Decks & Patios

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

Texture on a concrete slab is about more than just making it look good. Texture provides a skid resistant finish to the surface. There are three main textured surfaces that are designed to provide...

To finish off a deck, you'll usually want to put in some steps. These can be designed in an infinite number of styles. Designing the right type of stairs for your deck can improve the joy you get...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...