Archive for August, 2009

Adding a Backyard Deck to Extend Your Living Space

August 18th, 2009

By Terry Campbell at EzineArticles.com

Your backyard can be an extension of your living space for entertaining family and friends while adding to the value of your home. First you need to consider a few things like budget, architecture of your home, landscape, family needs and your lifestyle. If you are on a tight budget then you can do this in steps while taking into consideration what the completed project will be.

You will then want to check with your local building department what their requirements are like easements or restrictions. Before construction starts it is always good to have your local utility companies mark any underground utilities. A good deck contractor will do this.

A good starting base would be a deck. Will this be a wood deck ( pressure treated pine, cedar, redwood) that will require maintenance from time to time like a good wood preservative or will it be an exotic hard wood or composite deck material that requires less attention? Will it be constructed with screws or nails? Check with your supplier to make sure that you get the best fasteners for you application if doing this yourself.

You can make this an outdoor living room with a fireplace or fire pit with a outdoor kitchen complete with a sink with running water, built in gas grill and refrigerator or just a deck with a portable gas or charcoal grill.

Consider shading this with a pergola or getting a little more protection from the rain with a shingled roof over the area and maybe install a set of french doors linking the indoors out to your new backyard paradise.

A nice water feature like a fish pond with a waterfall can add a relaxing touch for those days when you want to nap in your rope hammock or use your laptop surfing the internet. You can add a gas heater for the cooler days or screen it in to keep those pesky bugs out while still letting the breeze flow through.

You can then add lighting, ceiling fan, outdoor rug, outdoor furniture, landscaping, wall mounted LCD TV and outdoor art work.

As you can see the possibilities are endless and this will give you endless memories for you family and friend photo albums.

Custom Redwood Deck built by Terry Campbell

Do a search for outdoor living. The internet is full of images that will help you with your design.

Terry Campbell has over thirty years experience as a fence, patio cover, and deck contractor in the Dallas Texas metro area.

Tags: cedar deck, composite deck, exotic hardwood deck, outdoor living, pressure treated pine deck, redwood deck, wood deck
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A Patio Cover Adds Value and Comfort to Your Home

August 17th, 2009

By Chris Robertson at EzineArticles.com

If you’re a Texas homeowner, you know how enjoyable an outdoor patio can be – providing it’s covered. If it’s open, though, you probably don’t spend much time on your patio, given how blazing hot it can get in the summer and how rainy it can get in the winter. But Texans do love the outdoors, and it’s a shame not to be able to enjoy your patio virtually year-round. That’s why you need to install a shade cover, an awning, or some other type of patio cover.

When you add a well-designed, high quality patio cover, you’ll not only be able to utilize what is often wasted space in Texas homes, but you’ll also add value to your home. Beyond that, you give yourself options for later home improvements, since you can always enclose your patio with screen or glass in the future – turning it into a sunroom without having to rebuild the roof.

Lone Star State residents have a variety of options when it comes to patio enclosures. Patio cover styles include the pergola (often known as an arbor), which is a shaded area with cross beams and open lattice; an awning; or a shade cover, which is often solid but can have skylights. Some people even opt for carport-like structures.

Installing Texas Patio Covers

Whether you live in Austin, Dallas, or Fort Worth, you basically have two choices when it comes time to install a patio cover: you can do it yourself, or you can hire a contractor to build it for you. Texas patio covers that come in DIY kits usually range from about $2,600 to $3,800m depending on the size. Quality kits include two-pound density EPS foam insulated panels, heavy gauge stressed aluminum laminated skins, and decorative post wraps or columns. The kits should also contain all the hardware, fasteners, and sealants you need. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure to select a Texas company that will not only provide written instructions, but will also offer professional phone consultation.

Hiring a Contractor

If you decide to hire a Texas contractor to construct your patio cover, it’s crucial that you select one with an established reputation. A reputable contractor will ensure that you receive a lifetime warranty against leaks and problems with the finish, and make sure that the shade cover is properly built and engineered to withstand Texas’ harsh weather conditions. In addition, better contractors will provide you with patio cover pictures, a selection of patio cover prices, and even custom designs that will perfectly match the style of your home.

If you’ve ever felt imprisoned in your home because the Texas heat or rain prevented you from enjoying your patio, it’s time to look into installing a patio cover. When you do, you’ll be able to invite friends over for barbecues, relax with your family outdoors, and enjoy all the Lone Star State has to offer.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about Texas Patio Covers.

Custom Built Composition Shingled Patio Cover built by Terry Campbell

Get a free custom patio cover quote in Dallas, Texas.

Tags: custom patio cover, patio cover dallas texas
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Tropical Patio Design – How to Turn Your Patio Into a Tropical Oasis

August 16th, 2009

By Albert Lee at EzineArticles.com

A great tropical patio design can be done with the help of a professional architect and contractor who will consider your ideas and wants while creating a unique and custom patio. This is usually the most expensive option to take. But if you want to design and create your own tropical paradise, a little imagination and creativity is everything you really need.

Here’s how to turn your patio into a tropical oasis:

1. Find a tropical patio design.

The cost, project length, and the final look of your patio rely on the selection of design. If you are not a natural born designer and cannot draw your own design from a blank sheet of paper, get inspiration online or from your neighbor. Choose the one you like and use it as your design inspiration.

You can also look for designs on home improvement books and magazines. You’ll find some great ideas that you can integrate to your design.

Make a final draft based on your own taste and using the ideas you have taken from the designs you like.

2. Set your budget and time table.

The cost of the project depends on the type and amount of materials you are going to use. Research the prices online or at your local home improvement store. Choose materials that will suit to your environment and your family.

Also determine the length of the project. Usually, it will take less than a week to complete a project if you are working alone. Plan the hours you will devote to the project. Some home improvement companies offer a construction crew for an additional cost if you need a hand. The key is to plan everything carefully before you begin shopping for materials.

3. Shopping.

Once you have listed down everything you need for your project, start ordering the materials. Order the exact quantities of rocks, tropical trees and plants, sand, bricks, and concrete based on the design you have. Remember, buying materials you need for your tropical patio should not be done on your first visit to your local or online home improvement store. Do it after you have already set your budget and have identified the amount of materials you are going to need.

4. Construct

One important thing to remember when constructing your tropical patio is to divide the floor plans into zones or sections so that you can focus on finishing one area before starting on the next. This way, you can see the development of your project.

Follow these steps and you will surely have a tropical oasis right at your own patio in no time.

For patio design ideas, visit http://www.patiodesigns101.com.

Tags: patio designs, tropical oasis, tropical paradise, tropical patio
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Arbor and Trellis for the Garden – An Invitation to Your Escape

August 15th, 2009

By Jennifer Akre at EzineArticles.com

Your backyard can be just as enticing a destination as a white sand beach or a cabin in the mountains. One way to achieve this is with a welcoming entryway that encourages curiosity and urges exploration. After all when you walk into a resort you remember the first things you see and they leave an impression. So why not try an arbor and trellis for the garden to lead guests into your backyard retreat.

A charming arbor and trellis crawling with vines and cascading blooms offers a glimpse of your patio paradise and says, “Come in, and stay a while!” It draws you in to solve the mystery of what lies beyond this entry point. It is a friendly invitation to your escape, your place to relax, your outdoor space. And since you’ve indulged in lovely teak furniture you want to encourage guests to come in and use it to relax in style.

Made from wood like western red cedar they are almost maintenance free. Simply use a stain every season to maintain the natural coloring which can range from amber to cinnamon and sienna brown or let it weather to a silver gray. An arbor and trellis provides an interesting contrast with the plants in your garden or yard and the lattice offers vines a place to grow. You can also use an arbor and trellis as a focal point within your garden. When covered with vines they can buffer the wind and offer a shady retreat perfect for placing a bench in.

So try placing one in your yard or garden and letting Clematis or Wisteria creep up this piece of classic garden décor to create a gorgeous entrance or centerpiece. Not sure where to begin looking for one? You can easily compare prices and style by shopping online. Get a traditional archway or add some straight lines with a pergola on top. Choose one with extra lattice to provide more space for your favorite flowering vines. You’ll enjoy it season after season no matter what size or style you choose.

Ranging from around seven to around eight feet tall arbors with trellis will add a high point to your yard, an eye catching entry or focal point and a place to literally stop and smell the flowers. Along with planter boxes and containers you can bring the garden in to decorate your patio with punches of color and natural interest. Put one in your favorite destination. It’s right outside your door. Use an arbor as a gateway from your patio to the rest of your yard, leading you and your guests to explore the comfort and luxury of your welcoming escape. Create a sense of romance by placing an elegant bistro table set underneath one for some cool intimacy out of the sun. Add intrigue to your yard and garden by placing one at the entrance to your lush backyard haven to beckon to visitors and inform them that they have indeed found paradise and it is in your very own backyard.

Jennifer Akre, owner of several unique home decor and furniture sites shares consumer reviews and online product information on outdoor furniture, arbors, and trellises. Find quality information before you purchase your next piece of furniture. Enhance the spirit of your home with teak patio furniture or teak tables. Click – Shop for: patio furniture cushions