Decks & Patios

Screening a deck can provide you with a comfortable and relaxing space for family meals, relaxation and play. Creating a screened in deck is a bit more complicated than simply screening a covered...

Setting natural stones into concrete can give a plain concrete patio a new look. Although natural stones set into concrete will make for a less slippery surface than regular concrete, remember...

Setting stones into concrete can give a plain concrete patio a new look. An added plus to a stone-laid patio area is that the stones are less likely to be slippery when wet, as opposed to regular...

The sound of running water can turn even the tiniest patio into a peaceful oasis, inviting birds and butterflies for a closer look while blocking out the noise of traffic and voices. A tiny...

A pool surround deck is an excellent addition to an above-ground pool. It can be made wide enough to accommodate chairs, tables and even outdoor chaise lounges. There are many options available....

Brick has been used for outdoor construction for several centuries and remains among the most popularly used patio materials today. Brick and other masonry have basic construction compared to...

A patios can add a great accent to a landscape or backyard arrangement. They are practical and fun for gatherings and barbecues. To give your patio the flare and color it deserves, you will...

The new railing on your deck looks great, but those post caps just won't stay on. Careless hands will knock the caps to the ground, and some strong winds will send them flying. No matter what type...

Mildew is an unattractive and dangerous growth on your deck. Mildew can be quite slippery, especially when wet, which can lead to household accidents. It can also damage the finish or wood on your...

When looking to invest in a home-improvement project, many people choose to build a sunroom. A sunroom provides a great return on your investment; DoItYourself.com says that the return averages...

Decks have become a favorite gathering spot for friends and family during the warm seasons. Outdoor decks and patios vary in size and complexity but many homeowners are choosing to construct their...

Brick patios range in price determined by two main points: materials and labor. Material refers mostly to the type of brick being used. Traditional red brick is the least expensive and will cost...

Indulge yourself with outdoor luxury you thought was reserved for movie stars. Now anyone can enjoy a fabulously beautiful outdoor tile patio. Create it yourself and without all the fuss of...

Wood decks serve as an entertainment spot, al fresco dining room and general living space outdoors. Between the sun, weather and human wear and tear, most wood decks eventually age and...

A field stone patio adds a rustic touch to an outdoor living space, especially if natural stone that hasn't been cut is used. Field stone that is shaped into rectangles and squares adds an...

You want to use your patio, but with the sun's rays bearing down or drizzling rain, it's not so inviting. Covered patios protect you from the elements and also cut down on the time you spend...

Sometimes it is necessary to clean a painted wood deck because the mildew or mold growing on it has made it slippery, or the dirt on it has become too difficult to remove with sweeping. It is...

Concrete, a common construction material with high compressive strength, has the ability to endure over long periods of time under the most adverse conditions. It makes the logical choice for many...

Redwood is valued for its warmth, natural beauty, resistance to decay and workability, making it a favorite material to use for decks. Correctly cared for, a redwood deck can last more than 20...

A sand base is an appropriate foundation for several popular patio surfaces, including brick and concrete pavers and flagstone. In a typical application, you bed the patio materials into the sand...

Lighting a deck extends the outdoor living space of a home even after the sun sets. Decks serve as a welcoming spot and entertaining area for guests. A well-lit deck greets guests warmly and...

A patio door serves as the bridge between indoor and outdoor living spaces. When combined with a visually pleasing patio area, the door greets guests and invites them to outdoor entertainment. The...

An outdoor deck is an engaging place for friends and families to gather in the warm weather. "There's magic to dining under the stars," as home and garden diva Martha Stewart says on her website....

A remodel of an old patio renews the area and provides an ideal area for outdoor activities. Whether you enjoy the patio yourself or entertain guests, the new area extends the living space...

Painting your concrete patio can literally change the entire look and feel of your outdoor area. Painting the patio adds a layer of protection to the concrete, specifically preventing moisture...

Adding rails to an existing deck is an easy way to add dimension, and style to your outdoor space. The installation is also quite simple, especially if you purchase a handrail system with the...

The great virtue of a concrete patio is that it is easy to build. Its great drawback is that it is gray, featureless and plain. However, you can easily fix that with a coat of paint. Even the...

If your wooden deck was built in the past few decades, it may be time to reapply stain. Deck stain usually lasts one to five seasons, but that depends on the quality of the original materials, the...

Travertine tiles, whether installed indoors or outdoors, must be installed on a sturdy subfloor. For outdoor applications this should be a weather-resistant concrete. Installing tile on a wooden...

A screened-in deck or porch can be a beautiful and practical addition to any home. Not only can it make a house more aesthetically pleasing, but it also provides a semi-outdoor space for...

Termites and their colonies are highly efficient wood-recycling forces of nature. Known for the damage they cause to homes, termites actually recycle wood back into the soil as humus. However,...

Due to their low cost, canvas canopies have become an increasingly popular way of roofing a gazebo. Since the canvas is exposed to the elements all day, every day throughout the year, it naturally...

Prepping cement to paint requires that you clean the cement of all contaminants and repair any holes or cracks. A special primer made especially for cement is applied before the cement paint and...

Building a deck can be straightforward when the wall it is attached to is straight. What do you do if you want to attach the deck a bay shaped wall? Here’s how to build a deck attached to a bay wall.

Installing a deck post through a hard material such as blacktop or concrete can be accomplished by using a circular saw equipped with a diamond asphalt blade. These blades are designed to cut...

If you have your eye on that large market umbrella, you may not realize the price often does not include the stand. The stands can be pricey, and occasionally hard to find. Inexpensive does not...

The look of stone for a patio is elegant but expensive. Concrete offers a less expensive solution and with various finishing techniques it can give you the same or a similar look to natural stone...

Patio covers are an affordable and attractive alternative to hard-scope roofing materials over a deck or other outdoor area. The coverage area of the shade sail is entirely flexible so long as you...

For boaters, deck fittings refer to pieces of hardware. These metal pieces are used to secure various items to the deck, including fishing rods, ropes and rigging, tarps and sails, railings, life...

Concrete has long been a popular material for use in patios because it is relatively inexpensive, durable, and strong. Even though concrete has a long list of positive characteristics when it...

Taking the time to resurface a concrete pool deck will instantly bring a renewed and enhanced sense of beauty to your backyard and the costs for resurfacing are far less than the costs of...

Concrete floors that have been treated with an acid stain are a popular form of decorative concrete. This type of floor usually represents a significant investment, and it is therefore important...

A brick backyard patio extends your home's living area, providing a spot for entertaining and relaxation. Brick pavers work well with many home styles and are an affordable option for patio...

The release of composite decking products was enough to make many people who had been hesitant to install a natural wood deck go ahead with their plans using the new products. These products...

A custom-built overhead can enhance a patio space by providing sun and/or rain shelter, increasing privacy, and defining the space and adding a subtle sense of enclosure for an "outdoor room"...

Patio lights have never been easier to install. Whether you want to brighten your outdoor space or just want to add some extra light for safety reasons, choosing and installing a system is quite...

Turn your screened porch into a greenhouse for the winter. You can opt for a year-round permanent greenhouse or a temporary one to use in the winter, depending upon how you normally use your...

So you want to fix a ripped porch screen. Most porch screens are made from roll-out metal mesh that's attached to the wooden frames of your porch. The downside to this is once the screen is torn,...

Outdoor patios are an amenity, but if you feel yours lacks privacy, protection from the elements or isn't safe for your children or pets, you may not be taking full advantage of it. There are...

It is possible to build a deck without using power tools. Planning the size of your deck around standard length lumber means less cutting. Attaching boards to joists with nails rather than screws...