Search results for "Fences failed" in Home Design Ideas

The building was built in 1925 as a gas station, then grew over time into a full service station. When we purchased it had been vacant for a decade, with no utilities and several failed roofs. We installed all new mechanicals, and designed and installed new facades on the far left portion and the center portion to reflect the previous uses of the building. Three of the barn lights are original to the 1930's remodel of the building and were discovered stored in the attic, the rest are reproductions that match exactly. The two schoolhouse fixtures on the interior are originals that we restored. We received the 2015 Historic Savannah Foundation Preservation Award for the restoration. Some Richard Leo Johnson

Country farm gate added to create style to fenced farm
This is an example of a mid-sized farmhouse backyard landscaping in Providence.
This is an example of a mid-sized farmhouse backyard landscaping in Providence.

This is an example of a small rustic shade side yard vegetable garden landscape in New York.
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Carport canopy tall enough for a RV that slopes back to the roof of the house
Carport - mid-sized craftsman wood and one-car beige carport idea in Portland
Carport - mid-sized craftsman wood and one-car beige carport idea in Portland

Natural Cleft Bluestone random pattern patio & walkway, LED mood lighting, landscape design & construction, masonry fire pit, seating wall and planter using cultured stone veneer, new composite deck installed wit water proofed understory, Bluestone steps, drainage installation, outdoor TV, cultured stone veneer on foundation walls of house

The large alcove houses a giant AC unit which was visible from the street. This gate that leads nowhere allows access for servicing or removal of the unit. The bioswale is constructed of a Geo Grid to allow a dolly to remove AC unit if and when it fails. The beautiful rain chain filters rain water from the roof into the bioswale so the water remains in the garden and not down into the storm drain.

Iron Fence Painting Wicker Park Homeowners Can Trust: A Windy City Painters Case Study
Wicker Park is full of architectural character — ornate 1890s greystone two-flats, vintage brick facades, and wrought iron fencing that has framed these streets for well over a century. However, what iron fence painting Wicker Park properties require is not a simple weekend job. Winters here are brutal on metal, and consequently Windy City Painters has spent years perfecting the restoration process that keeps these fences standing strong. In particular, this case study walks through a recent project completed for a classic Wicker Park property.
Project Overview
The property featured a full wrought iron perimeter fence that had suffered years of freeze-thaw cycling and road salt exposure. Paint had failed across most of the pickets, and oxidation had progressed into active rust at several base rails. Consequently, the homeowners needed more than a fresh coat of paint. They needed a genuine metal restoration, and that is precisely what Windy City Painters delivered.
Materials Used
Windy City Painters selected products specifically rated for Chicago's climate extremes:
Rust-Oleum Professional Rust Inhibitor Primer
Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Enamel (two finish coats)
3M rust converter gel for active oxidation zones
Wire brushes, angle grinders, and detail brushes for precision work
The Process: How Windy City Painters Restores Rusted Iron
Every iron fence painting Wicker Park project follows a disciplined, multi-stage process:
Preparation. Wire brushing and angle grinding remove all loose, flaking, and compromised material. Rust converter gel is applied directly to active oxidation zones, chemically stabilizing the metal underneath.
Repairs. Pitted sections and structurally weak joints are addressed before any coating touches the surface. Notably, skipping this step is the most common reason fence paint fails prematurely.
Priming. A full rust-inhibiting primer coat seals every bare metal surface, preventing moisture from reaching the iron beneath.
Application. Two finish coats of direct-to-metal enamel are applied by hand for even coverage across pickets, finials, and rail joints.
Finishing. A final inspection confirms full coverage, sharp lines, and a smooth, uniform sheen from every angle.
Furthermore, this same process protects the ornate details so common on Wicker Park fencing — decorative finials, scrollwork, and gate hardware — without losing the historic character that makes these properties special.
Advice for Wicker Park Homeowners
Before starting a similar project, homeowners in this neighborhood should keep a few things in mind:
Never paint over active rust. Untreated oxidation will continue spreading beneath the new coating, and the paint will fail within a season or two.
Always prime bare metal before applying a finish coat. Skipping primer is the single fastest path to peeling.
Choose coatings rated for temperature extremes, since Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles are harder on metal than most climates.
Inspect ground-contact areas each spring, as base rails typically rust fastest due to snow melt and road salt runoff.
Budget for prep time. In fact, most of the labor in a quality iron fence painting Wicker Park project happens before a single coat of paint is applied.
Similarly, ask whether the contractor uses rust converter on active oxidation, since skipping this step often shortens the life of the finish considerably.
Moreover, historic greystone properties often have decorative ironwork that requires extra care during grinding and priming so the original detailing is preserved rather than sanded away.
What to Expect: Timeline and Investment
Homeowners often ask how long an iron fence painting Wicker Park project takes from start to finish. In general, prep work — wire brushing, grinding, rust conversion, and repairs — takes up the largest share of the schedule, while primer and enamel application move relatively quickly once the surface is properly stabilized. Cure time between coats also affects the overall timeline, since rushing this stage undermines durability. Consequently, Windy City Painters builds a realistic schedule around weather conditions rather than forcing the job into a tight window. In addition, investment varies based on fence length, the amount of active rust present, and whether ornate detailing requires extra hand-finishing. Homeowners considering this project should request a full on-site walkthrough rather than a rough phone estimate, since rust severity is difficult to judge accurately without seeing the fence in person.
Why Wicker Park Homeowners Choose Windy City Painters
Windy City Painters has become the trusted painting contractor for Chicago's North Side and Near West Side, and iron fence painting Wicker Park residents request most often reflects that reputation directly. In contrast to quick-fix contractors who paint straight over rust, Windy City Painters treats every project as a full restoration. As a result, clients get a finish that holds up through multiple Chicago winters rather than one.
In addition, for related projects, Windy City Painters also offers interior painting, cabinet painting, drywall and plaster repair, and full metal refinishing services for fences, gates, and porches throughout the neighborhood. Ultimately, that range of services is what makes us a true one-stop contractor for Wicker Park homeowners.
See more of our work and request a free estimate at www.windypainters.com.
Ready to transform your Wicker Park home? Contact Windy City Painters for a free estimate — visit www.windypainters.com today. Proudly serving Wicker Park, West Town, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ukrainian Village, River North, and all of Chicago.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard stone driveway in Salt Lake City.

Engineered cedar siding creates beautiful gray-blue tones at the exterior of the home, while adding a textural element to activate the simple exterior design.

New cantilevered pool coping & water line tile replaced the old flagstone pavers, decomposed granite and rolled pool beam with synthetic turf strips to "Green-up" the large amount of concrete. The "Raw" engineered concrete wall replaced an old failing wood wall with a new fence on top and pop-out concrete planters create some movement of space along the wall giving room for some focal point planting, lighting, boulders to soften the hard lines and some spectacular color and texture. The ambient well lights reflecting light off the walls create some spectacular patterns across the wall & silhouettes some of the plantings.

The compact front landscape of this Sausaltio home underwent a major transformation. Much of the failing concrete retaining walls were removed to gain more patio space. Ledger stone veneer was installed on existing walls. A new built-in BBQ/grill with full range bluestone for counter tops, patio floor and stairs. I also designed a contemporary, stepped, horizontal redwood fence along both sides of the sloped driveway. Low water plantings including low light succulents such as Echeveria imbricata (hens and chicks), Sedum 'Angelina', Agave attenuate, were included in this contemporary facelift. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

New cantilevered pool coping & water line tile replaced the old flagstone pavers, decomposed granite and rolled pool beam with synthetic turf strips to "Green-up" the large amount of concrete. The "Raw" engineered concrete wall replaced an old failing wood wall with a new fence on top and pop-out concrete planters create some movement of space along the wall giving room for some focal point planting, lighting, boulders to soften the hard lines and some spectacular color and texture. The ambient well lights reflecting light off the walls create some spectacular patterns across the wall & silhouettes some of the plantings.

Natural brown tone powder coat was used to compliment the color variation on this brazilian hardwood deck with a beautiful mountain view. Stainless steel cable appears nearly invisible from 5 feet away with nothing but landscape picked up in the distance. Hardwood and stainless cable combined with galvanized steel posts and powder coating make for a beautiful and durable railing system.
Photo Matt Redmond

The compact front landscape of this Sausaltio home underwent a major transformation. Much of the failing concrete retaining walls were removed to gain more patio space. Ledger stone veneer was installed on existing walls. A new built-in BBQ/grill with full range bluestone for counter tops, patio floor and stairs. I also designed a contemporary, stepped, horizontal redwood fence along both sides of the sloped driveway. Low water plantings including low light succulents were included in this contemporary facelift, to include Echeveria imbricata, Sedum 'Angelina', Agave attenuata. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

The compact front landscape of this Sausaltio home underwent a major transformation. Much of the failing concrete retaining walls were removed to gain more patio space. Ledger stone veneer was installed on existing walls. A new built-in BBQ/grill with full range bluestone for counter tops, patio floor and stairs. I also designed a contemporary, stepped, horizontal redwood fence along both sides of the sloped driveway. Low water plantings including low light succulents were included in this contemporary facelift. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard mulch driveway in Atlanta.

The compact front landscape of this Sausaltio home underwent a major transformation. Much of the failing concrete retaining walls were removed to gain more patio space. Ledger stone veneer was installed on existing walls. A new built-in BBQ/grill with full range bluestone for counter tops, patio floor and stairs. I also designed a contemporary, stepped, horizontal redwood fence along both sides of the sloped driveway. Low water plantings including low light succulents were included in this contemporary facelift. All plants are deer resistant. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

The compact front landscape of this Sausaltio home underwent a major transformation. Much of the failing concrete retaining walls were removed to gain more patio space. Ledger stone veneer was installed on existing walls. A new built-in BBQ/grill with full range bluestone for counter tops, patio floor and stairs. I also designed a contemporary, stepped, horizontal redwood fence along both sides of the sloped driveway. Low water plantings including low light succulents were included in this contemporary facelift. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

This Livingston, New Jersey homeowner contacted CLC Landscape Design looking for a backyard that would function as a space for their young family to relax and play while also being a space to entertain family and friends.
Luckily for us, their backyard was a blank slate with little more than overgrown grass and some trees occupying the backyard. To meet both of the client's needs, a space that's functional for the family and for entertaining, we designed a backyard with multiple spaces.
First, we designed a deck off the back of the house. The composite deck contains an outdoor gas firepit as well as a built-in outdoor BBQ. As you descend from the deck onto the patio, there is a hot tub near the pool. Techo-Bloc Blu 60 Smooth in shale grey was chosen for the pool patio.
To go along with the architectural aesthetic of the home, we designed a rectangular vinyl-liner swimming pool with a pavilion aligned to the center axis of the pool. The pavilion includes a ceiling fan, ceiling lights, an outdoor television, and a bar. At 20' x 14', the pavilion is spacious enough for multiple chairs, outdoor sofas, and a small table.
To finish off the pool area, we selected a variety of plants to provide multiple seasons of interest. Some clients are indifferent when it comes to the plant palette. Others, like this client, share our passion for plants. As such, we worked closely with the homeowner on selecting the plants.
As you leave the pool area, there is a lawn area behind and next to it. We selected a spot near the pool area for a playset for the homeowner's children. It is close enough to the pool area that the parents can keep an eye on their children, but also far enough away so the adults can relax while their children play.
We'd be remiss if we failed to acknowledge the exquisite taste of the homeowner in selecting all the patio and deck furniture. We love everything the homeowner selected and think it all perfectly compliments our landscape design.
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