Patio Glossary M -- Z
Unfamiliar with a word or term related to patios, decks, landscaping and outdoor structures? Find your answers to words and terms from M to Z.
Monofilament
What do you use monofilament for? Known as fishing wire, the clear nylon wire is traditionally used in fishing to tie the lure or bait to the fishing rod. Monofilament is stronger than string and won't weather like rope.
What do you use monofilament for? Known as fishing wire, the clear nylon wire is traditionally used in fishing to tie the lure or bait to the fishing rod. Monofilament is stronger than string and won't weather like rope.
Naturalistic Pool
A pool that appears to blend in with the environment.
A pool that appears to blend in with the environment.
Outdoor Kitchen
Definition: A kitchen area in an outdoor living space.
Definition: A kitchen area in an outdoor living space.
Outdoor Screen
Definition: Like a fence, although it doesn’t have to be attached to anything and materials are more varied, such as vinyl, outdoor fabric, plastic mesh, or shrubs, vines or trees planted together for privacy.
Definition: Like a fence, although it doesn’t have to be attached to anything and materials are more varied, such as vinyl, outdoor fabric, plastic mesh, or shrubs, vines or trees planted together for privacy.
Path, Pathway
Definition: A walkway in a landscape that guides foot traffic or links separate spaces. Pathway materials include brick, concrete slabs, flagstone, bark, adobe block, river rock, rough cobbles, wood rounds, gravel or stepping stones. Various groundcovers can be grown to fill in spaces between pathway materials.
Definition: A walkway in a landscape that guides foot traffic or links separate spaces. Pathway materials include brick, concrete slabs, flagstone, bark, adobe block, river rock, rough cobbles, wood rounds, gravel or stepping stones. Various groundcovers can be grown to fill in spaces between pathway materials.
Patio Garden
Definition: A garden surrounding a patio or deck used to create a comfortable outdoor space. Patio gardens can provide privacy, screen bad views, frame good views, soften hardscaping, provide shade and protection from the wind. They also offer an up-close and personal view and relationship with plants -- delighting the senses through touch, smell and the obvious visual benefits.
Definition: A garden surrounding a patio or deck used to create a comfortable outdoor space. Patio gardens can provide privacy, screen bad views, frame good views, soften hardscaping, provide shade and protection from the wind. They also offer an up-close and personal view and relationship with plants -- delighting the senses through touch, smell and the obvious visual benefits.
Patio
Definition: From the Spanish word patio, meaning back yard or back garden. An outdoor living space often adjoining a residence, used for dining, entertaining or relaxation. Patios may or may not have covers or roofs and are usually paved areas between the house and garden. Patios can be made of concrete, brick, stone, gravel, pavers, flagstone or numerous other materials.
Definition: From the Spanish word patio, meaning back yard or back garden. An outdoor living space often adjoining a residence, used for dining, entertaining or relaxation. Patios may or may not have covers or roofs and are usually paved areas between the house and garden. Patios can be made of concrete, brick, stone, gravel, pavers, flagstone or numerous other materials.
Pergola
Definition: A frame structure -- usually made of wood or powder-coated metal -- that consists of posts with a lattice roof, designed to support vines.
Definition: A frame structure -- usually made of wood or powder-coated metal -- that consists of posts with a lattice roof, designed to support vines.
Play Area, Play Yard
Definition: A designated outdoor space for children’s activities. Considerations include allowing space for fall zones; soft ground cushioning, like wood chips, sand or recyclable materials and shelter from sun or wind.
Definition: A designated outdoor space for children’s activities. Considerations include allowing space for fall zones; soft ground cushioning, like wood chips, sand or recyclable materials and shelter from sun or wind.
Pond
Definition: A small pool of water in various sizes, shapes and styles. Ponds can be made of brick, concrete, stone or tile. Water features include spray fountains, waterfalls and spill fountains.
Definition: A small pool of water in various sizes, shapes and styles. Ponds can be made of brick, concrete, stone or tile. Water features include spray fountains, waterfalls and spill fountains.
Porch
A low structure -- often with a roof -- situated at the entrance of a house or building.
A low structure -- often with a roof -- situated at the entrance of a house or building.
Post
Definition: Vertical wood or metal pole fixed in the ground, serving as a support for a beam, as a marker, or place for attaching something.
Definition: Vertical wood or metal pole fixed in the ground, serving as a support for a beam, as a marker, or place for attaching something.
Pressure-Treated Wood
Pressure treatment is a process that forces chemical preservatives into the wood. Wood is placed inside a closed cylinder, then vacuum and pressure are applied to force the preservatives into the wood. The preservatives help protect the wood from attack by termites, other insects, and decay.
Pressure treatment is a process that forces chemical preservatives into the wood. Wood is placed inside a closed cylinder, then vacuum and pressure are applied to force the preservatives into the wood. The preservatives help protect the wood from attack by termites, other insects, and decay.
Ramada
Definition: Simple, often rustic structure, derived from the Spanish word ramaje(arbor). Originally built to provide shelter from the sun during harvest time, they were often made of mesquite or cottonwood poles and ocotillo stems, and were open on at least three sides to maximize the potential for breezes. Modern versions may be attached to a residence or freestanding.
Definition: Simple, often rustic structure, derived from the Spanish word ramaje(arbor). Originally built to provide shelter from the sun during harvest time, they were often made of mesquite or cottonwood poles and ocotillo stems, and were open on at least three sides to maximize the potential for breezes. Modern versions may be attached to a residence or freestanding.
Rococo
Rococo is a style of French design and decor that originated in the mid-18th century. Rococo was the last part of the French Baroque style and is characterized by rich decoration and a variety of motifs, incuding deep swirls. In exterior design, rococo-style balconies are made of detailed ironwork, such as interlacing scrolls supported on ornate brackets. These were a change from classical stone balustrded balconies.
Rococo is a style of French design and decor that originated in the mid-18th century. Rococo was the last part of the French Baroque style and is characterized by rich decoration and a variety of motifs, incuding deep swirls. In exterior design, rococo-style balconies are made of detailed ironwork, such as interlacing scrolls supported on ornate brackets. These were a change from classical stone balustrded balconies.
Screen Plantings
Definition: Landscaping used to screen an area for privacy, to block an objectionable view, or to serve as a natural boundary or border. Selections might include dense, fast-growing, evergreen shrubs, trees, vines, large succulents and tall ornamental grasses
Definition: Landscaping used to screen an area for privacy, to block an objectionable view, or to serve as a natural boundary or border. Selections might include dense, fast-growing, evergreen shrubs, trees, vines, large succulents and tall ornamental grasses
Skid Foundation
A firm foundation is important even for small, backyard structures like playhouses and sheds. One of the easiest and quickest foundations to build is a skid foundation. The concept is simple: two or more wood beams are set on a gravel base. Why gravel? It can be smoothed-out for an even surface that drains well and allows the wood to stay dry.
A firm foundation is important even for small, backyard structures like playhouses and sheds. One of the easiest and quickest foundations to build is a skid foundation. The concept is simple: two or more wood beams are set on a gravel base. Why gravel? It can be smoothed-out for an even surface that drains well and allows the wood to stay dry.
Spa Surround
Definition: An area that houses a spa and ensures privacy. Features might include a privacy screen; wooden decking; downlights for safety; and a skirt, which hides the spa’s support system.
Definition: An area that houses a spa and ensures privacy. Features might include a privacy screen; wooden decking; downlights for safety; and a skirt, which hides the spa’s support system.
Spa
Definition: Like a hot tub, a spa massages bathers with hot, bubbling water from built-in jets. Both require the same type of support equipment. But spas are made of concrete, acrylic reinforced with fiberglass or high-impact thermoplastics. Hot tubs are more rustic, made of wood, and resemble big barrels.
Definition: Like a hot tub, a spa massages bathers with hot, bubbling water from built-in jets. Both require the same type of support equipment. But spas are made of concrete, acrylic reinforced with fiberglass or high-impact thermoplastics. Hot tubs are more rustic, made of wood, and resemble big barrels.