One of the latest trends in outdoor decor is making the backyard feel like an extension of the home, complete with furniture.
When choosing outdoor furniture, the biggest concern is making sure that is weatherproof and sturdy enough to stand up to the elements, whether you live in a sunny or rainy region.
While outdoor furniture options used to be limited to dining table sets and lounge chairs, more modern options include conversation sets, similar to what you might see in the family room.
Conversation sets generally include a loveseat, chair, and a table. If you plan to entertain a lot, a bar set, complete with stools can also be a welcome change from the traditional table and chairs.
If you have the need to retain soil or prevent erosion, a wall may be just the thing. Any projects under 18" in total height are simple and straightforward. Once you go over that height the project becomes more complicated, but with the proper machinery and prep, it's still entirely doable.
Prepare the Site Dig back the soil and level the ground for the entire length of the wall and also about 3 - 4 feet back for anything over that magic 18" number. This may require some of that machinery or just a bunch of generous friends.
The Base Lay a gravel base about 6" deep along the line of the proposed wall and pack it down well. This helps with drainage, so don't skip it and don't skimp on the depth. Make absolutely sure that your first course or layer of wall is level. Whether you're working with stone or wood, use a level to double and triple check.
We'd love to have an outdoor basketball court but it's not in the plans right now. If we were in the market for one the SnapSports outdoor surfaces look like a great solution. At the 2010 International Builders' Show we had the opportunity to touch and feel various court surfaces that SnapSports offers and the cheap ones seemed flimsy but the more solid surfaces would make a great court.
Out of all the work trucks we saw at the 2010 Builders' Show the Carmix One was the coolest.
It's a self-loading concrete mixer that's perfect for when you need a lot more concrete than a wheel barrow can provide and you need it in multiple spots quickly. It's also small enough to be more nimble and manageable than a full-size mixer truck which is overkill for most projects.
Falling icicles can be dangerous to you and heavy ice dams can be a detriment to your home. We came across the HOT EDGE at the 2010 Builders' Show which looks like a great solution.
It lines your existing gutter and melts ice and snow away from the edge of your roofline which is the most troublesome area. It doesn't waste energy heating your entire roof as that part of the structure can handle the weight, unlike your gutters and roof edge.
The siding you choose has a big impact on how your home looks. When you consider your siding options, also take into consideration your personal taste as well as lifestyle.
When you choose a siding, consider the following:
Stucco siding is probably the most common type of stucco, because of its durability. If a quality stucco is tinted, you may never need to repaint.
Vinyl siding is another popular option. It is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic, so it won't rot or flake like wood, but it can crack, fade, or grow dingy over time. Because it is plastic, it is also not considered an environmentally friendly option.
Aluminum siding is another option, although it is considered old fashioned. It is durable, but it can dent and fade.
Usually we are in no rush to take down Christmas lights and will wait until the first weekend after the new year. As always its important to not forget these safety tips for removing lights as we may feel rushed to get them down as soon as possible and want to take shortcuts.
We did hear a frightening story this year about a friend who was on a ladder and reaching to wrap lights around a banister and was standing past the top rung and trying to reach much to far which caused the ladder to tip over which left her hanging. Fortunately someone else was home to help her out or else she would have experienced an ugly fall.
Use the Handy Hook to help you get at the hard to reach lights.
Step Ladder safety should be at the top of the list for home skills that everyone should know.
Don't leave your lights and extension cords in a big mess. Here are some techniques for folding the cords so they are easy to access and prevent wear and tear on the lights.
When you begin to plant your lawn, keep in mind the upkeep that will last years past the initial watering period. To this end, choose low-water grass that works best for your region.
Most yards are planted with Kentucky bluegrass, which provides a beautiful green cover. However, this type of grass uses considerable amounts of water, which can be expensive and wasteful in many drought regions. Instead of going for the greenest, try going for a low-water option that will save you money and water.
Native grasses are the best options for low-water grass. For many regions, these include Buffalo and Blue Grama or a prairie grass. Prairie grasses can be kept short to maintain the look and feel of the more traditional blue grass and require moderately more care than just watering. You can read more about lawn care.
It looks like 2009 will end with one of the biggest storms to hit the Eastern seaboard in years. Hard to imagine since it hit nearly 80 degrees today here in LA.
With the nor'easter on it's way this weekend that could effect 50 million people, we've compiled some of our most helpful posts for dealing with storms, snow, rain and flooding. Be safe out there.
Lime mortar has been used for over 3,000 years and was an adhesive for almost every old brick building in the United States. These buildings continue to work best of repointed using the same lime mortar and this video shows how and why.
