The recently completed Birdrock project features the use of horizontal slat wood fencing which is a decidedly modern look. It was appropriate for this home by Zagrodnik + Thomas Architects with it’s minimalist design and rigid geometry. The key to getting the look right is to maintain strict consistency throughout including alignment and spacing.
In the photo above if you follow one wood slat along the property line fence it turns the corner and connects with the adjoining fence and gate. We insisted that each slat would remain continuous all the way through, and thankfully the carpenter on this project was a perfectionist.
In this example the base retaining walls step down a series of levels while the wood slats remain consistent above. Aside from aesthetics one benefit of this fence is that it provides privacy while allowing for air flow and some light to come through.
This is a side view of one of the gates. We called for a 1.5″ steel frame to serve as the structural base for the gate. The frame was then clad with a wood frame to fasten the horizontal slats to. Once you add the steel frame, cladding on both sides and the slats on both sides you end up with a fairly wide gate, about 5.5″ which is heavy. So we used heavy duty hinges. Note that we a solid horizontal privacy fence was preferred for the side yard behind the gate.
The hardware was the most difficult part to figure out as the owners needed marine grade locking & coded hardware. Once we located the right hardware the metal frame was customized to accommodate it. So pick your hardware first, then build your gate to work with it. Note the metal strike plate and custom cut outs for the hardware.
A few months ago, I needed to purchase a new vehicle for use by myself and family members. Every morning, I have to drop my children and wife to school and place of work respectively before I drive to my office. In the evening, I have to pick them up before we all go back home. Additionally, all the members of my family love going for road trips whenever we can.
Therefore, I needed to purchase a vehicle with the capacity of doing all the afore-mentioned work without unnecessarily breaking down when we least expect it. My wife and I conducted extensive research on the internet and consulted friends as well as experts to help us choose the most suitable vehicle to purchase.
After the extensive research and wide consultations, I choose to buy the Mitsubishi Outlander because of superior exterior features, great internal features, powerful engine and performance, a wide range of safety features and economic fuel consumption, among other reasons.
Exterior features
I choose the Mitsubishi Outlander for my family because I had previously conducted research and established that it is designed with the following superior features:
Roof and glass: intermittent rear wiper, variable intermittent wipers, rear defogger and privacy glass.
Doors: fixed lift-gate window and rear lift-gate door.
Wheels and tires: full wheel covers, 16 x 6.5 inch wheels, all season tires, steel wheels and p215/ 70r16 tires.
Interior features
All the members of my family always look forward to travelling somewhere using the family car because they really enjoy the wide range of carefully-designed internal features.
The entertainment system consists of: 140W stereo output, speed-sensitive volume control, USB connection, 6 powerful speakers as well as AM/FM stereo.
The interior air filtration, dual-illuminating vanity mirrors, climate control and simulated alloy steering-wheel ensure everyone is comfortable throughout the journey.
For convenience, the Mitsubishi Outlander boasts of: cruise and audio controls on the steering wheel, door pockets (both front and rear), front seatback storage, cup holders on the front, rear and third rows and electric power steering.
The instrumentation consists of a tachometer and clock, whereas power features comprise of power windows (one-touch), remote keyless power-door locks and heated mirrors.
According to my wife and children, the seats are extremely comfortable. The rear seats have a folding center armrest and ventilation ducts. Additionally, they can be split-folded, manually folded or even reclined.
Engine and performance
I choose to purchase this particular vehicle model because it has an extremely powerful and efficient engine. It is an SOHC CAM type engine with capacity of 2.4 liters. At 162 pound-feet @ 4200 rpm, the torque is very impressive.
The powerful engine is designed with variable valve timing, inline 4 cylinders as well as 16 valves. It uses regular unleaded fuel. The fuel tank can carry many liters of fuel because it has very huge capacity.
DriveTrain
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a front-wheel drive type with continuously-variable speed-automatic transmission.
Safety features
Whenever I am driving, am usually concerned about the safety of my beloved family. I chose to buy the Mitsubishi Outlander because of the superior inbuilt safety features such as: two front headrests, ventilated front-disc, solid rear-disc brakes, auto delay-off headlamps, rear door child-safety locks and dual airbags mounted on the front side.
The vehicle is also designed with passenger airbag occupant-sensing deactivation, head airbags (front and rear), four wheel ABS, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, traction control as well as remote controlled anti-theft alarm.
Other safety features include: emergency braking assist, engine immobilizer, rear center three-point belt, child seat anchors, adjustable headrests (rear height), three rear headrests and rear park-assist sensors.
Some of these features prevent the occurrence of accidents, while others prevent serious injuries in the unfortunate event of the occurrence of an accident.
Suspension
The Mitsubishi Outlander has an independent suspension system with stabilizer bars at the front and rear.
Optional features
When I went to purchase the vehicle, I was reliably informed that I could choose one that had extra features. I had the freedom of selecting the All Weather Package or the Pack-Assist Sensors Package.
The extra external options available included the following: wind deflector package, accessory fog lamps, protection package, accessory mudguards (both front and rear), color-keyed body side moldings, accessory alloy-fuel door and accessory roof-rack cross bars.
I was also given the option of choosing a Mitsubishi Outlander fitted with the following extra interior options: 3-rd row floor mat, cargo package, all-weather floor mats, entertainment package, navigation system package, interior package A, LED illumination, accessory Tonneau Cover as well as interior package B.
