Patios: Outer Spaces
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.
When is the Best Time of Year to Pour a Concrete Patio?
A Pool and Patio Forum visitor asks: "We live in Michigan, and were wondering if the end of September or early October is recommended to build a new concerete patio? Or should we wait until next spring?"
A Pool and Patio Forum visitor asks: "We live in Michigan, and were wondering if the end of September or early October is recommended to build a new concerete patio? Or should we wait until next spring?"
What's the Difference Between a Patio and a Deck?
Patio or deck? How do you know which one is right for you, your lifestyle and your outdoor living space? And how can you really tell the difference between a deck and a patio anyway?
Patio or deck? How do you know which one is right for you, your lifestyle and your outdoor living space? And how can you really tell the difference between a deck and a patio anyway?
Patio Design Ideas
Patios can be attached to a house, or detached. They are often designed and oriented with the landscape in mind. Patios are versatile: they can take on any shape and be built with a variety of materials, including concrete, pavers, stone, tile, brick, pebbles, rock or pea gravel. Most patios are set on a concrete slab or a sand and pebble base. Once you've found the site for your patio, there ar…
Patios can be attached to a house, or detached. They are often designed and oriented with the landscape in mind. Patios are versatile: they can take on any shape and be built with a variety of materials, including concrete, pavers, stone, tile, brick, pebbles, rock or pea gravel. Most patios are set on a concrete slab or a sand and pebble base. Once you've found the site for your patio, there ar…
Shop for a Gas BBQ Grill
Outdoor kitchens and grills are a major part of enjoying your patio. Cooking and entertaining outdoors is one of the most pleasurable activities people can do at home, and owning a grill or barbecue is a genuine goal for many. Gas grills continue to be popular, for different reasons. Let's explore.
Outdoor kitchens and grills are a major part of enjoying your patio. Cooking and entertaining outdoors is one of the most pleasurable activities people can do at home, and owning a grill or barbecue is a genuine goal for many. Gas grills continue to be popular, for different reasons. Let's explore.
Paving Materials Photo Gallery
When building a patio or walkway, one of the more fun but challenging decisions you'll have to make is determining what type of paving material to use. The material should blend in with the architecture and landscaping, be easy to walk on, easy to maintain and weather-resistant. This photo gallery provides a look at the wide variety of paving and surfacing materials available. Of couse, there ar…
When building a patio or walkway, one of the more fun but challenging decisions you'll have to make is determining what type of paving material to use. The material should blend in with the architecture and landscaping, be easy to walk on, easy to maintain and weather-resistant. This photo gallery provides a look at the wide variety of paving and surfacing materials available. Of couse, there ar…
Paving Materials
Considerations: You need to be open-minded and flexible. The materials you see in a magazine may not be available in your region, or may be more expensive than you thought. That means you’re going to need to be open-minded and flexible regarding the type of materials that will be used in the project, along with the design.
Considerations: You need to be open-minded and flexible. The materials you see in a magazine may not be available in your region, or may be more expensive than you thought. That means you’re going to need to be open-minded and flexible regarding the type of materials that will be used in the project, along with the design.
Top Pool and Patio News Stories for 2008: The Year in Review
Like every other area of consumerism, the world of residential outdoor living spaces was affected by the declining economy and stock market crashes of 2008. No doubt about it -– 2008 was a rough and rocky year. Let’s look at the top stories and events that influenced the world just outside our doors in 2
Like every other area of consumerism, the world of residential outdoor living spaces was affected by the declining economy and stock market crashes of 2008. No doubt about it -– 2008 was a rough and rocky year. Let’s look at the top stories and events that influenced the world just outside our doors in 2
Build a 7-Foot Patio in a Weekend for About $200
Perfect for a small space, this detached, circular brick patio can come together over a weekend or less. It measures 7 feet across, takes minimal effort and is an easy project for a beginning do-it-yourselfer. Follow Sunset's steps for a great-looking instant patio that can cost around $200 to complete.
Perfect for a small space, this detached, circular brick patio can come together over a weekend or less. It measures 7 feet across, takes minimal effort and is an easy project for a beginning do-it-yourselfer. Follow Sunset's steps for a great-looking instant patio that can cost around $200 to complete.
What's the Best Tile Mortar to Use for Your Patio or Pool Project?
Are you laying tile, pavers or brick for your outdoor patio project? You don't want to go to the store and buy just any mortar. Learn the different types and what applications they're used for in this article by Lee Wallender, About.com's Guide to Home Renovations.
Are you laying tile, pavers or brick for your outdoor patio project? You don't want to go to the store and buy just any mortar. Learn the different types and what applications they're used for in this article by Lee Wallender, About.com's Guide to Home Renovations.
Review: "The Tile Estimator" Tile Calculator
It's easy to calculate tiles if your patio area is perfectly square. But that's rarely the case. "In the real world, there are many complicating factors: tiles of varying sizes and thicknesses; grout lines of different sizes; a variety of tile layouts; and so on," writes Lee Wallender, About.com's Guide to Home Renovations. Find out what he thinks about 'The Tile Estimator'.
It's easy to calculate tiles if your patio area is perfectly square. But that's rarely the case. "In the real world, there are many complicating factors: tiles of varying sizes and thicknesses; grout lines of different sizes; a variety of tile layouts; and so on," writes Lee Wallender, About.com's Guide to Home Renovations. Find out what he thinks about 'The Tile Estimator'.
Patio Planning, Design and Building
The traditional meaning of the word patio pertaining to Spanish architecture is a courtyard or inner area open to the sky. The term patio has evolved to refer to any outdoor hardscaped area, usually with chairs and tables for lounging, dining and entertaining. When planning a patio-building project, you'll want to assess the size, style, materials, budget, DIY difficulty level, usage, and the ave…
The traditional meaning of the word patio pertaining to Spanish architecture is a courtyard or inner area open to the sky. The term patio has evolved to refer to any outdoor hardscaped area, usually with chairs and tables for lounging, dining and entertaining. When planning a patio-building project, you'll want to assess the size, style, materials, budget, DIY difficulty level, usage, and the ave…
How to Lay a Flagstone Patio in Crushed Stone
Flagstone is a popular material to use for your patio floor and hardscaping. What do you set it in? Follow the advice of "Ask the Builder" expert Tim Carter and set it in crushed stone for a durable, slip-resistant and good looking patio.
Flagstone is a popular material to use for your patio floor and hardscaping. What do you set it in? Follow the advice of "Ask the Builder" expert Tim Carter and set it in crushed stone for a durable, slip-resistant and good looking patio.
Midcentury "Patio Culture" is Celebrated & Revived
Grab a cocktail and pay a visit to Greg Knight's "Patio Culture" web site. "Everything that was fun revolved around the patio," he writes. "Fun and games. Friends and meat -- <i>red</i> meat. "The pato wasn't just the center of suburban family life, it was a retro state of mind." This fun site includes midcentury memorbilia, barbecue recipes, tiki decor and much more.
Grab a cocktail and pay a visit to Greg Knight's "Patio Culture" web site. "Everything that was fun revolved around the patio," he writes. "Fun and games. Friends and meat -- <i>red</i> meat. "The pato wasn't just the center of suburban family life, it was a retro state of mind." This fun site includes midcentury memorbilia, barbecue recipes, tiki decor and much more.
How to Rent a Dumpster or Container for Your Outdoor Project
When demolishing existing hardscaping before building a patio, it's essential to have a place to put all that debris. You can pile it all in your backyard and hope it goes away by itself. You can hire a hauling company or haul it to a landfill by yourself. The best option? Rent a dumpster or container. Find out how from About.com's Lee Wallender.
When demolishing existing hardscaping before building a patio, it's essential to have a place to put all that debris. You can pile it all in your backyard and hope it goes away by itself. You can hire a hauling company or haul it to a landfill by yourself. The best option? Rent a dumpster or container. Find out how from About.com's Lee Wallender.
10 Small Grills for Patio Dining & Entertaining
If you've got some sort of outdoor space, you probably can make room for one of these 10 small grills. Derrick Riches, About.com's Guide to Barbecues & Grilling, reviews 10 gas, charcoal and electric grills that are small in size but big on quality features and grilling flavor.
If you've got some sort of outdoor space, you probably can make room for one of these 10 small grills. Derrick Riches, About.com's Guide to Barbecues & Grilling, reviews 10 gas, charcoal and electric grills that are small in size but big on quality features and grilling flavor.