Elena Vance
Elena has worked as a landscape carpenter for more than a decade, building decks, pergolas and garden structures in every kind of weather. That work taught her the hard lessons outdoor builds punish you for skipping: how fasteners rust, how untreated end-grain wicks water, and why the wrong lumber turns a weekend project into a two-season one.
On Plank & Build she covers the smaller backyard builds most people can finish themselves — benches, Adirondack chairs, raised garden beds, potting benches and sheds. Her guides put weatherproofing and material choice up front, because a garden bench is only a good build if it's still standing after three winters.
Areas I cover
- Outdoor benches and Adirondack chairs
- Picnic tables and cornhole boards
- Raised garden beds and potting benches
- Sheds and garden structures
- Weatherproofing and outdoor material choice