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If you own an uneven site located on a slope, you probably close to the problem of how to strengthen the slopes to prevent the collapse of the soil, and at the same time create a beautiful landscape. Backyard landscaping with a retaining wall can help you.

A retaining wall in Toronto serves to protect unstable soil from crumbling. Also with the help of retaining walls, you can divide the area into zones and decorate the cottage. Such a structure is quite realistic to build yourself, using a variety of materials.

Retaining wall of concrete

One of the most durable materials for a retaining wall in Ontario is concrete. In order to build a concrete wall on the site, the first thing you need to do is to dig a ditch (0.3-1.15 m deep and 0.4-0.5 m wide), its bottom should be covered with crushed stone or gravel with a layer not exceeding 20 cm. The frame, welded from iron rods, place in the trench, then along the walls, lay the formwork. You can use thin sheets of plywood or wooden bars for the formwork.

Place a drainage pipe across the formwork and then fill everything with concrete. For a decorative effect you can line the wall with faux stone or plant climbing plants. Such a sturdy construction will last you a long time because it is reinforced with reinforcement.

Retaining wall of stone

Even a novice builder can do this option. Dig a trench 0.5 m deep and 0.6 m wide, lay a formwork of boards along the walls, lay drainage, pour the mixture: 1 part concrete, 6 parts gravel and sand. After 4 days, treat the construction with lime mortar and start laying the stones. Each row of laid stones dabbed with a thin layer of cement mortar.

Wash the stones in water before you start laying them.

Such a retaining wall looks natural and harmonious, fitting perfectly into the design of almost any site. For decoration, plant plants in the space between the stones. Which will give you for backyard retaining wall landscaping ideas

Retaining walls made of blocks

Both concrete foam blocks and solid foundation block are suitable for this type of construction. The width of the trench for the construction of a retaining wall made of blocks should correspond to the width of the block. At the bottom of the trench, as in other cases, is poured a gravel-sand cushion with a layer of up to 20 cm.

Then block stones are installed, which must be secured with armature. After the wall is installed, its surface is tiled with decorative tiles or other elements.

Brick retaining wall

As with the construction of a retaining wall of stone, to build a brick wall it is necessary to lay a foundation. Preference should be given to bricks that are as frost and moisture resistant as possible.

The width of low walls (height up to 0.6 m) can be half a brick, but the higher walls is optimal to do the width of a brick.

Drainage pipes are placed every 5 bricks in the second row of masonry. The rows are drenched with cement mortar, and the distance between the slope and the wall is filled with pebbles or gravel.

Retaining wall made of wood

Pre-treat logs up to 20 cm in diameter with an anti-rotting agent. For vertical stacking of logs you do not need to pour the foundation, it is enough to dig a ditch at least 0.5 m deep and place the logs close to each other in it.

To lay the logs horizontally, first fill the bottom of the dug trench with gravel or crushed stone, then lay the logs and secure them with rebar. Subsequently each successive log is secured to the previous one with self-tapping screws or nails. In the space between the slope and the wall you can plant flowers, first filling it with broken bricks (for drainage), and then with soil.

Dry retaining wall

A low stone wall (50-80 cm high) can be made without using mortar. In this case, dig a wide ditch 0.5 m deep and half-fill it with gravel. Stack washed stones in layers, filling the space between the rows with soil mixed with sand (or black earth). When laying, maintain a slight slope to the slope.

Drainage is not necessary for such a wall. Plants can be planted in the soil as the stones are laid.

Gabion retaining wall

Gabion is a volumetric mesh product filled with various materials. It is used to strengthen slopes, walls and riverbanks. The advantage of a gabion retaining wall is that to build it you do not need to spend time on careful selection of stones and their careful placement, but you will have to buy a mesh container.

And you can also make a retaining wall designs landscaping.

Fill the gabion mesh with stones and attach the construction to a vertical flat surface. If you are building a low gabion wall (up to 1 m), it is not necessary to lay a foundation. To save money, face only the front part of the gabion with decorative stone, and fill the space between the wall and the slope with crushed stone or gravel on the inside.

Installing retaining walls makes a garden look stylish while still making the most of a sloping site. Our retaining wall construction company, «Captain Handy», will help you with installation.

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Installing a fence in Toronto – the best way to enclose a private space, to protect your territory from unauthorized intrusion by unauthorized persons. Construction of this construction has some features, but it is not particularly difficult, if you have the necessary tools and small skills, you can cope on your own.

Overview of the most popular types of fence and stages of their construction

The erection of fences requires an initial determination of what purpose it will be carried out for. When a person has a desire to fence off from the outside world, the ideal solution is to create a concrete or brick frame of personal space. Planks of sufficient height, or profiled sheet metal will be suitable. To establish a clear delimitation of the territory, it makes sense to use a mesh-fence, as well as to organize and grow a hedge.

It is important to remember that the fence is not only a means of protecting personal territory from unlawful intrusion by third parties, but also a full-fledged architectural unit of the plot. Therefore, it should be not only reliable, but also beautiful.

Wooden fence in Toronto

Wooden fence, assembled from wood, have one important advantage over other types of raw materials, they have an affordable cost. Everyone can buy a certain amount of edged boards, process them independently and put together a structure according to the available parameters.

When a person does not want to engage in independent woodworking, he can buy ready-made structures, which will remain only to install the right way on the land. It is worth noting that the cost of edged raw materials will be about three times cheaper than the cost of the finished structure.

Important! We should not forget about the main disadvantage of this type of material – the relative fragility of wood, as well as the need for periodic staining, repair, treatment with pest protection agents.

Brick fence in Ontario

Fences can be erected from bricks. They are distinguished by their strength and durability. Proper quality of raw materials, proper construction process, carried out in compliance with the necessary standards, allows the exploitation of the structure for more than fifty years.

Important! Brick fence will look solid, aesthetic, and it does not require special care.

Among the disadvantages are the high cost of materials, as well as the need to pre-pour a solid foundation, which will necessarily entail additional costs.

Fences made of profiled sheeting

Fence made of corrugated board has a number of advantages:

affordability;
the variety of colors and textures;
ease of installation work;
no need to fill the foundation;
relatively low cost;
longevity of operation (at least thirty years).

The only disadvantage is not the most attractive appearance. However, it is easily solved by creating a combination with brick.

Fences made of concrete slabs

Construction of concrete fences is characterized by high strength indicators. Such a fence can last up to 5 times longer than its brick counterpart. The service life of concrete construction can last up to a hundred years.

Such a structure does not require the implementation of regular maintenance. In addition, the variety of models allows you to create the right architectural units for every style.

The only problem that consumers may have is the difficulty during the erection of the structure. Most often, it requires the use of special construction equipment.

How to choose a quality fence tips and nuances

High-quality fence requires increased attention to the selection of its constituent parts. To choose a suitable raw material, it is necessary to specify a number of parameters, characteristics:

the location of the object of construction (a busy area or a quiet area);
the individual parameters of the object (fencing of private estates, vegetable garden, other structures);
external features (site, the timing of the work, the presence or absence of a busy traffic);
peculiarities of the planned works (reconstruction, restoration, overhaul, new construction);
creation of estimates and its parameters.

Most often, consumers choose the blind construction, erected with profiled sheet. Design meets the high requirements for wind loads, it can be further weighted with concrete or polyvinyl chloride blocks, to secure the pins from the fittings. When the building is close to the utilities, the construction is carried out with the preliminary installation of foundation blocks.

Fence project and preparation for construction

Construction of fence requires careful preliminary preparation. Any mistakes should be avoided so as not to get unplanned monetary expenses, as well as a waste of time.

For the prompt erection of the fence, it is necessary to clarify some points:

The type and required characteristics of the raw materials used;
to develop a project;
to carry out the calculation of the required amount of materials;
prepare the necessary tools, auxiliary materials;
Mark out the area (specifying the location of the gate, entry group, the presence of slope of the terrain).

Important! When the main raw materials will be purchased and delivered to the place of construction work, you need to stack it, cover it with a protective sheet, so that rain and other precipitation does not affect its quality.

If you decide to build the structure of the metal profile, it is important to choose a material that is suitable in quality and cost. To choose the right type of raw material, it is necessary to specify a number of characteristics:

the approximate period during which the structure will be in use;
what will be the priority, appearance or operational requirements;
design features;
the ability to replace individual components

The size of the profiled sheet for the fence must be selected, based on some key indicators:

grade of raw materials;
steel thickness;
quality of galvanized base;
type of polymer coating;
sheet size;
profile parameters;
quality-price ratio;
durability;
aesthetic appearance.

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Often homeowners think about the need to have a terrace or veranda in the house after the construction is completed. In this case, the deck is most often planned as a place to relax and gather friends, rather than a living room. To perform such an extension to the house is not difficult, but it is necessary to comply with the nuances of construction of a deck in Toronto, remember about the peculiarities of building a structure near the already completed structure.

More detailed step by step instructions for the construction of a deck to the house will be discussed in today’s article.

The nuances the construction of a deck in Ontario

Any construction object has its own peculiarities of construction. Construction of a deck in Ontario is no exception, especially if it is not a stationary structure, but an addition to an existing house. To begin with, I propose to understand the intricacies of building a terrace adjacent to the house.

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An extension to a house must necessarily include a separate foundation. The foundation of the extension performs several functions, it distributes the weight of the terrace evenly, in addition, if the terrace is left without a foundation, sooner or later, the house and the deck will start to move relative to each other, which will lead to premature wear and destruction of the walls of the structure.
In order for the extension to be a full-fledged part of the house, the terrace foundation does not stand apart from the house, but has attachment points to the foundation of the main structure. A little below, it will be written in more detail how this happens.
Depending on the chosen type of terrace, it is possible to reduce the negative processes of “lapping” of the two buildings. So, a deck set on the side of the house will be less stable option than a deck, girdling the façade.

Before starting to build a deck, it is necessary to analyze and answer several essential questions, among which are:

deciding on the materials from which the terrace will be made, as well as calculating their quantity;
planning the entrance to the deck: from the house or from outside, too, a door will be installed;
the appearance of the deck.

By default, it is considered correct in terms of design to erect a terrace from the same materials that were used to build the house. However, imagine the project visually, and do not be afraid to experiment: a terrace for a brick house is not necessarily built of brick, such a structure will lose airiness and lightness of perception.

Types of decks

Among all the classifications of attached decks, it is most important to choose whether you are going to build an open or closed deck. The features of constructing an outdoor deck include:

It is the simplest structure that will require the easiest and most accessible foundation, a minimum of time, and the final structure will be a place of rest for every member of the family.
The optimal height of the deck floor above the ground is 20 cm.
Carry out the floor of the deck of rough building materials, and provide a slight slope of a few degrees outward from the house. This nuance is necessary to prevent water retention during rain and slippery surfaces.
An open deck provides for the installation of a fence or railing, the height of which should be at least 1 m.
The form and location of the deck in relation to the house – a matter of wishes and personal preferences, but remember that the rest will be better if the exit from the terrace will be made to the pond, pool or in the direction of the forest.

When building an enclosed deck, there are also a few important features to consider:

An enclosed deck, unlike an open one, on the contrary, is aimed at solitude, comfort and peace with yourself or in the company of close friends. Do not place it on the side of the front entrance or the noisiest part of the site.
If you want to use the house and the deck in winter, think about the insulation of the deck, it is easier to carry out during the construction than after its completion.
Enclosed terrace should be light and spacious, for this purpose, use the competent glazing terrace. Wood or plastic frames will do, use glass, double glazing or polycarbonate. But also provide quality shading of windows, especially if the deck will be used as a study or bedroom.

Construction of a deck

Preparatory work

Before you begin construction of the deck, you must perform several important steps, without which the successful completion of the idea is impossible.

Make a construction project. The drawing of the deck, as well as the design project – this is a fundamental step, it is with this step you need to start implementing the idea. Construction design will help you visually visualize the future construction, calculate the amount of material needed, as well as see and correct possible shortcomings and mistakes before the work begins. In the design, it is important to consider the type of deck you choose, the number and location of exits, and how you want to finish.
Obtain permits. Since building an addition to the house is a remodeling of the house, all changes should be documented and formalized, so that later there will be no problems in the event of selling the house.
Decide on the type of material for the deck. The most economical option is metal posts and plywood cladding, a more presentable way – the use of bricks, glass or polycarbonate.
Purchase the materials in the required quantity. Before you start construction, treat the building materials with the necessary mortars, after the construction is completed this work will be more difficult to do. Metal structures require protection from corrosion, wood – cover with antiseptic, which will protect against moisture and the detrimental effects of soil and environment.
Prepare the site and house for construction. Remove debris, level the ground, remove stumps from trees. Remove the canopy from the house and dismantle the porch if the deck addition to the house is planned on the side of these structures.

The process of construction of a deck in Toronto

Consider the construction of the extension of the deck to the house step by step.

Laying the foundation for the deck. Most often, the choice of foundation is between columnar and strip foundation. On which design to choose depends on the selected material for the deck (the severity of the construction) and the state of the soil. If the soil is a concern or the terrace is planned to be made of brick – start mounting a strip foundation. In other cases, the columnar foundation will cope with holding the deck. If the deck is made of wood and has a small area, it is sufficient to install poles in the corners of the construction. When building a long wall, keep the spacing of the posts to a maximum of 3 m.

Construction of the frame of the deck in Toronto. The frame is erected from wooden beams. At this stage is the fixation of the deck, the connection of the frame of the building with the house. To do this, attach a support beam to the house, the lower edge of which will determine the height of the foundation. This bar is subsequently an element of the deck frame.
Installation of the roof of the deck. The roof is installed on the rafter system, on top of which the installation of selected roofing material. Choosing the shape of the roof of the deck, keep in mind the precipitation, the best choice would be a single sloping roof.
Laying the floor of the deck. On the supporting beams place and fix wooden joists, on which later will lie the floor boards. The choice of material for the final finishing of the floor is a matter of preference, it is important to make a slight slope towards the street and be sure to treat the materials with protective solutions.
Finishing the walls of the deck. This is a long phase, which includes the glazing of the building and the choice of finishing material for the walls. A popular decoration is the installation of sliding systems as a door or window, in which the lower part is made of wood and the upper part is made of glass. Using soft glazing for your deck is not a bad way to save money while implementing your plans for the appearance of the building.
Deck Arrangement. Filling your deck with furniture, textiles, and decorations is the most enjoyable part of construction. Furnish the room to your liking to get a comfortable and ergonomic space.

Construction of a deck to the house with your own hands is not the easiest task. However, with the desire and belief in success, everyone is able to cope with the work.

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One of the popular ways of original design of a garden plot is vertical gardening in Toronto. This is a new perspective on the creation of green space around the house or dacha. In Europe, this method of gardening has been used for a long time, which is understandable: space in these countries is much smaller, so people want to use literally every inch of land. This method is now gaining popularity, gardeners implement innovative ideas, try unusual ways of expression.

And even today we can say that the garden, which is decorated only horizontally, looks incomplete. Therefore, we recommend you to get acquainted with the different ways of vertical gardening and choose the most suitable for yourself. Consider the basic designs in this article.

Vertical gardening and vertical landscaping.

Functions of vertical gardening:

creating a hedge or background of plants and flowers;
separation of the site from the outside environment;
providing additional protection of the site from the sun, wind, dust, road noise;
masking of not very beautiful walls and unsightly buildings in the dacha;
zoning of the space and the allocation of areas with different purposes: for example, you can highlight the recreation zone, playground, outbuildings, vegetable garden;
an important advantage – you can close the green fence from the neighbors and make your life more comfortable.

Preparing the garden for vertical gardening

Zoning a garden with vertical gardening is best done in autumn. At this time, the trees shed their leaves, and the space is better viewed. You can competently distribute the growth zones of plants, to structure the space.

Study your plot, take measurements and think about which sides you would like to zone, where you would like a hedge or an arch, where there is not enough “volume”. Then think about what supports you should mount and what kind of plants you want to plant. Fall is the best time to plant many climbing plants.

It’s up to you to decide what you want to do with your vertical gardening in Ontario. You can implement almost any idea, depending on the area and location of your garden. The main thing is not only to show imagination, but also to think in advance how the plantings will look like.

Basic structures for vertical gardening

Hedge

A fence or a specially installed screen is needed for this. Curly plants can be planted, such as vines, wild grapes, ivy and so on. A hedge is the best way to clearly zone a property. It will create a nice shade – it can be a good place to rest. It also keeps out dust, wind and – importantly – interested eyes of your neighbors.

Arches

Perhaps the most popular and popular way of vertical decoration. It is used most often to organize the transition from one area of the garden to another. Such a flowery corridor will decorate any area and make it bright and unusual.

An important point – the arch must lead somewhere. You should not put these structures next to paths or on the lawn. Especially successful look arches leading to the lake, artificial pond or fountain. If you can not organize a body of water, put a statue with an exotic plant or other landscape object.

Tip. If you plan to decorate the arch with climbing plants, cover it with a thin grid or netting. This will make it easier for the plants to grow upward.

Hanging containers

These designs will allow you to create graceful hanging gardens. For decoration, choose sturdy containers that will be attached to the surface to be decorated. Special brackets are used to attach them to the wall. But especially successful look suspended on chains and ropes. For such structures it is worth choosing plants that are resistant to drought and wind.

Pergolas

This method of decorating creates a unique atmosphere. Typically, a pergola consists of four supporting posts and an open lattice on top. They can be erected near the house or serve as a cover over a path.

Pergolas allow you to combine elements of the garden, shade a small area, decorate not very attractive buildings and simply serve as an original decoration of the garden. The design is made of wood most often, which is particularly successful with the natural landscape.

Espaliers

The original technique in vertical gardening. This construction consists of a strong lattice and internal thin slats. It can be wooden, metal or plastic. Can be installed as an independent object or fixed on pergolas, walls of buildings. Espaliers set accents in the territory, as well as create shady areas.

Vertical flowerbed

An ideal solution for small garden plots. Especially bright look flowerbeds consisting of several tiers of containers with plants. This is not only an original landscape object, but also a great opportunity to grow flowers, plants, herbs, etc.

Sometimes gardeners even grow berries in this way, such as strawberries. And take care of it easier – no need to bend over for the collection and watering. In addition, the berries in this way of growing does not rot.

A vertical garden on the wall

A creative way to transform the garden. Will add lushness, will allow you to hide unaesthetic structures. Such a “green decoration” will make any building, even a household outbuilding, and will give a floral mood to the whole garden.

What plants are suitable for vertical gardening in Toronto?

They can be divided into 3 groups:

Lianas. Very beautiful climbing plants that braid trees and look beautiful in combination with pergolas, arches, pergolas. To grow them you need sturdy supports.
Plants, for the growth of which it is required to put up a small support or pull a wire, rope. They are also suitable for landscaping small fences and fences.
plants that do not need supports, such as ivy. They can grow in a large space.

When selecting specific varieties of plants, we recommend that you consider:

1) Perennial climbing plants.

Grapes will allow you to create a beautiful dome. It will be suitable for arches. Grapes, whose leaves turn an incredible crimson color in the fall, grow well, so it can be attached to any surface.
A powerful liana that rises to a height of more than 10 m.
Ivy. Great to wiggle, can create dense green walls.
Hop. Unpretentious fragrant plant, which grows perfectly (it is even worth limiting its growth area).
Lemongrass. Beautiful and useful plant. The berries are full of vitamins and have a tonic effect.
Clematis. Grows quickly, looks exquisite. Great for decorating pergolas and arches.

2) Annual vines. You can plant them in portable boxes and cachepots every year, mount them in different places, changing the look of the garden. Also look great on terraces, balconies, in arbors. Among such plants, you can choose from the ipomea, cobeya, nasturtium.

Vertical gardening in Ontario is versatile and aesthetically pleasing. Thanks to this landscape design, you can decorate the garden, make it bright, lush and modern. You can realize all your most daring creative fantasies! In addition, you can even change the appearance of your garden every year, each time enjoying its beauty and originality.