Special Outdoor Projects

A brick barbecue can be simple to build and is a useful addition to any backyard. It can offer a convenient way to entertain guests with delicious food cooked over an open fire as well as years of...

Building an outdoor fire pit on a patio transforms the place from a sunny, summer oasis into a space that can be utilized on cool evenings and in cooler seasons. To install a fire pit, the patio...

Brick fireplaces add warmth to your outdoor space and often enhance the aesthetics of your décor. The benefit of an outdoor brick fireplace is its capability to prepare food. Gathering around...

An outdoor clay oven is a brick box with an arched top open in the front. The entire box is covered with clay adobe, a straw and cob mortar mixture, or stone and mortar. To use an outdoor clay...

An outdoor clay oven is a brick box with an arched top open in the front. The entire box is covered with clay adobe, a straw and cob mortar mixture, or stone and mortar. To use an outdoor clay...

A backyard barbeque pit is a great way to get smoked flavor into your outdoor cooking. A brick barbeque is the traditional style of barbeque pit, but you can make one out of any heat-resistant...

There is more to building a wood-fired brick oven than choosing between the two basic shapes: the rectangle and the "igloo" round dome. To retain heat and efficiently cook pizza requires the...

Grilling is a favorite summer pastime of many homeowners. Some people grill once a week, others grill only for large parties, and some grill in the middle of the winter because they love the...

A column mail box can add curb appeal to any home or business. It's a project that you can do on your own, but requires some concentration and time, according to Pyzique Wall Systems. A column...

You can build your own column mail box, but the task can be challenging. According to Pyzique Wall Systems, Inc., a column mail box is sturdier than any other type of mailbox because it's made...

Using fire was the first way that our ancestors began to cook food, and even today barbecue is a very popular style of cooking. Building an outdoor barbecue can add a whole new dimension to your...

Landscaping projects that include dry creek beds have become popular for many reasons. For some, controlling water drainage in the yard is a necessity. For others, a dry creek bed is simply a...

Leaky brick steps are basically brick steps that have an opening -- crack or void -- that allows water to enter the steps. Long-term leaks can cause a myriad of problems for your step -- pooled...

For about $250 of materials and three days work, you can create a simple but elegant brick backyard barbeque grill that will be a permanent fixture for your home. You don't need a ton of masonry...

If you live in a town that provides mail service right to your door, you may wish to mount a mailbox to the exterior of your home. If your home has brick front siding, do not be deterred. With the...

Cord wood construction consists of post and beam framing and mortared cord wood. The frame provides the strength of the building, while the cord wood provides the wall filling. If you are planning...

There are several types of brick available to purchase at any home improvement store or brickyard. But how do you know which brick would be ideal for building outdoor features like fireplaces or...

Sitting around a fire pit with your family members or guests can be the perfect end to any get-together. You can enjoy the peace and warmth of a safe outdoor fire if you follow these simple steps...

Slate is a building material made from natural stone. It is known for its rich gray coloring, though buyers will also find slate in shades of tan, green or deep blue. In addition to its attractive...

Brick mailboxes improve your home's curb appeal and are strong, sturdy, secure and weatherproof. You can hire a professional to build one for you, but you don't have to be a skilled bricklayer to...

Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular during the past few years. At the center of the kitchen is usually a barbecue or outdoor oven of some sort. Though there are a variety of outdoor...

Outdoor fireplaces can be grand or grotesque. However, that applies only to the outer surface. The workhorse of the fireplace is the firebox, and it is elegantly simple. As the single most...

Planning is an important part of constructing a brick mailbox, and like any other do-it-yourself project, you have some decisions to make before you can begin. Things such as location of your...

A brick mailbox can add beauty to your landscaping and longevity to your means of receiving mail. If you are considering building your own brick mailbox, it is important to learn about the tools,...

Building a stone bench on your property can add beauty, comfort and lasting value to your outdoor space. Because of the weight of the stones and the time required to cut and mortar them, this is a...

Exterior brick, also called "facing" or "veneer" is a layer of thin bricks or flat, simulated bricks used as decor on homes or buildings. This material gives the appearance of mortared brick...

There is nothing more relaxing on a cool autumn night than sitting around a fire and eating s'mores. You don't have to go camping to build a fire. With a brick fire pit, you can instantly...

Flagstone is a traditional material that has been used for outdoor fireplaces for hundreds of years. Add an outdoor fireplace to your yard for ambiance and warmth on cool evenings. Installing an...

Enjoy cool fall nights at home in your backyard by the warmth of a fire made in your own backyard fire pit. A few simple items and a bit of elbow grease will have you roasting marshmallows and...

Making a built-in grill using bricks is a great way to have a permanent outdoor grill for all your backyard activities. They do not rust and are easy to clean if you build one with removable...

Do you ever wish you could have a backyard landscaped concrete pool? One that doesn’t have that store bought stuff, and looks hand made? The author built the pool described in this article long...

Barbequing is a very popular way of cooking, but in order to get your home set up to grill it can cost a lot of money. One way to avoid those costs is to make your own barbeque grill. Homemade...

Slate is a shale type sedimentary rock that is often made of clay and volcanic ash. This rock splits easily into sheets which is why it has been historically used for roofing and outdoor...

One of the easiest ways to build your own garden pond is to use a flexible liner to hold the water, accessories, fish and vegetation. With a little planning, some elbow grease and a touch of...

Concrete block provides a safe, sturdy and economical way for building construction. When building a storage building, one should consider concrete block as an alternative to wood construction. To...

Cultured Stone Veneer by Owens Corning is the original such product on the market. The inventors recognized a need for a light-weight stone veneer that could be applied to interior and exterior...

A Brick Barbecue can be a wonderful addition to your home. If you enjoy spending time with family and friends outdoors and cooking up those delicious summertime barbecued meals, then a brick...

If you've admired picture-perfect yards with cute little fire pits, but have been afraid to make your own because it looks too complicated, you are in luck. A backyard brick fire pit is quick and...

Brick columns add architectural interest to any area where they are present. These structures can be built of varying heights and used to accent deck or porch railings, as columns on porches or as...

Using Thin Set to put together concrete garden spheres requires mixing water with the mortar until it has a buttery consistency. Learn how to put together concrete garden spheres in this free...

Make a rustic outdoor water fountain for your garden with medium to large-sized stones from your property or river rock you can find at your local landscape supplier. Rustic design incorporates...

Nothing tastes quite as good as homemade food prepared on a sizzling barbeque. The tastiest dishes are slow cooked for tenderness, moistness and flavor. One way to enjoy delicious barbeques in...

There's nothing more relaxing on a beautiful summer evening than sitting outside, warming away the chill in front of your own backyard fireplace. Brings some marshmallows and toast a few or pop...

Building a backyard brick wood fired oven isn't difficult. It requires basic masonry skills and time, but the resulting oven will produce food that is simply not possible to cook in a domestic oven.

Create a beautiful and whimsical wish fountain for your yard or garden with these easy step-by-step instructions. This simple craft project will add interest and serenity to your landscape with a...

Making a grill for your backyard sounds like a major home improvement project, but you can create a grill quite easily in less than 24 hours in most cases. Whether you want a big grill for hosting...

There are several ways to build a water fountain for your lawn or garden, from a simple flower pot fountain to a permanent structure like a pond or a mosaic tiled fountain. Building a pond with a...

Ceramic tile can give your outside entryway or patio a rich, luxurious look. There are many varieties, colors and patterns of ceramic tile, including some made specifically for outdoors. You can...

An outdoor custom stone grill can be a very nice touch to any yard or property. Although it can be a great place to cook, it can also be used for ambiance or as a regular fire pit. Stone grills...

Few things taste better than food you have grilled or barbecued yourself. A backyard barbecue, unlike many grills, is enclosed on all four sides and has an area under which you can build a fire...