Landscaping & Outdoor Building

Building a box style pergola will create a beautiful addition to the backyard or garden. A box style pergola partially encloses three sides of the pergola while leaving one side open. This creates...

Sprinkler systems make lawn watering efficient and promote healthy grass and plants. Planning the sprinkler system on paper prior to installing creates an easy-to-follow blueprint and allows the...

Properly roped, an extension ladder makes a homeowner's work a little easier; you can reach gutters that are beyond the reach of a simple stepladder and even reach your roof. Extension ladders...

Outdoor wood furnaces come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of features. Chimney length, size of door, insulation type and heating capacity vary between models. You may run into a problem...

Stone walls are a sturdy but beautiful landscaping option property owners use to for a variety of purposes, including marking property boundaries and enclosing flowerbeds. They can last for...

Deck paint can transform an ordinary wood deck into an eye-popping structure that accentuates a home's beauty. However, there's more to painting a deck than simple beautification. Unless the...

Laying a concrete driveway over an existing gravel one is possible, but it is not generally recommended. The kind of gravel that is intended to go under cement is typically a smaller grade than...

Maintaining a swimming pool includes maintaining the sand filter if you are going to keep the pool water clean. The sand filters the water taken from the pool. Before the water returns to the...

Vermiculite is a mineral often mixed with concrete and used in the construction of pool bases and other building projects requiring a solid floor. It can also be used to soundproof rooms as well...

Over time, cement driveways incur problems such as cracking, buckling, chipping and sagging. Some of these problems can be fixed with a simple resurfacing, but others require a complete driveway...

Installing sidewalk pavers can appear to be a daunting project, but it is not overly complicated if you follow a few specific steps. Completing the project yourself can be done in a couple days...

Accessorize your garage with a wall-mounted pergola. Pergolas add a focal point to the driveway and home for a striking addition to the space. Over the pergola, grow perennial creeping vines like...

The germinator greenhouse kit, made by various manufacturers including Burpee, is a tray divided into eight or 15 sections with a dehydrated soil disk placed in each section. Also inside the tray...

Curing improves the strength and durability of concrete and is easily accomplished. The main ingredient in curing concrete is time.

Adding an awning to your deck or awnings over your windows can give you shade as well as enhance the look of your home. With today's wide selection of motorized awnings, it's easier than ever to...

"What'd you get for Christmas, Charlie Brown?" "I got a rock," he says, dejectedly. Though it may not get much respect from some animated characters, rock is actually quite a versatile material...

A concrete deck provides a solid and stable support foundation for a paver patio. Concrete slabs will help ensure your patio lasts for a long time. Installing pavers yourself is time-consuming but...

Building a small paver patio is a challenging but potentially rewarding project that can be completed in a weekend with hard work. To build a low cost patio, choose the dry installation method,...

Gazebos are structures that can provide some protection from the elements. Typically, gazebos can be made out of wood or steel, with tops made of different materials such as canvas. Canvas is a...

The Black and Decker Alligator is an efficient lopper that can cut small branches and shrubs with ease. The chain is the key component in the cutting process. If the chain isn't functioning...

The perennial problem that plagues anyone with a water feature is how to keep their pond water clear and clean. Water plants help tremendously when it comes to keeping the water clean and healthy....

All trees, both deciduous (hardwood) and coniferous (softwood) can be harmed by fungi and molds. Many common tree diseases are caused by microscopic pathogens called fungi. Since they are unable...

Curtain walls are walls on which no significant weight is placed. These walls are made out of thinner, more aesthetic materials and are "hung" from buildings rather than providing support from the...

The amount of time you run a swimming pool pump each day affects your pool's cleanliness and the pump's overall efficiency. You have a few options when figuring out how long to run the pump: You...

Having a pool is a great addition to any home. Keeping your pool clean is not only a good way to protect your investment, but is neccessary to have a pool safe to swim in. Cleaning your pool...

Sand casting concrete is an easy way to create outdoor ovens, fountains, planters or other projects. When casting concrete from sand molds, work on a dry, temperate day: rain or humidity will slow...

The process of wiring a pump to an irrigation system is a confusing process. It requires a certain amount of concentration and in many cases has to be done by a certified professional. Many...

Installing a chain link fence is a difficult process. Of all the steps involved in installing a chain link fence, cutting the chain link fence to length is one of the easiest. You can cut the...

Pea gravel is a popular material for gardens and lawns. People use this gravel, made up of small, rounded stones, to build pathways, mulch flower gardens and put a decorative surface on concrete....

Building an arbor is a great first carpentry project and one that will build your confidence for future projects. An arbor is usually made of wooden posts, beams, framework and sometimes topped...

A home water well is used to bring fresh drinking water into your home. Wells are installed to service homes that do not have town or city water from a reservoir or water source, or for homes that...

So, you say you want to build your own polycarbonate greenhouse? You've read the reviews and it's inspired you to take a leap of faith.

Maintaining a vinyl pool requires cleaning the pool and keeping the chemicals balanced. Keeping the pH level within the 7.2 and 7.8 range will prevent skin and eye irritation as well as stained...

The repair of frost upheaved landscaping generally requires removal and resetting of edging or other landscape elements. It is best to do this after a full thaw of the ground. Check for the depth...

In addition to a being great place to grill a meal, a stone fire pit adds a focal point and can define a cozy area in your outdoor space. Select an area of your yard for a stone fire pit that does...

Imitation cobblestone pavers are a great substitute for regular pavers because they look like the real thing but are easier to work with. Imitation cobblestone pavers are a lightweight, attractive...

Weeds mar an otherwise well-kept, beautiful lawn. Dandelions, ivy, morning glory, nutsedge, ragweed and crabgrass can be controlled by chemical and organic weed killers as well as by cultural methods.