Landscaping & Outdoor Building

Leveling the ground beneath an inflatable pool is important to the safety and life of your pool. A pool that is not level may collapse if it is overfilled due to rain, if there is a lot of...

Cobblestones are an attractive way to dress up several different features, from driveways to patios and walkways. This material has been used for thousands of years in civilizations all over the...

There's nothing like taking a dip in a crystal-clear pool, especially on a hot day. Choosing the right pool filter can make the difference between a clear pool and a one that looks more like a...

Pool steps are made from a light plastic material. Unless they are anchored down, they will float towards the surface. Many of the newer stairs have a place to hold sand inside the bottom step,...

Brick patios, garden walkways and brick garden "rugs" can offer classic traditional elegance or country charm to rural gardens and urban landscapes. Brick paving is cost efficient and durable and...

If you love the natural and old-world charm of stone and brick, you can lay a corner of lawn or garden with pavers to create a stone patio. Creating a corner area with stone pavers can give you a...

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...

Stone and flagstone patio pavers are common across America and around the world. The stones can come in a variety of colors, patterns and types; flagstone, although purchased in one color and...

There's nothing that compares to the wood-fired flavor of hearth-baked breads, but that unique taste is nearly impossible for the home cook to recreate without an outdoor bread oven. Luckily,...

Sand can be a nuisance when it gets into a pool. It can cause the pool filter to get clogged faster. It also can feel uncomfortable on the bottom of your feet when you are in the pool. Sand...

A patio is an outdoor space that is not enclosed or covered. However, you can choose to install a patio cover or a patio enclosure after you've installed the initial patio, both of which can...

Thinking of ways to revitalize your front yard landscape or your backyard garden on a budget? Installing a beautiful stepping-stone pathway is an easy, economical way to bring both whimsy and...

There are many reasons to move sand and gravel underwater, whether you mine it or other minerals in a quarry, you prospect for gold or you are trying to reform a river bank or the beach of a lake...

Backyard fire pits are a popular way to spend a relaxing evening at home. They can be store-bought or they can be recycled from common materials around the house--even the metal tub from a washing...

If you want to add a patio or walkway to your outdoor space, consider using landscaping pavers. You can use landscaping pavers to fill an area of any size or shape. With such a wide variety of...

Stepping stone walkways are an easy, economical and decorative addition to your front or back yard. They do not require concrete or construction and can be implemented in only a few hours. Follow...

The filter in your home swimming pool does not need to be changed often. A pool filter is a self-cleaning mechanism, and regular rinsing or backwashing should be all that is required to keep it...

Wood decks are sometimes simple to construct yourself but you are left with the staining portion. Staining may seem like an easy task, but you need to consider the proper steps so you complete the...

An outdoor clay oven is the ideal place to make wood-fired pizza or to roast meat. Outdoor ovens are capable of reaching much higher temperatures than standard ovens, and this high heat creates...

Creating a pea gravel patio is a relatively easy way to make an outdoor space without having to build a wood structure or pour concrete. Pea gravel can be purchased relatively cheaply. Depending...

Rock paths make for attractive walkways. They also drain water well after storms and provide good traction. Like most projects, however, both the quality of the path and its longevity are...

Brick patios are attractive, functional and durable. They make great spaces for outdoor entertaining or relaxing. But even a brick patio requires regular steps to help preserve and protect it....

Proper backwashing of your pools sand filter is one way to keep it filtering properly, and to ensure it does not build up dangerous amounts of pressure. Sand filters use sand to filter your pools...

A wood-burning outdoor oven is easy and affordable to make. You can design your own dome, choose the size, and even add design to it. One way to build a wood-burning outdoor oven uses red bricks,...

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...

Brick patios can be an attractive addition to your home's landscaping and provide excellent spaces for outdoor living and entertaining. Properly built, they'll last for years. One of the essential...

You don't have to be a professional contractor to incorporate an enclosed patio into your home's decor, but you should possess some basic knowledge of construction and landscaping techniques. An...

There are many ways to build a patio and even many options once you decide to go with a paver patio. Pavers---meaning, wide, flat bricks---can be mortared in place like a brick floor, but that's a...

You can build a simple brick flowerbed border. You can also enhance the simple design by the shape of the border itself, the bricks you use or the way you lay the bricks. The basic steps will be...

Unilock pavers come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and styles. Interlocking paving stones have the strength of concrete but also have the flexibility to absorb loads and conform to the...

Indulge yourself with outdoor luxury you thought was reserved for movie stars. Now anyone can enjoy a fabulously beautiful outdoor tile patio. Create it yourself and without all the fuss of...

Lining a driveway with brick pavers is a simple but effective way to dress up what might otherwise be a bland stretch of concrete or asphalt. With the wide variety of brick pavers available, you...

A field stone patio adds a rustic touch to an outdoor living space, especially if natural stone that hasn't been cut is used. Field stone that is shaped into rectangles and squares adds an...

A stone and sand patio can dramatically change the look of your lawn, creating a beautiful space for meals, relaxation or play. Choose natural flagstones for a rustic look or opt for bricks or...

When sand from the pool filter begins to appear on the bottom of your swimming pool, you will need to do some maintenance on the filter. With a sand pool filter, the solution is simple: The...

A sand base is an appropriate foundation for several popular patio surfaces, including brick and concrete pavers and flagstone. In a typical application, you bed the patio materials into the sand...

Landscape bricks are a useful, versatile and durable material for outdoor building and landscaping. They are often used effectively as a material for constructing borders around flower beds,...

Assuming that pool equipment is properly matched, sand filters should operate under normal maintenance for three to five years without needing major service. However, problems can arise that are...

Landscaping your yard is an effective method for increasing the value of your home. Homemade stepping stones are an affordable way to create meandering walkways and make your yard look more...

The dry stream bed, the path of sand, pebbles and stones left after the water in a stream dries up, is both visually and architecturally interesting and useful in landscape design. Situating the...

Concrete pavers are one of the latest creations in masonry materials. Pavers look like bricks, stones or tiles, but are made from pressure-formed concrete. They come in a number of shapes, sizes,...

Unilock pavers require very little maintenance if they are installed properly. Unilock paving stones, manufactured since 1972, are made to be two times stronger than normal poured concrete. About...

Brick patios add an elegance to almost any landscape. Whether paired with a wooden deck or simply adorned by shrubbery, a brick patio offers aesthetic value and durability. A common landscape...

Patios can offer an exterior getaway for any home, and concrete pavers afford an almost limitless combination of decorative possibilities, making them one of the most commonly used patio flooring...

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...

A brick pathway can add charm and elegance to almost any yard or landscaping plan. A brick-in-mortar path should be installed by a professional or other trained brick mason. A brick-in-sand path...

When planning your backyard pool you have to make sure you think everything through, because once the pool is built it will be there for as long as you are. Not only will you have to decide the...

A backyard swimming pool will probably be one of the largest investments most families will ever make, second only to the home itself. And with a financial outlay that large, careful consideration...

Using old bricks for patios and walkways is similar to laying new brick pavers. Reusing old bricks is a good way to recycle materials and save money. You can obtain old bricks from a neighbor or a...

Citrus trees grow in containers or in the ground in temperate climates. For the citrus trees to grow, they need well-drained sandy soil. A proper PH level is important to maintain a healthy tree....