Bill Jasper from the Baby Barrier Pool Fence Company joins Bob for the installation of the removable Baby Barrier that will add a layer of protection for young children around the pool. Vertical aluminum poles with steel inserts for strengthening are set in the pool deck to receive the barrier panels. Jasper explains how the construction exceeds code requirements that state the fence be able to withstand more than 53 pounds of pressure. This fencing can withstand up to 80 pounds of direct pressure and has a latching gate that is child-proof by design. The panels themselves are PVC-coated wire mesh. The cost for the full installation with a ten-year warranty is between $1,500 and $2,000.

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. While we all know they don t like to be fenced in, after thousands of years of domestication, dogs need boundaries to be safe. Fortunately, dog owners have lots of options to choose from when it comes to fences. If your yard isn t fenced or you d simply like to keep Rover out of the lily bed, you can build him a dog run with 4- to 7-foot wire or polyethylene rolled fencing. Staked into the ground without the use of heavy equipment, this dark mesh fencing is designed to be easily movable, strong and unobtrusive. You can also find chain link or powder-coated metal kennel kits to keep your dog safe outside and limit his range. Look for fencing that s 12-gauge or heavier and doesn t include aluminum fittings, which can weaken over time outside. If a kennel or dog run isn t something you want in your yard, an underground electronic fence may be the answer. Some brands are even wireless now so no ditch digging is necessary. As the dog approaches the fence boundary, his collar emits first a warning sound and then an electronic stimulus, or correction, to keep him away. To avoid confusing your dog, training has to accompany this system. Electronic fences are available with incremental strength levels for training and for different sized dog breeds. You don t want your dog escaping and getting injured because of a dead transmitter battery so look for a system with the longest battery life possible. And remember to check the battery regularly. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Bob talks with Jay Triandafilou from Architectural Fence Plus about the fencing installed on the side and backyard of the home in Melrose. The fencing was built using white cedar, a strong and long-lasting wood. The fence posts were installed using a concrete mix, which can promote rot if done incorrectly. Triandafilou explains that the base of the posts were placed into a 36- inch hole. Six inches of dirt were put into the hole and concrete was then added. This method does not create a total seal and allows water to pass through the dirt, between the wood and the concrete. The concrete provides stiffness and stability for the fence posts. The post should not be totally encased in the concrete. The fence on the side of the home has three stalls, which will provide space for a shed, a planting area, and a place to keep trash. In the backyard, there was an existing chain-link fence that needed to be taken down. The land was rocky, which made digging the 36-inch holes for the fence posts difficult. When placing fence posts, a good rule is one third of the post should be placed below ground and two thirds above. Triandafilou explainsthat the area where the fence was installed is a sloped site, which posed some challenges. Triandafilou and his team made the fence sections off site, but in some cases the board sections were created on site to accomodate the slope. A finished cap was added to the top of the fence to keep out rain. The top of the fence was cut to allow this cap to be installed. Triandafilou explains the "clean side" of the fence (the face without the horizontal rails ) was put in place facing the neighbors. In the back of the house, the clean side was installed facing the home.

Bob meets Todd Skulksy of Perfection Fence as he installs the classic New England-style vinyl picket fence. This product has a wood look and is made of mono-extruded vinyl so that it has only one layer and will not show nicks or discolorations over time. The fence is installed without mechanical fasteners and has been engineered with the crimps molded into the rails. The rail locks into the post piece and the crimp holds it in place. Perfection Fence vinyl fences come in different styles, this one with traditional New England features like the Colonial cap and ball finial for the top. Skulsky explains that these fences are moderately priced and cost less than finished wood fencing, but more than an unfinished wood fence. They are maintenance free, however, which will save money over time.

The EdenPURE Infrared Portable Heater can cut your heating bills and save you money. With over 1,000,000 EdenPURE heaters sold EdenPURE is #1 in both savings and reliability. Remember not all heaters are the same. There are many imitators on the market but only one EdenPURE.

Getting a Dremel® Multi-Max Oscillating Power Tool is almost like getting 5 tools in one. With it you can cut, grind, remove grout, scrape and sand. Powerful and heavy-duty, the Multi-Max is just the tool to help you tackle a wide variety of do-it-yourself projects.

Sustainable materials, non-wasteful practices and energy efficiency are hallmarks of eco-friendly housing efforts. Now, one organization and a federal program are looking more directly at how these efforts can make homes healthier for their occupants.

you and your family stay comfortable the entire season while protecting your investment. The good news is that it doesn t have to be expensive. There are a surprising number of easy things you can do at minimal cost that can maximize energy savings this winter. BobVila.

BEFORE. This washed-out fireplace has no pizazz. Faux painting and a refinished mantle subtly enhances the bricks, offering more depth and character. Photo courtesy of Brick Transformers.

Oklahoma City-based kitchen designer Karen Black-Sigler appreciates the texture that stone and brick veneer can bring to a room. She s incorporated both into her own kitchen. Photo courtesy of A Karen Black Company.