Good fences make good neighbors! At our beloved cabin on Balsam Lake, WI, we cherish the natural beauty and privacy of the area. Over the years, our property was beautifully framed by a barrier of arborvitae on one side and lilac bushes on the other. However, the lilacs eventually grew spindly, necessitating a much-needed trim or complete overhaul.
Inspired by our lender and friend, Dave Creig, who has a stunning fence at his cabin, we decided to embark on a DIY project of our own. We were so inspired by his fantastic fence that we wanted to create a functional and attractive fence to enhance our property and provide storage for our paddle boards and kayaks.
Materials and Preparation
The most challenging part of this project was digging the holes for the posts, but luckily, my son Ethan lent a hand, making the task much more manageable. We approached this DIY project with budget-friendly solutions:
- Posts: We used green-treated lumber for the posts to ensure durability.
- Fence Boards: Instead of expensive cedar, we opted for cedar-toned wood from Menards. This provided the beautiful aesthetic we wanted without breaking the bank.
- Paint: We painted the green-treated posts with a rich iron ore color, creating a striking contrast.
Assembly
- Post Installation: With my son Ethan's help, we dug the post holes and secured the green-treated lumber in place.
- Fence Boards: We covered the back of the boards with a 1x4, painting it to match the posts, ensuring a cohesive look.
- Brackets: Additional brackets were installed to hang our kayaks, providing convenient outdoor storage.
Results
The finished project turned out beautifully! Our new fence not only gives us the privacy we desired but also adds an elegant touch to our cabin’s exterior. Plus, the built-in storage for our paddle boards and kayaks keeps our outdoor space tidy and organized. It’s true: good fences really do make good neighbors!
We are thrilled with the outcome and can’t wait to tackle our next project – an outdoor shower at our cabin. So, stay tuned!
Share Your DIY Projects
We love hearing from our community! If you have any DIY projects you’d like to share, please drop them in the comments. We’d love to see what you’ve been working on.
For any questions or additional information, feel free to reach out to Laurie at 651-303-5383 or laurie@truengroup.com.
Happy DIY-ing!
