Composite deck materials offer easier maintenance then real wood decking, making them an attractive option to consider. Learn about the benefits, disadvantages, selection, installation and maintenance of composite decks in our complete guide…

Even with a small yard, you can enjoy the beauty and outdoor living benefits by planning your landscape design wisely.
You don’t have to settle for minimal landscaping style if you have a smaller yard; even if all you have is a small urban courtyard area, you can make it a place to relax and escape [...]

Aside from providing privacy and security, a wood fence will add beauty to your landscaping.A fence can be not only a functional element in your landscaping, providing privacy and keeping pets inside your yard and other animals out, but can also be a decorative addition that nicely frames your garden or yard landscaping.
Traditional wood fencing [...]

If you love spending time outdoors in your yard then a wood patio cover may be the answer to extending the usefulness and comfort of your outdoor living space.
While a patio umbrella or other non-permanent patio covering may be adequate for casual outdoor use, if you really want to spend time on your patio and [...]

As summer approaches most people begin to think about spending more time outdoors and improving outdoor living space.
And if you have an uncovered patio or deck you probably want to know the best way to provide shade and cover from summer rain showers.
The factors that need to be considered when planning patio covers include where [...]

Building your own walkway, driveway or other concrete project is easier than you think.
With a bit of planning, concrete knowledge and a lot of honest work, you can pour your own concrete patio, sidewalk, retaining wall or slab foundation.
The basics of concrete include deciding on the right type of concrete, estimating how much concrete is [...]

No one wants to have the grimiest house on the street, but washing the siding is awfully time-consuming.
It used to be that if you had a big outdoor cleaning project like the patio and driveway to do, you would just rent a pressure washer for the day.
But these days you’ll find dozens of affordable power [...]

Wicker furniture came of age during the Victorian era.
Valued for clean lines and smooth surfaces, people thought wicker to be more sanitary than common upholstered furniture of that time.
Immigrants brought wicker to the new world, where it took on many new and unique styles.
But today, wicker has gained popularity for its style, comfort and flexibility [...]

Outdoor lighting has really come along in the last ten years.
It used to be that you had very few choices to brighten your home exterior.
Now, you have myriad outdoor lighting options from which to choose.
Outdoor lighting for porches patios and decks has become one component in the overall lighting design of a home today.
Lighting and [...]

Outdoor kitchens are quickly gaining popularity nowadays.
In this day and age, it is very seldom when one can gather and eat together with the family.
But when it comes time for a barbeque, it seems the whole family; or rather the whole neighborhood is scrambling to be there!
Thus, the outdoor kitchen is born. You may say [...]

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to breathe new life into your porch or deck, changing your deck railing is the thing to do.
Many durable and gorgeous looking materials for your deck railing are now available in your nearest favorite home improvement store.
So, now it’s so easy to make your porch look [...]

Wrought Iron Patio Furniture undeniably is the most elegant and traditional piece of outdoor furniture that can be added to any patio or deck.
As this kind of furniture is a timeless classic, it conveniently gels with almost any patio, garden, landscaping or deck.
The designs of wrought iron patio furniture are created to satisfy ubiquitous needs. [...]

What should you look for when you buy a porch swing? Most porch swings are made from various types of wood. The most common are cedar, pine, cypress and alder.
Cedar is the most desirable wood for porch swings because it is ages beautifully, is naturally resistant to rot, and insect proof. When new, cedar is [...]

Since the beginning of time, families and friends have gathered around fires for companionship, dining, and entertaining.
As the patio and garden evolve into outdoor entertainment rooms, many people are looking for ways to add outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, or fire bowls to their outdoor spaces.
Before you purchase your outdoor fireplace, there are some things you [...]

If you have water that sits at the foundation of your home after a heavy rain or snow, you are asking for foundation problems!
Cracks in your foundation will also cause cracks in your drywall inside, and cause doors to stick.
To relieve the problem of standing water at your foundation, a French drain system is an [...]