Black Flower Boxes on Historic Home Restored with Cellular PVC

White plastic window boxes made from AZEK or Versatex are designed to give the appearance of wood by scattering light rather than reflecting it in a shiny manner.  Not only do these types of boxes not rot, but they are a type of rigid, solid plastic that will resist bowing and warping through seasonal fluctuations and temperature swings.   This is one of the main features that set it apart from other plastics like vinyl which can be shiny looking or made from solid extruded material.

Plastic planter boxes in general offer many advantages over wood in the fact that they are ideal for holding water, bugs, dirt and preventing what inevitably happens in a wooden box: rot.  This process is delayed in the makeup of plastic which is made to be more stable.  Not all plastic flower boxes are created equal, however.  Some are made of thin material and are designed to be more of inserts rather than strong, sturdy boxes.  Others are designed for indoors.  You’ll want to make sure that your box is UV resistant to prevent fading in the sun.  Lastly, some plastics can have a slick sheen to them making them unpaintable.  An ideal composite will have a matte finish or texture to it to have any chance of holding paint since most plastics are non-absorbent.

White window boxesmade from Versatex are designed with each of

White Window Boxes made from Cellular PVC

these attractive features making them entirely paintable.  I am commonly asked, “why not get a black plastic window box that comes black?”  This question has an easy answer.  Black plastic is notorious for fading over time.  If the plastic material is paintable this is not a problem as you can paint over the black as it fades.   Most black window boxes on the market today are made from hollow vinyl materials which can warp, sag, or crack in the winter or are destined to lose their color irreplaceably down the road.

French and European Style Window Box Cages

If you live in an apartment then a balcony space might be for you.  Balcony railing planters come in many shapes and forms.  Some of them sit atop railings and some of them overhang railings.  There are two concepts needed to approach the decision when figuring out which way is best for you: type of railing system and goals for space.  The type of railing system you have may or may not dictate which attachment method you’ll need to use but utilizing the space the way you want to is just as important.  Sitting planters atop a rail will often create a privacy setting by building up.  In Europe, this can be a great idea if you want to block neighbors and privatize enjoyment of the space for homes or apartments that are close together.  If the balcony is standing space only, you may opt to hang over the balcony to create room to walk and touch the railing.

If you don’t live in an apartment a balcony space may not be your thing.  The traditional method for decorating the home with window boxes in Europe is to place them on as many functional windows as possible.  This is in stark contrast to the American way which is to place them aesthetically on the front of the home mostly.  Deciding what look and functionality you want will help you make that decision.

Balcony planters are one of the latest ideas in French window boxes that have made their way to the United States.  Make sure to visit FlowerWindowBoxes.com for a great source where you can find balcony railing planters for your application.

Lightweight planters for indoor and outdoor use are ideal for tropical plants.

Using movable planters or planters on wheels to do tropical gardening is an exotic way to make your home look like a private tropical retreat and keep your exotic tropical plants thriving year round.  Tropical plants are becoming more popular and available locally due to their exotic colors, demand, and performance during the late fall and early winter seasons when most local flowers begin to fade.  There are a wide range of tropical plants that can be brought indoors during the early winter season and back outdoors during the rest of the year for a full year of enjoyment and color.  Many people who are used to emptying out their planters during the winters are finding that moving tropical plants indoors allows them to thrive where they can withstand mild winters and show off exotic colors that most flowers just can’t capture late in the year and during the winter holidays.  

Ideally, tropical gardens are usually best found in areas with warm weather, high humidity, and mild winters.  For use in planters this means you will usually want to be closer to the equator.  Check with local garden nursuries during the fall seasons to find out what tropical plants can thrive in your area.

Most tropical plants will require large amounts of light and water to remain healthy and mimic the conditions that they are naturally found in.  This is great if you live in areas with high humidity, but if not, you may need to incorporate an automatic watering feature, misting system, or subirrigation water reservoir to keep the water delivery to the tropical plants a constant.

Making a garden paradise with a tropical theme is a great way to add exotic colors to your home and landscaping during the late fall and winter seasons.  With the right conditions you can incorporate your planters in ways you haven’t imagined before that will keep them looking full and beautiful all throughout the year.

Step one to install a window box is to determine the number and placement of the lag bolts.  Next, drill a 3/4″ hole in the back of the window box evenly spaced and approximately every 18-24″ of window box length.  Then, hold the window box up to the window and with a pencil trace through the predrilled holes onto the house the location of the holes.  Now take the window box down.  Using a hammer drill with a masonary drill bit, drill a 5/8″ hole into the brick or rock for each mark you made on the house.  These are going to be your anchor points to support the box (if you are installing on siding or stucco you will need to hit studs and the size and placement of these may differ).  Next, place a 5/8″ expandable lead anchor into the holes you drilled.  This anchor should be able to receive a 3/8″ lag bolt (if you are installing on siding or stucco, a lead anchor is not necessary.  Drill a 1/4″ hole and pass the lag bolt directly into the hole such that you hit a stud).  Now, to finish installing your window boxes, hold the window box back up and pass a lag bolt with a heavy duty washer on the end through the back of the window box and into the predrilled hole/anchor.  Tighten each lag bolt down till finished and then lastly, use a level to adjust the window box if necessary.  That’s it!  You’re done installing window boxes.

You can start a garden on your back deck with a window box

One suggestion is to use a removable liner inside your window box.  The reason for doing this is so that the liners can be pulled out and dropped back in with ease.  This will give you the most flexibility in keeping it interesting by mixing it up with your window box all year round. 

Once you decide on an easily accessible location for your window box you’re ready to begin planting.  This is where you get to let your creativity and personality come out the most.  The question is whether you wish to use the window box for gardening, planting, or landscaping.  A window box on the front of the house will usually better serve to hold plants and flowers for landscaping.  If you wish to enjoy your window box in a more private setting, gardening is a great alternative and can often be achieved from inside the house with some casual maintenance if you place your window box strategically.  One suggestion for window box planting is to choose flowers or plants that coordinate well with the color and style of the home.  Bright colors will bring more focus to the planters and green plants will often help the window box be more neutral and blend in.

Custom built metal window boxes are available in up to 16 foot lengths at FlowerWindowBoxes.com

Another thing to note, is that if you’re going to spend the money on custom window boxes, you should definitely find out how long the window boxes generally last.  Many wooden window boxes are gorgeous, but can rot out in 2-5 years.  PVC window boxes can cost a fraction more and last for virtually forever without any maintenance.  There definitely a smart investment for custom window boxes if you plan to live in your home for several years.

Custom Window Boxes, Custom Built Window Box, Custom Made Flower Boxes

Bring the garden to your deck with a rail top planter box

As a landscape enthusiast I love to listen and hear about what people are doing with their home and landscaping and especially if they have a window box.  I want to know what arrangement of flower and plants they have chosen and what kind of curb appeal they are getting out of it.  On the flip side, the garden enthusiast in me also wants to know if someone has chosen to use a window box for gardening purposes as well.  Window boxes are a beautiful and easy way to bring your garden right up to your home…and on your home.  It’s a convenient way for us to see how our little garden is doing everyday right through a kitchen or easy to access window.   Growing herbs and vegetables in a window box can be a fun task.  Having the right window box will make all the difference too.  A wooden window box can rot off if not protected properly.  Make sure to lay down a plastic lining to protect it from insects, water, and rot.  A plastic window box can work better when up against the house to not only protect the house, but to form a water tight seal between your window herb garden and your siding. 

For more information about plastic window boxes, please visit www.FlowerWindowBoxes.com.

The builders bloom of 2006 has come to a halt and now there are many builders in 2008 sitting on houses.  For the last couple years many of these builders have been trying to build a better house cheaper and sometimes this has meant cutting corners or keeping the exterior simple.  Now, these same builders are having trouble luring any home buyers into the house.  With a flooded buyers market, builders are having to go back and add extras, upgrades, and incentives to pull their clients in.  It’s no surprise that window boxes haven’t missed a beat and are flying off the shelves faster than ever.  Even the home owners who are trying to sell are having to dress up their homes to get any attention. 

Without the coming of track homes, architecture in the 20th century has been somewhat simplified in regards to details, accents, and historical truth.   The housing recession will certainly work to reverse some of that by not only correcting the housing market, but also by correcting the architecture.  Click here for more information about custom window boxes.

1. It adds a touch of credibility and professionalism to the businesses
2. It creates good subconscious vibes for the customer as they walk by
3. It gives curb appeal and attracts potential clients inward

There something about feeling good about being in a location.  Your surroundings can generate that feeling by what is in them.  Plants and flowers can give off great colors and fragrances as well as attract birds, butterflies, and other aspects of nature’s beauty.

Commercial planters are a great way to also increase the property value and draw potential leasors in so it’s not a bad idea for landlords in terms of the investment it offers.  If the commercial planters can help the leasing business look better, it means more success for that business and there’s nothing better than that for the leasor. 

Many landscape architects are using commercial planters for their commercial projects, because they help create a very custom look that enhances the surrounding landscape design.  It’s a win-win for everyone.  For more information about custom built PVC Planters call 770-845-5570.  No project is too big or too small.