Landscaping & Outdoor Building

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...

When a contractor talks about building a gunite swimming pool, don't let the terminology throw you off. Gunite refers to the method in which the contractor mixes the concrete compound used to form...

A swing set can turn your backyard into a playground for your kids and their friends. Properly anchoring the legs is important to ensure safety. If not anchored, the legs can lift off the ground...

Making concrete molds for either paving stones or decorative stones to create a walkway for your garden or yard is a simple process that can save you a huge amount of money. Having a walkway can...

If you've seen rhubarb growing in a garden, you've noticed the plant's attractive, large leaves. These same leaves can be picked and put to use as a mold for a garden fountain or birdbath. You can...

Installing an in-ground spa is exactly like installing an in-ground pool, but on a smaller scale. Like an in-ground pool, determine what kind of material you want to use, fiberglass or concrete....

Treated 4- by 4-inch lumber posts are one of the strongest and most cost-effective means of installing fence. But, digging the holes for them is one of the most grueling physical labor tasks known...

The most common form of boat lift is the davit, a small crane that raises and lowers your boat into the water. To keep the davits from pulling themselves out of the ground when you lift your boat,...

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...

Aluminum fences provide the strength and beauty of an iron fence while remaining relatively maintenance free. Because aluminum fences prohibit rust, they are ideal for areas near swimming pools...

Like most homeowners, you probably take a lot of pride in your home, both inside and out. If you frequently park your car or other vehicle in your driveway, chances are you have some unsightly...

Stucco is a cementitious material and is among the most popular siding option for homes today. This is a material that, once dried, is as hard, durable and long lasting as other cement-based...

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...

Concrete is a generally solid material that usually outlasts most other materials used for walkways; however, for a number of reasons ranging from incorrect installation to extreme weather, even...

To building an in-ground concrete pool, you will need to operate earth-moving machinery, set up the pool's frame work and concrete siding, and install mechanical systems. If you are a...

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...

Vinyl fencing is a more expensive alternative to traditional wood fencing, however it requires almost no maintenance and lasts much longer. Installation requires two people and multiple days to...

If you are constantly adding water to your spa, there is a good possibility the shell has a crack. Over time, cracks can occur from temperature changes or even movements in the ground. There is...

Garden edging, regardless of the material, separates garden space from a yard or lawn. Garden edging provides a distinctly noticeable border that protects the garden's contents from lawn mowers...

There are several different kinds of in-ground pools, from concrete and tiled to vinyl-lined. The process for installing an in-ground pool will depend on the look and shape you choose. However,...

Composting is an essential part of the cyclical nature of gardening. Turning your organic remains into a nutrient rich substance for putting back into the earth benefits the plants and helps...

Chain-link fences are a common sight. Made of interlocked metal links and held by fence posts, chain-link fences are used for keeping animals out of farmland, or for keeping them in a certain...

Vinyl fences are durable and maintenance-free fences made from non-toxic, fully recyclable plastic. Unfortunately they're also fairly expensive, and the cost of professional installation only adds...

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....

Aged concrete containers, using a faux method like moss, are part of eye-catching landscapes. Concrete containers also retain moisture, which will help your potted flowers grow. Although moss...

One of the easiest ways to build a fence is to use pre-built fence panels. These panels tend to cost more than buying all the materials separately to make the panels. However, the additional cost...

The traditional method of installing concrete---building a form, pouring the concrete and tending to the curb as it cures---was a process that required long hours of intense labor, according to...

One of the most common methods of decorating a pool deck surface is with paint. A painted pool deck can brighten up your pool area, relieving the look of dull, grey concrete. Painting your pool...

Concrete block walls are made of hollow blocks held together with mortar while poured walls are made of solid slabs of concrete. For this reason, poured walls are generally considered stronger and...

Landscaping your home can add tremendous value for only a few dollars with the proper know-how. Concrete pavers and pathways help to define a yard landscape, give subtle dimension, and keep people...

Although you may think that pouring cement is difficult, it is actually fairly easy. There are only a few simple steps to follow when you are creating the cement as well as pouring it. You just...

In-ground swimming pools can be delightful backyard additions to any home. However, there often comes a time when the pool is no longer used or wanted, or it becomes a hassle to maintain. The...

Adding color to a concrete walkway adds dimension to the normally bland surface. Change the gray tone associated with concrete through the use of dry-shake color hardeners, colored liquid,...

Once poured, most concrete is little more than a dull gray slab. No amount of landscaping or lawn care can hide the boring expanse of featureless stone. Change the look of concrete by staining or...

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....

If you are like many homeowners, you probably feel comfortable performing some basic home maintenance tasks. Finding holes in your concrete driveway however, may cause you to pause on how to go...

Stone is a material that has been and remains to be a very popular choice for paving walkways, as it is a generally cheap material that is readily available and can usually outlast just about any...

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,...

Snowboarding is a popular winter sport. Gliding top speed down a quiet, snow covered hill while the adrenaline courses through your body can be almost spiritual. Unfortunately, as with other tools...

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...

Mailbox gardens have become a popular way to add curb appeal to a home. Use the bare piece of ground at the base of a mailbox for a mix of evergreen flowering perennials like pinks and lavender....

Cement forms or concrete forms are used to mold concrete into various shapes from large septic tanks to small planters you can make at home. Cement is actually one of the ingredients used to...

A heated driveway can greatly benefit a busy homeowner. Heated driveways reduce or eliminate the need to shovel snow and one can even be extended to include a heated walkway, so there's no need to...

Should you want to remove an existing fence or just replace one, you may need to remove posts that were set in concrete. While not a difficult job, this process can be labor intensive.

A metal carport can be a quick and easy solution for getting your car or recreational vehicle out of the weather. You can complete a typical metal carport installation over the weekend if you have...

Swimming pools are the epitome of summer relaxation. School is out, the kids are home and the weather is sunny and hot. Installing a swimming pool can take a lot of time, money and effort, but...

Installing an in-ground pool will add significant value to a home. Previously, it required a contractor to install the in-ground pool and the price could run up to $20,000 or more. Today, an...