3 San Diego Lumber Projects to Complete in December

Though Southern California’s sunny skies seem never-ending, every year brings a few short periods of precipitation during winter. The rains can dampen your home improvement projects – literally and figuratively – so if you’re going to get a head start on exterior lumber projects, December is the month to get cracking.

Here are three outdoor projects to complete by the end of the year.

Project 1: Reinforce Your Fence

San Diego lumber isn’t subject to extremely harsh conditions like most other parts of the country, but the sun, salt air, and moisture will eventually erode fencing. December is a great time to be proactive about repairs — before the wind and rains start pummeling your fence.

Since the posts are the structural framework of any fence, their integrity will determine the overall health of your fencing. Walk your fence line, checking each post as you pass. Pay particular attention to the area where the fence posts meet the ground, as this is the area most subjected to moisture corrosion, pest rot, and ground erosion. Look for water stains and other discoloration that can indicate mildew or decay. Push on the surface near any holes in the posts: soft, spongy wood means damage.

To get more life out of your fence, install metal fence posts instead of wood. Using traditional boards as your fence’s facing will obscure the fact that you’re using two different materials. Your fence will look the same but will be able to withstand much harsher treatment from the environment. We sell PostMaster® galvanized steel posts, which are installed exactly the same way as wood fence posts.

Project 2: Tend to Your Home’s Siding

Just like with fences, moisture can penetrate the siding on your house, creating areas of weakness, discoloration, and decomposition. December is a great time to thoroughly inspect the siding on your home to identify areas that need replacement. Grab the ladder and review the state of your siding, section by section. Pay particular attention to areas that are likely to trap moisture, such as window siding and trim, door frames, and your home’s ground-contact perimeter. Just like with your fence, visually inspect the wood and push on suspicious areas with a fingertip. Weakened wood will be easy to depress. Meanwhile, if your home has fiber cement siding, look for cracks, breaks, or other physical damage. Remove a sample of compromised siding and bring it down to J&W Lumber. Our lumber specialists can match your existing siding pattern or help you create a fresh look for your home.

To protect your siding from future damage, cut back shrubbery that is touching the house, as this tends to trap moisture. Inspect rain channels and add or install flashing to make sure that rain doesn’t come in direct contact with your home’s siding. Re-caulk areas where the sealant has started to peel away.  These measures will protect your home from moisture as we move into winter.

Read More: Form or Function? 10 Tips to Pick the Right Siding

Project 3: Replace Your Gate

When the weather starts to cool down, you might not use your back yard as often – but you still come home every day. Amp up your home’s curb appeal by replacing an old or plain gate with a statement piece that creates a warm, inviting entrance. Great gate design doesn’t require any woodworking expertise. Sederra™ offers attractive, eye-catching western red cedar gates that are designed and pre-assembled by master craftsmen. Installation can be done in a day. With many different contemporary and classic styles to choose from, you can pick a gate that complements your home.

It’s easy to forget that San Diego lumber, too, must withstand stresses from the environment. Though the climate in southern California isn’t as punishing as other states, the lumber on, in, and around your home will eventually start to deteriorate. Jump on these upgrades in December, while the weather is still cool, but the rains and wind haven’t yet impacted your outdoor project plans. Checking the above projects off the list now means you’ll have plenty of time to sit back the rest of the year and admire your handiwork.

Have questions about an upcoming lumber project? The specialists at southern California J&W Lumber locations can help.