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Archive for the ‘Decks & Porches’ category

Good Reasons to Install a Sliding Patio Door Lock

August 25th, 2010

Sliding patio door locks are extremely important to have on sliding doors for numerous reasons. Current trends in home design often include sliding patio doors as they offer wonderful views of scenic vistas and the great outdoors; views of creative landscaping; and easy and quick access to backyard gardens, pools and patios. However, there can be risks if doors are not locked.

The most important reason for locks on sliding patio doors is safety. Everyone wants their homes to be safe and secure. Locking the patio door keeps out the undesired and keeps in those who need protection and supervision such as small children. Small children pose a special concern; and keeping patio doors locked can help keep caregivers free from the worry about their children’s safety and the security of the home.

The best design of patio lock for homes with small children is a design that has the lock at or near the top of the door. Children cannot reach the locks, thus the only way they could get outside is to break the patio door. Not many children would do this. Versions of this type of lock come with a string that can be attached to make it easier to unlock the latch. Attaching a string should be considered with caution as some children will simply stand on a chair or stool to reach the string; or may already be tall enough to reach it.

Another reason for installing locks on sliding patio doors is to keep the door from lifting.  Patio doors » Read more: Good Reasons to Install a Sliding Patio Door Lock

How to Prevent Ipe Wood Lumber from Warping

April 27th, 2010

One of the most popular choices for decking, fences, and gates is Brazilian ipe wood. The ipe (pronounced EYE-pay) tree grows in the rainforests of South America and is prized for its durability and beauty.

However, some homeowners have raised concerns about ipe’s tendency to warp or shrink, particularly in hot, dry climates, or high-exposure applications like decks. Consumers and builders alike have weighed in on this issue in online forums, but consensus is still lacking. However, some basic precautions can prevent frustrations when the project is done.

If you have the money to spend, kiln-dried ipe boards are unlikely to warp or shrink. However, this is an expensive option. And unlike other woods, stain or sealant won’t help; in fact, because ipe’s density, treating it can actually make things worse. Ipe needs to breathe.

Builders recommend deck construction designs with plenty of ventilation underneath, which is good practice no matter what kind of wood you’re using. This allows moisture escaping from the ground to evaporate, instead of soaking into the planks and making them curl.

The cut of the planks can make a difference in how stable they are after they’re fastened down. 1 x 6s tend to “cup,” meaning they curl from side to side in a “U” shape, while thicker, narrower boards tend to remain stable. Ask your builder to bid the job with 5/4 x 6 or even 5/4 x 4 planks if you have concerns about cupping. Anchorseal or a similar sealant on the cut ends can also minimize warping as the boards dry. » Read more: How to Prevent Ipe Wood Lumber from Warping

Carpeting Your Outdoor Lounge or Patio

March 18th, 2010

Maybe you’ve considered putting carpet on some of your outdoor areas, like a lounge or patio. No doubt-ably than you’ve considered outdoor carpeting. There are a few things to keep in mind when looking to purchase and/or install outdoor carpeting. The first thing to consider is how exactly you’re expecting the carpet to perform under certain conditions. For example, will the area be exposed to a lot of direct sunlight or water? Depending on these conditions, your carpeting choice will vary.

If the area will likely see standing water, then you’ll want to consider marine carpeting. When most people think of marine carpeting, they think of the ugly green carpet you may have seen around boat docks. Besides green, there are many different colors to choose from but the makeup of marine carpeting is basically the same. Marine carpet is constructed of a marine backing made to actually hold water and a polypropylene or olefin fiber.

Another type of outdoor carpet is olefin without the marine backing yet still stands up quite resiliently to sun and high traffic. There are two main methods for installing such carpet. As with traditional indoor carpet, outdoor carpets come in rolls or carpet squares with adhesive backing.
» Read more: Carpeting Your Outdoor Lounge or Patio

Patio Cover Kits: Do It Yourself

January 15th, 2010

While patios themselves are a practical addition to houses in their own right, patio cover kits can augment the practicality of a patio space and add an added dimension of sophistication.

Most patio cover kits are relatively easy for any homeowner to attach, can come pre-assembled, and can come in an array of styles built to fit to any patio.

They primarily give cover from rain, snow and wind, allowing homeowners to enjoy the patio all year round regardless of the weather conditions. They can give both shade and allow light, depending on the design. Thanks to this, they can make a patio a haven for plants, allowing them to grow inside sheltered from the outside whilst providing light to stream in.

Within this environment, both the plants and the atmosphere within can flourish for the benefit of the homeowner, with the added humidity during the winter being an added bonus to combat colds and dry air. » Read more: Patio Cover Kits: Do It Yourself

A Porch Awning Keeps You Out Of The Sun

December 23rd, 2009

If you have a porch or deck that you would like to cover, you have several options.  The first, and least expensive, is to use one or more outdoor umbrellas.  This option gives you a good deal of shade from the sun for a relatively little amount of money.  The most expensive and most difficult option is to add a full, permanent cover to the deck.  As you can imagine, this takes a lot of work, money, and most likely building permits from your city building officials.  The middle of the road option, on the other hand, is reasonably priced and much less time and effort: » Read more: A Porch Awning Keeps You Out Of The Sun