The patio is a great place to sit back and relax after a hard day’s work or to entertain family and friends for special occasions. It’s also a place to enjoy Mother Nature while still being near the comforts of home instead of the uncertainty of the great outdoors. The area just needs a patio umbrella to spruce up the surroundings, add the desired ambience and provide additional protection from the elements including sun, rain and snow.

Each patio is different from the other patios in the neighborhood in terms of space, ambience and uses. Fortunately, the market offers a wide range of patio umbrellas to choose from the small to the large, from to temporary to the semi-permanent, and even from the round to the rectangle. This article discusses these choices so that homeowners will have a better idea of these products even before logging on to an online site or visiting a home improvement store.

Choices in Materials

The most rustic and romantic of patio umbrellas are usually made from wood, said material of which is used on the poles and ribs. Wood provides for a classic and classy feel that other materials like cold metal often cannot offer the homeowner. However, wood can be less than durable than metal in terms of being able to withstand the vagaries of nature although many wooden patio umbrellas now have metal at the core of the wooden pole to boost durability.

An aluminum patio umbrella is a good choice, too. Usually, the aluminum is used on the poles and ribs with the cover being made from canvas, which makes for durable, lightweight and beautiful patio umbrellas. Consumers who live in windy areas benefit the most from aluminum models with the added advantage of being able to choose from many kinds of finishes to the metal.

Aluminum patio umbrellas also come with fiberglass ribs. The result is an umbrella that can withstand strong winds since fiberglass is more flexible and yet more durable than wood and aluminum combined.

Choices in Styles

Usually, a patio umbrella looks like the portable umbrella with the pole in the middle. But there are inherent problems with the design as the pole can get in the way of people facing each other. Manufacturers offer the offset patio umbrellas, also known as cantilever umbrellas, which provides for extra flexibility, shade and area. Just make sure that the base is heavier to prevent the offset umbrella from toppling over.

Yet another choice in patio umbrellas is the wall-mounted type. Obviously, it can be mounted directly to the wall, thus, providing for an outdoor café atmosphere right in the backyard. Other benefits include greater space for the tables underneath and lesser hassles in unfurling these umbrellas.

Patio umbrellas come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Homeowners and even business owners can choose from round, rectangular and polygonal umbrellas with sizes from single to double. The final choice in the patio umbrella will depend on personal preferences in style, the available budget and the allocated space.

Samantha Reynolds is a writer/blogger, focusing on home décor and outdoor décor using patio umbrellas from Patioshoppers.

 

Choosing a Patio Umbrella to Match Your Outdoor Decor is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

With a down economy and more Americans tightening their spending, exotic vacations to faraway lands just aren’t in the budget these days. But just because you can’t travel doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a relaxing afternoon in your own backyard.

From installing fire pits to adding hanging baskets, many Americans are investing money to turn their backyards into a dreamy oasis. Here are a few ideas to take your backyard from drab to fab without breaking the bank:

Fire Pits Add a Wow Factor to Your Backyard

When looking for a fire pit, be sure to purchase one that is appropriate for your family. Some fire pits have an open flame, which might not be suitable for young children. Others have grates that cover the fire, making them safer for the whole family. Pits range in price from cheap to pricey for more elaborate designs. No matter the price range, you can be certain you are purchasing a beautiful focal point for your backyard that will add character and warmth to those summer nights.

At the end of summer, store your fire pit in a covered location like a garage or shed. You can also wrap it in a tarp to ensure it stays dry and safe from the elements. Your fire pit can rust easily, so it’s important to protect it. By covering it, you’ll help make sure it will be ready to go once the weather is warm enough again. With the proper care and maintenance, your nights with your fire pit will create lasting memories with your family and friends for years to come.

Plant Flowers to Add Beauty and Sophistication

Another way to turn your backyard into an oasis is by adding flowers to your landscaping. Planting colorful annuals can keep your backyard bright and cheery all summer long. If you have a covered patio in your backyard, purchasing hanging baskets will transform the space into a luxurious area to lounge and relax. Flowers help set a calming ambience and give your backyard an expensive resort feel. Remember, when you invest in your backyard, you only have to step outside to be on vacation.

Post by guest blogger Stephanie Kalina-Metzger, a writer who enjoys blogging about fire pits.

Note: Image courtesy of dowriterdawn.

Turn your Backyard into an Oasis with Fire Pits is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Ever thought that shutters would be a great addition to your home, but worried about the maintenance, or cost? If this has kept you away from inquiring, then consider buying PVC shutters instead of the timber variety.

PVC shutters look and act the same way as timber, but are much easier to maintain, and are much cheaper. With PVC, there is no need to worry about expansion in wet areas, like can happen to timber on outdoor shutters, or mold on indoor areas like the laundry and bathroom. Shutters can add value to your home as well, as they are a lot more sturdy and robust than blinds, which are just window dressings, and aren’t custom fitted to your windows.

If you do want to look at timber options, make sure you visit a show room to see all the available designs and colors and you may decide to have different materials of shutter in different areas of your home. You will have more of a choice in colour with timber, and while this means it can cost more, it may mean that it will fit in with your home’s design. Timber shutters can be great for entertaining areas in the home, while PVC is a great option for wet areas and outdoors.

When shopping for window shutters, make sure you and your designer work together to come up with a style that will complement your home, and enhance it rather than overwhelm it. Whatever you choose, it will give your home a touch of luxury and opulence that will make it stand out from the rest of the street. Remember that shutters are an investment that will increase the value of your home so make sure you and your designer carefully look at your home’s decoration and keep in mind any refurbishments you may want in the future.

Riverview can provide you with PVC shutters as well as timber and aluminum shutters, and will come to your home to see what would be the best type for your home’s design, your lifestyle and budget. See their website and request a free measure and quote for outdoor shutters today.

Note: Gutter photo provided courtesy of FreeWine

Easy to Maintain PVC Shutters is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Thinking about adding a carport to your home? Maybe you are undecided whether you want to add a carport or a stand alone garage and are trying to decide the best option?

Many homeowners already have a garage and it has become full due to using it for storage. In this case this is where a place that is safe and protects the vehicle from the weather becomes necessary. A carport is an excellent option for this. Many homeowners have garages that are not attached to the home. For those who get home after dark they like the idea of being able to park the vehicle close to the house and not having to walk any great distance.

We all know that vehicles are expense. This makes it important to take care of them with regular maintenance and protection from the weather. Carports can provide excellent protection from sun, wind, rain and snow. Having your vehicle protected from the weather will protect it for years to come.

Not only are carports great protection for our vehicles they also add value to the home. Having a carport adds to the convenience factor as well as to the beauty of the home itself. A beautifully constructed carport can add thousands of dollars onto the value of the home as can the landscaping.

Carports can also be used for other things when it is not being used for the storage of your vehicle. Many use the carports for protection from the weather when having parties and doing other things such as using the family grill. Others have even decorated the carports to hold family reunions under. With a carport for protection from the weather many things can be done.

A carport attached to the residence or even on the side of the residence offers many options. It can be used for protection of the family vehicle or for outdoor activities when the weather may change. It offers value to the family residence as well as charm. A well-constructed carport will last for years and will be well worth the investment.

Looking for Steel Carports Perth? Great Aussie Patios are expert carport builders and specialise in carport installation. They are committed to delivering the highest quality carports for your home. Contact them now for a free onsite quote.

Adding a Carport to Your Home is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

The presence of slate chippings is quite a common site in gardens across the world.  Read on to discover the different ways in which you could utilise them in your garden and the benefits that they provide.

As a driveway

The first area of your garden that you may wish to consider installing slate chippings is your driveway.  Doing so serves to offer an attractive alternative to a tarmac or concrete driveway.  As slate chippings are relatively cheap; it is also a more cost effective option than having your drive block paved.  Driveways that are made of slate chippings can offer safety benefits as rainwater will seep through and into the ground, rather than pooling on the surface.  This removes that chance that either a vehicle or person will slip due to excess surface water.   If you do decide on slate chippings for your driveway then be sure to go for the 20mm size rather than 40mm.  This is because the 20mm are small enough to withstand that weight of a car, without breaking or splintering.

Decorative borders and paths

The most common use of slate chippings in gardens is probably in border and paths areas.  When used in paths they provide good traction for sound footing, as they do with driveways.  Slate chippings also retain their looks for many without any maintenance required, whereas slab and concrete paving often requires jet washing to retain its looks.  For those that prefer to keep their garden low on plants and trees with the aim of reducing the level of upkeep required; slate chippings in your borders can be the right move.  Not only do they leave you with an attractive finish where greenery is sparse, they also stop sunlight from reaching the soil beneath, which prevents weeds from growing.

For mulching purposes

The process of mulching involves laying a material across the surface of your soil to assist the growth of plants and trees.  This works by way of the mulch retaining moisture, which is then slowly released into the soil; thus watering your greenery naturally.  The covering layer also serves to keep direct sunlight off the soil, which helps to keep the soil cool.  The final benefit of mulching is that as the water is released from the mulching material at also takes with it any nutrients, which helps to enrich the soil and make it more suited for growing.  Unfortunately slate chippings do not contain any beneficial nutrients, unlike other mulching options such as bark or compost.  Therefore if you don’t have soil that is particularly good for growing; you may decide that slate chippings aren’t the right option for you.

Pauline Bamber is a gardening enthusiast and enjoys sharing her knowledge of gardening advice to friends, family and the online community. She recommends Hallstone Direct for quality slate chippings at a reasonable cost.

The Benefits Of Garden Slate Chippings is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Log splitters are great hand tools for helping you provide your family with the type of wood they need for the winter or summer. The following tips for choosing great log splitters are tailored for both new buyers and experienced ones alike!

10. Weight. This one is really dependent on your own strength. Don’t just assume that a heavier splitter is automatically going to be superior, because it really depends on your needs and ability to carry. If you honestly cannot lift 24 lbs around comfortably then make sure to invest in a lighter splitter. Don’t be afraid to compromise on size and weight to adjust for your own comfort.

8. You’re going To Need a Hammer or Maul. When choosing a splitter, realise that it cannot get the job done alone. Indeed, using something as such will necessitate the presence of a sledge hammer, so make sure you have a sturdy one available. If not, it’s going to be an additional cost that will definitely be recouped in your other DIY projects.

7. Space. These guys take up a lot of space, so be sure you have the storage capacity in your home or shed to make up for that. If you don’t, consider building a shed or throwing out some old equipment before you drop the cash on these handy tools.

6. How Often You Use Your Fireplace. If your family likes to cosy up next to the fireplace every night, then getting a splitter is a great investment. It’s an even better one if your home is heated by wood and fire alone. However, if you only need firewood for special occasions, then maybe getting this tool might be an unwise decision.

5. Have Enough Space For Your Wood. You’re going to making a lot of firewood with your new splitter. Be sure to make enough room on your property to house all of your wood and protect it from the elements. To this regard, consider investing in a tarp and some chord to ensure that your wood doesn’t get too wet during those blustery nights.

4. Practice Makes Perfect. If you’ve never split wood before, using a log splitter can be quite the task. Be sure to practice lining up your hammer or wedge on your splitting surface, using something similar in size to your splitter. That way, you won’t embarrass yourself the first few times you start using your new splitter.

3. Safety First. Splitting logs is not without its safety concerns. Shards of wood can get into your eyes and splinters are always a nasty side effect. Be sure to wear safety goggles and long sleeves when using your splitter, and never ever do it without wearing thick gloves. These are just a few simple ways to make sure that you can keep splitting logs all day long.

2. Keep Your Splitter In Good Condition. Much like finding enough room for your new splitter, you’re going to need to keep it clean. Wipe it down with a clean cloth after each usage, and if it’s been particularly muddy out, be sure to use a wet cloth first. These are a few simple maintenance tips that you should considering before investing in a splitter so that you don’t have to keep replacing it.

1. Make Sure You Have An Ample Supply Of Lumber. There’s really no point in investing in a splitter if there are no more than three trees in your area. If you’re going to be buying a splitter, there better be a lot of wood for you to split. Otherwise, it might just be a sunk cost to invest so much money into something you’re not going to use.

Screwfix is the UK’s largest direct and online supplier of trade tools, accessories and hardware products. With over 30 years’ experience in the industry, we despatch tens of thousands of parcels every week for next day and weekend delivery to tradesmen, handymen and serious DIY enthusiasts all over the UK. To view their range of log splitters from Screwfix customers can visit the Screwfix website.

Top 10 Things To Remember When Buying A Log Splitter is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Cold drafts are something that you will likely have to worry about if you own a home.  Checking for draft’s is something that can often be done with just your hand and requires no special equipment in order to do so.  There are many things that you have to consider when you’re looking to stop cold drafts from entering the house.  You have to have a plan of attack and know what you are facing in order to get the right material to stop the draft from entering a home.  Here are few suggestions they might want to take under consideration when you’re looking to stop the draft’s in your home.

Now that you have discovered the problems or problem areas of your home, you need to know how to repair them.  Fixing a drafty window frame is very simple because you can get cold weather caulking to insert around the window frame, making a solid barrier to stop drafts from entering your home.  A tube of caulking is not a very expensive so you should have no problems finding it at any hardware store. If the panes are letting cold air past, the solution might involve actually replacing your windows, possibly with something like a double pane replacement window.

Stopping Air Leaks is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

A new current fashion among homeowners is constructing or enhancing open-air rooms around the house, for example patios or decks. A recent survey of the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) reveals that 60% of homeowners consider it vital for a house to have a comfortable open-air room. For the ideal open-air room PERC recommends as one of the best products the patio heater.

Another survey of the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association (HPBA) reveals the fact that 55% of grill owners and 65% of gas grill owners are frequently grilling out all year long. With such an open-air patio heater these people could take more pleasure in eating outdoor even when it is cold outside.

One important aspect of home appliances regards the general safety. The current patio heaters meet the safety requirements, even more, they are constantly improved. The majority of gas heaters are equipped with piezo electric starter, thus you need no matches or pilot light. Some units also have an automatic emergency shut off, that will immediately shut it off, increasing the safety of these heaters.

Patio heaters are running on three type of fuel: propane, natural gas or electricity. Natural gas is used in the case of stationary heaters, while propane gives mobility to the heater. Most infrared heaters are running by electricity, but some of them by natural gas.

There are different and new patio heaters available in variable shapes and sizes to meet your individual needs. It all depends on what you are looking for: stationary or moveable heater, as well as the heat that you need, based on the number of people in the outdoor room. These are the things that you have to consider when you are looking for the suitable heater for you.

Self-supporting heaters are bigger and more powerful compared to table-top heaters. Table-top heaters on the other hand, are smaller and much easier to move around as you want. The Lil Artic Sun Original is such a table-top heater, able to emit heat in an eight foot range. For a bigger heater you might try the self-supporting Artic Sun Bullet, a reasonable priced heater, emitting heat in up to twenty foot range. Infrared heaters are usually highly adaptable; you can suspend them on a wall, on a pole or overhead.

Stationary heaters have the advantage that can be connected directly to your existing natural gas lines, not needing any tanks. However, if you are planning to move the heater to different places, a portable propane heater is recommended, available in self-supporting and table-top models.

The heating power of patio heaters is measured in BTUs. For example, a 20,000 BTU heater will radiate heat in a 10 foot diameter. Usually, the self-supporting heaters are much powerful than the table-top heaters, being recommended for bigger outdoor rooms.

Patio heaters have become a pleasant and practical accessory of the more and more popular American outdoor lifestyle. They are safe and efficient, perfect to turn chilly nights into warm evenings, ideal for your family and friends to get together in a relaxed atmosphere. After all, we all deserve to relax now and then.

Enjoy Comfort Even Outdoor: Patio Heaters for Outdoor Rooms is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

A backyard fish pond is something that many people dream of but never actually get out and do it.  This is really a shame as it is not that difficult of a home improvement project if you have the knowledge.  The steps are fairly simple, and the work is not so taxing that you could not do it yourself.  If you have some people that can help out, it will certainly cut into the amount of time it takes to build your backyard fish pond.  Here is a step by step guide on how to build that fish pond you always dreamed of:

1. Figure out the location of your backyard fish pond.  You can make them large or small, but keep in mind that the larger the pond, the more maintenance you will run into.  You will want to find a location that has both plenty of sun, and some shade.  This is because the fish need both, and the sun will allow the plants that you add to grow.  Mark off the area that you want to the fish pond to be located.
2. The next step is the toughest, as you have to dig the hole for the fish pond.  Do yourself a favor and make certain that no lines, gas or otherwise are located in your dig site.  Once you begin digging, you will want to dig about three feet in the center, and leave about a one foot drop off around the edges.  This will serve as a step if you need to do maintenance work, and also as a place to put plants if desired.
3. Pick out a pump and filter for the fish pond.  This is important and you can ask the local home improvement folks what size you need based on the size of the pond.  You will also need to make sure that you have electricity to run the pump.  This is something that you should consult a local electrician for, as there are many variables I can not possibly cover here.  Bottom line, make sure the electric set up is safe or you could electrocute yourself, the fish, or anyone else that comes near.
4. Clear out the hole of any debris as well as potential problem areas such as roots and stumps.  This is so that the liner will not be punctured or damaged in any way.  Then put sand in the hole and spread it evenly throughout.
5. Purchase a fish pond liner for the pond.  Spread the liner over the hole and put in place so that it will cover the entire pond after the water is added.
6. Fill the pond with water taking special care to make sure not to overfill.  While the water is filling, you can place a border around the edges to hold the liner in place.  Rocks of all types are wonderful for this purpose and gives the backyard pond a wonderful natural look.  Hide excess liner trim with more rocks or plants.
7. Install the filter and pump.  This is done by hooking up the pump and filter with tubing and then a tube to the fountain source you are using.  This can be a waterfall, fountain or any other creative way to move the water around.  As long as the water is going through the filter, it is acceptable.
8. Add in the fish, but only after making sure you have the proper water mixture.  Your local pet store can help you with these details when you buy your fish.  Ask plenty of questions to be sure you have the right mix in place for your new friends.
9. Add plants and decorations to taste.

You now have your backyard fish pond that you always dreamed about.  Remember, you have to keep the pond clean and keep up the maintenance over time, but the pond will be such a source of enjoyment that you will not notice the work.

The fishpond photo in this post was taken by Chris Palmer.

Building A Fish Pond For Your Backyard is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling