hired for a job—only to have your hard work taken for free—and a door firmly closed in your face.

The definition of ignorance—doing it twice.

L

One of our Best Deck Builders-Niagara Ontario

What can I say about Kevin Murrell. When I met him he was thinking about getting out of the deck business. He wanted to do beautiful things and was having a hard time making it happen after a couple of years in the Deck Business. He had yellow page ads, he had marketing, but he didn't have a deep pool of good photography to work with.

How do you get the chance to build the best decks--when all you have been given the opportunity to do is simple jobs. I knew the moment I met Kevin that he was very skilled--and a brilliant craftsman. I think I had to call him 5 times to convince him to work with us.

He is a perfectionist, and he may take a little longer to do the job the first time through... But so did I in the first few years. There is something to be said for being patient enough to develop your own techniques.

This is just one of the jobs I photographed that Kevin built last year. I think it is top 3 for all the decks built by GardenStructure.com contractors last year. I'm going to show off more of Kevin's work in the next month so stay tuned.

Kevin DESIGNED and Built this Deck. It is pre-finished red cedar and I just can't say how impressed I am with his blossoming ability. I sure do love when I turn out to be right about someone! Enough solo back patting, It's Kevin Murrell's work... I really like this deck.

What's more impressive? Last I checked Kevin is converting 50% of his leads. People love Kevin Murrell the first time they meet him... and it's just my theory. He's a bargain at any price. Unassuming nice guys can indeed finish at the top of the heap!

Kevin-- I am so Impressed. Nice Deck!

L

Screws VS Nails for Deck Framing.

While watching one of those TV Hero-Competition Bashing Contractor screwing a deck frame together the other day it illuminated a contentious debate in the Deck Business. Which is stronger… Nails or Screws for decks?

Nails have a much greater sheer strength, while for a short time in a deck application screws may hold tighter. If this surprises you, try this experiment. Put a screw in a nice big block of wood about 1.5” deep…could be firewood, the type doesn’t matter.

Now, hit the screw with a hammer.

It sheers off clean.

Try the same thing with a nail.

You would have to bend the nail back and forth 50 times for it to snap off.

This is why we use Nails for framing.

If it is in the budget to use a joist gasket and stainless screws, we will use them. Or in the case of Pressure Treated, at request of the client, we will use ACQ Screws. However we do let them know that when it comes time to refinish the deck, you may end up changing a number of broken screws even taking these precautions.

When the boards are swelling from moisture it can cause the screws to tear out of the joists leaving a void for moisture to cause premature rot. If the finish was damaged during installation it can corrode. Often the screws will simply not hold beyond a couple of years.

When you refinish a deck typically we set all the nails a quarter inch deep, then sand the deck with a large machine….

If the deck is screwed down, you have to set the screws. This means that roughly half the screws will strip within the joist, or break or the head will strip at the bit. That exposed steel will react with Red Cedar causing black streaks.

Now, In California did you know that it is illegal to assemble your deck with Screws?

Due to earthquakes, screwed frames have collapsed causing injury and damages in several locations. Many things are discovered in California first…

Build Safe gang—Don’t believe what you see on TV when it comes to woodwork.

L

North Kawartha-Peterborough

Garry Douglas used to be a project manager and generally talented construction expert doing everything and including heavy construction like water treatment facilities in the far north.

About 3 years ago he chose to retire from the long distance work he did through most of his career. Garry chose to do what he always loved doing--Woodwork. He wanted a better quality of life and to spend more time with his wife. We were proud to be able to help him make that happen!

He's been doing great work and has been the consummate professional. He's been building with us from his base in Apsley and going as far as Peterborough as well.

He's set up great workshop right in Apsley and has been interesting work upto an hour away.

He is not just a GardenStructure.com Builder--but also has a dealership for Shade Tree Canopies. I know he designed some pergolas with canopies at 3 or 4 residences in just one complex last summer. He's been getting busier and busier over the years.

Garry found himself in the hospital a couple of weeks ago and is hoping to heal by spring.
GardenStructure.com would like to let Garry Douglas, our deck builder in the Kawarthas, know that we are thinking of him during this time. Garry has been a valuable member of our team and trusted advisor for the last 3 years and we've just plain enjoyed working with him.
We sincerely wish you a speedy recovery Garry, Get Better Soon.
You can send Garry a get well soon note at kawartha@gardenstructure.com

L

GardenStructure.com featured in Magazines Spring 08

GardenStructure.com Fences, Decks and Pergolas are being featured in the Spring Magazines

Of course we have the best designs in the world—and the magazines are taking notice.

We have been supplying magazines like House and Home, Canadian Living, Home Workshop, Canadian Gardening, Newspapers like the Hartford Courant and The Tribune, as well as on line publications like About.com with our unique designs, insights and content for many years.

We were credited with a pergola design in the Florida Magazine "House Trends" recently.

Look for our designs to be featured in Contractors Advantage Magazine and “This Old House” Magazine soon!

L

Xtendex Composite Decking

Our Builder in Barrie "Jamie Elliot" advised me this past week that one of our competitors in the area has bought a few lifts of composite decking " Xtendex " from the defunct composite decking plant in Barrie.

They are selling it at competitive prices to cedar--The alarming part is that they are not advising the potential buyer that there is no warranty and the product may have maintenance issues. He knows--because he saw the estimate.

Xtendex went bankrupt a few years back... The Carney Timber Company-McFarland Cascade bought it out and then this past summer closed the plant again. Obviously, there is no longer any warranty on Xtendex products. They had a big auction and piles of the product were sold at fire sale prices.

Information released to Professional Deck Builder Magazine (click for full article) inferred that they had stock to last 2 years--however this was sold off at a giant fire sale auction last fall.




If a company goes bankrupt-normally it is due to a faulty product. I'll zoom you back a few years. I noticed this horrible composite decking display from the highway--when you notice how horrible something is from 200 yards away, there's no question; the product had issues.

You won't be able to buy replacement material, there is no warranty on the product whatsoever and as you can see in the above photo...every lift is a slightly different color. Fading and stains are an issue with all these composite products.

Composite decking is not structural material--so the rails will have to be made from something else.

If someone is trying to sell you a composite deck at a price that seems unrealistic-- Run away!
First grade composite decking goes for over $50.00 a square foot installed... when you are offered something cheaper, and it is represented as first grade, there is a high probability you are being ripped off.

Our simple rule of composite, if it contains recycled plastic and organics like pulp lumber--brace yourself for a product prone to mold and early deterioration. The sugar contained in the old pop bottles along with the fuel supplied by the wood pulp make for a mold generating machine.
The virgin vinyl is a little better, however they are very expensive.

PVC products tend to expand and contract severely due to temperature changes.

To read more about composite decking and photos of composite decks click here.

The beauty of wood--you can make it new again a few years after it is built! Have a look at a few of our wood decks. Many of the photos of these wood decks were taken 3-5 years after installation and they age more gracefully due to pre-staining.
L

Cheapest Decks and Fences

Too Busy—

What do the following statements mean to you when said by a contractor?

I’m too busy.

I don’t have a problem getting work.

I’m as busy as I want to be.

Well, that means to me that you are Selling too cheap. (Confirmed when I read on the website that they are installing deck packages from lumber yards for less than what I paid subs 10 years ago.)

It means to me that you are in a boom town and anyone with a skill saw and most of their fingers can get busy working cheap.

Old proverb; “He who works for free is always busy”

It is a tough thing to grow a company from infancy. Without a coach we are doomed to be a mediocre business. Someone has to tell us that we are undercharging.



Here are the top frustrations of this business coach.

Builders undervaluing their time and expertise. (Your labor rates should be union scale or better after all expenses). If you want to re-invest some back into the company that is fine!

People that know it all. When you know it all you have just set the boundary of your knowledge.

Guys that believe they can start a website and get enough traffic to keep them busy in weeks. (IT TAKES YEARS TO GET TRAFFIC!). The average website will see 20 visits a year.

Good skills and no Business Training or resources or even a mentor to bounce ideas off of.

Guys that outgrow themselves—which means they sell 50 decks before they figure out what their pricing should be or base their pricing on that of their apparent competition.

Spending themselves into a ditch before they stabilize the business. Do it small scale first. What is the rush? Avoid large purchases until near the end of your first tax year.

Being able to charge more, choose which jobs to take and staying local are all benefits of having more quality marketing happening than you need.

Having these advantages are what will makes your company a GREAT Deck and Fence Business. Our Builder Group will also set you up with the best portfolio and sales tools in the business, and help you benefit from the busiest web site in the business.

To find out more about our Deck and Fence Builder Group click here or call Lawrence Winterburn at 888 293 8938

L

How soon to apply stain to a new wood deck?

How soon after building should you wait to stain a wood deck?

The answer may upset you. If you are asking this question you have likely already built your deck.

Did you leave spaces between the decking boards? How much? Without space the boards won’t dry sufficiently after rain. To get a good coat of stain on you may have to wait for a drought of 2 months or more for the moisture to escape the wood.

Pre-Stained Deck being built by Darren Smith and Crew (Upscale Decking), near Cornwall Ontario.

The best time to stain is before the deck is built. Dry, Deglaze and apply a coat of stain before you build. Sealing the end grains every time you cut will give you the longest lasting stain job.

Most of our “Builder Group Contractors” can do it, however it is a serious premium. Sometimes people opt to do the stain work themselves and then have us build the deck and end cut. You end up having to pay a little more for the extra work and ruined clothing—but that will solve the peeling stain issue.

For more information on Exterior Stain Application click here.

L

Deck and Fence Business Economics 2008

Someone asked me the other day how much money they could make—expecting me to say it is unlimited.

My answer—Well, that depends how hard you work, how good a manager you are, the local economic situation, how skilled a tradesman you are (or hire), how well you pick up the design aspects of your new job and numerous other factors.

If you rub every customer the wrong way, or show up in a Corvette to estimate a modest deck, wear a beer tee shirt to the quote, or try to sell with a phone number that folks have to dial long distance to contact you it is bound to be sluggish.

If you sell too cheap, nothing will make you a success.

Competing on price with unregistered, uninsured and illegitimate competitors is also a recipe for disaster.

Make the error of giving your company the wrong name there will not be much I can do for you

Names like Dirt Cheap Landscaping-Decks R US or you have slang words like Stuff or containing clever misspellings will often sabotage efforts to do more prestigious work or demand a fair market value for your upscale offerings.

Someone who just doesn’t have enough time to work 8 hours a day is not likely to do as well as someone putting in a full week of work.

When the economy looks tough, as it appears it may be in the coming year, you may wish to give some careful consideration to overcoming the obvious challenges.

“Shoot while the birds are in the air”, is short sighted and reactionary bit of advice. When there are no birds in the air it is bush beating time… or time to go hunting in other local bushes.

We are seeing it in Tampa. Housing has been discounted 35%, and our local builder has plenty of calls. When people can buy a house cheap—they are more willing to put money into it. Housing has always appreciated in the long term… and when you buy well you simply can’t miss.

There are more ways of looking at an entire economy even during challenging times. I have seen many people make their fortune during recession and met others that amassed a fortune during an actual Depression. In every economic circumstance someone is making money. I bet trustees, bailiffs and auctioneers are doing rather well in some areas.

Some people are defeated by difficulties—others are motivated by challenges and learn from them.

One guy may make a good living—another can build an empire but the most brilliant thing is the fact that it is your choice to make.

We are happy to be here to help you achieve your goals in 2008.

L


(For more information about our Builder Group Licensing- click here or dial 888 293 8938 and ask for Lawrence Winterburn)

Deck Builders Trends 2008 / 2009

The latest trends in the Deck Business 2008 / 2009

2006’s Trend of using IPE for decks has crashed for the main reasons of quality and price. It doesn’t arrive kiln dried so it tends to crack and twist badly as it dries. We’ve seen some poor quality stuff retailed locally and it is extremely difficult to work with.
Apparently Ipe is on the list of endangered species so we have ceased using it at all.

Lighted post caps are a trend, however built in low voltage lighting seems to be a permanent trend in the business.

When it comes to materials, Tigerdeck is the king of 2008. It is sustainably harvested from more than 40 countries and comes kiln dried with a warranty—yes, it is a hardwood and is expected to last 30 years on a typical platform.

Composites are yesterday’s news in my opinion. Azek seems to be the best of the group, it used to be Pro-Cell before being bought by another company.

Brite closed it’s doors this spring, The Dexx plant burned down a couple of years back (they were making composite from recycled gas tanks), Xtendex was closed last year and we expect a few others will do likewise due to a shrinking market for composite and increased operating costs.

Nevertheless composites are not seen as “The” premium product in the business due to aging in a chalky and simulated way. Putting plastic or vinyl outside leads to deterioration—and there is just no way around that fact.
Pre-finishing is a major trend again this year. When we can pre-finish red cedar and have it age more gracefully than composites at a competitive price to premium composites… and then refinish in 5 years and make it new again, folks understand the advantage.

Curves and Brows are a trend that won’t go away. Organic looking, free flowing decks will never go out of style.

Built in Garden Areas have always been popular. Outdoor kitchens need herb gardens—trelliswork screens need a place to root vines.

Pergolas for shade and privacy are becoming much more popular, and this year we have a new product that mounts within the pergola to create total shade and is fully retractable. Made of stainless steel and aluminum mechanicals with a 12 year warranty, they also offer a motorized version with a remote. Sunbrella fabric helps it age gracefully and resist fading. You can now shelter a 16 x 20 area from rain in a single retractable under pergola awning.

We have designed these into 4 projects so far—and are eagerly awaiting photography.

Best Wishes from GardenStructure.com

We would like to thank our Builders and Our Clients for their support and continued encouragement.

Thank you to our Fans as well as our Critics—You all help us improve and enabled us to grow into this fine Company.

Merry Christmas to Some—Seasons Greetings to all the others!

May this find you and your Families Healthy, Happy and Fulfilled at this special time of the year.

Warm Regards from Lawrence, Amanda and Everyone at GardenStructure.com

See you Next Year!

Platinum Broadcasting

Roxanne Phoenix called yesterday from Platinum Broadcasting's "Focus on America", expressing interest in our Builder Group Business Opportunity. Immediately I thought... Scam. So I asked her, are you looking for a cash payment for this opportunity to be seen on TV? How much does it cost?

Ohhh no, it's nothing like that she assured me, we are seen on cable networks all over the US--then she shut up.

I asked if they have a website...
Here's what the website header looks like. They have put a lot of work into it!



I still had my hackles up--since I had time wasted twice before by similar sounding scams.
Anyhow... she scheduled a phone interview with me for 11 am the next day. After a 15 minutes with a well-spoken guy named Mike Irving who is the producer apparent of a show called "Focus on America".

This is not the first time I have had time wasted by a scam like this one... Thank God it was only 15 minutes of my day before he asked for the $19,000 scheduling fee to cover media production, financials and scheduling.

A legitimate producer or TV production company will not ask for money up front for an appearance.

We've been featured on HomeSense, One Yard Two Looks, One Garden Two Looks. It makes for great marketing--but when you pay the production costs and there is no guarantee anyone will ever see the program... it is not such a deal.

Be cautious of these phishing scams relating to TV Production Companies.
Other names of shows they use to lure unsuspecting companies into cash donations...

Great Taste
Todays Family
Focus on America
Sustainable Planet
New Home Journal
Business & Beyond
Health Forum
Competetive Edge
Mundo Latino

If they were a legitimate production company they wouldn't be using deceptive techniques to get clients.

platinumproductionstv.com is their other website

more information on this scam can be found here

GardenStructure.com leads all Deck Companies for Traffic.

GardenStructure.com seems to be the king of all deck companies on line.

Archadeck with multi-million dollar advertising budget gets less than 1/2 of the traffic to our main site. That doesn't include blog or portfolio site.

Below is an estimation by a company that specializes in traffic ranking. They take search engine stats, toolbar information and other sources to estimate traffic. They are about 75% off in our case, so lets just assume they are 75% conservative in their numbers for everyone else too. *

To see all the estimated stats from site analytics.

And... Hickory Dickory Decks--advertised as the #2 deck company in the world... 1/10 our traffic.

80% of our locations have not had time to do a home show in the past 2 years. We are better off servicing the leads we have rather than chasing more. We just don't need the extra marketing with traffic like this.

For more information click Deck Builder Group or call Lawrence Winterburn 888 293 8938

L
*Our actual server based stats tell us that the main site peaks at over 100,000 unique visits per month.

Winter Work for Deck Builders

Our Ontario Deck Builders are being frozen out early this year. Maybe we are spoiled from last year… I think we stopped outdoor work in January around Toronto last year.

It is Tampa’s Busy season, their seasonal snowbird residents are settling in and this year their money goes about 25% further due to the stronger Canadian Loonie. (That’s dollar in American).

The new guys on the East Coast, Virginia Beach, Charleston and Greenville will should be able to work right through the winter.

Some of the seasonal area guys do interior trim and cabinetry in the winter… though we will likely be building out of doors again mid March. Rod—Our posthole guy in Mississauga-Burlington says he was digging again in mid February last year.

When it comes to the folks that made enough money to rest up over the winter… if they are smart they are working on marketing. People are shopping on line while they are cooped up for the winter—just after Christmas the traffic to our websites doubles… and by May we see many more than 100,000 unique visitors a month.

Over the winter people are printing out web pages and collecting contacts to enact their lofty spring projects. They all start calling about February or early March…first sunny day above zero. Most of our guys have a couple of projects in the bag for spring already—and they will sell more over the winter.

When builders ask when the best time to set up is—Before January is the answer. We need your pages found by the search engines in time for the winter shoppers that will be starting in January and February. Normally it takes 2-8 weeks for google to do it's thing. The more fridge doors your contacts end up on the better your spring building season will be.

The other part of it is that we have more spare manpower this time of year as well--so we can spend more time with you.

Greenville SC and Markham Ontario are being set up presently.

If you want to learn more about our deck and fence builder group—click here.

L

Word of Mouth Marketing

Salesmanship is something you can put into every word. From the initial contact to the final stroke on an agreement.

The old adage of shoot while the birds are in the air has plenty of sense in it—but what to do when the economy suffers and there are fewer birds seen?

We are seeing it where the most new migrants are, and where housing prices have tumbled and where the economy are overly reliant on the Automotive Business. There is simply less work to be done—and more people bidding on it for less.

This is the most important line in this article… “In Every Economy – Someone is making money”.

You need to connect with those people and show them the right things to ride through the economic downturn in style. “You can be one of those Someones”.

There are a few simple truths in the Deck and Fence Business.

• Selling it as a commodity is a losers game.
• Selling based on pricing decided by the competition is lunacy.
• And finally, marketing must be done consistently for financial security.
  
  Our Builder Group is growing because about a Million people see our web presence every year… It makes our builders busier and gives them many exclusive designs to show to clients that are interested in our products.
  
  Good luck in whatever economy you may be in!
  
  L

How to Build Gates - and how not to Build Gates.

Where on earth do you learn how to build wood gates properly?




I don't even recall reading decent instructions in a book, however our DIY plans include good step by step information.





Of all the tasks that a fence builder needs to know this is the Achilles heel of the trade. I see more sagging gates with the hardware inoperable in my travels than any other flaw in wood fences.




Wooden gates require a brace and braces work in compression (see photo above). I see a million braces (right idea), with the braces backwards. The braces must run from the swing side of the gate down to the hinge. This builder got the braces right--however he built the gates too large and the gates are inoperable.



There are brackets--that don't work particularly well and many react with the chemicals in ACQ Rated pressure treated materials.



When a wood gate is not hung off a wall you will need a headpiece to prevent the weight of the gate from bending the post and causing the hardware not to work--and the gate rubbing on the other post.







There is a maximum size for gates that don't have steel reinforcement--that is advanced information that we share with our Builder Group.













These gates are all on the same block (cheap copies of a fence I designed this summer).






This one has no headpiece--no brace--and it is built too large for the opening that doesn't seem to be the same size top and bottom. This gate incorporates nearly every mistake in the book.






The garbage beside it is a nice touch.



There should also be a good space beneath the gate so that it doesn't get obstructed. There are many rules for yards with pools to do with gate operation direction, self closing hardware and climb ability so consult with your local building department before deciding on a fence style.





Here's a nice looking gate --However it won't last due to;


No head piece.



Diagonal bracing is insufficient--little blocks in the corners won't do it.



The frame seems to be hanging on screws. Screwing through the long face of a 2x4 doesn't work very well--the wood shrinks, play develops and the gate begins to come apart.



I don't think there is an inch of space to allow this gate to swing.



If I were the client I would complain about the concrete all over the posts.

The gate is also too close to the ground... and will pinch when frost or clay heave lifts the ground.

The above examples illustrate why wood fencing is a commodity. Poorly trained contractors running around cobbling things together the best they can, not knowing what crown is, not having the know-how or skill to build something properly can not ask for proper pay.

If you wonder why GardenStructure.com licensed contractors charge a little more--it's because they simply do better work, that lasts longer and ages more gracefully... oh, and our gates work properly.


Below is a set of wood gates built by Tony Fredericks - WoodCrafters in Toronto, Ontario.



The braces are on the interior for a clean look, there is clearance for swing and they work well. The headpiece carries the weight of the gates. 10/10




L