Saturday, January 30, 2016

Simple Patio Walkway Design Ideas For Your Lawn


No matter what size lawn your property has, you may want to consider adding a patio walkway to make it more functional or attractive. A patio walkway shows the thoughtful attitude you have toward guests who may be using your yard as well as your interest in making the lawn look appealing and well-kept. One or more walkways between porch and shed, or garage and shed, or merely around the property's perimeter provides a structured look to the property and provides easy access among the various outbuildings where people may be working and need to move heavy equipment around.

If your shed is several hundred feet from the house or garage, you may want to put in a walkway that will let you move the lawn tractor, wheelbarrow, or cultivator, along with other garden tools and lawn equipment, from the shed closer to the house where it will be used. If the shed is dark or filled to overflowing, it makes sense to move items like this to a well-lit garage, or your porch where you can lay out tools for doing a tractor tune-up or changing the oil, or simply clean up rakes, mowers, and trimmers before using them the next time. The walkway will let you move heavier items on a brick or stone path that can handle the weight, rather than pushing these things over the grass and possibly killing it or causing ruts, particularly on a rainy day.

When you clean out the garage, you may want to move some unused things to storage in your shed. Using the wheelbarrow to transport boxes, crates, and cartons for storage in the shed's loft will be easier than trundling across the lawn, dodging rocks, hills, and pets that may be leashed outdoors. The patio walkway makes for smoother movement, decreasing the risk that something will spill from the wheelbarrow, or that you will drop anything that you may be carrying. Just be sure to keep the walkway in good shape by sweeping away crumbled stone and removing weeds every few weeks.

A patio walkway around your property's borders is a great place to walk n indoor dog on a leash for its toileting needs. That way you know where the dog is toileting, and you will have fewer concerns about the kids stepping or rolling in it when they play in the other areas of the lawn. If it is big enough, the patio walkway around the yard's edge makes a nice area for strolling after dinner or in the moonlight in nice weather, especially if the walkway is accented by birdbaths, flowerbeds, and ground lights.

Your yard walkway can make lawn work easier. It can help you move heavy objects to various points of your property with convenience and ease. It also adds an attractive focal point that you can design for outdoor beauty. Find out how to put in a walkway yourself or the cost of getting professionals to do it for you so you can enjoy the added value of this helpful design.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/98306

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

How To Stain Wood - DIY Network



Learn how to evenly apply stain to wood for your next project with interior designer, Jeribai Tascoe.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Enjoy The Outdoors - With Patio Heaters Or Propane Heaters


You, being a lover of the outdoors can do no wrong with patio heaters. Patio heaters are not limited to use at home. Why not get some for your office? Then your staff can enjoy the outdoors during breaks and lunches. This gives them another place to hang out and who knows, may even boosts everyone's moral. Patio heaters are also popular at outdoor dining spots.

The patio heaters can help those who need to have cigarette breaks out of the office. Smokers smoke outside so the heaters can help them keep warm.

For starters, you will need an electric starter as oppose to matches as the former is safer.

You can expect a coverage of between 10 and 20 feet in radius and between 10 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit raise in temperature.

You can find heaters that are mounted high on the wall in order to facilitate the downwards blowing of the heat. You can also find heaters that are attached to the ceiling. As well, free standing ones.

Heaters that can switch off automatically when it has reached its desired temperature is one that is ideal. For this reason, wood heaters are commonly used. For this type of heater, you can choose to have copper fire pit or stainless steel heater. The flame is well contained by a protective gate. Use your own firewood to save money but be careful about breaking the laws regarding wood combustion.

Cover the your outdoor heaters for protection.

Nevertheless, patio heaters not exactly meant for winters, rather, fall and spring. They work by means of radiated heat, which is more affordable because while the area is warmed up, the air is not heated. Unlike convection, which consumes more energy in order to heat the air and thus giving less heat to the area.

The patio heater may cost up to $300 depending on the features it has. Some of the features are emergency cut off valves, flame controllers, sealed burners and tilt switches. Newer versions of the heaters may have these incorporated features available.

The antique bronze and stainless steel version of the heaters are chic and elegant.

Like the name implies, propane heaters are self contained units that are fueled by propane gas tanks. These heaters look like antique light posts. So you can start to see that the heaters serve a double purpose; besides warming the area, they are decorative items in and of themselves, so much so that they hardly look like heaters.

There are quite a few propane heaters to choose from. It depends on how you want to use it and the layout of the area it is to heat.

The amount of heat a propane heater will release depends on the BTU that is the British Thermal Unit. The highest BTU unit is between 40,000 and 46,000. Thus, the heaters can heat the area of up to 175 square foot.

The BTU is the quantity of heat vital to increase temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree fahrenheit. Higher BTU would mean warmer temperature; however, this also depends on the design of the heater to heat certain amount of space.

How much heat you can feel also depends some on the surroundings. When walls and gates can shield the area from the wind and trap heat within, the heating capacity can be optimum.

The propane heaters will need 18 inches clearance on the ceilings.

Propane heaters can also be in a movable version. They come with wheels and therefore useful especially on bad weather days. Therefore, with this type of heater, you can choose between movable or permanent ones. Table top propane heaters are also affordable however, getting the heaters depend on how you intend to use it.

The propane heaters use the same fuel as the ones used for barbeques. They will not require installation by specialists. You will only need them if you are installing heaters that use electricity or gas line.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1272262

Thursday, January 21, 2016

How To Install And Lay Artificial Grass Or Synthetic Turf DIY Lawn



This video should be helpful if you are thinking of installing your own artificial grass / synthetic turf. It's really not hard! The crusher dust base was the most physical part the actual laying of the fake turf was more like a craft project on a larger scale.

I am not an expert and do not claim to be an expert - I am DIYer JustGivingITaGO!

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Guide to Building An Outdoor Fireplace Correctly


If you are looking for the proper way to build an outdoor fireplace, then there are a number of books, videos and online resources that cover the subject matter of how to build an outdoor fireplace. Of course, simply building a fireplace and building a fireplace properly is not the same thing. What needs to be understood is that an individual must take into consideration all the necessary items and considerations to make sure that the fireplace is built not only in such a manner that it can provide the warmth that it is intended, but to also avoid be a serious safety hazard. Considering how dangerous an out of control fire may be the need to build a fireplace safely is absolutely critical.

The Safety Concerns

When it comes to properly building an outdoor fireplace, it is critical to make sure that all proper safety precautions are taken into consideration. These safety precautions should be taken into consideration when building the outdoor fireplace as well as when using the fireplace. Keep in mind, how to build an outdoor fireplace properly includes avoiding the structural flaws that could make the fireplace a safety hazard.

The Best Option

If safety remains a critical concern, then the best way to build the fire place would be to avoid building the fireplace from scratch. So, this of course brings about the question regarding how to build an outdoor fireplace with "help." The answer is that there are a number of outdoor fireplace kits that are sold in retail stores that contain all the required items needed to build the outdoor fireplace along with detailed and clear instructions that will allow the builder to both avoid critical mistakes as well as waste time trying to figure out the next step to take when building the fireplace. As such, the best way to solve the riddle of how to build an outdoor fireplace is to use an established kit that leaves no guesswork on the part of the person making the fireplace.

Ultimately, the answer to the question of how to build an outdoor fireplace properly centers on neither wasting time nor creating a fire hazard. Yes, one can experiment and try to build such a fireplace from scratch, but this is really only advised for those who have experience in this area. For those with limited experience, stick with kits that can be purchased in a store. That is, stick with this method until more experience is developed.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/764344

Thursday, January 14, 2016

SmartColor Modello Stencil Chinese Snake Project



Restore, decorate and revitalize your concrete and masonry floors using NewLook’s award-winning SmartColor™, a premium water-based nano-acrylic decorative concrete stain. Formulated with advanced nano-technology, SmartColor offers efficient penetration and tenacious adhesion to a variety of porous substrates. It is water-submersible, alkali, weather and UV light resistant. The environmentally friendly concrete stain formula is the safe, user-friendly alternative to hazardous and unreliable solvents or acid stain. SmartColor concrete stains require a top coat and are compatible with solvent-based, water-based, single and two component products, including but not limited to acrylics, epoxies and urethane sealers.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Mosaic Floor Using Designer Series Enhancer



This video shows you how to use a mechanical engraver such as a Dremel, to trace over lines you draw on the concrete to create a beautiful organic flower design & use Original Solid Color stain & decorate with vibrant Designer Series Enhancer colors.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Maintaining An Artificial Lawn - Tips And Tricks

One gets to see artificial lawns being installed in a lot of new homes lately. You can't help but think of why the artificial grass is so famous these days. You also tend to muse on how much maintenance is involved. It seems surreal when people say that there is no need to waste time on watering, mowing or anything that comes close to taking care of the real lawn. Well then, what is involved in the maintenance of the artificial lawn?

Being long-lasting and durable, the artificial lawn only needs one-fourth of the time you spend taking care of your natural grass lawn. The little time spent in caring for the grass will help increase its lifespan. The maintenance involves cleaning a small amount of debris that is a result of extreme weather. Though the false grass is resistant to the weather as such, the dust and dirt formed could affect the look and feel of it. In order for the grass to keep looking its best and also to stay safe for ages to come, one would need to give it a little bit of care. After all, a messy and neglected lawn is not something that's easy on the eyes.

Though cleaning artificial grass is quick and easy, exercising care throughout the process is extremely vital. The cleaning agents you intend purchasing need to be suitable for synthetic grass. It is your responsibility to research and make sure the agents are safe to use on the grass. Wrongly chosen chemicals may destroy the entire area. These inappropriate chemical agents may cause discoloration of the grass and also would erode the blades. These damages might be irreversible and so it is important to use the right cleaning agents on your turf. This kind of damage not only affects the grass but also may cause harm to pets that walk across and children who play. Therefore using unsafe chemicals are dangerous both to your loved ones and the artificial grass you recently installed.

It wouldn't be too much to say that the best cleaner for the turf would be water. A safe and cheap resource,rain water is very effective in clearing any grime and dust deposited on the grass. However in areas where there is limited rainfall, it would not be a good idea to trust rainfall for the maintenance of your lawn. In such situations one can either use a sprinkler or a water hose to wash away the debris.

Another very effective method is to use a broom to brush over the grass. The broom can be used at times when you see a slightly matted color on the grass indicating that it is time for cleaning. Brushing the grass in directions opposite to each other would help in removing any deposits that could affect the stability of the grass in the long run.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8450185

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

How To Install A New Lawn

Introduction To Installing A New Lawn...
Installing a new lawn for many can be a back breaking task and many questions arise when looking out onto your yard area to see an empty plot or an overgrow lawn area that has been neglected to the point of no return. This article will attempt to answer some of the many questions I have answered from homeowners about installing a new lawn from sod.
Do I Have to Remove the Old Lawn...
Yes, You must remove the old lawn. Removing the old lawn will ensure that when you plant the new lawn the roots can penetrate through the old green layer. Typically a lawn removal should be to a depth of 2-3 inches, you must consider the grade at which your yard currently sits and the volume of soil that you must install for your new lawn. In some special cases where you may add a layer of new soil without being above grade, you may leave the existing lawn in place. New lawns will require a minimum depth of 3 inches of a well draining soil, rich in nutrients. Most lawn removals can be completed with the use of sod cutter, using a bobcat and an excavator in difficult to access yards may be a hazard and may create more work than initially planned.
Soil For The New Lawn...
Soil for your new lawn is extremely important to plant health and good growing conditions. Your new lawn will see much better growth over the years if a quality top soil is installed. In many cases the more expensive the soil, the better quality.
The ideal lawn should be constructed with at least 3" of a well draining topsoil. The soil itself should contain at least 70% sand and the sub grade should be self draining. Soils that contain high volumes of wood chips and organic matter should be avoided. Soils that contain paper recycling waste and have a strong odor should be avoided as well. In most cases topsoil today is manufactured from compost, be sure to ask your supplier the contents of the soil and ensure the composting process is complete. A soil analysis with a neutral ph balance should be requested from your supplier.
Type of Sod or Seed...
Sod or also know as turf is the preferred method of installing a new lawn. Sod can be installed year round and turf farms are open to supply year round.
The variety of grass seed or sod to use will depend on:
1. The use of your lawn area. This includes the amount of traffic that your lawn area is subjected to, including pets and children.
2. The quantity of sunlight that your lawn area receives. Full sunlight areas should receive at least 70% of the daily sunlight.
3. The seasonal temperatures in your climate.
In most cases turf that comes from a sod farm or supplier will carry a variety of sod that is ideal for residential usages. Sod farms will grow varieties of grasses that fair well for new lawns with heavy traffic and shade. In some cases specialty grasses are available for low maintenance. Be sure to ask...
How To Install the Sod...
Installing a new lawn can be completed with these easy steps:
1. Lay the turf out in a brickwork fashion, meaning stagger the rolls so the seams do not match at the top of the sod rolls. Start in a straight line.
2. Butt all edges together tightly. Doing a little extra work and spending a little extra time pulling the joints of the turf rolls together will ensure the grass covers all of the soil. If you leave gaps between the turf rolls, weeds may grow in the bare patches of soil. Sod installation can be a difficult task if you don't spend the time to do it properly.
3. Cut all overlapping pieces into place with a sharp knife. You may use the scraps to fill in other bare patches. Sod seams will grow together over time. You do not have to waste any extra turf pieces.
4. Water the sod as you install. Do not let the turf dry out at any point. If the sod is allowed to dry out, shrinkage may occur on the seams and the turf may die. Installing sod on a hot day may require frequent watering so be sure you are prepared in advance.
5. Roll the new lawn after you complete laying turf.
Installing a new lawn can be a very rewarding task and offers instant beautification to any property.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6808640