This page contains advice and ideas for building and maintaining decks and patios.
Sealing a Painted Deck?This is a page about sealing a painted deck. Sealing a painted deck will help the paint last longer and extend the life of your deck.
Tinting Deck Stain a Darker Color?I bought a gallon of stain. After having it for a few months I went to use it. I then realized it was lightener than I wanted for my deck. Is there any way to darken this?
Attaching a Gazebo to Cement?I want to attach a 10'x10' gazebo to the cement next to our in-ground pool. My husband is worried about the strong winds we get through our backyard. Is it possible that the winds will rip the gazebo up out of the cement and ruin our cement?
Moving a Wood Deck?This is a page about moving a wood deck. Moving a wood deck is relatively easy as long as you can disassemble and move it without too much hassle.
Making a Brick PatioA brick patio, large or small, is a nice DIY feature to add to your yard or garden. Learn how in the tutorial below.
Keeping Dirt From Washing onto a Screened Patio?I have a screened patio, but when it rains, the water brings in dirt from around the bottom edge. So we put down rocks over the outside perimeter dirt to stop it, but it really isn't helping much. Suggestions?
Refinishing a Wood DeckThis is a page about refinishing a wood deck. Time and weather take their toll on wood decks.
Removing Paving Slabs?How do I remove newly laid slabs without cracking the cement around the other slabs?
Revamping a Small Patio?I want to revamp my patio. It's not very big at all. It's in front of the condo. The first issue is that the patio is made of 3 different materials, most of it is concrete slab, but then there's also whitish porcelain tile, and rock slab (yuck).
Painting Cement to Look Like Rock?Several years ago at a garage sale I happened to notice their cement porch had been painted brown and looked like rock. Does anyone know how to paint cement like that?
Deck is Slippery When Wet?Does anyone have any solutions for a deck that is very slippery when wet?
Cutting Patio Pavers?How do I cut patio blocks?
Staining Concrete Patio Pavers?How do I stain outdoor patio blocks?
Enclosing an Outdoor Patio?I would like to enclose parts of my outdoor patio that has a very high metal canopy. Does anyone have any ideas on what type of material I can use that isn't too expensive?
Replacing Outdoor Carpet?The ugly, green outdoor carpet on my front steps and porch is finally wearing out and starting to rip apart. his is probably a good thing! But how do I remove it and all of the glue that's holding it down?
Protecting Outdoor Decks?What is the best treating product for outside wood products such as decks and trellis' to preserve and protect against intense weather conditions, such as snow, sun, rain and wind?
Blocks for Building up a Patio?Where can I get inexpensive blocks to build up my patio?
Creating a Cozy and Beautiful Backyard?My name is Erin, a recently married woman. As you see the pictures for my back yard, there is nothing. My husband moved into this house 7 years ago and he said he never went out to the back yard since he moved. Please help us to have a little cozy, beautiful back yard!
Asphalt Roofing Deck?Asphalt Roofing Deck. We have a roof top deck with rolled asphalt roofing on the floor. What can I put over it for comfort and to preserve the roofing?
Renovating the Floor of My Lanai (Covered Patio)?I need help on my lanai (covered Patio). I have removed all the ugly paint from the floor, but do not know what would be best to add. The problem is, when it rains, I have standing water.
Solution for Ice on a Deck?What can I use to prevent slipping on ice on my deck. I have heard that salt is harmful to carpets, if you carry it back into the house on your shoes. I want to also use something that is safe for animals (just in case they should eat it).
Perking Up a Condo Deck?I have a deck that does not belong to me but it is part of my condo. it is 5 by 7 feet with a wood floor and ceiling. It has vinyl siding on the walls. The back of my condo is about 100 yards from interstate 95, so it can get pretty loud out there. I have a pot of seedlings out there and some wind chimes.
White Paint On Porch Floor?I need some advice. Last year I did something that I now regret. I painted my porch floor white and after a long winter of shoveling the paint is all peeling off.
Turning a Patio Into an Outdoor Living Room?We have an enclosed patio just off our living room. I would like to make an "outdoor living room" for the summer.
Inexpensive Patio Material?I need some good ideas for patio material, I have a large area to cover, so I have to find something cheap.
Make Your Concrete Patio Look Like BrickI painted the entire patio with a grey porch/patio paint and was not happy with the look. So I next used narrow masking tape to tape off the brick pattern. I then used a red brick color and an old paintbrush to paint the bricks.
Advice for a Backyard Patio?I am starting to get my back yard cleared out. About 15 trees will be removed, grass seed will be planted and I would like a small patio area to be exposed from the French Doors I hope to have installed.
Refinishing a DeckOur deck was built 11 years ago and was in desperate need of refinishing. It was covered in mold and mildew, which made it unsightly and very slippery in our rainy weather. We enlisted the help of our kids and were able to get it done fairly quickly. Now have a beautiful deck again!
Making a Brick PatioI got these unusual old bricks from a friend. I'm fond of them because they say "Pacific" and I've lived in the Pacific NW most of my life. I wanted to use them for something special but I only had 28 bricks. My husband made this little patio off our concrete pad to hold my grill. It's the perfect size and leaves me more space on the concrete for other things. Here is how he did it.
Sealing a Painted Deck?I just painted my outdoor deck with an acrylic paint. I would like to seal it now. What product do you recommend to use as a sealant on my open air deck?
Making Concrete Stepping Stones?Would I be able to use Elmer's glue as a super placticizer for making cement or concrete stepping stones?
Sealing a Painted Deck?I painted my deck; what can I put on it to seal it? My deck is covered.
Moving a Wood Deck?So a neighbor of ours is moving and we are getting his wooden deck. It could be carried to our house by about 5 people or so, but we are new to town and don't know anybody willing to help.
Inexpensive Patio Decorating Ideas?I was looking for some super cheap decorating ideas for a small concrete fenced back yard, e.g., seating, lighting, plants, etc.
Grass Growing in Cracks in Concrete?We have a concrete floor in our garden, some of it is a foundation of a previous building and quite deep. There are several cracks in the concrete where there is grass and weeds growing.
