Decks & Patios

How to Buy Patio Tile

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

Choosing and buying the right patio tile can enhance your patio's beauty and performance. Given the many tile choices that exist, it can be difficult to select the one that is best for you. However, these steps will make the selection process easier... more »

How to cool your patio with a patio misting system

By davenkit

0 comments

A good quality patio misting system can cool you down without getting your party wet!.. more »

How to Decide if You Want a Rustic Deck

By George Kramer

1 comments

Ever hear of a rustic deck? They are beautiful. Plus, they can compliment any home... more »

How to Measure for Deck Joists

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

Joists are typically 2 by 6 lumber beams that are set on an edge to support the decking boards. It's important to measure for your deck joists accurately, so you know how long the joists should be and how many you need... more »

How to Mix Cement For Making Artificial Rock

By 4serendipity

7 comments

Mixing cement is a great skill for everyone to have. Here is a simple recipe for a mortar concrete that is very strong and can be used for a wide variety of purposes... more »

How to Remove Deck Stains

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

The instructions below should help you to thoroughly and evenly clean your deck and remove any stains. Try these solutions in the order shown and only move on to more serious measures if needed... more »

How to Strengthen Deck Joists

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

Are you getting the shakes each time you step out on your deck? Firming up the joists under the decking may solve your problem. But first make sure you don't have any rotted or loose beams... more »

How to Turn a Concrete Slab into a Lush Tropical Patio

By scottstadler

2 comments

As you stare out at your simple concrete slab patio, have you ever considered transforming it into another place altogether? It’s easier than you'd think to convert your old concrete pad to a tropical oasis. Here's how..... more »

How to Build a Cobblestone Charcoal Barbecue

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

Building a cobblestone charcoal barbecue in your patio or deck is a great addition to your backyard that you can use many nights each year to cook and entertain. Building a cobblestone charcoal barbecue is a fairly easy process compared with ... more »

How to Buy Nails and Screws for a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

2 comments

When you build a deck, it will last for years. It's important to buy the right kind of nails and screws for a deck so they will last for years, too. Cheaper isn't always the way to go, as nails can rust or pop up and screws can break. Here are ... more »

How to Clean Trex Deck

By pigs4fun

0 comments

Maintenance is important of exterior elements of our homes. If not maintained landscaping will fall apart and colors will bleed out... more »

How to Create an Inexpensive Patio Light

By jpwhickson

0 comments

Today the trend to conserve on utilities is catching fire. Most find that watering the lawn is a luxury and walkway lights unnecessary. You can create unique outdoor lights that can be used for camping, walkways or the patio for just pennies. It ... more »

How to Enjoy Your Outdoor Space All Year Round

By favefive

5 comments

An outdoor space is an additional room that a family can enjoy. It is a place where a family can relax and unwind. Here are some tips on how to enjoy your outdoor space all year round... more »

How to Excavate Deck Footings

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

When building a deck, installation of footings can be a critical process. These footings must be completely level and completely stable within the ground, so they do not move or shift (and therefore shift your entire deck, with possible ... more »

How to Pour Concrete

By deepthinkin

1 comments

Have a small do-it-yourself project? Maybe you’d like some paving stones, or maybe you need a pad at the bottom of your deck stairs. No need to have a truck deliver pre-mixed concrete. Mixing a small batch of concrete is not complicated, (though ... more »

How to Repair Bumpy Concrete

By Murray Anderson

3 comments

If your concrete patio or sidewalk has become bumpy over time as those small cracks turned into holes, you'll be happy to know that you can get a smooth new surface by adding a concrete overlay. With a concrete overlay you not only end up with an ... more »

How to Repair Deck Railings

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

A railing gives a deck a nice feeling of enclosure and makes it safer as well. In fact, most building codes require you to put a railing around any deck 30 inches (76 cm) or more above the ground. But a railing can't do its job if it has broken ... more »

How to Understand the Parts of a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

Constructing a deck will be much easier once you are familiar with the correct terms for the various elements of a deck. Though there are some differences between attached decks and freestanding decks, for the most part the following elements ... more »

How to Add Rails to a Deck

By David Kingsbury

0 comments

Whether you’re planning a dance party or a simple barbeque, you should want rails on any deck over 2 feet tall. While it might be funny to see Aunt Betsy tango off the side and roll into the neighbor’s yard, consider adding some protective ... more »

How to Build Forms for Concrete Pads

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

To support air conditioners, hot tubs, decks, outbuildings and transformers, you'll need to build a concrete pad for support to prevent your expensive investment from sinking into the ground. Here's how you can build forms for pads and columns to ... more »

How to Choose Deck Lumber

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

1 comments

Though decks can be surfaced with any number of materials, wood is the most popular choice. The wood you choose will affect the deck's appearance, strength and longevity, so it's best to keep some guidelines in mind... more »

How to Give a Patio a Cheap Face-Lift

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

It's time to spruce up that patio with a cheap face-lift. The patio should be a place to sit back and relax, while enjoying the great outdoors. A cheap face-lift will keep money in your piggy bank and, with just a few tips, make your patio much ... more »

How to Install Railing for a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

Railing is mandatory on all decks over 2 feet high and recommended for all decks as a safety feature. After the deck boards and steps are installed you can finish your deck with the railing... more »

How to Replace Damaged Deck Boards

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

0 comments

If you have only a few cracked or rotted sections on your deck, replacing a board or a section of one could be the answer. Just make sure to use the same type of decking and the same stain or preservative as was originally used, so that your ... more »

How to Clean a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

3 comments

A clean deck - besides being a more inviting place for your barbecue - will probably last longer because cleaning helps kill fungus, which may shorten the life of your deck... more »

Check Out All Categories

Articles in Decks & Patios