6 Easy Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Outdoor Kennel

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Spring is the perfect time to reorganize, clean and refresh your home while getting rid of the dust and clutter that tends to accumulate over the winter.  However, spring cleaning doesn’t just have to be for your home, it can also be for your dog’s home as well.

There is no better time than the spring to get in and deep clean your dog’s outdoor kennel. Whether you have a single dog in your home’s kennel, or operate a commercial kennel, keeping a clean space is of the utmost importance.

Here are our top 6 easy quick and clean kennel spring cleaning tips that can keep your pet’s home clean, sanitary and healthy for your dogs.

1. Start With a Deep Clean

If you really want to deep clean your dog’s outdoor kennel for spring, the first thing you should do is to get everything out of their kennel. This means everything. Cots, supplies, extra leashes, beds. Take each individual item out and clean it. Sometimes, when it comes to dog kennels, owners only pay attention to the big areas.

However, small items, sleeping surfaces and other products in the kennel can get dirty, hold bacteria and smells or they may become unsafe. Plus, when you remove everything from the kennel, it makes it much easier to hose down these spaces.

Once you have everything out of the kennel, you also have the opportunity to check your space for cracks, chipped paint or any other small repairs you may need to make.

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2. Organize and Your Dog Supplies

Everything out of the kennel? This not only makes it a great time to clean all of these items, but it also gives you the opportunity to clean our and organize everything that is in your kennel. Whether you are storing leashes, food, grooming supplies, or anything in between—this is a great time to reorganize everything in the kennel.

This will help you take inventory of what you have (or don’t have) in your kennel so you can keep this outdoor space well-organized and as functional as possible.

 

3. Check Your Concrete

A lot of kennels are placed on or around concrete slabs. When you are cleaning your kennel, make sure to inspect any of the concrete that may be around your kennel. Damage from freeze-thaw cycles can cause concrete to expand and eventually crack. If you use salt to melt ice around the concrete, it can also attract water and cause cracks.

If you have a lot of cracks in any cement around your kennel, it can actually be an open invitation for insect and rodent problems. This is why it is so important to repair cracks in any cement around your kennel.

Just use a scraper to put epoxy in any damaged areas and seal up holes and cracks which will prevent additional damage.

 

4. Disinfect Thoroughly

Real cleaning isn’t just about sweeping out dust, debris and dog hair. It is also about disinfecting your kennel space so it stays safe and healthy for dogs. Organic materials such as soil and urine can actually decrease the effectiveness of many products, so it is important to use the right cleaning product.

Bleach is an effective disinfectant, but make sure to not overdo it. The best cleaning agent will be a diluted bleach (1 cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water). However, once you use this mixture to clean your dog’s kennel, make sure to rinse completely with water This is because bleach can be corrosive to your dog’s skin and paw pads.

5. Double Check Your Dog Doors

The dog doors on your kennel are an important part of your structure. However, because they get a lot of use, dog doors tend to show wear and tear. A lot of dog doors aren’t chew-proof or resilient.

Check on your dog doors, make sure there aren’t cracks or gaps that could injure your dog. While you are checking these doors, make sure that you are using a disinfectant spray to keep the doors super clean—it will only help them stay sanitary and last even longer.

Of course, this is also why we offer upgraded dog doors with stainless steel edging that can withstand the efforts of even the most aggressive chewers.

 

6. Check Your Grooming Tubs and Sinks

 If you have an upgraded kennel with a grooming tub or sink, make sure to pay close attention to this area. Grooming is such an important component of housing multiple dogs, which is why we have this upgrade available for our commercial kennels.

Check the piping and the faucet and under the tub to make sure that there are no leaks that need to be repaired. Leave the water running to make sure that there isn’t so much dog hair in the drain that it has created a clog. This way you will know if you need to snake the drain or call a plumber so it doesn’t cause a more serious issue.

After giving your sink or tub a good deep clean, use caulking to seal the edges of your tub to keep it in tip-top shape.

Here at Horizon Structures, we know that there is a lot that goes into cleaning your dog’s kennel, but that it all starts with the right structure. This is why we have created kennels made with premium materials designed with easy cleaning in mind. We know that in addition to having a functional kennel, a clean and sanitary structure is just as important.

We hope you keep these cleaning tips in mind so you can continue to keep your dog’s home the safe and healthy space it was designed to be.

Tips for Kennels and Caring for a Reactive Dog

Caring for a reactive dog can be very challenging. Some reactive dogs are all bark and no bite. Others may really be aggressive and seek to cause damage. Sometimes you’re not sure whether a dog that is behaving aggressively really would cause any harm or not.

Regardless, special care is needed to keep these dogs safe and to protect others from them. Kenneling can be a great solution for reactive dogs, but it’s essential that it’s done appropriately.

Here are some tips to help you kennel your reactive dog safely and keep them happy.

 

Why Might You Want to Kennel a Reactive Dog?

Reactive dogs are often frustrated dogs. In this case, it may seem that kenneling will only worsen rather than improve the situation.

However, when done properly, kenneling can be a valuable tool for improving a reactive dog’s reactivity and keeping them safe. Here are some times when kenneling is essential to caring for the reactive dog:

  • Protect service people or guests. Your reactive dog may do just fine with your family, but they may be very reactive to strangers. Kenneling is a way to safely get your dog out of the house and protect them from the stress of being around strangers and protect your guests from a potentially aggressive dog.
  • Crate and rotate. Sometimes, two dogs that previously got along very well suddenly become intensely aggressive with one another. When families are unwilling to part with either dog, crate and rotate may be the solution. A kennel is a perfect way to keep both dogs safe and comfortable during alone time and alternate giving them time with the family.
  • For training. Sometimes, a reactive dog can’t be trusted with the family until they have been trained. This may be true of severely resource guarding dogs or dogs with unpredictable aggression. A dog kennel for reactive dogs is a safe place for them to relax and have their food or toys where you won’t have to worry about stumbling into their space and causing an aggressive episode.

 

Place the Kennel in a Private Location if Your Dog is Reactive to People

A reactive dog’s behavior may worsen if they are constantly exposed to stimuli that cause a reactive response. If your reactive dog’s kennel is near a path or driveway, close to a road, or somewhere that they are constantly exposed to gardeners, service people, etc, they may constantly be triggered and feel the need to respond.

The person who is triggering the aggression will typically go away after being barked at, either because they are frightened away by your dog or because they simply go away in the course of their own business.

This reinforces to your dog that barking and behaving aggressively caused the person to leave, which makes it much more likely that they will bark and behave aggressively again. Furthermore, being unable to reach the target of their reactivity can be very frustrating for dogs, which can cause the behavior to intensify over time.

Kenneling your reactive dog somewhere that they will frequently be triggered by people nearby can cause reactivity to get worse or cause reactivity to turn into real aggression. Try positioning the dog kennel for reactive dogs behind a privacy hedge, in the back of your property where people are unlikely to go, or use landscape fabric or another type of privacy shield to keep your dog from seeing people near the kennel.

 

Keep Dog Reactive Dogs from Seeing One Another

Place reactive dog’s kennels back to back instead of side by side. If a dog reactive dog is kenneled in such a way that they can see the other dog in its kennel all the time, it will constantly be triggered and frustrated, causing a lot of stress and elevating aggression.

It is sometimes thought that by allowing dogs to see each other, the aggression will be reduced over time, but this is very rarely the case. In fact, when people want dogs to be aggressive to each other, such as in the case of illegal dog-fighting, dogs are typically chained up just out of reach of one another. Over time, the frustration of not being able to get to the other dog escalates aggression.

Even dogs that are not initially aggressive towards other dogs may become so if kept just out of reach of one another.

If you have two kennels, you can place them back to back so that you can conveniently tend to both dogs without them being able to see each other or sharing a fence.

If you have a dog that is reactive to another dog on your property, you may “crate and rotate” so as to give both dogs time out of their kennel to run and play safely. A kennel can be a great tool for such a lifestyle since it gives dogs plenty of room to stretch out and be comfortable when they’re contained.

However, it’s essential that the dog who is loose isn’t allowed to antagonize the dog who is in the kennel. Dogs can cause an astounding amount of damage to one another through a fence, so don’t count on the fence keeping your dogs separated if they would like to fight.

Furthermore, allowing one dog to approach a kenneled dog will be very frustrating for the dog in the kennel, which can make aggression worse. The best solution for this situation may be to keep the dog who is in their kennel in the interior portion, where the loose dog can’t approach.

This is the perfect time to give your dog a chew toy or a stuffed food distributing toy to occupy them in the interior portion of the kennel until the other dog is put up or in the house.

 

Try a White Noise Machine or Music

Dogs have extremely good hearing. You may find that your reactive dog is triggered by even the slightest sounds from the road, a neighbor’s property, etc. If your dog is heavily triggered by the sounds of people or other dogs nearby, it can be helpful for some dogs to have white noise playing in their kennels.

A white noise machine isn’t expensive, but it can make a big difference in reducing reactivity in your sound-reactive dog. It is certainly still possible that your dog will hear sounds they react to over the sound of the white noise, but for many dogs, it can be surprising how big of a difference using white noise can make.

Some dogs seem to be soothed by music, so this is also an option to experiment with to see if it will reduce the level of reactivity.

Design the Kennel to Avoid Contact with Dogs that are Reactive to People

If you have somebody who takes care of your dog who your dog is reactive to, it is essential that the kennel can be thoroughly cleaned and food and water supplied while avoiding contact with the dog.

Perhaps you have a dog that resource guards or is unpredictably aggressive that you are working with. Maybe you can interact just fine with a dog but someone else in your family triggers aggression.

Whatever the case may be, it is important to be able to provide care without contact if necessary. Choose a kennel with a guillotine-style door so that the dog can be locked in the inside or outside portion so that the other part of the kennel can be cleaned safely.

Food and water dishes that can be accessed from the outside and slipped into a designated door enable you to care for your dog without risking a bite as you set a food or water bowl in the kennel.

Double Doors for Dogs That Need to be Contained on Leash or Have Barrier Aggression

Often, a reactive dog needs to be handled in a particular way. Perhaps a muzzle needs to be put on before you go on a walk or you need to attach both a collar and a harness to be absolutely certain that your dog won’t escape from your control and hurt somebody on a walk.

In such cases, it’s a good idea to choose a kennel that has a two-door setup so that you don’t have to worry about your dog pushing past you and getting out of your control. You can go into the kennel space, close the outside door, and then let your dog out of their kennel.

This way, you can safely get your dog geared up for their walk without worrying that they will shove past you and cause a problem.

This is also a great solution for dogs that have barrier aggression. These dogs may behave aggressively if you try to approach them directly in their kennel, but may be fine if allowed into a neutral space with you.

Eliminating the moment when the door must be opened and the dog handled allows the dog to come out of the kennel in their own time, interact freely with you in the neutral space, and be calm and easy to handle when you are ready to put on their leash or other equipment.

Choose a Very Secure Kennel

It may go without saying that it’s extremely important that your kennel doesn’t fail when you have a reactive dog. The last thing that you want is a dog that is out of control to break through the fencing, cause a door to open, or otherwise get loose.

The kennel you choose should have secure locking mechanisms on the doors that your dog won’t be able to figure out how to open. Flooring should be chew resistant so your dog won’t be able to chew or dig a hole out.

Fencing should go all the way up to the roof of the kennel to prevent a dog from climbing or jumping out. Chain link is fine for many dogs, but for very powerful or persistent chewers, it may be better to choose welded wire to make absolutely certain that your dog won’t be able to break loose.

Use a Kennel to Your Advantage for Your Reactive Dog

A kennel can be an amazing way to train a reactive dog and keep them safe and happy. However, careful planning and management is essential to kennel the reactive dog safely and effectively. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll set yourself and your reactive dog up for success.

 

A Homesteaders Guide to Monetizing a Hobby Farm

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Many people dream of living off the land. If you’re a homesteader with as little as one acre, monetizing your hobby farm is an achievable goal. “Homesteader” generally refers to someone who farms their land to live self-sufficiently, while hobby farming is often viewed as a recreational activity, but the fact is that homesteaders and hobby farmers exist on the same blended spectrum. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, with branding, marketing, and careful management, your homestead can become a profitable business, thanks to this homesteader’s guide to hobby farming for profit from Horizon Structures.

Branding Your Hobby Farm

Regardless of the scale of your farming operation, branding is a critical part of building a successful business. Branding differentiates the products and services you provide from those provided by your competitors. Your brand image plays an important role in your ability to set premium prices for your products and inspires loyalty when it resonates with your customers.

There are four main tools businesses use to build their brand image.

  • Logo. This is the biggest identifier for any brand, and it represents the personality of your business.
  • Slogan. Short messaging statements communicate the mission and features of your hobby farm.
  • Colors. Color schemes evoke emotions and influence customer perceptions of your brand.
  • People. The mannerisms and behaviors of anyone who represents your business have an impact on how your brand is viewed.

Marketing and Running Your Hobby Farm

Marketing covers not only promoting your farm-raised products but also conducting market research. The marketing process begins by researching what other farm businesses are doing in your local community and seeking to understand the buying habits of your target customers. Ask yourself which farm products are in high demand in your area and which products are in oversupply. Then choose your product offerings accordingly.

The next marketing step is to set a price point that is appropriate to the quality of your products and provides a sustainable profit margin for your business to thrive. Then you can start working on promotional strategies. The most cost-effective promotional channels are social media, blogging, and email marketing. Your business can maintain a website or social media page through which you can tell the story of your hobby farm business, post updates, and advertise your products. Other options for promoting your business include in-person marketing and paid advertising.

In terms of day-to-day operations, you can streamline your business and save yourself lots of time by taking advantage of high quality pre-made structures – and Horizon Structures can get you set up with everything from chicken coops to greenhouses.

Last but not least, consider adding custom labels as part of your brand. Luckily, you can use this free online label maker to keep everything clearly marked and avoid confusion down the road.

Managing Your Hobby Farm

If you’re looking to add more fresh air to your life while doing what you love, hobby farming for profit is the way to go. Every homesteader’s hobby farm business is unique but they all require careful management and planning. Building collaborative relationships with other farm businesses can help you learn from their successes and mistakes, as well.

Best Plants to Grow in a Greenhouse

Rows of containers with some of the best plants to grow in a greenhouse

Rows of containers with some of the best plants to grow in a greenhouse

Who says you have to be a pro gardener to enjoy the blessings a prebuilt greenhouse provides? No matter how experienced a gardener you are, you deserve to relish in colors, scents, and taste of homegrown produce. A prefab greenhouse can help you fulfill that dream. But do you know what the best plants to grow in a greenhouse are?

First things first: Why do you need a greenhouse?

Greenhouses are necessary for commercial growers and nurseries but have recently found their way into backyards and home gardens. The reasons for that are numerous, as it turns out that a greenhouse is great to have for several reasons.

  • It encourages the start and prolongs the growing season. Grow your food and save when the market prices skyrocket.
  • Greenhouses protect the plants grown within from pests and most diseases. You can keep your produce safely away from any wildlife on the prey.
  • They provide weather protection to sensitive plants. There is no need to let your delicate plants die out during the harsh winter season.
  • Allows you to control growing conditions. If your climate doesn’t welcome certain plants, your backyard greenhouse certainly does.

If your intention isn’t just to flex your green thumb, try gardening in a greenhouse. It is a beginner-friendly option that also benefits adept gardeners. The best part? If you ever tire of one type of plant, you can always try something entirely different. Your greenhouse doesn’t judge. Below are some of the best plants to grow in a greenhouse!

Growing flowers and ornamental plants in a greenhouse

They say there are two types of gardeners, those who like to look at the plants and those who want to eat them. You will greatly enjoy caring about frequently flowering plants with vibrant colors if you’re the visual type.

flowers

The least complicated to care for, almost constantly blooming, and, thus, the best plants to grow in a greenhouse are African violets, coming in a vast range of varieties and colors.

A lovely flowering tropical succulent, Kalanchoe, was one of the first to go into space, so why not into your greenhouse? Its long-lasting flowers will improve your outdoor decor but also your home interior.

Easy to care for, begonias are a gem among potted plants. The only challenge you will experience with them? Try to decide between Solenia ‘Dusty Rose’ Begonia, Nonstop ‘Mocca Yellow’ Begonia, and Rex Begonias.

The best greenhouse fruits

What’s the most common greenhouse fruit species, you might wonder?

Strawberries are undoubtedly the most popular fruit plants grown in home greenhouses. It will need a rechargeable pollinator as a fruit-bearing plant, as you most likely won’t allow natural pollinators inside your greenhouse.

Do you want to have delicious homegrown raspberries and blackberries for your smoothies and cakes all year long? It is possible, and you don’t even have to wait too long for the first harvest.

Caring about a cantaloupe (muskmelon) in a greenhouse is rewarding for several important reasons. Growing is simple, the plant doesn’t take much space, and it returns all the care invested with tasty, healthy fruit.

No matter how low-maintenance your greenhouse plants are, you will need specific tools to prune, pollinate, spray, and water your plants. Consider using a mobile storage unit if you have garden tools and appliances that can’t fit your greenhouse storage. It’s easy to learn how to make the most of it and have all your tools at hand.

Cultivate vegetables in a greenhouse year-round

greenhouse-snow

Harvesting salad greens every day? It is possible if you care about your plants in a greenhouse in optimal conditions. As long as you avoid freezing conditions and water the plants regularly, you can enjoy fresh crunchy lettuce daily.

Fresh, young spinach is more nutritious than lettuce but just as easily grown. One of the best plants to grow in a greenhouse doesn’t mind cool weather and even thrives in it. If you plan to grow it, consider the needs of other plants in your greenhouse and choose compatible roommates.

spinach

Beginner-friendly zucchinis are simple to grow, bear fruit quickly, and deliver a healthy, bountiful harvest. To make them particularly happy, provide them with all the space they might need, including larger containers as they grow.

Whether fruit or veggie, tomatoes are growers’ favored choice for. Choose a disease-resistant variety, provide it with sufficient heat and light, and enjoy various delicious organic produce.

Enjoy the benefits of greenhouse herbs

What is better than having aromatic spices (and cocktail ingredients) at hand year-round? Not only that herbs are hardy, pest-resistant plants, they also act as natural pesticides, defending other plants with which they share the greenhouse.

Competitive mint is perhaps not the ideal neighbor to other plants, but it will reward you with bright, fragrant leaves if you keep it apart. On the bright side, its invasive properties make it relatively easy to cultivate. You can use fresh leaves to spice cold beverages and cocktails and prepare tea and marinate the meat before cooking.

Full sun, loose soil, and constant watering are all that cilantro needs to thrive in your greenhouse. It will even self-seed. Yours is only to harvest the leaves in the morning and browse the web for savory recipes.

Rosemary is one of the inescapable ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine and is also relatively easy to grow in non-Mediterranean greenhouses. Depending on how much space you can afford, choose between the tall upright and low, creeping variety. The leaves of both types taste equally good, but the fragrant flowers are an even better seasoning for salads.

What is the best location for your greenhouse?

By now, you shouldn’t have any doubts if a greenhouse is the right choice for you. Only two other decisions remain.

Firstly, find the best spot for your greenhouse and transform your outdoor living space this way. If the ridge of the greenhouse roof runs east-west, plants will receive an optimal amount of sunlight during the winter season. Make sure that tall trees don’t shade it, there’s sufficient space around it to clean it, and it is close to the water and electricity source

And lastly, pick your favorites among the best plants to grow in a greenhouse and garden your heart out.

Where to Place your Chicken Coop: 5 Key Things to Consider

There are a lot of things to consider when setting up your first chicken coop. Between trying to choose a material, finding a chicken coop plan, and making sure it is well-suited for the flock you plan to have, it can be easy to forget that where you place your coop can be just as important as all the rest.

A good coop location will be convenient for you and safe and healthy for your hens. It will also enable your coop to last a long time. Fortunately, all of these concerns can be broken down into a few key questions to keep in mind when placing your coop.

    1. Distance to your house – It may seem obvious, but placing your chicken coop as far as possible from your house, especially depending on how large your yard is, is probably not the best idea. That makes for a long walk with eggs, feed, cleaning supplies, and anything else that might need to get out to the coop. (If you are able to have a shed or other storage space right by your coop, this math becomes different.) However, it can also be a problem if you place your coop too close to the house. Chickens, after all, can sometimes be loud and are always smelly. Even when you are making a conscious choice to have them in your backyard, you may come to regret having them in your immediate backyard. Finding a balance between these two things is important in placing your chicken coop.
    2. Level ground – There are two different things to consider when thinking about placing your coop on level ground. The first, potentially more obvious one is that it should be on fairly flat, sturdy ground. A crooked coop is clearly no good for anyone, and you also do not want to come out one morning and find your coop has started sinking into quicksand. The second is water drainage; placing your coop on low ground could potentially be placing in a swamp, especially if you live in a particularly rainy area. Finding higher ground, if possible, or adding drainage to your yard, if necessary, will help keep your hens high and dry and healthy.
    3. Foraging areas – No matter how much you feed them, hens love to forage, and placing their coop near good foraging areas will help keep them entertained, exercising, and well-fed. Good foraging areas have lots of plants, but none that might be toxic to your chickens – bracken ferns, azaleas, foxglove, and bulb flowers like tulips and irises are all common culprits. They also have a wide variety of plants that will be flourishing throughout the year; a foraging area is no good if it explodes with flowers in the spring, but leaves nothing for your hens to munch on in the winter.
    4. Sun and shade – Finding the right balance of sun and shade for your chicken coop can be tricky. Too much sun, and your girls spend the high summer months roasting and potentially developing heat stroke. Too much shade, and they can develop unhealthy sleep patterns and fail to produce the necessary hormones for egg production. Ideally, your coop and run will have a balance of sun and shade that will allow your chickens to switch between the two and regulate their own temperatures. Failing this, err on the side of too much shade, as warming up a coop is easier and healthier than letting your flock suffer in the heat.
    5. Availability to predators – No matter how sturdy your chicken coop is and how much hardware cloth you string around it, there is still the possibility of a hungry predator trying to turn your girls into dinner. You can reduce this possibility, though, by placing your coop away from anywhere that might make for an appealing hiding or resting place for predators. Low shrubs, woodpiles, and other ground-level hiding places will be attractive to snakes and rodents, while overhanging branches can harbor owls and hawks. Avoiding both of these will help keep your hens as safe as possible.

Placing a chicken coop is not always the first thing on a first-time chicken keeper’s mind when they start setting up for a flock, but it is an important decision that will affect your chickens’ health and wellness for years to come.

Choosing the right place for your coop is crucial in allowing you to raise happy, healthy hens.

Homesteading Tips for Retirees Who Want a Bigger Place

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Homesteading is a wonderful way to live a more sustainable lifestyle by growing your own crops, raising animals, and participating in self-sufficient living. For older adults, finding a larger home on a good-sized piece of land also means having more room for family and friends to visit or even live, but there are several details to iron out before you can settle in.

For starters, you’ll need to figure out what sort of home is right for you, as well as which location you prefer. Here are a few paths you can take when you’re ready to start a homesteading lifestyle.

 

Think About How Much Space You Actually Need

Before you begin the search for your new home, it’s crucial to think about how much room you’ll actually need. If your main goal is to start farming, the size of your land will obviously be important, but you can also consider whether you’ll use some of that acreage to build on; for instance, if you want to have a separate space for family members to visit or live in. This will help you determine the size of your new home, which will in turn help you figure out a realistic budget. Check your credit to make sure it’s in good shape, then get pre-approved for a loan so you’ll have peace of mind that you’ll be able to secure the property you want when you find it.

 

Start your own business

With a bigger house and more room, you can finally start the business you’ve always wanted to run. Whether it’s related to your homesteading project–such as selling fresh, homegrown vegetables or animal products–or something altogether different, you can use this as an opportunity to build a home office or storefront.

 

 

Consider forming an LLC before you get started, as it comes with tax benefits and will protect your personal assets. If you’re unsure of how to get through the filing process, you can hire a formation service, which will also save you money on attorney’s fees. Be sure to look up the guidelines for Pennsylvania.

 

Look to the future

Whether you’re going to want a space for a business or just more room for your loved ones, it’s important to think about how to make your new home sustainable. Will it need modifications to ensure that it’s eco-friendly? Will you be subsistence farming just for your own family? If so, you may need room for a barn or plots to hold crops, as well as irrigation planning. Think about how you can plan for the future now in order to make your new homework for you for years to come.

 

Research the area

Once you’ve got the house and land of your dreams, it’s essential to do some research on the area’s climate and soil as well as on common wild animals that may give you trouble without the right precautions. Reach out to other homesteaders to get tips and tricks for creating a sustainable lifestyle, especially if they live in the area, and can provide insight into the process.

 

Make the home your own

Once you’ve purchased your home, it’s time to start making your homesteading dreams a reality. For example, if you want to raise chickens, you’ll need a structure that keeps them safe and healthy. There’s no better choice than Horizon Structures’ Amish-Made chicken coops.

 

 

We offer a variety of styles, colors, and sizes of American-made prefab chicken coops to provide a safe haven to your flock and an attractive addition to your yard. Visit our site or contact us toll free at (888) 44SHEDS to learn more.

Buying a larger home and a piece of land can be daunting at first, but by creating a good plan for the next couple of years, you’ll have peace of mind as you start this next chapter of your life. Make your new home as eco-friendly as possible so you can save money and do your part for the planet.

 

For the highest quality prefabricated horse barns, dog kennels, and chicken coops, get in touch with Horizon Structures today. Call (610) 593-7710 to learn more!

 

What to Consider When Transforming Your Outdoor Living Space

Your backyard can be a space where you feel at peace and a place where you can escape everyday life. When you think of an outdoor living space, what do you picture? Hammocks and lounge chairs poolside, an outdoor kitchen under a beautiful pergola, or do you imagine a cozy fire pit for those chilly summer nights?

 

 

If you are looking to enhance and transform your outdoor space, check out the helpful tips and tricks below to get inspired on how you can turn your backyard into a paradise you’ve always dreamed of having.

 

Plan Your Layout

Before you jump into purchasing any new furniture, try focusing on the layout of your backyard, and determine how you’d like certain statement pieces to look. Here is a list of questions to consider when designing an outdoor living space:

  1. Do you want to design a deck, patio, or both?
  2. Are you looking to invest in a pool or spa?
  3. Do you need room for a year-round entertainment space?
  4. Do you want a designated area for gardening, or do you want a greenhouse?
  5. Are you looking to have extra lawn space for the kids and pets?
  6. Are there other factors you would need to consider, such as a privacy fence or hedges?

 

 

When beginning the planning process of your new backyard, consider the importance of the basics and create an initial sketch before hopping into the specifics. You can do so by working with a professional designer or specialist in yard care to get a second opinion on the aspects you might be confused or concerned about. They might be able to help you not only include everything you may want, but give you input on the design by suggesting color palettes, patterns, and textures.

Again, something as simple as a drawing can help you share an outdoor living space idea with the individuals you may be working with on your new backyard oasis, but if this isn’t your cup of tea, create a vision board. Anytime you find something you like online or in a magazine, cut it out or use a sticky tab to keep it on your radar.

 

Research Financial Options

Financial options are an extremely important aspect to consider when taking on big projects such as a backyard transformation because there can be so many moving parts. To start, make a list of the furniture, lawn care, and other necessities that you plan to incorporate into your backyard, and do some research to determine an average of how much everything will cost. This can give you a clearer snapshot of how much money you’ll need to invest for your outdoor upgrades. Keep your phone or a notebook nearby, and type or write down some of the prices you find and compare them to competitors. Keep close track of any quotes you ask for so you can continue to compare and select the service best suitable for your backyard transformation.

During this stage, it is also important to figure out how you are going to finance each upgrade. With many different options out there, it’s imperative to compile a list of prices and do a more in-depth evaluation of which financing choice is going to best benefit your budget in the long run. You could look into how a line of credit works, check out loan options, or use cash upfront if you have the money saved up. Remember, how you handle payments will directly depend on how large or small the project is. Some payments will also depend on whether or not you’ll be able to utilize installment plans.

 

Maximize Your Deck or Patio Space

When transforming your outdoor living area, look at how much space you have to work with, so you can be smarter about what you purchase. Certain decorations and pieces of furniture can either make the space look bigger or more crammed. If you’ve measured a smaller space, this is a good time to consider adding built-in features, reimagine the size of outdoor furniture you are looking to get, and think about the number of decorations that you want to use. If you have a larger space, you’ll have more freedom with all the entertainment aspects you are looking to have for both a minimalist or detailed room.

 

Determine the Required Upkeep

During this time, if you are planning to build or add to your deck or patio, think about how much maintenance and upkeep you are willing to take on. Typically, if you get a wooden deck, you will have to reseal it every summer and restain it every two to three years. If that constant upkeep is not ideal for you, consider other affordable deck alternatives with less maintenance. If you are not looking to spend a ton of money, a patio may be a better option for you. Or, if you are just looking to create a more inviting deck or patio space, consider adding a pergola to give it a more dramatic look.

If you already have a deck or patio and are just looking to give it a little revamp and make it look like new again, consider power washing, restaining, or polishing to restore the vibrance it once had. This could also help you save money in the long run.

 

Consider Entertainment Aspects 

Once you figure out how you’re going to maximize and upgrade your outdoor space, the next step is the fun part: picking out the outdoor patio decor and entertainment pieces. Consider amping up your space by decorating with some tables, chairs, and maybe even lounging couches. Consider purchasing an outdoor space rug to tie it all together and give the area some color through vibrant plants. If you live close to your neighbors and prefer more privacy, it may be beneficial to look into a privacy wall to enclose your outdoor living area and make it feel more secluded.

If you like to entertain guests, whether it’s cooking, planning a gathering, or having a wine night, there is nothing better than wowing your guests with not only your hospitality, but the environment they are in. You can do this by investing in a pool, spa, fire pit, or an outdoor kitchen.

 

 

For additional assets to set the mood, outdoor speakers or lighting may add to the ambiance. If you are looking for a dreamy vibe, string lights and water features are a great option! You can also jazz up the patio or deck with some flowers and potted plants. Have fun with it and pick out what best suits your style.

Once you make these updates, you’ll never want to leave your backyard. It truly will be that ultimate outdoor transformation you’ve always wanted.

 

Wildlife Management In and Around The Horse Barn

Wildlife management in and around the horse barn is easier to address than might be thought at first glance. Horse housing offers a safe haven for snakes and skunks, squirrels and mice, birds and bats, bees and bears, possums and porcupines, chipmunks, and woodchucks, plus rats, rabbits and raccoons and many other wildlife families. All are happy to share life at the barn with Equidae.

 

 

Horse barns offer wildlife shelter from adverse weather and predators, and often provide a handy source of food and water. Limit the attractions available and you can limit the amount of wildlife cohabiting with the horse.

It is prudent to keep horses and wildlife apart as the latter can transmit diseases such as Rabies, West Nile Disease and Potomac Horse Fever to equines.

Remember it is much easier to prevent wildlife from taking up residence in the barn in the first place, than having to remove its presence once it has set up house.

If in any doubt as to how to safely handle the removal of a species from the environment, always consult a pest control professional. Certain species are protected by law from eradication and require special needs for rehabilitating and re-homing.

Number 1 Attraction ~ Food

It comes as no big surprise that dropped grain from feed buckets, poorly stored grain supplies and stacks of soft 2nd cut hay offer fine dining delights to a myriad of critters.

Animals big and small can pose a hazard to horses not only through their ability to spread disease. Wildlife visitors can also wreak havoc chewing through wood and metal and digging channels under barn walls and stall floors. From black bears coming out of hibernation to rascally rabbits setting up house in the haystack, the best way to manage the wildlife is by to avoid provision of an available food source for their enjoyment.

In the case of hay storage it is always difficult to limit access to a haystack, especially if hay is stored in a loft space above the stables. If hay is stacked in a stall and the floor is either concrete or compacted stonedust with mats, keeping the stall door closed will help mitigate unwanted visitors. If possible, store your hay supplies a distance away from the horse barn.

To help deter discovery grain storage should be in heavy gauge metal or plastic with sealable (even lockable) lid or cover. Keeping the barn doors closed at night may be necessary to help defray the number of nighttime wildlife visitors. Especially during Spring when critters are looking for places to nest or catch up on their food needs after a long winter sleep.

 

Photo Credit www.stablestyle.net

 

The food chain is a necessary component for all life. It is wise to remember that food sources are not just grain and hay in the horse barn. For example, a rodent infestation provides and attractive meal for snakes. You may start off with a minor mouse problem and end up with snakes nesting in the neighborhood.

Don’t forget that garbage left in the barn also invites investigation and consumption by wildlife. Keep the barn free of open garbage containers and don’t leave sugary soda cans/beverages and food leftovers in the barn.

Another food source around the barn is manure. Manure can not only provide a meal treat for wildlife in and around the barn, when piled up it can also be utilized as a living space. The warmth that emanates from within a manure pile make it a particularly attractive abode for snakes and other reptilian species in addition to amphibians.

Manure and compost piles can also attract the attention of mammals such as bears, rats, raccoons, skunks and opossums. It is wise to site manure and compost piles away from the barn for these reasons as well as the possibility a manure/compost pile may catch fire.

Manure spreaders are a good option for recycling this nutritional resource but take care not to spread manure on grazing pastures that are actively being utilized. Manure and pasture management are an important facet of horse keeping.

Number 2 ~ Water

The best way to encourage snakes to visit or mice to inadvertently fall into a water bucket is to set the bucket on the ground. Most barns will hang buckets on the wall at a height suitable for the resident Equus to drink, but this is not ideal for the purposes of deterring wildlife from sharing the water supply.

Birds can perch on the rim of the bucket to drink and if bird nests are built in the barn chicks may even fall into the buckets when learning to fly or if pushed out of the nest.

 

Photo Credit www.nelsonmfg.com

 

Automatic watering systems are the preferred way to water horses from the standpoint of prevention of other wildlife ingesting water from the same source.

Cleaning up puddles and spills can also eliminate a handy water supply for wildlife

Provide the Predator

Cats and dogs can be mousers and ratters and can effectively deter and catch a bounty of vermin and other wildlife in and around the barn including snakes. However, it is important to also consider that vermin can transmit diseases to cats and dogs.

Re-homing a cat from a rescue as a farm cat can be an efficient way to keep down the vermin and snake population. Dogs such as terriers and hounds can hunt down their fair share of wildlife fare too.

Be especially diligent about how you manage any other methods of wildlife deterrents if you have a resident ‘predator’ in the barn. Mouse/rat traps or mothballs (these are poisonous) placed in cubbies or small spaces around the barn in an attempt to manage wildlife should not be used around cats and dogs. These products can also pose a hazard to children.

Smart Horse Barn Design and Select Siting Can Help

Horse barn design smarts measure highly in the fight to mitigate the number of myriad migrant wildlife invaders that can spread disease and cause damage at an equine abode.

 

 

Here are some useful ideas to consider in your barn building plans (some of which can be added after the horse barn is erected if overlooked at time of construction) that will help deter wildlife:

  • Doors should be installed to the ground surface without gaps beneath. This will help deter possums, rabbits and rodents from entering the barn.
  • The barn site should be compacted both beneath and around the barn apron area with effective covered drainage methods installed to mitigate standing water and provide a hard surface that will deter digging critters such as woodchucks.
  • Site the barn away from standing water such as ponds that will provide a natural attraction to wildlife.
  • Flashing or netting around the perimeter of the structure that is buried to 1” below the ground surface can negate animal intruders under the building.
  • Site the barn away from foliage such as tree cover and bushes that will harbor wildlife and/or provide an entry way to roofs and soffits. Flying squirrels, chipmunks and raccoons like nothing better than jumping off a bough to a roof.
  • Wire mesh or net all soffits, gable vents, roof ridge vents to help defray birds and bats from gaining access to the barn.
  • Screen all windows and doors to protect the interior of the building from flying insects. Mosquitoes, pesky flies, biting bugs and stinging insects like bees, wasps and hornets can easily be kept at bay with the inexpensive provision of screens.
  • Deter nesting by birds by eliminating any high flat surface. For example, the top surface of a 6”x 6”post is the perfect setting for a swallow nest. The simple addition of a piece of tent shaped or angled wood secured to the top of the post can provide a permanent solution to deter birdlife from nesting.

 

 

Be Vigilant 

Don’t doze on the job when it comes to tracking and managing wildlife activity in your horse barn. It is much easier to manage wildlife invaders if you take action the minute you see evidence of intrusion.

Be sure to research non-poisonous options for wildlife management. There are many wildlife management options available and some work better than others. A bevy of online suggestions are available with novel ideas. Some examples include spreading sulphur around the perimeter of a barn to deter snakes and placement of dried potato flakes in piles to attract mice to ingest the dry product that may then die when they cannot locate water.

There are many ‘villainous’ methods of wildlife control. Remember that poisoned critters that go off to die in a barn wall or under a stall or tack room floor can pose a health hazard to horse, human and even to other animals that may ingest them. At best their decay can provide awful aromas for long periods of time.

Good barn management practices such as keeping the barn clean and tidy by sweeping or vacuuming aisles and feed rooms, prompt pick up of spillage of food and water sources and regular emptying of garbage containers can all help keep wildlife away.

 

 

Wildlife presence in the horse barn can be effectively managed in a myriad of ways. Don’t be shy to reach out for professional help from your local Dept. Of Agriculture Extension personnel or pest control service.

 

 

 

Warm Weather Tips for Your Kennel

It’s natural to think about protecting kenneled dogs when temperatures are very cold and snow is on the ground, but it can be harder to realize how important it is to keep dogs comfortable in hot weather. However, hot weather can be extremely dangerous for dogs so it is important to know how to keep dog kennels cool in summer.

 

 

Not only can dogs be uncomfortable in excessively warm temperatures, but they can also suffer from heatstroke, which can be deadly. It’s very important to make sure that you’re taking the necessary steps to protect your dog in warm weather.

When is Warm Weather Climate Control Most Important?

All dogs need temperature control. Any dog can overheat in excessively hot weather. However, there are some cases in which it is even more important for you to be sure that kennels are sufficiently cool:

Brachycephalic Dogs

Brachycephalic dogs have short muzzles that can make it more difficult for them to pant and effectively cool themselves off. They have a narrower trachea, which could make it difficult for them to breathe, especially when they are trying to pant to cool off.

 

 

Examples of brachycephalic breeds include Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Shih Tzus. Mixed breed dogs can also inherit the shortened snout from one or both parents. If you have brachycephalic dogs, it is essential to be aware of the ease with which they can overheat and prevent them from having to struggle with very warm temperatures.

Pregnant and Nursing Mothers and Puppies

Dogs who are pregnant or nursing and young puppies can all be more susceptible to hot weather. Pregnant dogs may be less able to regulate their own body temperature and tend to feel hotter.

Nursing mothers are constantly losing hydration through milk, which can make it harder for them to make up for the water they lose while panting by drinking water. Very young puppies have difficulty managing their own temperature and may not know to get out of sunshine. Mothers and puppies should be protected from the heat and should probably not be kept in a kennel with an open run in hot weather.

Older Dogs

As dogs get older, they may not be able to regulate their body temperature as well. Dogs can suffer from a form of dementia that is not unlike human dementia.

Older dogs that are suffering from this condition may stay in the sunshine even as they overheat. If you have older dogs kenneled, it’s important to observe their behavior and ensure that they are making good decisions about cooling themselves off.

 

 

Warm Weather Tips for Your Kennel

Always Make Sure There’s Plenty of Water

Most dogs can do a pretty good job of keeping themselves from overheating assuming the conditions aren’t too hot and they have plenty of water. However, a knocked-over water bowl can become a serious situation very quickly.

An automatic water bowl can be a good way to make sure that there’s always a supply of fresh water. However, you’ll still need to regularly check to make sure nothing has gone wrong and to clean the basin.

Whether you have an automatic water bowl or not, you need a bowl that is held firmly in place with a welded metal frame and a metal spring. You don’t want to take any chances with the bowl being tipped over on a hot day.

 

 

Provide Shade

While dogs likely enjoy a bit of sunshine in the cool winter months, in the summer they’ll want to get away from the heat of the sun. If the sun is shining directly into the outer part of the kennel, dogs may feel torn between wanting to get away from the heat into the inner part of the kennel and wanting to stay outside to catch interesting smells and see what’s going on.

You don’t want to put your dog in the position of having to decide whether they want to be cool and bored or hot and engaged. Make sure that there is sufficient shade in the outer part of the kennel throughout the day.

 

 

Enable Air Circulation

If you choose not to have an air conditioner in your kennel, you will want to make sure that there is plenty of air circulation in the inner part of the kennel. Windows in the inner portion allow air to circulate freely throughout the building and in and out of each individual kennel.

Good air flow can carry away body heat and ensure that continuous fresh air is being brought to dogs. Fans are also very helpful in encouraging good air circulation.

Install Air Conditioners or Fans

In very hot climates, an air conditioner can make all the difference in the world by providing sufficient cool temperatures to your kennels. In more temperate climates, fans may be sufficient.

Where your kennel is located is also an important element in deciding whether you need an air conditioner or whether fans are good enough. A kennel housed under tree cover in a cool area of the yard may not get nearly as hot as a kennel in direct sunlight, even in the same climate.

As a rule of thumb, if you are cool enough with just a fan, your dog likely will be as well. However, if you are uncomfortably hot and sweating with a fan, your dog would probably appreciate an air conditioner.

 

 

At Horizon Structures, we are happy to install air conditioners directly into the kennel. You can choose between a 5000 and 10000 BTU air conditioning unit.

If you choose to have air conditioning in your dog kennel, be sure that you choose well-insulated dog doors so that the cold air doesn’t shoot out into the kennel. Dogs can easily be trained to use their dog door by tossing a few treats and showing dogs how to push the door open and closed as they need.

Fans can be installed overhead or mounted on walls. Just be certain that wherever the fan is mounted, dogs won’t be able to chew on it or end up sticking a tail or paw through the grate into an active fan.

Consider an Optional Water Feature

Some dogs love to cool off by getting wet. There are a number of things you can do to provide them with the opportunity for water fun. You can purchase a doggie fountain that your dog can step on to send a stream of water into the air. This can be a great way to cool off and also a secondary source of drinking water. Another option is to put a small pool into the outside portion of the kennel so that dogs can lie in it if they like.

A water feature is another thing that you will need to maintain, so it may not be a good option for the entire summer, but it can be a fun source of enrichment as well as a way to cool off on the hottest days. If you provide a water feature, make sure to put it in a shaded portion of the kennel so that it stays cool.

 

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Make Dog Popsicles

One great way to cool your dog down in the hot weather and provide some valuable enrichment during their kennel time is to make dog popsicles. These can be made of just about anything that your dog likes to eat.

Many dogs enjoy just munching on ice cubes or licking large blocks of ice. However, you can make it a lot more fun by freezing pieces of fruit like apples or strawberries into the ice. Freezing chicken broth is also a great way to give your dog a delicious treat and also some healthy protein. Greek yogurt is another good ingredient to add to dog popsicles.

 

 

Just see what your dog enjoys and experiment with different sizes and recipes for popsicles until you find what works well for you and your dog.

Take Steps to Avoid Pests

Temperature isn’t the only thing to keep in mind when it comes to warm weather. Pests also tend to become much more prevalent in the warmer months. Be sure that your dog is up-to-date on heartworm and flea prevention.

Keep grass and shrubbery that goes up to the edge of the kennel trimmed short to prevent pests from accumulating there. Make sure that only as much food as your dog needs is left in the kennel at any time, as a bowl of uneaten food can attract pests like cockroaches.

Keep Your Dog Safe and Comfortable in Their Kennel in the Hot Weather

Your dog can be very comfortable in their kennel even as temperatures skyrocket, provided you take steps to protect them from the heat. Make sure that your dog has access to cooler temperatures using either fans or air conditioner units.

Be sure that there is plenty of shade in the outside portion of the kennel and good air circulation in the inside portion. Extras like a water fountain or pool to play in and doggy popsicles can also be very helpful to make the warm weather enjoyable for your dog.

 

 

 

What’s Your Outdoor ‘Way of Life’ Style?  Pavilion, Pergola or Gazebo?

The trending popularity of adding an outdoor living structure to the patio, garden or backyard is born from the sincere benefits of adding a pavilion, pergola or gazebo can provide to any lifestyle.

When it comes to making a choice between a pavilion, pergola or gazebo, the amazing variety of options makes it a truly mind-boggling decision. You can choose to party hearty with an elaborate pavilion that offers flexibility in the size of the gathering and a solid ‘ceiling’ of protection from adverse weather; opt for a garden destination retreat that offers privacy from the prying eyes of neighbors with a graceful gazebo that reflects the peace and quiet of a bygone era; or channel your inner gardener and lounge in a scented wisteria or honeysuckle vined pergola.

 

 

Boundless options come with the pergola and pavilion, as size and height can be adjusted to match a roof eave to truly extend indoor/outdoor living, or simply stand alone in a solitary setting to provide an architectural focal point. The gazebo necessarily provides more privacy and the ultimate in shelter from wind, rain showers and glaring sun.

If you prefer a quieter lifestyle and would enjoy a spot to gaze at your garden, converse away from others or seek a spot to retreat to reflect on the day, then the gazebo might be your best choice. The space can easily be screened to remedy any pesky buzzing insects from upsetting your tranquil environment, and it can also be large enough to enclose the perfect dining location.

Size does matter when it comes to seating and set up of a dining space. Ideally any side of the dining table selected would be 36 inches from the side of the structure to allow for people to get up and down from the table and for folks to pass behind them to serve or pass by. Seating wise the rectangular table offers the most seating space, so if choosing a gazebo as a dining location consider how a rectangular shape will fit into the design. Figure that family seating might be comfortable at 20-24 inches apart but for formal occasions a large distance might be better. Oval tables, round tables and the most limited, square tables, are also dining space options.

 

 

Obviously with a pergola or pavilion the lack of exterior walls is blessing when it comes to sizing the seating arrangements. But it is prudent to allow enough floor space of the same floor covering that is laid under the structure to surround the table for 36 inches or more all around, to mitigate the likelihood of people tripping up or taking a bad step and falling when coming and going to the space.

While gazebos can be purchased with or without floors, (the latter requiring a 4” concrete pad be poured as a base rather than the usual simple compaction of a gravel surface that is level), the pergola or pavilion will require some sort of stone, gravel, tile, concrete other surface be laid in the interior space, rather than left as grass which will quickly become dusty at best and muddy at worst during high traffic use.

All 3 structures can be purchased as kits and assembled by a handy do-it-yourselfer or bought as kits and delivered and assembled by the manufacturer’s crew. Be careful of companies that employ 3rd parties for delivery and assembly as they may not be experienced and familiar enough with the product to do a good job of construction on site.

Smaller gazebos offer the opportunity to be shipped assembled and trucked over the road. Utilizing a company that offers its own nationwide delivery and assembly option is a great idea.

 

 

You may love to host large family and friend gatherings. Your lifestyle may include a love of cooking and an outdoor kitchen and dining space may be your dream outside living space. The addition of BBQ’s, full outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, swing sets, are all possibilities when you construct a pavilion structure. You can add shade/sun curtains and blinds for the sides, or even metal shutters to secure the space from inclement weather when not in use.

The flexibility of a pavilion means there is shelter from rain showers and the heat of the sun from above, and the area can be set up in advance with buffet style or formal dining that can accommodate larger numbers and variant numbers of people. This makes a pavilion the perfect choice for hosting family events such as weddings, graduations, birthdays and wedding anniversaries as well as holiday get togethers with neighbors and friends.

The Money Factor

The main factor in the decision of which of the 3 options to choose is the matter of cost. As you might expect, in general terms the most budget friendly is the simplest to build, the pergola. Followed by the gazebo with the pavilion option generally being the most expensive. However, there are so many options to choose from in size, style and materials (traditional wood or maintenance free vinyl, shingle or metal roofs) plus add-ons such as cupolas and weathervanes, it is easy to manipulate the price point between the three options to favor the individual’s budget.

A major consideration in the decision-making process should be the planned use of the structure. Remember to consider both your present and possible future lifestyle needs and preferences when making your selection.

Here is a quick look at the pros and cons of each structure:

Gazebo Pros 

  • Reasonably budget friendly (when ordered with floor minimal site preparation required)
  • Portable (especially useful for varietal placement within a competition jumping area)
  • Aesthetic appeal of traditional design
  • Full shade and shelter from rain
  • Can be screened to provide bug-free environment
  • Offers privacy
  • Less distraction to horses from the movements from occupants
  • Optimal 360-degree view
  • Enclosed space secures safe space for children and pets

Gazebo Cons

  • Size restriction of the enclosed space limits size of gatherings
  • Permanent concrete pad required if ordered without floor
  • Hard to keep clean of dust and dirt
  • Site must be level and well drained

Pergola Pros

  • Cost effective
  • Myriad of options regarding size and shape
  • Can be built adjacent to existing structures for ease of access
  • Offers benefit of ‘green’ living with climbing vines and scented plants
  • Can be easily combined with pavilion to extend covered space
  • Easy to keep clean
  • Minimal site preparation needed

Pergola Cons

  • Offers some shade but no protection from rain
  • Limited options on roof style
  • EZ Shade or some other blind or shade curtain may be needed to defray sun glare on sides
  • No protection from pesky bugs – may encourage nesting of wasps/hornets or other unwanted visitors
  • No protection from wind
  • Must be permanently sited
  • Lack of privacy

Pavilion Pros

  • Large choice of styles, sizes and roof shapes available
  • Superior protection from rain and sun, but not from wind.
  • Easy to add cooking fixtures/TVs/hot tubs under cover and easy to clean
  • Sides can be sealed with overhead style doors for all season weather protection and security of contents
  • Supports multiple size gatherings and pergolas can easily be added to each side for more space
  • Effective extension of living space when placed adjacent to existing building’s entry points

Pavilion Cons

  • Requires permanent siting
  • May require shades or blinds to protect interior from sun glare or driving rain
  • No protection from flying bugs or nesting insects
  • Generally considered a more expensive option than its counterparts
  • Requires careful choice of location in areas where high winds are common and/or additional engineered securing of rafters/roof to supporting members.
  • Lack of privacy

Ask A Professional

There are so many variables in the world of outdoor living structures that affect the price. It is wise to resource a professional company that offers a complete selection of all types of structures in a myriad of materials. Don’t be tempted to just buy something you see down the road. It pays dividends to explore all your options and if buying multiple structures a discount is often available.

Here are some of the important factors that Horizon Structures offers:

  • High quality builds that utilize first class materials and offer a huge variety of options
  • Clear ‘to the penny‘ written quote (not estimate), that includes set up (if not a kit) and delivery
  • Clearly written, easy to understand contracts with reasonable deposit requirements
  • A specific timeline for delivery
  • Informative website that is interactive and quickly provides options
  • Friendly customer service that addresses your concerns and offers solutions
  • No 3rd party delivery services/set up. Work with a professional entity that has ‘hands-on’ product knowledge and will both deliver and assemble on site.
  • 5 year manufacturer’s warranty
  • Good references and unedited/tamed reviews
  • Financing options

Remember it is not always the cheapest initial price you find that should dictate the decision-making process. A good quality product that is properly installed will offer better longevity, lower maintenance expenses and more enjoyment than a poorly constructed or conceived structure.