Decks & Patios

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...

A deck gives your home additional living space. Unfortunately, many times a deck can be too hot to enjoy on a summer day unless it has some shade. One way to provide that shade is with the...

Constant exposure to moisture and heat causes wood deck boards to crack. The wood gets wet, soaks up the water, expands and then drys out, contracting and shrinking, causing cracks in the surface...

Outdoor wooden decks can become worn and damaged over time. Improper care of an outdoor deck can cause it to rot, crack or splinter and become unsafe for use. By knowing how to repair your deck...

Flagstone pavers are known for their random sizes and rough, semi-flat surfaces which give them a natural look. While large flagstone pavers can be set in sand or directly on top of tamped soil,...

The most important part of installing a chain link fence is setting the posts correctly. If you can do that, installing the rest of the fence will be much easier. The posts need to be the correct...

A patio is an outdoor space that is not enclosed or covered. However, you can choose to install a patio cover or a patio enclosure after you've installed the initial patio, both of which can...

Outside decking is typically installed once the initial frame of a deck has been completed. The deck boards that have been measured and cut to length are placed on top and then secured to the...

Tile can be installed in many places inside and outside the home, including a deck, as an alternative to sanding and staining or painting. Installing tile over a deck over decking is similar to...

Building a deck on a house is a project undertaken by many homeowners. The addition of a deck adds outdoor living space and value to a home. When the deck meets an exterior wall at a 90 degree...

Vinyl or PVC deck railings are inexpensive options. You can order a variety of vinyl deck railing systems that are relatively simple to install. But there are some important considerations to know...

Living in a rental property does not allow you to make permanent improvements. Building a deck is one of those things. You can, however, build portable decking, which you can pick up and move to a...

In order to keep a wood deck looking good and make it last longer, it needs protection from the harsh rays of the sun, as well as rain, snow, and accidental spills. A good stain will give this...

Paver stones laid into concrete can provide a lovely patio setting. Although the task will take several days and go much easier if you have a helper, you will be well rewarded. Pavers over...

A screened patio in the backyard provides protection from bugs that sting and bite. Small children can safely play outdoors in a screened-in patio without the fear of stray animals or snakes. A...

A covered deck can be a great place for outdoor living and protects you from most weather. Uninvited guests such as flies and mosquitoes can make this space far less enjoyable, however. One way to...

Treated lumber is infused with chemicals to prevent infestation from insects or fungi, and to prevent rotting and weather damage. It is more durable than untreated wood and is typically used for...

Staining is done on cured concrete and is easy enough for any homeowner to do it themselves. If the concrete was previously treated with muriatic acid or has been acid-etched , its not possible to...

Wood decks are sometimes simple to construct yourself but you are left with the staining portion. Staining may seem like an easy task, but you need to consider the proper steps so you complete the...

Columns can be added to the front porch of a home as a new design element that can be square or round. Most types of columns can be purchased as a prefabricated piece that is essentially hollow in...

Whether it is in your garage, carport or on the patio, you don't have to live with unsightly stains on your concrete. Although concrete is extremely durable and used in construction of all kinds,...

Decks that are old or need to have boards replaced may have been secured with nails. Nails can rust when they collect moisture and may even start to pop out of the wood. One way to correct a...

Decking can come in two types of materials that include treated wood or composite wood decking. The benefit of using composite wood decking is that it is not affected by weather and is...

Awnings help to add appeal and the appearance of additional square footage to your home. They also can help extend the life of your home and windows by shielding them from the sun. Awnings ordered...

Creating a pea gravel patio is a relatively easy way to make an outdoor space without having to build a wood structure or pour concrete. Pea gravel can be purchased relatively cheaply. Depending...

For some of us there is something almost magical that happens when daylight is overtaken by night in the theme park. There are no doubt several factors that come together to create this feeling,...

Brick patios are attractive, functional and durable. They make great spaces for outdoor entertaining or relaxing. But even a brick patio requires regular steps to help preserve and protect it....

Adding railings to a porch or deck creates both a decorative and safe deck or porch, and addition of railings is actually required by building code in many locales. Building a railing from scratch...

Stone patios add beauty and function to a backyard space. The patio area provides an ideal location for enjoying breakfast outside, entertaining guests or simply enjoying nature. Selecting the...

Whether you are removing decking to make way for more lawn space or replacing damaged deck boards in your old deck, removing wood decking can be physically difficult. However, it does not have to...

Cedar wood decks are beautiful and functional, and can typically withstand the weather better than other woods. Therefore, cedar decks may need fewer major repairs. Instead of trying to redo cedar...

Since wooden decks are constantly exposed to the elements, they may need to be resurfaced every few years. Some homeowners hire a professional for the job, but if you are reasonably crafty, there...

Knowing how to remove paint from cement allows you to make changes to existing structures. Once the paint is off, you have the option of leaving the cement bare or treating it with a new color....

Fixing concrete can become a very big chore. You cannot merely fill in the cracks and expect them never to come back. Instead, overpour your existing concrete with new concrete to repair and...

Building any deck requires planning--both in the design phase as well as estimating the cost of the project. The size of the deck, its location and your personal preferences will dictate your...

Creating a concrete stoop is a simple process that can be completed by anyone familiar with the steps for creating a concrete slab. You'll begin by properly preparing the ground, and then you'll...

Resurfacing concrete can be a much easier route instead of completely repouring. If the existing concrete is sound and only visually damaged, resurfacing the concrete is a great alternative to...

Anyone who has experienced birds hanging around a deck knows how troublesome and obnoxious they can be. They are often noisy and leave behind unpleasant messes. Luckily, there are many ways to get...

Grass growing on your patio rarely looks attractive. It can turn your patio into a mess. You can use a natural way to get rid of patio grass that won't harm animals or birds and won't damage the...

This article will outline the main steps for making curved concrete steps. It is a good idea to read my article" How to Make Your Own Patios Easily, Without Mixing." These same...

When pouring concrete it is necessary to know how much concrete you need in order to purchase the appropriate amount. Concrete is sold by cubic yards, and one cubic yard of concrete will usually...

Brick patios can be an attractive addition to your home's landscaping and provide excellent spaces for outdoor living and entertaining. Properly built, they'll last for years. One of the essential...

Painting your deck is an attractive alternative to staining it; the range of colors available for painting is certainly greater, and a painted deck can have the effect of drawing your interior...

Trex is a composite wood alternative that is ideal for building a home porch. It is weather resistant and exceptionally durable. Installing Trex is similar to installing wood for a porch floor,...

You don't have to be a professional contractor to incorporate an enclosed patio into your home's decor, but you should possess some basic knowledge of construction and landscaping techniques. An...

Staining your deck can be a particularly difficult process and many people who do it themselves may be unhappy with the results. However, there are several techniques that can help make your...

A backyard deck changes a so-so patch of greenery into an outdoor living space that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Choosing the right decking, finding a good framing plan and gathering the...

An outdoor patio heater can turn your patio into an extension of your living space and stretch your patio season from summer into fall and winter. Patio heaters have become important pieces of...

There are many ways to build a patio and even many options once you decide to go with a paver patio. Pavers---meaning, wide, flat bricks---can be mortared in place like a brick floor, but that's a...