Decks & Patios

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...

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...

A brick patio creates an inviting space for entertaining friends and family, and lends a sophisticated look to your outdoor space. Build a weed-free patio without concrete. The loose-laid approach...

Brick patios have a lot of advantages--they're attractive and long-wearing, and they add value to your home and property. Properly maintained, a brick patio will provide years of trouble-free use....

Pavers are used to create patios, driveways, walkways and other outdoor elements. They are made from concrete or stone, and can be installed by most DIY homeowners. Before installing pavers in...

Great for family gatherings, decks are a versatile way to expand living space. Building corner benches on existing posts of your raised deck is a quick and inexpensive way to add seating that is...

Even the most veteran of weekend warriors may blanch at the thought of an oval deck, with all its mysterious mitered angles and odd-sized pieces. Well, fear no more. As with most things...

Decks are wonderful outdoor living spaces. Building one around your home can make spending time with your family more enjoyable and increase your property value. When building a deck, preparation...

Arranging natural stone outdoors for a patio or walkway is not an easy job, but it is well worth the effort. The look of natural stone provides a sophisticated look without the extensive...

Building an outdoor deck is a popular home-improvement project. Many homeowners that undertake this job may wonder the best place to start. As with most construction projects, a solid foundation...

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...

There is a wide variety of plants that will do well growing under a lime tree. These are but a few examples. However, they all have features you need to look for, a love of shade, low-growing and...

Deck railing is an integral part of any deck system and provides a first line of defense against fall-related injuries. As such, deck railings are strictly regulated by local building codes...

A simple patio swing can make for a relaxing, enjoyable time outdoors. You can build your own swing with some elementary woodworking skills. Follow these simple steps and you'll be sipping...

Measuring the amount of concrete needed to make a patio involves volumetric calculations that can be done with any basic calculator. Then you have to convert these measurements to a volumetric...

Measuring for your Sunsetter awning can be achieved in a short period of time with a measuring tape. Once you have measured your deck or patio, compare your measurements to see what size Sunsetter...

A deck is a way to enjoy the outdoors. A deck on the outside of your mobile home is sure to become a favorite family spot in good weather. With a few tools, the help of a friend or two, a roof can...

When building outdoor stairs, the simplest way is the best way. This means that you can use two 2 X 10's or 2 X 12's as stringers and then attach the stair tread by means of a metal bracket. This...

Even if you have never done any landscaping before, you can use some basic steps to build an outdoor patio. It is not as hard as you might think but it is a lot of work. Just take your time and...

Patios are a great addition to any yard. They not only add to your landscape but they get a lot of use too. Patio blocks come in many different sizes and shapes, so you can truly make it your own...

A brick patio is easy to build and adds beauty and function to your yard. All of the materials needed to build your patio are easily found at home improvement stores. While building a patio brick...

Concrete patios are not only functional but also can last longer than those made of wood. Concrete patios are made by pouring concrete which can be a challenging project for do-it-yourselfers....

Building a deck isn't as difficult as it may seem. Once you have worked out a few basic measurements and have all the supplies you need, the rest is pretty straight forward. To work out joist and...

The most common type of porch in residential areas is a brick-and-concrete porch. Most homeowners use a simple, circular design constructed out of bricks, with an underlying layer of concrete...

You don't have to necessarily rely on contractors or other "professionals" to build a trusty set of deck steps. By reading/following these rules, you'll find that the steps can be built either...