Decks & Patios

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this article I will outline the steps for easily making your own patio slabs. With the following method you will not need any mixers or do any hand mixing nor will you need a concrete truck....

This article will outline the main steps to making your second story deck act as a roof for a patio or paver area underneath, and at the same time still serve as a nice carpeted outdoor living...

Patios can be nice features to have on any house or apartment, allowing you to enjoy the weather and sunlight. However, if your patio is made out of concrete, it can become hot during warmer...

A dado is a rectangular groove cut into a board. The groove is cut to receive another board to make a dado joint. Mark the face of your board with two lines ¾ in apart to mark the position...

If your pool has outlived its usefulness and it would cost more to repair than you can afford, you can cover it. Building a deck over a pool presents a challenge similar to any raised deck, so be...

Some people may think that pigeons are harmless birds, but the truth is they can be very dirty and carry diseases. Some people call them flying rats. They are very messy when they perch on your...

You get a call to install a deck and you don't know where to begin. I'll show you how to measure an area for a deck installation. There are tricks to figuring out the total square footage and...

Oh how ugly that rusty, stained concrete can be. For an easy solution use H&C concrete stain, available at Sherwin Williams and some home supply stores. I have used it on patios and pool...

Flagstone patios are beautiful, durable additions to your landscape. Although they can last forever, they aren’t entirely maintenance free. In this article you’ll learn how to maintain a flagstone...

Landscaping your yard creates a relaxing atmosphere. The use of colorful lights brightens up the lawn, and provides aesthetic appeal. People use landscape lighting to brighten up their sidewalks...

With the advent of the 'staycation' more and more people are investing in making their homes a comfortable and pleasant place to spend time. Decks add both functional beauty and value to homes and...

If you have a wooden deck or patio then you will want to weatherproof the wood so that it will last longer and stay safe in the outside elements. This article will give you step by step...

I've always liked the look of red brick pavers (it evokes that Tuscan feel), and have wanted a patio in our back yard for eons. But we had a major problem in our patio design: the spot for the...

Fall is approaching with all it's beautiful colors. It is time to start thinking about how you will decorate your porch this coming season while enhancing your homes curb appeal.

Make an extension of an existing patio or create a new one.

Have you ever wanted to know a simple way of making a patio area for your grill? Well, this should be the easiest way to do it.

You have a ledger for your deck up and now you are preparing to build footers. Your plan calls them out but how do you transfer the plan to the actual ground? Here’s how to locate and mark deck...

After you have finished framing the deck, you can install deck boards. This is where your deck will start to look complete. Here's how to lay decking.

After you have added beams to your deck, you can begin to frame the deck. Here's how.

A beam bridge is the simplest type of bridge construction. It consists of a solid structural beam used to span a gap or crevice. The beam is supported by piers on either side of the opening, or...

Slate is a natural stone that is durable, slip resistant and beautiful for an outdoor living area such as a patio. Slate will blend in with its outdoor surroundings, giving a natural look to the...

After you have installed the support posts on the footings, the next steps will show you how to install beams for a deck.

We've all seen (and admired!) patios made from individual bricks or concrete pavers. I'm just finishing my latest one and would like to share a few tips and tricks that will help make the job a...

Installing a J-Bolt or anchor bolt correctly is the key to setting up a stable post for your deck. Read the easy instructions.

Whether you set up your mobile home in the country or in a mobile home park, you want your porch to be as welcoming and inviting as possible for all who see it, including yourself. This gives your...

Recently, I rebuilt my deck from a 10' x 12' minideck to a 24' X 30' monster. After the build, a wood deck will need treated to make the investment look great and last for years. This article will...

A concrete screed is a long board, often cut from dimensional lumber, which is used by two or more workers to level the surface of wet concrete. After the concrete is dumped into flat-work forms...

Having a front porch is a place to sit and relax. It can be a transitional place where you can enjoy the best of both worlds by bringing indoor living to the outside world.

Laying a brick patio by yourself is not a hard task. My mother and I did a brick patio a few years ago to surprise my dad and it turned out beautifully. It is good to have a helper if possible....

Did you recently have a party on your patio and now there are food stains? Are your children playing games on your patio and leaving stains? Are you thinking about painting or staining your...

Want To Build A Deck Or Patio? Here is how to do it without having to cut bricks or breaking the bank. I recomend a rectangle design because it is far less complicated then the curved designs. I...

Brick or stone patios look great, but getting them level is a real trick. Unlike concrete with poured patios, the bricks don't find their own level, so you can end up with a wavy, tilting surface...

Summer is almost here and many people are ready to shop for a new gas grill. Shopping for a new gas grill is not difficult, but there are several things to consider when you are ready to buy one....

In a few easy steps you can transform your boring patio into a great outdoor living space for the summer! With just a few purchases you can create a new room before the weekend!

A Paver patio looks beautiful when it’s new. After a few seasons of harsh weather and backyard parties, pavers start to show the strain. From stains to cracks, now is the time to get your paver...

Outdoor furniture is made to be outside and it’s going to get dusty and dirty. Your outside deck is also going to get dirty. Between the dust, the kids running over everything, and animals with...

Tired of looking at your old gray concrete patio? Having a cookout this summer but embarrassed by your patio? Staining your patio is inexpensive and easy to do. This weekend project will add a new...

You will learn what to look for with Ipe wood. What type of company to buy from and what to ask. You will also learn why you want ipe decking.

Some people call it a wind vane, others a weather vane. The word "vane" finds its origins in the Middle English word "faine," dating from before the year 1100 and meaning a flag, standard or...

A wooden deck is a beautiful addition to any home. In the backyard they serve as the perfect place to host a summer party. Sometimes it’s just nice sitting on your deck enjoying the beauty of your...

A deck is a perfect place to entertain or to sit and read a book while watching squirrels run in the trees. If your deck is located on the south side of the house it can rapidly become too hot to...

Summer is the perfect time of year for many things, including social gatherings and picnics. Combine both of these things into one event by hosting a potluck picnic! Hosting the picnic at your...

There is so much to do to prepare for summer. The most important place to prepare is your patio, where you and your family will spend the next few months enjoying the sunshine, warmth, and beauty...

When summer calls you outside it is time to jazz up your outdoor designs. Here are easy ways to freshen up your outdoor living spaces with color including the deck, patio, and landscaping.

Stone is a durable material to use in the landscape. Whether you use raw stone as décor, set a stone floor for a patio, driveway, or pathway or fill open areas with gravel for dust...