Decks & Patios

Painting your wooden patio is similar to painting a deck. The preparation is the the most important step in the process and if not done well, the paint will not last. There are many different...

Outdoor entertaining lends itself to the use of Hawaiian tiki torches, which burn brightly with an orange, glowing light. Tiki torches are festive, fun and convenient and create a warm, exotic...

Teak patio furniture can be a wonderful alternative to the usual plastic or metal pieces that most people have in their yards. Grown in India, Thailand and Indonesia, teak wood is durable and...

Concrete is typically a very strong and durable building material, and for that reason is one of the most commonly used materials for features like walkways and patios. For a number of reasons...

Concrete stains are an affordable and easy way to update your patio space without major reconstruction. In as little as a weekend, your patio can have a complete facelift, and with a virtually...

Cobblestones are an attractive way to dress up several different features, from driveways to patios and walkways. This material has been used for thousands of years in civilizations all over the...

Wood, especially pine or maple, typically contains sap. When building with wood, it is imperative that the wood has been properly dried to avoid oozing sap. When it has not been properly dried,...

A good deck stain is not just a cosmetic product. It must extend the life of the wood by protecting it from weather as well as from abrasion. Your major priority in choosing the stain is its...

Patio tables are a necessity for outdoor living. They provide a place to eat, to play games, to socialize, or just unwind after a long day at work. If properly chosen and cared for, a store-bought...

Adding a patio to your home not only increases livable space, but can potentially add to the value of your property. Installing a patio does not have to be an overly expensive or even...

With this quick and easy project you can transform any area in your garden with these attractive and easy-to-make decking squares. Use them on a concrete patio, as an attractive feature next to a...

If cleaning your patio every year is a chore you dread, consider using a pressure washer. Pressure washers not only have more cleaning power than a garden hose, but can apply detergent quickly and...

If you would like to build a deck onto your home but aren't sure that you have the necessary carpentry skills, there may be help for you. A do-it-yourself deck kit for beginners may be the...

If you're considering a deck for around your pool or for a gazebo or patio, Trex offers one of the best surface materials. The mixture of wood fibers and recycled plastic bags has the appearance...

It is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars to put a fabric awning over your deck or windows. With canvas, some wooden dowels and some metal attachments, it is possible to make beautiful...

Paver stones are an excellent building material for use in patios or walkways. If you're considering a project that involves the installation of paver stones, proper planning for material needs is...

When building stairs to go up to a patio or deck, many builders will choose to construct them from brick. The durability of brick makes it a popular choice to withstand heavy traffic and exposure...

A porch is a great location around the house to spend time during the warmer months, allowing a little sunshine or perhaps a cool breeze. Of course, the longer you spend out there, the more likely...

A brick patio is an asset to your home, providing a place to relax or entertain in the great outdoors. A well-constructed brick patio is durable and will last for years, yet the main components of...

Applying a stain to your deck can offer several benefits. Not only will you give it a great color treatment, but many stains also include a sealant to protect against weather and sun damage. The...

Retractable awnings are a great way to cool off your deck or patio without the disadvantages of a bulky, permanently deployed awning. While manually retractable awnings have been available for...

The new deck is done---the railings are in place, and you are ready to set up the chairs, tables and grill. There's only one problem: You need to remove the marks, grade stamps and other spots on...

Expand your outdoor living space with a ground-level solid concrete patio. Patios not only function as living spaces but can both correct landscaping problems and increase the value of your home....

Cedar makes a top choice for deck railings and other exterior applications due to its natural resistance to bugs and water. This resistance comes from the presence of tannins in the wood. These...

Box steps are fully covered stairs that lead you up to the deck surface. If you're building them at your home, you can customize them: you can place them around an entire patio or at just a...

Most deck boards are placed close together, which can make it difficult to stain between each board. However, using proper staining techniques will help you cover all the visible surfaces, giving...

A fire pit is a beautiful patio fixture that is used to add value and charm to a home, produce outdoor heat on chilly evenings and even to barbecue and grill food for everyday eating or for...

Brick patios, garden walkways and brick garden "rugs" can offer classic traditional elegance or country charm to rural gardens and urban landscapes. Brick paving is cost efficient and durable and...

In some regions, having an enclosed porch is significantly more beneficial than an open porch. Fortunately, porch enclosures are relatively easy to construct, especially if there is an existing...

A deck is a great place to gather with friends and family, do a little grilling or relax with a cool drink. Nothing spoils the time out on your deck like harsh sunlight in your eyes, making you...

A deck around a swimming pool makes getting in and out easy, because the tall sides of a pool without a deck require climbing up and over the side on a ladder. This entry/exit decreases safety,...

If you love the natural and old-world charm of stone and brick, you can lay a corner of lawn or garden with pavers to create a stone patio. Creating a corner area with stone pavers can give you a...

Smoking, one of the best ways to preserve meat, has a rich heritage that lives on today in backyard smokers throughout the United States. One of the best types of smokers is a stainless steel...

Painting your deck will provide a new look for your outdoor retreat. Paint also protects the wood of your deck from moisture so that it will last longer and you will be safer while using the deck....

Having a wooden deck is a luxury that most homeowners can enjoy for many years. Staining or painting your deck can add value to your home, as well as add longevity to the surface wood of the deck....

Stone and flagstone patio pavers are common across America and around the world. The stones can come in a variety of colors, patterns and types; flagstone, although purchased in one color and...

Including a bar in a patio allows the party to move outside. The final design must take into account restrictions like the amount of space available and matching the design of the existing deck...

Pouring concrete in a rural area isn't much different than doing it in town. If anything, it should be easier, due to the lack of space restraints in rural areas. Concrete is a versatile material,...

Staining a deck is the perfect way to beautify the wood and protect it from sun and weather damage. However, speedy application, poor stain product, or applying it to dirty or wet wood can cause...

Concrete is a material that's made to last, but even this strong durable surface can develop problems that require you to either completely replace the slab, or pour a new concrete pad atop it....

Everybody loves a backyard get-together, whether it be a barbecue, a pool party, or just a simple family picnic. And porches are still a popular place for those get-togethers, but most porches do...

When building a deck or stairway using pressure-treated lumber, unsightly writing from the factory or warehouse may ruin an otherwise beautiful finished product. A host of options may present...

You can hang windows to create the illusion of a wall around the outside of your patio. It will create a form of wall décor without actual walls and it will provide windows for your patio...

What is the difference between a deck and a porch? A porch is usually sided in a similar fashion to the house it's attached to, and it commonly has a roof. A deck is made of wood that is usually...

Patios are great for enjoying your back yard without having to deal with ants and other bugs that frequent the grass. Patios also provide a convenient, flat, clean surface for outdoor furniture,...

A simple home improvement job that can bring you years of enjoyment is building a patio fire pit. Imagine sitting around the fire with your friends and family at the end of a summer cookout, or...

Before you commence any building project, you need to define its scope and cost. If your goal is a new deck, an estimate checklist is relatively easy to develop. However; your first task should be...

Eating lunch on a picnic table in your backyard can be an extremely refreshing and relaxing experience. But over time your beautiful wooden picnic table is bound to suffer from constant exposure...

Endurance vinyl deck railing fits decks of all dimensions and offers function without many of the maintenance worries associated with wood. Termite infestations, splintering, weathering and...

Building or repairing a new deck or patio can be a thrilling project, but it also takes a significant amount of time and effort to make it just right. It's important to the success of the project...