Landscaping & Outdoor Building

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...

When building stairs to go up to a patio or deck, many builders will choose to construct them from brick. The durability of brick makes it a popular choice to withstand heavy traffic and exposure...

Many existing homes with mature landscaping have utilized railroad or landscape ties as essential retaining devices for flower beds or other designs. If you are remodeling or have purchased a home...

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...

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...

A simple home improvement job that can bring you years of enjoyment is building a patio fire pit. Imagine sitting around the fire with your friends and family at the end of a summer cookout, or...

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...

Clay tile, properly fired, creates a firm, solid material that makes for a durable outdoor building substance. Specially made clay tiles that are treated to be slip-resistant can be used for...

Flagstone pavers are known for their random sizes and rough, semi-flat surfaces which give them a natural look. While large flagstone pavers can be set in sand or directly on top of tamped soil,...

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...

Tile can be installed in many places inside and outside the home, including a deck, as an alternative to sanding and staining or painting. Installing tile over a deck over decking is similar to...

Cinder-block walls are useful for landscaping a back yard, preventing erosion, building a patio or creating more flat space in your garden. Building a wall out of inexpensive cinder (concrete)...

Building walls using hollow concrete block is an economical means to creating a structure. However, hollow concrete block walls are not structurally very strong and will not resist the flexural...

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...

Constructing a stone wall is a major project that requires extensive consideration and planning before starting. Because you must make sure that your project is both level and free-standing,...

Installing a brick wall on your own can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in costly installation and labor costs. Whether it be to provide privacy from your neighbors or simply add to...

A brick wall can be an attractive addition to your yard or garden. It can be built as part of a patio or for an outdoor gathering space. While the walls can add dimension and style to your outdoor...

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...

If you are looking to build a stone patio, consider flagstone. These stones can be limestone, granite or slate among other types. When it is installed, it is guaranteed that no two patios will...

Steps are an important part of the entry to a house. Although the functionality of the steps is most important, the steps should also withstand the outdoor elements and match the overall decor of...

Garden walls add visual appeal to your landscaping space. They can also be used to build raised flower beds or divide sections of your garden. Since having a professional install a stone brick...

In order to successfully lay a flagstone patio, it will be necessary to mortar the foundation before the job is complete. Mortar is essential in that it serves as an adhesive to the concrete...

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...

Installing a stone wall is a major undertaking and something that should only be done after careful consideration and planning. It is very difficult to do without the help of a stone mason,...

A short garden wall can add visual interest to an otherwise dull yard and divide your outdoor living space. Bricks are a time-honored material for such a project because they look great, last...

Pavers that are used for a walkway or patio can sometimes become damaged, moved out of place or cracked due to stress caused by weather conditions and continuous use. Pavers that have cracks...

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...

So you have decided to build a retaining wall. Follow these easy instructions and you will be on your way to having a beautiful wall to hold your yard.

If you are planning on installing brick fence columns as part of your fence, you should know about the tools, materials and techniques that will make your brick column project a success. The...

For sheer convenience, it's tough to beat a raised bed garden. With their increased exposure to the sun's heat, most garden plants grow faster in a raised bed. Because the soil warms up earlier...

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...

The addition of an outdoor fireplace can feel like having an additional room to your house, especially during the cold winter months. By building an outdoor brick fireplace you can use your patio...

Flagstone patios are a unique, durable and attractive element of home landscaping. Even though these patios are stone, time and weather can take their toll if steps are not followed to preserve...

Since the 1960s, the majority of brick homes have been built using brick veneer rather than the traditional "double-walled" brick construction. A brick veneer wall is constructed over a wood or...

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...

Concrete, like any surface, will wear down over time. Small cracks will form and spread with weight, tension and hot and cold expansion and contraction of the cement itself. When this happens, the...

Paving stones are generally laid without mortar on a carefully tamped and bordered base. As large flat surfaces, it is tempting to lay out other projects on them like mixing cement or mortar. If...

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...

Slate is a sedimentary rock that has been used historically for indoor and outdoor purposes. It has a natural look that adds to the landscape, making it more appealing. Although concrete or...

Exterior brick can be covered using various options to add a new or improved look to your home. Two options you have for covering brick can include painting or installing aluminum or vinyl siding....

Nothing makes a home or office more welcoming than good curb appeal. Broken or stained concrete steps can be unsightly and dangerous and replacing them can be costly and time consuming. Updating...