home sectionhome section
Your balcony is a great location for plants, but not an endless amount of plants. Find out how many plants you should be putting on a balcony with help from an experienced nursing professional in this free video clip.
Patio strawberries need to be watered in a very particular way to make sure they grow up as healthy as possible. Water patio strawberries with help from the founder of Gardenerd.com in this free video clip.
The patio is the absolute last place that you're going to want to deal with a bug infestation. Learn how to make bugs go away on the patio with help from an expert on green pest control in this free video clip.
Safely remodel your outdoor patio area by building proper temporary supports for the patio cover. The patio cover functions as a roof -- and if it's not supported, it will be in danger of sinking, sagging and even falling apart. An unsupported patio cover is unsafe and dangerous, especially for people and pets that might be resting underneath it. Temporary supports keep your patio cover safe and well supported, allowing you to work on your DIY project without fear.
When you build a porch, the structure should slope away from the house. This stops water from pooling at the point where the porch meets the house and prevents water damage. Controlling the slope of a porch is relatively straightforward when pouring a concrete porch. By pouring the concrete into a sloping wooden frame, you will ensure that the concrete is sloping appropriately.
A porch railing dresses up an old or dated porch, but also acts as a safety feature. This small railing is the only thing that keeps you, your guests and your children from falling over the side of an exposed porch. Most home improvement stores sell prefabricated railings and supports, but these only come in standard designs. If you want a custom look for your porch, you must build your own railings. Estimating the size of your porch tells you the number of railings needed.
A common form of patio cover is the pergola. The pergola does not protect from rain, but will allow light to filter to the patio area. Pergolas provide some shade as well as architectural beauty. This type of patio cover is especially attractive in gardens and well-landscaped backyards, where vine plants may be trained to grow around the pergola.
Balconies provide a place to entertain guests or relax after a hard day's work. But if the balcony is not covered, you leave yourself susceptible to harmful UV rays and rain. Manufactured balcony covers -- sometimes called awnings -- can be overpriced. Instead, create your own balcony cover using inexpensive items available at home-improvement centers and craft stores.
Patio framing prevents the tiles or paving slabs used to form the top of the patio from slipping and moving out of place over time. The frame forms a barrier between the patio and the ground surrounding it and as such it provides a service that is necessary but often overlooked. Whether your patio is new or has been in place for years, you may frame a covered patio inside of a day and rest assured that it will remain in good condition for years to come.
Adding a porch to the side of your house expands the area where you and your family can relax or entertain guests. The process of adding a side porch involves laying a gravel and concrete porch base to provide a sturdy footing for your porch, then building a roof over the area. A well-built porch will last for many years, keeping you shaded and dry in even the worst weather.
As your needs change or your family grows, you may need to adjust the size of your porch or deck. The extension that you add to a current outdoor structure should be at the same level or have steps leading down to a lower level. Creating an extension to a porch or deck is similar to creating and installing a new structure. Before you begin your project, check with you city planning office to see if you need a building permit. Then contact your utility providers to learn if there are underground pipes or lines.
A screened-in porch helps you enjoy the outdoors without worrying about mosquitoes and other pests. The screen also helps keep dirt and yard debris out of the porch area while the roof keeps you dry under normal rainfall. However, this does not mean the porch is waterproof. The underside of a porch can still rot if exposed to excessive moisture. Waterproofing this area is vital in helping your porch last longer.
Brick quoining is an attractive way to add detail to the corners of your brick structure. It is not a difficult project if you are familiar with brick laying techniques. The quoining gives the appearance of cornerstones found in many older buildings or those with unusual architectural features. The quoining is often done with bricks that are a slightly different color than the others to make the detail stand out even more in the structure. Some people use quoins only in one area, while others incorporate them at intervals up the length of the corner of the building.
The TEMO Sunrooms company manufactures sunrooms, pergolas, screen rooms and patio covers. TEMO patio covers are constructed of durable aluminum with a thermal roof that deflects heat from the sun. The patio covers are maintenance-free, with a lifetime warranty that ensures the finish won’t warp, splinter or peel. The patio cover kits can either be installed by a TEMO professional or as a do-it-yourself project.
Most porches have some slope, so water will not stand, but usually it is so slight it is not noticeable and will not affect any framing. A steeper slope might require special framing or corrective action. How a sloped porch is framed depends on the slope and the purpose of the porch. An open porch just framed for a roof and a screened porch requires different types of framing and will be affected differently by a slope. The type of porch, usually either wood or concrete, also will affect framing decisions.
An attractive patio bar is an essential piece of furniture that any entertaining, backyard party host must have to keep the guests happy. The patio bar provides a convenient place for drink storage and drink making without the constant tracking inside to get ice, use the mixer or refresh a drink. To make the bar more aesthetic, adding an arched front to the bar is a simple process that is included in the building without extra work.
In the 1960s, diet sodas entered the retail market for weight-conscious consumers. Patio brand soda, made by Pepsi, was marketed as a low-calorie alternative to Pepsi. After Patio's entry into the diet cola market, Pepsi-Cola made the unprecedented decision to re-brand Patio cola in the Pepsi name, and Patio cola-flavored drink became Diet Pepsi. At one time, Patio brand sodas came in flavors like orange soda, grape, root beer and strawberry, but few Patio sodas are sold on the market today. Patio Red Cherry is still available for sale at some Bojangles fast food chains in the United States.
Upper level porches are common on older two-story houses, usually built on the front over an entry porch or on the side or back of a house off a bedroom. Older porches usually have wood flooring and railings that can deteriorate over time. A porch with rotted or weakened railings or flooring must be rebuilt or replaced, a major remodeling job that takes time, effort and skill. Replacing a porch combines roofing and basic carpentry work. It also requires a building permit and a check for regulations governing its construction.
A covered barbecue grill gives you access to an outdoor cooking area all year, no matter what the weather. Building this structure requires you to build a sturdy pad, the grill itself and the roof. The simplest version of this type of structure uses a basic wooden frame supporting a corrugated tin roof. The most important aspect of this project is the use of a heat resistant mortar, called refractory mortar. This special cement will last for years, no matter how often you use your grill or how hot you build your fires.
Front-porch sitting is a verifiable pastime for many homeowners, but the traditional hanging porch swing is not always an option. A sturdy ceiling joist is required to hang porch swings, but not all porches have roofs or the roof might be too weak to support a person's weight. A gliding porch swing provides the same soothing swinging motion, but the seat is mounted on a fixed frame, eliminating the need for overhead support. This type of swing may be used on any porch or patio, or in any garden setting.
If your property has footpaths with curbing, there are two reasons that you might want to install low brick walls along the curbs. The first is safety: Walls will prevent guests from accidentally putting a foot off the path and injuring themselves. The second is looks: Low brick footpath walls add an unforgettable accent to the appearance of your property.
A balcony offers a pleasant outdoor space in an apartment or home, but without proper safety features, a balcony presents a danger. All balconies should have a secure guardrail to prevent people from injuring themselves. A guardrail made from 2-by-4-inch lumber offers the strength to secure your balcony.
Real brick adds warmth and beauty to a home. The traditional look of a panoramic brick wall outdoors or in the garden adds architectural interest that is durable and easily maintained. With the proper planning, constructing a panoramic brick wall can become a fulfilling do-it-yourself project for a handy homeowner.
Making a porch larger can enhance the curbside appeal and market value of your home. Expanding the foundation allows for a larger porch roof, too. By having a new, generous roof area, you can increase the outdoor living space significantly. Take time then to construct a well-crafted expansion, as you may want to turn your porch into an enclosed room later. Invest in good design work and materials, so the porch-foundation addition matches the original porch construction.
Porches are the entryways into homes, giving a hint as to what's waiting inside. Neglected and rundown porches don't offer a warm welcome to guests. Remodeling an older gable porch can give it a fresh look while increasing a home's curb appeal. Traditional gable porches are named after the steeply pitched, triangular-shaped gable roofs that cover them. Personal preferences, budget, resources and the time and effort you are willing to invest in your porch makeover will help you decide which changes and updates to tackle.
Underpinning is a way to support existing foundations by adding new concrete under the base. This is a difficult process. However, a concrete patio is one of the easier foundations to fix because it doesn't hold a lot of weight and is easy to access. Sinking patio foundations can easily be lifted back up and some more support added. Start this project on a mild day when no rain is forecast.
Porches are a convenient place to enjoy the outside without wandering too far from the home. An 8-foot-square backyard porch provides room for a barbecue pit and a few chairs so you can sit with friends and argue the chances of your favorite baseball team making the playoffs. A floating porch avoids the nuisance of attaching any material to the side of the home and can be completed in a few hours with a minimal number of tools. The height of the porch will be between 20 and 24 inches depending on whether you use 2-by-4-inch studs or 2-by-6-inch studs..
Porches and decks have a lot in common. They are built much the same, usually with similar materials and techniques, and either may be attached to a house or be freestanding. Porches are usually at front entries or at other doorways used for primary access to a house. Decks are usually in the rear of a house, in an area reserved for family and recreational use. A freestanding porch is generally supported with pier and beam construction, and with concrete piers. A frame is built on the piers with beams that hold the joists for flooring.
Homeowners sometimes opt to add porches, either to the front of a house built without a porch or outside a side or back door. Most times add-on porches are connected to the house framing, but this cannot be done in every case. Masonry walls or houses built without solid timber rim joists can make attachment difficult or impossible. The solution then is to build a freestanding porch with access to the door but without being secured to a house wall. Many such porches are left open on the sides, but covered with a typical gable roof.
Enclosing your patio allows you to enjoy the outdoor breeze and sunlight without being bothered by the outdoor bugs and pests. If your patio has a roof, you can easily enclose the patio with a screen to create an enjoyable atmosphere that can also improve the home’s appearance. Homeowners can also replace their old, sagging screen with this easy, modern screen enclosure installation method.
Building an old-fashioned front porch is more about the detail than the framing. Old-fashioned front porches stem from Victorian type of architecture, with scrollwork, ornate posts or columns, elaborate trim boards and railings with decorative spindles. Styles varied by region, but porches were common in cities and towns until the middle of the 1900s, when automobiles and suburban developments took over. Now porches are coming back and many homeowners are adding them. You can still make an old-fashioned wooden porch now with some modern techniques such as prepared posts and columns, and trim.
A outdoor fireplace that operates on propane allows the fireplace to be portable and it does not require the use of a chimney or direct vent. If you want to move your fireplace to your screened-in porch, it can make a nice addition. However, you must make sure that you follow the guidelines placed on the fireplace exactly to ward off the possibility of a fire.
Enclosed but uninsulated sitting areas are known as three-season porches, but if you live in a northern state, cold weather can reduce that to two or even one-and-a-half seasons. Adding insulation batting to the walls and floor of your three-season porch can extend its usefulness during cold weather. Choose a batting width that is equal to the space between your wall studs to make installation easy.
Adding a roof to a patio will extend its usefulness by providing shelter from sun and rain. However, it can be a challenge to a homeowner. A basic consideration is the type of roof, such as a gable with a center peak or a shed style with a single slope away from the house. Another consideration is whether to attach the roof to the house or build a freestanding one with its own vertical supports. A final consideration is the roofing material, including panels of vinyl, metal or shingles to match the house. Using prefabricated mono trusses will simplify shed…
Old-time architecture is new again, as homeowners and green builders relearn traditional energy-management construction principles. Long walls and windows oriented on a north-south axis, for example, let in warming winter sun. But adequate eaves and seasonal shading easily block intense summer sunlight and heat. Placing deep porches on a home’s west and east sides protects entire walls from heat exposure. As Miles Dyson of New Mexico’s Inspection Connection says, “Heat energy that never enters a home does not have to be removed.” Several factors influence how long your porch eaves should be.
A footing is the concrete foundation that prevents a structure from sinking into the ground and cracking. The footing is meant to keep your structure level and sound. Some footings are made from concrete slabs while others are constructed from concrete blocks. To build a footing for paver stones, you will create your footing from a slab of concrete. The concrete slab is reinforced with rebar.
Adding a brick doorway to an existing wall may be necessary when additions are built onto a home or renovations are being done. If you're careful and follow standard safety practices while you're working, it's possible to add the doorway without damaging the existing wall. A brick doorway, when solidly built, makes for an interesting and durable architectural detail in any home.
Stacked stone bases anchor porch columns to the ground, providing a sturdy and attractive finishing touch to the design. The type of stone should reflect the type used in other parts of the exterior design or landscape. Flat stones of uniform thickness are the easiest to install, but you can use stones of varying sizes for a more rustic look.
Having a professional patio mister system installed can cost at least $1,000, depending on the length and the height of your patio. Many home improvement and hardware stores sell the components you need to make and install your own patio misters in less than one or two hours. Reduce the temperature of your patio even during the hottest days by installing your homemade patio mister along the top of your patio. The mister makes even the hottest areas more comfortable.
Arbors add a stylish accent to a patio or backyard area and create an inviting entrance for visitors. Brick arbors are sturdy structures that can be designed in unique ways to reflect the builder's tastes. Arched brick arbors with multicolored bricks are attractive and add interest to a backyard patio. This type of project can be expensive if you hire a contractor; however, you can create your own brick arch arbor with a lip for setting potted plants or taking a rest.
A roof over your patio can make the difference between going ahead with outdoor plans or canceling them if the weather is uncooperative. A patio roof provides shelter from rain and shade from the sun while protecting people, furniture and food from the elements. Putting up a patio roof can be a do-it yourself project for a homeowner, but it requires planning to make sure you have all the needed materials and tools on hand. It is also a good idea to find out about any safety code requirements in your town before proceeding.
Installing a retractable patio awning is a good way to create fast shade over a patio or deck without needing to build additional poles in the yard. The awning is designed for easy installation by homeowners and requires only a few tools and three people to complete. Usually, a homeowner can install the entire awning in a few hours and enjoy the awning the same day they install it. Always unpack the box, check to make sure all parts are included and read the instruction sheet before starting the project so that you can have all your tools and helpers…
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you understand that while you love the sunshine, you also need shade from time to time. Protecting your skin is from the rays of the sun is essential for good health, and keeping your patio furniture covered from the sun and the weather elements will prevent damage. If your home has very little to no shade on the patio area, a retractable awning or patio cover may be a good solution.
Porch framing is as varied as the porches themselves. Some porches are open roofs that sit on columns or posts. Some are fully enclosed, such as sun porches or screened porches, with windows or screens on all sides and a door. Others are partly enclosed, with half-walls around the sides. Many porches have basic shed roofs, which slope from the house to the outside of the porch. Others have traditional gable pitched roofs. Each porch style requires slightly different framing.
As people grow older, they often lose their sense of balance, which can lead to them falling more easily. You can make your home safer for your elderly father by building a metal rail onto your porch. The metal rail can provide him with something to hold onto when walking on the porch, and prevent him from falling.
An outdoor patio extends the living space of a home and provides a setting for family gatherings in pleasant weather. Enclosing the patio gives people protection from insects while making the area feel like an additional room rather than an open space. With a little planning, enclosing a patio can be a rewarding do-it-yourself project for homeowners.
Building a porch with pallets is an economical way to recycle wood and help conserve natural resources. With a little imagination, you can build a porch out of pallets and save money on the lumber. Many pallets are available for free at local stores and warehouses.
If your porch light trips the circuit breaker when you try to turn it on, it might be necessary to rewire the light. Sometimes the wires between the light switch and the porch light become faulty because of water. Water can seep in between the fixture and wall, causing the wires to short out when you flip the switch. Rewiring a porch light requires new 14/2 Romex wire that is available at hardware stores.
Patio covers shelter the area from sun, rain and snow. Covers are usually made from canvas, metal, wood or a combination of materials. The covers are freestanding or attached to one side of a structure, similar to awnings. Based on their appearance and durability, cedar and cypress are often used to cover patios.
With the right tools, building a set of stringer stairs for a small deck or porch may be a do-it-yourself project. For a small porch, a large set of metal or metal-based stairs may be overwhelming or decoratively out of place. Hiring a contractor for the small job may be costly and not an option for many household budgets. Before beginning this project, carefully check the list of needed items. If your personal set of tools is lacking, consider renting the necessary tools or borrowing from a friend. Do not try to substitute tools or skip steps.
