Summary
Rockaway’s Carpentry Division completed a full exterior upgrade featuring custom cedar columns, shutters, planter boxes, and garden beds, all integrated with low-maintenance drip irrigation. The project also included new fencing, shade structures, a paver walkway, fresh mulch beds, and newly laid sod—creating a cohesive, functional, and beautifully finished outdoor space.
Rockaway’s Carpentry Division recently completed a full-scale exterior enhancement project in Jacksonville Beach that blended craftsmanship, landscape integration, and long-term functionality into a cohesive residential upgrade. This project focused on improving the home’s architectural character, garden usability, and irrigation efficiency while ensuring durability and low maintenance for the homeowner.
The home’s front elevation received a complete cedar refresh. Pre-existing 6×6 columns were carefully wrapped with 1×8 untreated cedar, then capped and detailed to create a clean, finished appearance. The columns were intentionally floated above grade by leaving clearance for bottom brackets, preventing direct ground contact and extending the life of the wood once sealed. Faux cedar window shutters were installed across the façade and upper level, adding symmetry and warmth to the exterior.
On the second story, the team installed custom planter boxes along the top of the railings. Each planter was integrated with concealed drip irrigation lines connected to a timer, allowing specialty flowers to thrive without manual watering. Additional raw-tone cedar clapboards were mounted on rat-run boards and capped with matching shutters, with irrigation lines discreetly routed through the system for consistent moisture control.
In the garden, Rockaway constructed custom above-ground planter boxes from raw cedar, assembled using pocket-hole joinery to eliminate visible fasteners. These planters were also fitted with drip irrigation on timers, ensuring the garden remains healthy with minimal homeowner effort. To improve comfort during peak summer heat, cedar posts were installed to support a shade cloth system that spans the entire garden area, with a second shade cloth planned for the adjacent patio.
The project extended to fencing and hardscape. A new cedar fence was built using 1×4 pickets on 2×4 rails with 4×4 posts, all set 24 inches into the ground for structural integrity. Hinge posts were anchored in concrete, and a custom gate is being fabricated to complete the enclosure. Drainage was carefully managed where the fence ties into the home, with proper gutter integration to direct water away from the structure.
The installation crew completed a new paver and rock walkway tied seamlessly into the surrounding planting beds for both drainage and visual continuity. Fresh mulch beds were installed and neatly edged to define transitions between grass and hardscape. Finally, the entire yard was resodded with new turf, now in its daily watering phase as the homeowner completes her personalized planting plan.
This project reflects Rockaway’s ability to deliver fully integrated exterior solutions—combining carpentry, irrigation, hardscape, and landscape design into a single, thoughtfully executed transformation.
