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Refreshing the Cottage Bungalow’s Fence Line

Bungalow Exterior Renovation: Kicking Off Our Outdoor Transformation with a Brand New Fence

Hello everyone and happy Monday! We hope you all had a truly wonderful weekend. While we experienced a small hiccup with a trip to the ER and a minor yard work incident (because what’s a renovation journey without a few bumps?), ours was fantastic overall. The weather here in Sacramento has been absolutely incredible lately, drawing us outdoors and shifting our renovation focus. After spending considerable time on interior projects, our attention is now firmly set on the much-needed exterior and landscaping transformations for our beloved bungalow.

Embracing Outdoor Living: Our Grand Exterior Renovation Vision

This year marks a significant shift in our renovation efforts as we dedicate a substantial amount of energy to the outside of our charming bungalow. When we first moved in, we addressed some immediate needs like replacing the gutters and installing a new front door. We also tackled a few overgrown trees and spruced up the porch to make it more welcoming. However, these were merely preliminary steps, barely scratching the surface of the extensive work required to bring our outdoor spaces to their full potential and align them with the classic aesthetic of our home.

Our comprehensive exterior to-do list is ambitious, reflecting our desire to create a truly integrated and beautiful living environment, both inside and out. The plans include:

  • Having the entire house professionally painted to refresh its curb appeal, protect the exterior, and enhance its classic character for years to come.
  • Repairing the weathered window sills, a small detail that makes a big difference in aesthetics and structural integrity, contributing to the bungalow’s authentic charm.
  • Removing the outdated and potentially problematic stone façade, and simultaneously adding essential air vents for improved crawl space ventilation – a crucial step for maintaining the home’s health.
  • Replacing the old, inefficient garage door, which will significantly enhance both security and the visual appeal of the property’s front.
  • Dismantling the health hazard of a dilapidated pergola, which has long outlived its usefulness and become an eyesore, clearing space for new designs.
  • Ripping out the notorious “trip hazard” patio, paving the way for a safer, more functional, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor entertaining area.
  • Addressing a questionable electrical situation outdoors, a critical safety upgrade that ensures our outdoor spaces are both beautiful and secure.
  • Potentially repaving the driveway to improve accessibility, overall aesthetics, and the first impression of our bungalow.
  • Completely replacing the deteriorating fence, which is the immediate focus of this post and a foundational element for our backyard transformation.
  • Creating distinct, livable backyard areas specifically designed for entertaining guests, fostering a vibrant social atmosphere and extending our living space outdoors.
  • Designing a dedicated space for gardening and even housing chickens, embracing a more sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle right in our backyard.
  • And, of course, a significant amount of landscaping to tie everything together, adding natural beauty, enhancing privacy, and completing the serene outdoor oasis we envision.

This is undoubtedly a monumental undertaking for any home, but we are committed to tackling one or two major projects each year until our vision is fully realized. Some tasks, like the staining of the new fence, we’re eager to DIY, providing a personal touch and saving on costs. For others, such as the fence installation itself, we’ll wisely enlist professional help to ensure quality, efficiency, and adherence to local regulations for our Sacramento home improvement.

The Dire State of Our Current Fence: A Call for Urgent Action

First up on our ambitious exterior renovation schedule is the fence. To say our current fence situation is “pathetic” would be an understatement. It’s truly a relic from another era – incredibly old, visibly falling apart, missing entire sections, and frankly, just plain ugly. It compromises both the aesthetics and the security of our property, presenting a significant obstacle to creating the inviting outdoor spaces we dream of. Let’s take a closer look at the sad reality:

Old, dilapidated wooden fence posts and panels, showcasing the urgent need for replacement in a Sacramento bungalow garden. Close-up of rotting fence wood and missing panels, highlighting security and aesthetic concerns of an outdated backyard barrier. Vertical shot of a leaning fence section, with visible gaps and signs of decay, emphasizing the structure's instability. Another view of the aged and damaged fence, with sections entirely absent, exposing the property line. A wide shot depicting multiple sections of the dilapidated fence, overgrown with weeds, presenting an unkempt appearance.

One particular side, shared with a neighbor, is gravely compromised. Their aggressively overgrown ivy has virtually taken over, integrating into the fence structure and accelerating its decay. In some areas, the fence is literally being held together by nothing more than a piece of string! This situation not only looks terrible but also offers zero privacy and questionable boundary definition, creating an open invitation rather than a secure barrier.

Ivy-covered fence section, partially obscured by dense foliage, showing signs of collapse and neglect. A closer view of the fence where ivy has integrated into the structure, further damaging the already fragile wood. Damaged fence section with visible gaps, allowing easy view between properties, highlighting the privacy issue. A precarious fence held together by rudimentary means, emphasizing its instability and lack of robust construction.

Beyond the aesthetic and privacy concerns, there are serious safety implications. The existing gates are either completely broken or fail to function properly, presenting a clear security risk. This means unauthorized access is far too easy, which is a major concern for any homeowner.

Broken gate hinges and damaged latch, illustrating the lack of security and functionality of the backyard entry. A gate that no longer closes properly, with rotting wood and missing hardware, posing an open invitation to unwanted visitors. A wide view of a non-functional gate, clearly showing how easily it can be bypassed, affecting overall property security.

Furthermore, a section in the front, adjacent to our porch, relies solely on a mass of shrubbery for separation between the front and back yards. This means you can simply walk around or even talk over a few bushes to gain unrestricted access to our backyard. Clearly, this is far from ideal for safety, privacy, or peace of mind, especially when considering children or pets.

Dense shrubbery acting as a makeshift barrier between front and back yards, offering minimal security or privacy. A closer look at the shrub-barrier, highlighting its inadequacy as a proper property divider. View from the front yard showing the lack of a proper fence, relying instead on natural growth for separation.

In short: this entire setup is completely unacceptable for a secure and private home.

Investing in Our Home: Why a New Fence is an Essential Upgrade

Our plan is to undertake a complete overhaul, replacing every single section of the fence and starting anew. This isn’t a project we’re comfortable tackling ourselves given its scale, complexity, and the need for structural integrity, so we’re absolutely hiring professional fencing contractors. We’ve already received several bids, and the investment is looking to be just under $10,000. Yes, that figure made me gasp! It’s a significant expense, and I almost passed out when the quotes started rolling in. However, this is undeniably one of those crucial home investments that we simply must embrace and complete for the long-term benefit of our property.

I’m certain the previous owners postponed this project due to the substantial cost, but, according to our lovely neighbor, this fence has been standing since before she moved in during the 1970s! It has certainly served its time, and its current state poses more problems than solutions, including compromised security and aesthetics. While the initial price tag stings a bit, we know this is a long-term investment. Once installed, we won’t have to concern ourselves with fence issues for many, many years to come. More importantly, a new, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing fence will significantly enhance the overall value of our property, improve curb appeal, and provide invaluable security for our family and pets. It’s a small price to pay for genuine peace of mind and a much more beautiful, secure home environment, directly contributing to our bungalow’s market appeal.

Exploring Fence Styles: Finding the Perfect Match for Our Bungalow

As we embarked on the planning phase, we delved into various fence styles to find one that would perfectly complement our bungalow’s character while meeting our functional needs. We began by considering a traditional fence with an elegant lattice top detail. This classic design offers a charming aesthetic and a touch of privacy without completely blocking light, often associated with cottage gardens and classic homes.

Traditional Lattice Top Fence

Traditional wooden fence with a decorative lattice top, offering classic charm and partial privacy for a home.

This style is undeniably pretty and exudes a timeless appeal. It would certainly look fantastic with the classic cottage bungalow architecture of our home, blending seamlessly with its existing charm. The lattice provides an airy feel and a subtle decorative element that is often associated with traditional garden designs, making it a strong contender for a classic aesthetic.

Modern Horizontal Slat Fence

Next, we explored the increasingly popular horizontal slat fence. This style offers a distinctly contemporary look, often favored for its clean lines and modern aesthetic. It’s a bold choice that can create a dramatic statement in a modern landscape.

Modern horizontal slat fence, showcasing a sleek, contemporary design popular for its clean lines in modern landscapes.via

This design particularly appealed to Naomi, who leans towards a more modern aesthetic. While I personally appreciate the sleekness of horizontal fences, my primary concern was maintaining consistency with our home’s established classic bungalow style. Although the horizontal structure itself is modern, we felt that it might diverge too much from the traditional character we aim to preserve and enhance. The goal is a harmonious blend, not a jarring contrast.

Our Chosen Fence Design: A Harmonious Blend of Classic and Modern

Ultimately, we settled on a fence style that beautifully marries our individual preferences: my love for simple, classic lines, and Naomi’s inclination towards something a touch more modern. We envision a design that is clean, sophisticated, and offers both privacy and aesthetic appeal, a true ‘modern traditional’ fence for our bungalow. We’re thinking along the lines of these inspiring examples, which strike the perfect balance:

Elegant wooden board-on-board fence design, combining classic vertical lines with a touch of modern simplicity, ideal for privacy. Another example of a contemporary vertical board fence with subtle modern elements, offering both security and stylish appeal.

via

High-quality vertical fence panels, showcasing a modern yet timeless design, perfect for enhancing bungalow aesthetics.via

We’re still refining some of the finer details, but the core elements are decided. We’ve chosen a board-on-board construction for enhanced privacy and a robust, finished look from both sides. This style provides excellent coverage, preventing gaps and ensuring maximum seclusion. To further boost privacy, especially since our yard backs up to a utility easement and borders a vacant lot on one side, we’ve opted for a height of 7 feet. This extra foot above the standard 6 feet will make a significant difference in creating a truly private sanctuary in our backyard. We also plan to incorporate a small, charming arbor at the entry gate, adding a touch of architectural elegance and a welcoming feature to our backyard access points. This will not only improve functionality but also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the fence and garden entrance.

Material Matters: Redwood vs. Cedar for Our New Fence

Regarding the material for our new fence, redwood is the standard choice in our Sacramento area, primarily because it’s locally abundant and readily available. Redwood is highly valued for its natural resistance to rot, decay, and insect infestation, making it an exceptionally durable option, perfect for the local climate. However, since I’m planning to apply a specific color stain, I’m also seriously considering cedar. Cedar offers similar natural resistance properties to redwood but typically comes at a slightly lower price point, which could be a significant factor in our overall budget for this backyard transformation.

The cost-effectiveness of cedar, combined with its excellent staining properties, makes it a very appealing alternative. Both woods hold stain well, but cedar’s lighter natural color might even make it easier to achieve the deep, uniform black stain we desire. This decision allows us to balance durability, aesthetics, and budget, ensuring we get a high-quality fence that lasts for decades without overspending on the base material since its natural appearance will be covered.

The DIY Staining Decision: Adding Personal Touch and Saving Dollars

Speaking of color, I have a very strong vision for a black stained fence. I truly, deeply, *passionately* want a black fence. This bold choice will create a dramatic contrast with our future landscaping and the bungalow’s light exterior, making greenery and colorful blooms pop and giving the whole backyard a sophisticated, modern edge while still respecting the classic lines of the fence structure. This particular aesthetic will dramatically elevate the look of our outdoor living space.

Having the fencing vendor handle the staining would add an estimated $1500-$2000 to the total cost, a considerable sum. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to tackle this portion of the project myself. While it will undoubtedly be a significant amount of work, requiring careful preparation and application, DIY staining will allow us to save a substantial amount of money. These savings can then be reallocated to other essential exterior projects on our extensive list, such as the new patio or landscaping elements. Plus, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes from putting your own hands to work and seeing your vision for a beautiful black fence come to life, knowing it was achieved through personal effort and smart budgeting.

Looking Ahead: Our Exterior Transformation Journey Begins!

So, that brings you up to speed on our current plans for the fence, which is the cornerstone of our ambitious exterior renovation. We are incredibly excited and hopeful to break ground on this project within the next two weeks, weather permitting. This new fence is not just about aesthetics; it’s about security, privacy, and setting the stage for the creation of beautiful, functional outdoor living spaces that we can enjoy for decades. It’s a foundational step in transforming our bungalow’s curb appeal and backyard into the oasis we’ve always dreamed of, a true backyard transformation for our Sacramento home.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! What do you think of our chosen style – the blend of classic and modern? Do you have any experience with redwood or cedar fences and their performance over time? And for those who have recently undertaken a significant fencing project, do you have any helpful tips or lessons learned that you could share, especially regarding DIY staining or managing project costs? Your insights are always valuable as we navigate this exciting journey!

Until next time, friends,

Xo-Shavonda