Landscaping & Outdoor Building

A pool can be a wonderful luxury during the hot summer months. And keeping your pool as clean as possible can be an easy task, especially when you're armed with the knowledge to run your filter...

In many rural areas, people own homes, camps, and various getaways that are far removed from town and city traffic. Some of these properties are so far off the beaten path that the local...

When deciding on what kind of pool to install in the backyard, choose wisely. If cared for properly, a pool can last 50 years. Many homeowners choose a pool made of either fiberglass or vinyl lining.

Many consumers choose vinyl or PVC fencing over wood fencing because it is durable and easy to care for. It's made of polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated as PVC. The terms vinyl and PVC are...

Wooden fencing traditionally has been chosen for its aesthetic appeal, compared with the use of metal fencing for commercial properties. But metal fencing has become a popular choice for...

While you may think of a garden as filled with only flowers, incorporating shrubs to the mix adds structure and interest to a space. Planting shrubs can provide additional benefits such as privacy...

Fill dirt contains little or no nutritional value, so it is not good soil to grow plants in. What clean fill dirt is good for is landscaping, building up yards and leveling areas of land. Fill...

A pool in the backyard can work for many reasons. It makes for great scenery, a place of relaxation, and can supply great exercise as well. Choosing the right heater for the pool is essential. Two...

Fiberglass pools are not for everybody, and if you are considering a new pool, take the positives and negatives into account first. While fiberglass pools used to be simple and boring, they are a...

Decks and concrete patios can add outdoor living space to a home. To make sure this living space is utilized, it is important to consider how the space will be used and whether a deck or patio...

Building your own tennis court is one way to ensure that you never again have to wait around for a court to free up, or join an expensive club and pay fees for court time. If you are an avid...

Stepping stones placed in a yard or garden offer a pathway from one point to another without the danger of people stomping on your favorite flower or matting down or wearing thin a certain area of...

Although good landscaping is important for homeowners, it can mean the difference between success and failure when it comes to your business. A beautifully landscaped business will encourage...

For years, most pool owners relied on chlorine as their form of sanitizing their pool. In recent years, information concerning the drawbacks and dangers of frequent exposure to chlorine has...

Wall cladding, or siding, is a building material used to cover the exterior walls of a home or business. It is available in a wide variety of materials that are chosen based on their appearance...

A swimming pool can be a major investment of both money and time, so take certain factors into consideration before you build. Decide what kind of pool meets your needs and your budget, what...

There seems to be much debate over whether you should install a vinyl or wood fence around your yard. The question is a reasonable one as wood is less expensive to build and install. But the...

Maintaining your pool is a huge task and one that should not be taken lightly. The reward is that you will have a nice cool place to splash down in those steamy summer months. Learning proper...

In those summer months when you will do just about anything to stay cool, owning a pool can seem like the best investment you ever made. On the other hand, you might feel like you are spending...

Once you have an attractive pond or water garden set up in your backyard, you want to keep it looking crystal clear and healthy. Pond filter maintenance is essential for keeping water parameters...

Although electric chain saws require much less maintenance then gasoline-powered chain saws, it's still important to keep up with their routine maintenance. Overall safety and saw performance can...

The tulip tree is also called a poplar tree. It is one of the most attractive eastern hardwood trees. It is also one of the tallest. A tulip tree grows fast, and it can grow for up to 300 years in...

Birdbaths require regular maintenance to keep the water fresh and clean for your feathered visitors. Birds will not readily bathe and drink from murky birdbath water, so it is important to clean...

Maintaining your garden fence can be a challenge because of the constant watering and dirt, especially if the fence is made of wood. But there are a few tips you can take to make the fence last...

Whether you are spending a hot summer afternoon lounging around your pool or just diving in for a quick dip, nothing beats having your own inground pool. However, your pool can quickly turn to a...

A lake is a system of organic matter that exists in water. Maintaining a lake calls for an approach different than that needed to maintain, for example, an automobile or a home. Maintaining a lake...

Garden ponds are lovely additions to any yard and can become the focal point in an outdoor setting. However, to keep them looking beautiful all year round, they must be maintained seasonally.

This is an article designed to put the first time lawnmower owner at ease learning basic maintenance skills for small engines and mower decks. There are a few tools needed for basic maintenance...

A hot tub is a great place for relaxation, entertaining and healing. There are many kinds of hot tubs available, so choosing the right one can take some time and research. Here are a few things to...

Maintenance of a fiberglass pool is similar to the maintenance for all pools: Keep the chemistry in balance, the surface and bottom clean and the water filtered. There are, however, a few...

A wood deck should be cleaned each year and re-stained about every three years. Re-staining requires pressure cleaning, sanding and reapplying the stain and sealer. A semitransparent stain is the...

Pools are a great source for relaxation in the summer. However, pools require frequent maintenance to make them safe and enjoyable. Maintenance is needed throughout the season to keep water clean...

Whether you have an above-ground or in-ground pool, you can do the maintenance yourself if you are willing to stick to a schedule. Keeping the pool clean and sparkling can be a challenge, but with...

Making a landscaping plan involves developing an overall vision for your property. Included in this plan is your home as the focal point with gardens that frame and complement the house. Creating...

People purchase and install Timbertech in order to have a maintenance-free deck or fence. Timbertech is a composite of wood and resins, and is advertised as "Less work. More life." Some people...

Many residential pools are equipped with a sand filtration system. These systems are simple in design and, when properly maintained, are efficient and reliable. Maintenance on these systems is...

Almost everybody has one, but we seldom give much thought to our flagpoles until something goes wrong. If you've run into flagpole problems, you're not alone. There are a list of common...

The soothing warmth of a hot tub will relax your body and your mind after a stressful day. For people who are physically active, hot tubs are a good way to loosen muscles.

Stone is one of the many options you have for walls in your yard and garden. With so many choices of shapes and sizes, there's a stone wall to fit anyone's wall needs. Stone is a wonderful wall...

Use algaecide in your swimming pool every two weeks. Learn how to schedule maintenance treatments for your pool during the summer season in this pool care video from our swimming pool expert.

Your swimming pool dealer can help you plan your maintenance schedule. Watch an overview of pool chemicals and equipment for the summer season in this pool care video from our swimming pool expert.

Check with swimming pool store expert to find out what equipment you need. Learn where to find pool supplies and replacement filter parts in this swimming pool care video from our swimming pool...

Test your swimming pool water to find out how to treat it. Learn how to clear up your pool water for the summer season in this pool care video from our swimming pool expert.

The basics on how to create a great looking landscape

Everyone wants a beautiful garden with minimum work. Unfortunately, gardens are created with living, growing things in a changeable climate which means there is no such thing as a no-maintenance...

Chlorine is used in swimming pools to kill bacteria, prevent algae growth and maintain a level pH that is safe for swimmers. Chlorine tablets dissolve slowly into the water and provide and easy...

Indoor swimming pools can be a great addition to a home. Although they can be expensive, an indoor swimming pool can provide many benefits. With the right contractor, materials and space...

Choosing a tree for your landscape requires much more thought than the labor of planting it. Think about how the tree will fit into your landscape design when it is mature. Do you want a large...

Swimming pools require daily and weekly maintenance routines. Keeping the water properly balanced will ensure a safe swimming environment free of harmful bacteria and unsightly algae growth. The...

Whether your home is surrounded by an elegant garden or you're looking to fill a small spot on the side of your house, a great selection of shade loving shrubs is ideal to spruce up the dark areas...