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Upgrade any yard with eHow’s tips on landscaping and outdoor building projects. Learn how to install a deck, put in a pool, paint a fence or even pave a walkway. Got a green thumb? Get tips on planting trees, shrubs and flower beds. Deck repair on your weekend docket? Find advice on pressure washing, replacing damaged boards and staining a deck. If you’d rather leave your project to a pro, eHow has tips on choosing a landscape architect, too.
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Painting your wooden patio is similar to painting a deck. The preparation is the the most important step in the process and if not done well, the paint will not last. There are many different...
The most common way to surface a pool is by using paint. There are a variety of colors, and it is a cost-effective way to surface or coat a pool. There are three different types of paint that are...
Cedar makes a top choice for deck railings and other exterior applications due to its natural resistance to bugs and water. This resistance comes from the presence of tannins in the wood. These...
A home with great curb appeal will have a higher value than one without. Some buyers will drive by an ugly house without even looking past the front door. Follow these steps to get more potential...
Aluminum awnings are a durable way to help reduce sun penetration into your house through windows and reduce inside temperatures. Over time, however, aluminum awnings can fade or scratch as the...
Fences provide privacy from nosy neighbors, protection for playing children and barriers for pets to run around in, but not run away from. Wooden fences can also add beauty to your home by...
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...
Rubber mulch is a popular alternative to organic mulches, particularly for use on playgrounds. The elasticity and permanence of rubber makes it safer and more durable than gravel or wood chip...
Painting your deck will provide a new look for your outdoor retreat. Paint also protects the wood of your deck from moisture so that it will last longer and you will be safer while using the deck....
Having a wooden deck is a luxury that most homeowners can enjoy for many years. Staining or painting your deck can add value to your home, as well as add longevity to the surface wood of the deck....
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...
Over time, a chain-link fence will rust and wear, eventually becoming an eyesore in your yard. Replacing the fence could be expensive and strenuous--but also unnecessary. A few simple updates,...
If you cut your own firewood then marking the piece lengths on the log is just one of the nuisance jobs required. You can pay twenty five bucks or more for a marker that holds a can of spray paint...
The best way to paint an ornamental fence is to use materials you are comfortable with and will provide long lasting beauty for the lifetime of the fence with minimal maintenance. The way you...
Building a fence is a complicated procedure that begins with accurately calculating the materials needed. Nails, cross boards, concrete and posts are only some of the materials required to build a...
If you hate looking at a dead, brown yard during the winter months, or if you have a beautiful lawn with one dead patch ruining your view, consider painting the grass green to restore color to...
Glow-in-the-dark rocks are a sound alternative to traditional electrical lighting systems and they can be used to light driveways, sidewalks and gardens. The rocks charge for free, with the UV...
A homeowner can become disheartened to look outside one morning and see that pristine white vinyl fence covered with graffiti. That act of vandalism costs individuals and cities thousands of...
Using a spray system to paint is one of the best ways to give a project a professionally finished look. From small crafts to cars and trucks, painting at home will save money and give you more...
A storage shed is a useful place for storage, but if the color does not match your home or the shed has become an eyesore due to dirt and grime or peeling paint, it's time to paint the shed.
Since wooden decks are constantly exposed to the elements, they may need to be resurfaced every few years. Some homeowners hire a professional for the job, but if you are reasonably crafty, there...
Knowing how to remove paint from cement allows you to make changes to existing structures. Once the paint is off, you have the option of leaving the cement bare or treating it with a new color....
Repainting the interior of a swimming pool yourself can save you money when done correctly. But you should consider several things before making a final decision whether to do it yourself or hire...
Painting your deck is an attractive alternative to staining it; the range of colors available for painting is certainly greater, and a painted deck can have the effect of drawing your interior...
You added chlorine. The pH is perfect. You skim and vacuum daily. But the pride of your backyard, the pool, just seems to be dull and lifeless. It is time to paint your pool. Years of harsh...
The benefits of rain barrels for conserving water are becoming well known. However, many homeowners dread the thought of a large plastic barrel sitting in the yard, visible to every passerby. If...
Wood posts on your fence and deck will gray and fade, then rot and crack. Prevent this from occurring by properly treating and maintaining your wood structures. Stain or paint your wood posts with...
Pool edging is the lip or coping that surrounds the shape of the pool. Pool edging can vary in profile but generally follows the outline of the pool shape. The end result is an edge detail that...
For avid gardeners, gardens are special places. Not only do they grow beautiful living things, their surroundings nurture the soul. In fact, many gardeners try to make their gardens a sanctuary in...
Wooden swing sets are exposed to rain and other inclement weather as well as the sun which can cause UV damage over time. Any wood structure left outdoors needs to be properly stained to protect...
Painting a decorative cement stepping stone is a fun, creative way to add beauty to your backyard garden or to enjoy a family craft. Stepping stones can be used as a walkway to your front door, as...
Painting your concrete patio can literally change the entire look and feel of your outdoor area. Painting the patio adds a layer of protection to the concrete, specifically preventing moisture...
The great virtue of a concrete patio is that it is easy to build. Its great drawback is that it is gray, featureless and plain. However, you can easily fix that with a coat of paint. Even the...
Prepping cement to paint requires that you clean the cement of all contaminants and repair any holes or cracks. A special primer made especially for cement is applied before the cement paint and...
Cement is just one component that is used to make concrete and mortar. It is used to make buildings, driveways, garage floors, sidewalks and more. The effort needed to remove dried paint from...
In order to improve the aesthetic appeal and increase the longevity of your aluminum fence, you will have to apply a coat of paint occasionally. Without a fresh coat of paint to seal the aluminum,...
You can significantly improve the appearance of an older above ground pool by repainting the support walls. But you can inject additional style to your yard by color-coordinating the pool to match...
Concrete pavers are a practical and attractive building material for patios, porches and walkways. Typically, you can purchase these pavers in concrete gray or stained red tones; however, using...
Acrylic concrete stains are made to decorate smooth concrete surfaces. They are especially designed to soak into the permeable concrete and act as a dye that leaves a slightly transparent coloring...
Concrete lawn ornaments can bring beauty and character to your garden or front yard. These ornaments are often purchased unpainted which allows you to decorate them to suit your own personal color...
Painting the wood deck on an outdoor pool is a task that requires precautions be taken so as not to damaged the wood or the pool. If the right steps are taken and the right tools used, this can be...
Picket fences evoke the American dream of owning a traditional-style home. These fences are usually painted white, and homeowners often decorate them by planting luscious gardens close to the...
Bed-liner paints are great for other things beside truck-bed liners. The bed-liner paints create a nonslip and textured surface for garage floors, boat docks, boats and wood decks. For wood decks,...
Any family with young children knows how much kids love plastic outdoor playhouses. Unfortunately, many of these playhouses come in bright or unattractive colors. Perhaps the playhouse is the...
A mailbox sees all sorts of weather throughout the year, from rain to sleet to snow, and everything in between. It all takes its toll on the metal used to hold up the mailbox, usually in the form...
If you're looking to attract birds to your yard, hanging a bird feeder is a great way to do just that. However, a bird feeder doesn't have to be just about attracting birds. It can also give you a...
Fun patio decorations and furniture can reveal a theme or recreate a favorite location. Use the decorated patio for a private escape or a shared outdoor space. Patio themes can be developed by...
Bring a deck suffering from serious weathering back to life with the application of fresh stain. Home-improvement centers and paint outlets offer color choices for outdoor staining projects. Allow...
Rain barrels are a "green" way to utilize to the fullest advantage that which nature gives you. A device that allows users to collect the rain from their gutters and re-use, a rain barrel is not...
Birds in your backyard can make for hours of watching enjoyment. No matter how many bird accessories your backyard has, you could always use another birdhouse. It helps enhance your landscaping...