Tips, Ideas & Expert Advice for Northwest Homeowners
From choosing the right fence material to keeping your yard looking great, our blog is here to help you make confident decisions, backed by real craftsmanship and local expertise.
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How to Clean a Wood Fence: Oxygen Bleach, Low Pressure, and 2 Dry Days Before Stain
Clean a wood fence with an oxygen bleach cleaner, a soft brush and a low-pressure rinse, about 500 to 800 PSI on cedar. Do not use chlorine bleach. Let the fence dry 48 hours before you stain it. Here are the steps.
Learn MoreChain Link Fence With Wood Posts: Does It Work, and How Long Does It Last?
Yes, chain link can be hung on wood posts, using staples or screw-on brackets instead of the bands used on steel posts. The catch: in wet soil a treated post lasts about 10 to 15 years, while the mesh often lasts 15 to 20 or more.
Learn MoreFence Ideas: 5 Fence Styles We Build Around Portland, With Real Photos
Five fence styles we build around Portland, each shown with a real photo: cedar privacy, capped cedar, a darker cedar look, Colorbond steel and hog wire, plus the Portland height rules that decide which one fits your yard.
Learn MoreFence Kickboard, Rot Board and Mow Strip: What They Do and Which You Need
A kickboard, also called a rot board, is a board along the bottom of a fence that keeps the pickets off the soil. A mow strip is a concrete or paver band along the base that keeps grass and trimmers off the wood. Here is when you need each.
Learn MoreCan You Paint a Vinyl Fence? Yes, but Read the Warranty First
A vinyl fence can be painted, and it can look good. But painting it usually ends the manufacturer warranty, and the wrong color can warp it. Here is when painting makes sense and how to do it right.
Learn MoreChain Link Fence Privacy: Slats, Screens, and Which Option Works
The most effective way to add privacy to a chain link fence is slats woven into the mesh: standard slats give about 75 percent privacy, winged or hedge slats about 90 to 95 percent. Screens are cheaper but catch wind and wear out sooner.
Learn MoreCedar Privacy Fence: Styles, Heights, and What Makes One Last
A cedar privacy fence is usually 6 feet tall: vertical cedar boards over two or three rails, on posts set in concrete. It lasts when three things are right: the cedar grade, the posts and the fasteners. Here are the styles, heights and details.
Learn MoreFence Gate Ideas: 8 Designs That Hold Up, and Why Gates Sag
The best fence gate matches the fence and is built to fight gravity: a diagonal brace or steel frame, hinges and posts sized for its weight, and rust-proof hardware. Here are eight designs that work, and why wooden gates sag.
Learn MoreDog Fence Guide: How Tall, Which Material, and How to Stop Digging
A good dog fence comes down to three things: enough height, no footholds, and a base your dog cannot dig under. Here is how to get all three, plus what Portland and Multnomah County rules mean for your yard.
Learn MoreHow to Stain a Fence: 7 Steps, 2 Dry Days Before and After, and the 4 to 6 Week Wait on New Cedar
Staining a fence is a two day job with a week of waiting on either side. Here are the 7 steps, the numbers that decide whether the stain lasts 3 years or 1, and the Portland calendar for doing it.
Learn MoreHow Long Does Vinyl Siding Last? 20 to 40 Years, and the 5 Things That Decide Which End You Get
Vinyl siding lasts 20 to 40 years, and the spread comes down to five things: panel thickness, sun exposure, how it was installed, what color it is, and whether water is getting behind it. Here is how to tell where yours sits and when it is done.
Learn MoreHow Far Apart Should Fence Posts Be? 8 Feet Apart, 2 Feet Deep, and 2 to 3 Bags of Concrete per Post
The three numbers every fence post needs: 8 feet apart, at least 2 feet deep, and about 2 to 3 bags of concrete each. Here is the math behind each one, a bag count table by hole size, and what changes in Portland's wet clay.
Learn MoreHow to Measure for Replacement Windows: 5 Steps, 3 Measurements Each, and the 1/4 Inch Rule
Width at three points, height at three points, smallest number wins, round down to 1/8 inch, check the diagonals. Here is how to measure a window for replacement, what the 1/4 inch rule really means, and what a pro checks that a tape measure cannot.
Learn MoreCan You Paint Vinyl Siding? Yes, With 3 Rules (and When to Replace It Instead)
Vinyl siding can be painted, and it holds up about 10 years when you follow three rules: the right paint, no dark colors, and a clean surface. Here is how, plus the signs that mean replacing beats painting.
Learn MorePrivacy Fence Cost Per Foot: What Actually Drives It
Privacy fence cost per foot is not one number. It is set by the height, the cedar grade, the fence style, the posts, and the run itself. Here is how each one moves the per-foot price, and what to check on a quote.
Learn MoreWindow Replacement Cost: What Actually Drives the Price
Replacement window cost is not one number. It is driven by the window type, the frame material, the glass package, how many windows, and whether the crew does an insert or a full-frame install. Here is how each one moves the price, and what matters most in the wet Northwest climate.
Learn MoreCorrugated Metal Fence: Panels, Styles, and What Lasts
A corrugated metal fence is steel panels set in a frame, and the panels commonly last 40 to 60 years with no staining or repainting. Here are the panel types, the horizontal and vertical styles, and how these fences hold up in Northwest weather.
Learn MoreAutomatic Gate Installation: What Portland Homeowners Need to Know
An automatic gate adds electrical work, and that work needs a permit and inspection. Oregon lets owners wire the home they own and live in, but most hire a licensed electrician. Here is what the code requires and what a safe install includes.
Learn MoreHow Long Does Stain Need to Dry Before Rain? 24 to 48 Hours, and the Portland Calendar
Most exterior stains need 24 hours with no rain before they are safe, and the manufacturers also want the wood above 50 degrees for 48 hours after. Around Portland that combination really only shows up from June through September.
Learn MoreWood Fence With Metal Posts: A Portland Guide (Will It Still Look Like Wood?)
A wood fence with metal posts is a cedar fence built on steel instead of wood. Whether you actually see the metal, why posts fail first in Portland soil, and when a wood post is still the smarter spend.
Learn MoreGood Neighbor Fence: What It Is, and Every Fence Style We Build in Portland (With Real Photos)
A good neighbor fence alternates its boards so both sides look finished, no ugly side for anyone. See how it works, plus real photos of every fence style we build in Portland.
Learn MoreHow Much Does a Fence Cost in Portland? (2026 Price Guide)
From a basic build to a premium, built-to-last fence, here are real 2026 Portland fence prices by build level, what actually drives the number, and how to get an honest quote.
Learn MoreTypes of Fences: A Portland Fence Builder's Guide to Every Style
The main types of fences for Portland homes are cedar (standard, good neighbor and board on board), chain link and steel. The right one depends on the look you want and how it is built. Here is what each type is best for and what makes it last.
Learn MoreEnergy Efficient Windows in Portland: The 4 Features That Actually Lower Your Bill
The most energy-efficient windows for Portland aren't about the brand, they're about Low-E glass, gas fill, and a low U-factor. Here is what lowers your bill, and the rebate facts most pages get wrong.
Learn MoreVinyl vs Fiberglass Windows: Which Is Better for Portland Homes?
Vinyl vs fiberglass windows compared for Portland: vinyl is the better value for most homes, fiberglass is the longer-lasting premium upgrade. Here is how to choose.
Learn MoreHow Long Do Windows Last? Signs It's Time to Replace Yours (Portland Homeowner's Guide)
How long do windows last? Most last 15 to 30 years, but in our wet Portland climate the real tell is condition: foggy panes, drafts, and sticking. Here is when to replace.
Learn MoreCan Skunks Climb Fences or Trees? Striped vs Spotted, and How They Get Into Portland Yards (2026)
No, the common striped skunk cannot climb a solid fence. It digs under instead, and a smooth barrier 2 to 3 feet tall stops it. The smaller spotted skunk is the exception and can climb. Here is how Portland homeowners keep skunks out.
Learn MoreHorizontal Fence Ideas: Modern Wood Fence Designs
A horizontal fence runs its boards side to side instead of up and down. Built right in cedar it lasts 15 to 30 years, or up to 40 with regular sealing. Here are the modern designs and materials that hold up best in the rainy Northwest.
Learn MoreChoosing the Right Fencing Material for Your Home in Portland
For most Portland homes the choice comes down to three materials: cedar for privacy and a natural look, chain link for function at the lowest cost, and steel for strength and a modern line. Here is how weather, privacy, upkeep and lifespan decide between them.
Learn MoreWood Fence vs Chain Link Fence: Which Is Better for Your Portland Yard? (2026)
For most Portland homes, a cedar wood fence is the better choice for privacy, curb appeal and home value. Chain link wins when you want low-cost security or a clear, open view. Here is how the two compare.
Learn MoreWho Owns the Fence? How to Tell Which Side Is Yours
Who owns the fence comes down to whose side of the line it sits on and who paid for it. Here is how to tell which side is yours, what Oregon partition-fence law says, and how to keep the peace with a neighbor.
Learn MoreCan You Build a Fence on Your Property Line? Portland Fence Code and Vancouver WA Rules
Oregon and Washington both let you build a fence right on the property line, but permits, height limits, and who owns the fence once it is standing change by city. Here is the real breakdown for Portland and Vancouver, WA.
Learn MoreTrusted by Families Across Portland & Vancouver
From clean installations to long-lasting quality, homeowners choose Gorilla Works because we do things the right way, with honesty, care, and craftsmanship that speaks for itself. Here’s what people are saying about working with our team.
★★★★★ Excellent 4.9 · 73 Google reviews
I highly recommend this company. Their reputation is excellent and it's easy to see why. The installers were efficient, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to know. They are wonderful representatives for the company.
Highly recommend Gorilla Works! Alvin is a great guy who genuinely cares about his customers and takes pride in the work he does. He’s honest, dependable, hardworking, and someone you can trust to do things the right way. If you’re looking for a company that actually cares about the people they serve, give Gorilla Works a call. Definitely a business I’m happy to support and recommend!
We couldn’t be happier with our experience with Gorilla works! The sales guy was awesome-professional, friendly, and great to work with from start to finish. The installers were just as great! They were very friendly, respectful of our home, and did an excellent job installing our new windows. Overall, we are very happy with our new windows and the entire experience. Everyone we dealt with was friendly and professional, and I’m happy to recommend Gorilla Works to anyone looking for new windows.
Gorilla Works did an amazing job with my new privacy fence. It turned out even better than I hoped for. Because the fence is so beautiful, I’m going to need to quit neglecting my yard and bring it up the beauty and quality of the fence. Highly recommend them. Pricing was really good, and they were very even able to start and get done in a shorter timeframe than anticipated.
We had new vinyl windows installed about 4-5 wks ago by Gorilla Works. We needed 15 windows. We thought 15 windows were ordered and getting installed. Installation day came. 14 windows were installed and paid for. We still need a 15th window. After some confusion, some miscommunication. And a call from the owner. We are getting our 15th window!! Yay! You will be glad you went with Gorilla Works!! David, Anton, Isaac, Eric, and Alvin you guys are all exceptional! They will go above and beyond to make sure you have a 5 star experience! You deserve 100 stars!
Did a beautiful job!
They can make your stressful situation to feel manageable just remember their name 🦍
Our newest Google reviews. See all 73 on Google
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