Decks & Patios

Covering a painted brick patio with concrete is an excellent way to update your patio and landscaping. The process is fairly simple, and will only take a day to complete. If you have someone to...

Tile is a commonly used building material for covering floors, both inside and out. Tiles' natural aesthetic and durability make them an ideal addition to a porch floor. Installing exterior tile...

Add shade to your patio with vines. Many are easy-care and add foliage and blooms to the patio to create a natural effect. Deciduous choices such as wisteria and trumpet vine lose their leaves to...

Self-leveling concrete is an excellent way to update your floors. Despite any humps and bumps of your painted brick porch, the self-leveling concrete will even out to a smooth finish.

Indoor/outdoor carpets can help homeowners create "outdoor rooms" that can be just as cozy and inviting as their living rooms. The most common material for indoor/outdoor carpet is Olefin, a type...

A barbecue gas grill can make backyard cooking very simple. All you do is turn on the tank, press the starter and you are ready to grill. But a barbecue gas grill requires regular maintenance not...

Posts are used to support upper-level structures such as porches or decks. If you add one of these features over existing concrete, you must properly and securely fasten the posts to the concrete....

The strength and durability of concrete porches mean they are generally installed as permanent fixtures. If you want to make way for a new feature or if the existing concrete has deteriorated...

Outdoor living areas, such as a deck or patio, are an extended part of a person's home environment. Both decks and patios can provide fresh air, sunshine, and an entertaining area for families and...

Paving a portion of a yard can make a small deck feel larger, and increase the accessibility of a well-tended garden. This is most often done by using large cement stones which are grouted with a...

A pergola is an open-sided structure usually made with wooden pillars and framework topped with lattice. With climbing vines or plants, it makes a nice focal point in a garden.

The teak tree is native to Southeast Asia and reaches heights of 98 to 150 feet. Teak is a very hard wood, able to withstand severe weather changes, and has a natural resistance to insects and...

Concrete is a strong building material, and when used for pavers, it can produce a durable walking surface that needs little to no maintenance. Pavers are most commonly used for walkways and...

Outdoor living areas don't require much to be attractive and comfortable. A suitable spot to enjoy the view in the garden and relax in the shade is available in most yards. Creating a patio out of...

You have a lot of choices when designing the hardscape for your yard. Hardscape or the permanently constructed patios, walkways and fixtures in your yard, should keep with the overall design...

A covered patio is like having an extra room on the house with outdoor exposure. Having a cover, or roof, can make the patio more enjoyable in the summer, providing cooling shade. Moreover, if you...

An existing deck can take on a whole new look just by adding some railings. By enclosing the deck with rails, you can create a cozy atmosphere for barbecues and outdoor parties. It also creates...

Attaching paver stones to concrete is a relatively simple process, but it will take several days to complete properly, so you should make sure to plan accordingly. This reworking of a concrete...

Straight wood is important on a deck because it not only enhances the deck's looks but also helps the deck hold up better in weather over time. While most high-quality wood that is cut for deck...

Building a raised paver porch will take several days, but the end result is well worth the efforts you will make. The most important part of building a paver porch is making sure that the initial...

Individuals that like to work with wood or enjoy making furniture from wood can build a bench table. You can build a bench table by using a few pieces of 2-by-4 boards and a sheet of plywood that...

Patios are ideal outdoor living spaces that can be a focal point for family afternoons, barbecues and relaxing with a Sunday newspaper. A covered patio can help reduce your exposure to harsh...

Applying stain to a deck can turn an old, worn deck into a beautiful outdoor addition. Decks can become discolored over time due to their extreme exposure to the elements. Staining a deck will not...

Building a patio is not terribly expensive if you eliminate expensive labor costs, which can add up to more than what you pay for the materials. One way to do this is to build the patio yourself....

If you don't like weeding, but love flowers, then flower boxes are for you. In a small rectangular wooden box you can plant an entire miniature flower garden. Plus you never have to spend endless...

Pergolas are the perfect space to use for outdoor dining and relaxing. Use the space for your morning coffee or evening meal with friends and family. Creating a patio underneath the patio is just...

It is not necessary to stain the underside of your deck for protection from the elements, especially if you use pressure-treated wood, which helps keep wood-boring insects out. However, depending...

A beautiful patio is one of the features of a truly beautiful house. Because it is not difficult to create an interesting patio space, many individuals opt to do so themselves. Unfortunately, one...

Using concrete squares to construct a patio gives your garden the charming feel of an English garden. They can be spaced out next to each other or about an inch apart if you plan on growing grass...

A natural extension of the home, decks not only add character to your yard but also allow you to enjoy the great outdoors at the same time. However, if the neighbors are too close or there's too...

You can add a focal point of architecture to an outdoor area without completely obscuring the sun with a pergola. This classic structure consists of columns and an open, lattice-type roof. It's...

Screening in a patio is a great way to enjoy an indoor-outdoor experience. Take in the fresh air without the bugs, wind, and wildlife. It is a bit of a challenge to accomplish, but with patience...

Whether you choose to use concrete patio stones together to create a patio slab or separately to create a walking path, you most definitely can use paint to add color and style to your yard. Use...

Adding a patio to your back yard is a great way to add functionality and makes entertaining much easier. Traditional concrete patios require complicated drainage structuring, expertise about...

Teak is one of the more popular material choices for outdoor furniture. More stylish and sophisticated than plastic patio furniture, teak is known for its resilience and strength. Teak is...

Outside your home, you have a beautiful patio where you can sit and enjoy the great outdoors. The only thing missing is a beautiful set of patio steps. To create patio steps that lead from your...

Enjoying the great outdoors is easier with a new patio in the backyard. With some basic home improvement skills, you can design your own patio to fit your lifestyle and needs. The design process...

Decorating your deck with a variety of potted plants not only adds beauty to your home, it also creates a soothing and relaxing oasis for you and your family to enjoy while relaxing on your deck....

When you are planning a party on your patio in the evening, you will need some lighting. It not only enables the guests to see but it creates a wonderful luminous atmosphere in which to socialize....

A pergola deck cover is a charming way to mark your patio, without losing the free-flowing feel of your outdoor space. And, as a simple structure, you don't need years of carpenter experience to...

A pergola is a simple structure comprised of supporting posts, beams and rafters. This minimal design can help define an outdoor patio, without dominating the area or taking up too much space....

Using patio furniture is a great way to make your outdoor area a comfortable living space. There are many different types and styles of patio furniture, especially when it comes to the types of...

A screened porch or screen room is a great way to add warm-weather living space to your home without the investment of adding on an addition. If you have basic carpentry skills, you can build a...

Decks built with pressure-treated wood are popular with homeowners because they maintain their natural appearance while resisting termites and rot. Traditional wood decks, however, are high...

Before laying the first stone or digging the foundation for the poured cement of your new patio, spend some time in the location you have picked. A patio is an extension of your living area...