Designing & Planning Pools (18)
Ready to take the plunge into a pool project? Before you get to the fun stuff, like shapes and styles, you need to focus on zoning laws; building, health, and safety codes; and local permits. Other issues - like energy regulations and drought conditions - also need to be addressed prior to digging that big hole in your yard. Hire a pool contractor to guide you through the process.
Building & Installing Pools (13)
More than just a big pit in your yard, a pool goes through many building phases before it looks like a swimming pool. Discover the various materials and degrees of labor involved in pool construction, including gunite, masonry blocks, vinyl linings, fiberglass shells, hybrid fiberglass, pouring concrete, finishing, and more. Learn what's involved for both inground and above-ground pools.
Pool Remodeling & Repair (9)
It may be an eyesore now, but the swimming pool in your yard still has potential - the vast pit already exists, right? Learn how to repair and remodel your pool to make it usable, restore it to its original condition, or transform it into a beautiful environment. Get how-to advice on painting, tiling, replacing, retrofitting and much more.
Maintaining Your Pool & Spa (18)
A private pool or hot tub is a luxury, and keeping it well-maintained and free of algae, scale, and debris is just part of the job for those who want it beautiful and sparkling. If you plan to do it yourself, there's lots to learn, like checking water quality with pH test kits, maintenance during swim season and winterizing. Also hot tub installation, filters, algaecides, and chlorinating systems.
Pool & Spa Equipment (7)
Whether your swimming pool or spa is new or old, it must be kept clean and maintained in good condition. What's in your pool equipment closet? Get acquainted with the various types of pool vacuums, automatic pool cleaners, filters, pumps, heaters, skimmers, brushes, and more. Learn the pros and cons, ins and outs, and buying advice so you won't get soaked at the pool supply store.
Safety: Pools & Yards (46)
From pool safety to outdoor grill recalls, you need to maintain your outdoor space as a safe haven. Many accidents occur while inattentive adults are present. You'll learn about safety products like fencing, locks, alarms, along with training your children to follow rules that can help them stay safe while having fun.
Spa & Hot Tub Hub (15)
By joining the ranks of hot tub or spa owners, you're in good company with thousands of others who have found warmth, relaxation, entertainment, socialization, and health benefits. There's always more to discover, like hidden costs, heaters, jets, digital control pads, and materials like gelcoat, wood, concrete, and fiberglass.
Patios & Outer Spaces (23)
They're not just made of concrete or brick, but you'll learn how to work with these and other materials when you step outside into the world of patios. Adobe, pea gravel, bark, flagstone, asphalt, tile, mosaic, wood, stone, and recycled materials are all patio possibilities. Discover the pros and cons, do-it-yourself instructions, design ideas and trends.
Building a Deck (13)
Decks are a beautiful and profitable addition to a home. Are you prepared to do it yourself or do you think you'll hire a contractor? Either way, you'll need to do some research to determine location, size, design, pattern, and the type of wood or composite decking you favor. Railing and stairs? Built-in seating or planters? What will you use your deck for?
Hardscaping & Structures (33)
Your outdoor living space may be plus-sized, a petite plot, or something in between. Learn all about hardscaping, and how you can maximize the potential of each square inch that might be peacefully waiting outside your door. Discover what you or your contractor can build -- like porches, terraces, ponds, planting beds, seating -- in materials with which you may or may not be familiar.
Small Space Solutions (11)
For the rest of us who don't live on sprawling estates, it's a challenge to find an outdoors area of our apartments, condominiums, lofts, or other attached multi-unit dwellings. Learn space-efficient ideas to make the most of your outside space. Discover the range of possibilities that could transform your areas outdoors into private retreats, places to entertain, or spaces to garden.
Landscaping Your Spaces (26)
Many design challenges arise when your primary gardening and landscaping space is where the hardscaping is: near pools and spas, on patios, decks, balconies, steps, courtyards, rooftops, and wherever else outdoors you can stake a claim. Discover creative ways and places: vertical gardens, containers, and built-ins, along with beautiful and unusual plants and trees for patios and small spaces.
Dealing with Contractors (7)
If you've decided that DIY is not for you, that means you'll need to hunt down a reliable contractor. Consider these tips to help you find the right person for the project, along with questions to ask. Once you've found one, learn how to be an informed client and deal with issues that may arise.
Furnishing & Decorating (78)
The deck is done, the patio has been paved -- now it's time to furnish your outdoor space and decide on a certain style. How about tropical or ethnic? Vintage or eclectic? Palm Springs modern or Victorian? What are your needs, desires, location and size limitations, and do you have a budget? Where do you find furniture and accessories -- retail stores, garden centers, flea markets, or catalogs?
Pool & Patio Glossary (59)
What exactly is an algaecide? How can I tell the difference between a patio and a deck or terrace? Learn pool-, hot tub-, and spa-related terms, along with everything related to patios, verandas, gazebos and more. Two separate glossaries help you locate that word or term relating to pools and patios.
