Decks & Patios

Concrete is a hard and durable building material, but it is also porous and capable of staining. In this article, I'll show you how to remove leaf stain from concrete. Your success in removing...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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,...

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....

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Setting natural stones into concrete can give a plain concrete patio a new look. Although natural stones set into concrete will make for a less slippery surface than regular concrete, remember...

Setting stones into concrete can give a plain concrete patio a new look. An added plus to a stone-laid patio area is that the stones are less likely to be slippery when wet, as opposed to regular...

Concrete, a common construction material with high compressive strength, has the ability to endure over long periods of time under the most adverse conditions. It makes the logical choice for many...

Painting your concrete patio can literally change the entire look and feel of your outdoor area. Painting the patio adds a layer of protection to the concrete, specifically preventing moisture...

The great virtue of a concrete patio is that it is easy to build. Its great drawback is that it is gray, featureless and plain. However, you can easily fix that with a coat of paint. Even the...

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...

The look of stone for a patio is elegant but expensive. Concrete offers a less expensive solution and with various finishing techniques it can give you the same or a similar look to natural stone...

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...

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....

In order to successfully lay a flagstone patio, it will be necessary to mortar the foundation before the job is complete. Mortar is essential in that it serves as an adhesive to the concrete...

If you are looking to repair concrete, then epoxy injection might be your best bet. It is important to know that even though concrete epoxy repair will fill a hole or repair a crack, it might not...

Concrete patios come in many types and can even be colored. Colored concrete patios can become faded or discolored as they age. Outside elements such as the sun and rain increase the amount of...

When planning and building a deck, fence or other light-duty structure, nothing is more important than the first stabilizing posts. When wooden posts are rushed, inadequately installed, unbalanced...

A concrete patio is a popular place from which to enjoy the outdoors. The durable material ensures that the patio will last decades. A few decorations will make it an attractive addition that...

Landscaping a concrete patio is all about adding and layering different elements from nature. Using standard gardening supplies will help you turn your outdoor living space in one that flows with...

Building a covering over an existing concrete slab will require that you secure the structural supports to the concrete. A typical building scenario involves using wood posts to support a roof...

Concrete patios are great, but not everyone can afford to have one poured or own the equipment to do it themselves. You may still be able to reach your dream of a cement patio by building one out...

Pouring a concrete curb onto an existing patio is a fairly simple project when the proper tools and techniques are employed. There are two vital steps to ensuring that pouring a new curb on your...

A patio can be one of the most used places in the house. If the weather is nice, a patio is a perfect place for you to entertain guests. Patios are usually made out of concrete because of its...

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...

Pavers are a type of building material used to create patios, walkways and other exterior surfaces. They are made from concrete or brick formed into a tile-shaped units that are several inches...

A concrete deck with a wooden rail gives homeowners the best of both worlds: a low-maintenance deck with warm, wood accents. Trying to mount a wood fence post on a concrete deck to support your...

Outdoor living areas such as decks and patios offer freedom and tranquility to homeowners. These are spaces where you can relax outdoors or entertain guests under the trees with all the comforts...

Patio pavers---modular concrete, brick or stone units used to construct an outdoor living space---come in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes. Though they may cost more up front than a wood deck...

Decks and concrete patios can add outdoor living space to a home. To make sure this living space is utilized, it is important to consider how the space will be used and whether a deck or patio...