Project Overview
Nestled between established trees in a quite neighbourhood this client wanted to establish a property boundary and provide an enclosed area for their dog while providing privacy for the areas not covered by thick evergreen trees.
With openness to material and layout, with an eye on potential future land development we set to work on providing a concept that would tick all the boxes.
Project Details
- Fence solution that compliments the home and fits in with the wooded surrounding.
- Fence to provide privacy and security to the close perimeter of the home with boundary definition at the outer property line.
- Improved grade and usability for the homes pathways, yard area and driveway.
A fence to end all fences.
With a good budget and having a local mill resource in Morris Sawmill & Lumber we were able to provide quality lumber at a competitive cost. After mapping out the layout and assessing the local bylaws, the stock was ordered to rough cut length ready for onsite preparation and staining. The stain was matched to the homes exterior and sourced from Fernie’s Nufloors.
Once the extensive post auguring was completed (somehow only finding challenging resistance with a few holes) we checked our lines and began to set posts. With such an extensive fence length our fence features 6×6 corner, mid length, and gate posts with 4×4 line posts. All posts set to approximately 4’ to ensure posts are below the frost line. A key consideration to a long-lasting post that will see frost heave multiple time annually.
Key Design Features
- A fence of considerable size, with structural integrity which boasts an esthetically pleasing appearance.
- Low maintenance, budget considered ground covering for occasional use.
Arriving home
Before we arrived, the approach and driveway were overgrown and did not match the warm look of the home itself. By widening the drive, cleaning up and extending the short retaining walls and adding some low maintenance grasses and medium sized trees with room to grow, we opened the entrance and greatly improved the approach/curb appeal.
Ground cover.
With a mix of soil, weedy grass holding rocks and gravel, the property apron and crush driveway needed a refresh and everything needed cleaning up and tying together.
With low maintenance a key consideration, we adjusted the grade to ensure surface water will run away from the building. We placed weed barrier on the prepped surface and installed 1’’ minus Shale. The shale option provides a natural stone look that doesn’t look out of place. It’s locally sourced and is comfortable to walk on.
The weed barrier will help stop the inevitable wind blown soil and weed seed from rooting and making them easier to pull. When weeds do pop up from settling soil and wind blown seeds we will be able to come a spot treat the area with Fernie bylaw friendly, iron based sterilant that wont harm our pets of affect our trees, plants and storm water system.
Finish and improvements.
Three areas that needed a little attention were the paving stones, spa pad and entry view.
The spa pad and partial paths located at the entry door and stairs were placed on compacted but disturbed ground. Here a simple reset of the pavers involved; pulling them up, regrading and supplementing the base material and relaying with proper bedding sand, infill sand and importantly, a hidden edge retainment to keep the pavers from lateral movement. A component that was lacking from their original install.
Similarly, the spa pad (as are many we see), was fairly improvised without enough attention paid to the subbase, level surface and edge retainment. Our fix for this, is a budget friendly but long lasting pad that will support the weight of a filled not tub (2,500 to 5,000 lbs).
By reusing the existing 24’’x24’’ pavers, we excavated ample space to provide surface for the tub and a step. We provided well compacted base material and bedding sand, retained by ground rated timbers. With new and original pavers placed back. This process has leveled the tub and greatly improved the approach, entry and exit of the spa.
Lastly was the approach to the property. The whole side of the property looked and felt like no mans land. The short fence indicates property boundary. A shaping and ground cover that ties into the pathways and driveway material along with a few low maintenance grasses and medium trees that will establish in size over time now provides a welcome home approach and curb appeal.
If any of these products or solutions interest you please feel free to call or email us for more information. We’d love to bring these kinds of solutions to more of our community and surrounding area.
Excellent service, highly recommended! I am very grateful to John and his crew at Blue Spruce Landscapes for their work on my yard project. They were knowledgeable, super honest, hard workers and made the process a very positive experience for me. I love how it turned out and will definitely be calling them for my next project!
