Patio Replacement with Wooden Deck or Composite Decking?

Here are 10 Great Reasons

author: Terry Campbell

. Environmentally Friendly

. Natural looking

. No Need to Remove Old Concrete

. Can Do It Yourself

. No Heavy Equipment Needed

. No Permit Required

. Choice of Materials

. Ease of Design

. Cooler Ventilated Walking Surface

. Stain to Match Environment

> When looking at a Patio Replacement, Wooden Deck or Composite Decking is a good alternative to concrete. It is naturally Environmentally Friendly and can be more ecologically balanced since it comes from renewable sources. Cracked Concrete will be in a Landfill for many years to come unless you are lucky enough to have a concrete recycling plant close by. The manufacturing of concrete can also leave a large carbon foot print.

> Wood and Composite Decking materials are also more Natural looking and can blend with the surroundings and create more of a natural flow. Tell the truth, have you ever seen concrete do this?

>  No Need to Remove Old Concrete. This old concrete can be used as a very stable footing for your new Wood or Composite Decking and therefore you can go right over the top of it. Out of site out of mind. This can also save you the cost of disposal.

>  You Can Do It Yourself if you have basic carpentry skill to read a tape and level, hammer a nail and operate a skill saw. If you choose this route please be sure to take safety precautions when using power tools and remember to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Have you ever tried to bust up cracked concrete and remove it? You had better be very physically fit!

>  No Heavy Equipment Needed. Have you ever tried to remove concrete without Heavy Equipment. It takes skill not to mention the mess that it can make to your yard while using it. You do want to have a nice yard to look at while enjoying your new deck don’t you?

>  No Permit Required. Here in the Dallas Texas metro area the majority of the cities I have worked in do require a building permit when pouring a concrete foundation but when you are installing a deck that is not elevated over a certain height does not require one. You do want to check with your municipality to make sure that it is or isn’t required in your area.

>  Choice of Materials. You have a wide variety when it comes to choice of materials to construct with. For Wooden Decking you have Cedar, Redwood, Pressure Treated Pine and then you have several choices in Tropical Hardwoods. With Composite Decks you also have several choice and styles. It would take 2 more articles to explain the advantages and disadvantages of all these but I would recommend that you do your research so that you get the kind that fits your budget and needs.

> Ease of Design.  Using wood or composite material for you Patio Replacement gives you ease of design. The different types of wood can installed in a variety of designs from mitered angles to using shapes that are cut out with a band saw, jig saw or a laser cutter.  The composite materials are a little more flexible and can be curved and shaped to get really unique designs.

> Cooler Ventilated Walking Surface. A Patio Deck needs to be able to expand and contract with temperatures and moisture. To allow this natural process when installing the top boards you leave a gap of 1/8” to 1/4″ depending on the type of materials used. This also allows for some airflow that will make a cooler ventilated walking surface.

> Stain to Match Environment. There are so many different stains and weather sealants available that it might be hard not to come up with a color Stain to Match Environment. If you really wanted to make your patio replacement unique you can use different colors and your artistic imagination to give it the look and feel to match your environment.

As you can see there are a lot of advantages using Wooden Deck or Composite Decking when you are looking at Patio Replacement. If you are to ever sell your home it also adds to the saleability.

Which ad sounds more enticing “Concrete Patio” or “Beautiful Backyard Deck” ?

A backyard deck can really change the whole appearance of your house. Backyard decks can become your additional living space in which you can arrange small parities and social events for family and friends. If you are also planning to include a deck in your backyard or lawn area then there are various essential things that you must surely consider.

In the spring time a backyard deck or patio area can really help you to enjoy the colorful outdoors. In this article, my main focus would be to tell you about some tips that can really make your deck area as elegant as the interior of your house.

1. Consult your local building department

Sometimes before undertaking a construction in your house, it is very vital for you to consult your local building department. Know the laws about their easements or restrictions. After all the initial formalities are completed, get your local utility companies to mark all the necessary underground utilities. If you want you can even hire deck contractors for this task.

2. Think of a unique design

Instead of going for a simple backyard deck, you can create your own unique design to make the deck look more impressive and alluring. Build a great outdoor ambiance where all your family members can enjoy during the leisure time. Try to include a granite bar, outdoor stereo system and an outdoor kitchen with grill and refrigerator. You can even add sofas and comfortable chairs to this living area.

3. Material for the deck

These days composite decking materials are slowing replacing the natural wood because they are environment friendly and you do not have to treat them with wood preservatives. But if you want the traditional look then you can choose cedar, redwood and pinewood as your deck materials.

4. Take the help of online resources or deck constructers

In order to give an exquisite and impressive look to the deck area, you must consult online resources, websites and deck constructors for ideas and tips. Look for a design that would suite your budget and needs. Make a list of all the accessories and furniture that you want to include in your deck area.

5. Additional features

Some additional features can be added to the deck area to give it an exotic look. You can include a fish pond with a waterfall, a gas heater, attractive lights, ceiling fan, a good durable roof, outdoor rug, paintings and art work in the deck.

You can really make your deck area a comfortable and attractive place by following the above mentioned

Planning Out the Location For Your Wooden Deck

You will see that these days’ people are adding new features and elements to their houses to make it look more interesting and fascinating. You can add garden fountains, benches, ponds and even modern furniture to give it a stylish look. Backyard decks are very much in fashion these days. You can either hire a professional deck builder for this task or can build your own wooden deck by a little planning a research.

In this article, my main focus would be to tell you about some good tips that you can use to design and construct a good wooden deck for your house.

1. Tools and equipments needed for this work

If you are building your own wooden deck then you will need a wide variety of tools and equipments to complete this task. Some essential things that you would need are shovel, post hole diggers, speed square, carpenters pencil, saw horses, drill and/or maybe a nail gun, hammer, nail set, circular saw, carpenter’s level, wheelbarrow, tape measure, and safety eyewear.

2. Essential materials required for construction

If you are not hiring a professional constructor or contractor then you have to order your own materials. Always order a little overage on the materials so that you can be picky with the deck boards you use and then you can always return what you don’t choose to use.  You will require joist hangers, joist hanger nails, proper deck screws and/or deck connectors (there are also hidden connectors. One brand I like to use is Tiger Claw) and pre-mix concrete for the construction work.

3. Choose a good style and design

It is very essential for you to choose a deck design and style that would look good with the rest of your house. You can find ideas on home improvement websites operating on the internet. You can also take opinions and ideas from your family members and friends. Looking at other wood decks would also give you a good idea of the deck design you are looking for.

4. Plan out the location for your deck

The location of your deck area is something that would greatly affect the whole look of your deck. There are various points that you must consider before selecting a particular area like the direction of sun, wind and other natural elements. Sun can really harm the appearance and color of your wooden deck. A good way through which you can protect your deck from sun and water is to apply a good stain, sealer and UV protectant.

5. Choosing the wood

There are various types of wood available in the market that you can choose for your deck, but always keep in mind that the wood should be durable and long lasting. You can select from cedar, redwood, Trex, Correct Deck, or other composite woods, pressure treated lumber, ipe, garapa, massaranduba, cumaru and other tropical hardwoods

A good location, an attractive design and durable materials can really make your deck area look attractive and enchanting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Campbell_Terry

Decorative Garden Structures – Convert Your Garden Into an Exotic Paradise :

There  are some charming garden structures that can really convert your garden into an inviting oasis.

Eye catching decorative garden structures can really make your garden look impressive and elegant. These days such structures are very much in demand because they can really turn a simple and boring garden into an exotic paradise. Timeless classic garden structures like bridges, pergola, trellis, arbor and gazebos add additional charm and beauty to your backyard garden and lawn.

In this article, I would mainly like to tell you about some attractive structures that can change the whole ambiance of your plain and simple lawn area.

1. Beautify your garden with Trellises

Trellis can be installed near the walkway, next to the entry gate and inside your garden area. You can use metal or wood for the construction of this structure. For making the trellis look luxurious and elegant, paint them with vibrant and natural colors. Besides being an appealing backdrop for your garden, trellises are also used to support vines and flowers like wisteria, ivy, clematis, honeysuckle and morning glories.

2. Arbors are excellent to please your guest

One garden element that can really impress all your guests is the Arbor. These classic structures can be used to decorate the garden during festivals, garden weddings and social gatherings. They act as excellent backdrop for photographs and can also be used for decorating the entryway. Wooden arbors are also used for supporting long-stemmed flowers, vines and climbers.

3. Pergola is an excellent place for entertaining the guests

A pergola is a comfortable, charming and shaded outdoor space just like the patio area. You can arrange various small parties and picnics here for your family and friends. To make this welcoming retreat even more charming you can include a bistro table set, comfortable chairs and vibrant lights here. For constructing your own pergola you have to purchase construction kits which include pre-cut and pre-drilled posts. This comfortable oasis will provide you a cool ambiance even when the sun is blazing outside.

4. Garden bridges

Garden bridges can be used for practical purpose for just as a decorative structure. You can place this alluring fixture over your garden pond or creek. The length and style of the bridge should be chosen according to the requirements of your garden area.

5. Gazebos are perfect for social gatherings

A gazebo is an excellent outdoor structure that can be found in various huge gardens and lawns. They make a perfect place where you can organize spring weddings and parties. This shaded place can even be used for relaxing and playing games.

Screen Room

A long lasting tradition is to go to the backyard for a nice barbeque. Many people take to their backyard and invite friends and family to enjoy the joys of summer together. You may want to consider a screen porch, screen enclosure, screen room or screened deck since there are many insects that can really be a pain in regards to outdoor fun. It is no wonder that more and more people are looking at buying a clever screen  room. These screen enclosures help people get to their festivities without worrying about the nasty insects that can ruin a party or a barbeque with the greatest of ease. It appears that candles, torches and other remedies are not that fool proof after all and people are realizing that in record numbers.

If you are not careful your next party or event could be ruined by nature. There are insects out there that want to ruin your fun. If you confide in homemade or simple remedies, you are going to find out fast that you are not going to win the fight. They seem to multiply faster than ever and they end up causing you to be overly concerned about them. Then you will end up spending more time trying to fight off the insects than enjoying the party. As a host it is important to make sure that you enjoy the greater good of your company, your backyard and more. Patio enclosures are a nice investment  so why not make sure that you are covered against insects and other pesky pests? You can’t possibly lose with this idea. It is environmentally   friendly   unlike pesticides and other harsh answers to this common dilemma.

If you haven’t tried getting a nice screened enclosure, screened deck, patio enclosure or screen room now is the time. If you are into the great outdoors and want to make sure that you are not going to get your latest endeavor ruined by a pest, you need to look into this option. Whether you are putting this thing around the gazebo, or other place, you are going to enjoy the magnitude of protection that is found in this familiar and somewhat orthodox remedy. This will last you for a long time, and even pass through many generations if you keep it nice and neat.

Insects and other pests can really put a damper on your outdoor fun, so why not get a professionally made or even a custom made screened enclosure? You cannot lose if you simply put your money into a solid solution that will have you enjoying friends and family without having to chase down bugs with a swatter or some other painstaking instrument. Not only can a screen enclosure help you with minor pests that will ruin a good time. Protect your patio, deck, and more,  while increasing the value of your home with a nice screen and make sure that the fun never stops.