Decks & Patios

How to Stain a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Staining your deck will keep it looking good - it will restore its natural oils and protect it from ultraviolet rays and water damage. Here are a few steps to help protect your deck from extreme climates and improve its overall appearance... more »

How to Strip a Deck

By Murray Anderson

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Stripping off the weather-beaten surface and applying a new stain can dramatically improve the appearance of your deck... more »

How to Strip Deck Paint

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Give your deck a face-lift that will make a huge visual improvement. Stripping off old finishes like paint or weatherproof sealer will also add years to the deck's life... more »

How to Waterproof a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Love the beautiful color of wood on your deck? Then preserve it by finishing and waterproofing... more »

How to Build a Patio With Pavers

By Anthony S. Policastro

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After I had called a few contractors to build a 15-by-15 foot patio with pavers in my backyard, I decided to do it myself. The estimates ranged from $800 to $3,500 far more than my budget. I had never installed a patio before so I read about how ... more »

How to Build an Outdoor Adobe Oven

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Adobe ovens are simple and inexpensive to build. They can often be made from materials that you can find in your own backyard. They have been used in the American Southwest for thousands of years to bake breads and other foods. Read on to learn ... more »

How to Build an Outdoor Pizza Oven

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Outdoor pizza ovens can add a great feature to your home. You can get them hotter than you would want an indoor oven to get, and the burning wood gives the food a unique taste. Building you own pizza oven will take some time, but it doesn't have ... more »

How to Build Patio Steps

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Building patio steps can be a great looking and functional addition to your house's exterior. Building them yourself can save you a lot of money and you'll be certain that the job is done just the way you want it... more »

How to Build Steps for a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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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 before or after the deck boards are in place... more »

How to Install Joist Hangers for a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Joist hangers, metal fasteners that attach joists to ledger boards, are inexpensive and can save you time when you're building your deck... more »

How to Install Porch Roof Flashing

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Many people who have porches attached to their homes have problems with water leaks at the junction of the porch and the exterior wall of the home. These leaks are almost always caused by improper flashing installation or the absence of roof ... more »

How to Lay Out a Curving Path or Plant Bed Border

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Laying out a curving path so that it looks good with the topography that it passes over can be a challenge. Here's a method of laying out a path so that you can experiment with the shape and create smooth curves... more »

How to Make a Patio Canopy or Awning

By kidscoach

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When you decide to make a patio canopy or awning the first question you are going to ask is do I want it to be a permanent fixture or do I want to be able to take it down and put it up when the sun is hot? To make a portable patio cover or sun ... more »

How to Pick a Built-In Outdoor Oven

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A built-in outdoor oven can be of great convenience to a homeowner, especially one who likes spending time outside, in the backyard or on the deck or patio. The built-in outdoor oven makes complete outdoor cooking feasible and serves as a ... more »

How to Prepare for Building a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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If you have reasonable building skills, you'll probably be able to build a simple deck yourself, with some outside help for specialized areas such as wiring and plumbing. Woodworkers with more experience can build decks with simple level changes ... more »

How to Seal a Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Wooden decks can warp, crack and discolor due to prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture and sunlight. Proper care of decks includes periodic cleaning and sealing, both of which will prolong a deck's life and enhance the wood's ... more »

How to Build a Sculptural Outdoor Fire Pit

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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An outdoor fire pit can be a great addition to your backyard. It will not only provide you with a new way to cook, but will also give you warmth on chilly nights. Read on to learn how to build a sculptural outdoor fire pit... more »

How to Build a Stone Patio

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Although there may be a few different ways to build a brick patio, you may want to choose the best and quickest way if this is your first time building. Brick patios have become increasing popular, especially for summer time use. Whether it's for ... more »

How to Build an Outdoor Slate Barbecue

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Building a slate barbecue in your backyard or on your patio will add a beautiful and entertaining element to your home. You don't have to bring in professionals to get the job done right. It is possible to do it yourself. Read on to learn how to ... more »

How to Clean a Patio

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Patios give protection from the elements no matter what season it may be. If it's chilly, you can light your butane heater and warm your area. In the summer, it'll shade you from the intense heat and sun. No matter the occasion you'll want to ... more »

How to Design a Deck or Patio

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Solid structures give a garden a sense of both practicality and permanence. Whether you choose a deck or a patio depends on your site and your style. A deck is ideal if your yard is sloped or has poor drainage; it provides a solid, level surface ... more »

How to Find Design Ideas for Patios

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Whether you'll design and build it yourself or have it built for you, you'll need some ideas about what kind of patio you want. Here are some tips for finding inspiration... more »

How to Have a Deck Built

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Having a deck built by a professional can save you time, energy and even money in the long run. It may also be necessary if your deck will span several levels, if it will be built over water or unstable areas such as steep slopes or sand, if it ... more »

How to Install a Tile Patio

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A tile patio can add some class to your average backyard patio. Installing a tile patio takes a bit more work and patience than a typical concrete installation. But if you can take your time and have decent weather for a couple days, you'll be ... more »

How to Lay a Brick Patio in Sand

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Many people think that adding a brick patio to their home requires hiring a professional. Luckily you don't need a mason to install your dream patio. All you need are the right tools, a free weekend and some elbow grease. Since the majority of ... more »

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