Thursday 25 August 2011

Recommended Outdoor Patio Deck Designs

A patio deck proposes handy space for informal entertaining and each day enjoyment of the wonderful out-of-doors. Patios are regularly constructed either at the hind or in front of the residence. Successful patio deck designs augment the floor space of your home and add up a room where you can entertain friends frequently. People who are fond of entertaining associates might be interested in a patio with a private kitchen and dining area. Decks add-ons are amongst the least obscure and most pleasing home improvement jobs you can carry out. When initiating a novel patio design, it is vital to keep in mind that your new outdoor entertaining area does not need to be expensive. There are several patio surfaces that go well with every homeowner's definite tastes and funds which comprise natural clay stones, bricks and concrete paves so you need not stick to one type of surface. A wooden patio is also another preference.

Concrete patio designs


The requisite of a lush and detached oriented style of existence has resulted in novel and modern concrete patio designs. Concrete patio designs are a must owing to the ensuing penchant by the older populace and the recurrence of porches and decks inside the design of every person's homes. Concrete patios are also more cost-effective to build and needs fewer repairs than other materials. You could make concrete slabs to appear bricks or stones. There are also finishing that can make your exterior look like wood to make the environment more pliant. Concrete gives a solid surface that entirely prevents weed growth. Currently, you can pamper in fitting your concrete patio with an outdoor kitchen with complete seating area, fireside and even intricate water features to offer a well-designed outdoor seating arrangement. The flexibility of the concrete patio outlines and key materials add up to the features of the home and present actual value for the money spent. Concrete will break for a period of time, and so, for this therefore, needs refurbishing.

Bricks and Natural Stones Patios


It is quite usual for patios to be made out of concrete, but currently, flagstone and brick patios occurs to be remarkably common patio designs. They bestow a updated and cool appearance that works brilliantly with brick or stone homes. Bricks and natural stones maybe luxurious but they are very resilient and can hold out extreme amount of heat and cold in intense weather conditions. They can be set in sand or gravel based exterior. The most recommended way of installing brick or stone paves is to append them over concrete. This is durable type though, but you will have years of beauty with a low maintenance patio.

Wooden patios


A wooden deck is a useful home enhancement that boosts the radiance and appeal of your home. A deck devised as a wooden podium, capable of supporting weight, built outside and joined to your house is a nice patio design selection. It might be enclosed with wooden banister for safety depending on its height from the ground. Wooden patios however, need regular maintenance and re-staining over time. Home patios can be prearranged in a variety of forms and dimensions and can be revitalized consistently. Out-of-doors entertaining is becoming a prevalent and escalating pastime for friends and family, so having it intended to match your choice is immensely satisfying.

Monday 15 August 2011

Sealing A Deck

A deck is an extension of your home’s living space and where you will spend much of your time during the summer months. Consequently, it needs to be treated and cared for as much as your home’s inside rooms.

Most important to the care of your deck is regularly sealing it. This is particularly true if you want your deck to maintain the natural color of the wood.


Sealing
a deck is critical in order to preserve the life and look of the wood. The sealant preserves the beauty of the natural wood by protecting it from both water and sun damage.

When to Apply the deck Sealant


In order to preserve the natural wood look for many years, I typically apply the sealant every year. Also, I usually apply it in late summer/early fall as I live in New England. I do this because of the concern of snow lying on the deck for long periods of time during the winter months. My concern is in the acidity of the water in the snow. By putting on a sealant just prior to snow season, I can provide peak protection against the prolonged damaging effects of the acid contained in the water. In hotter climates, where there is less snow, I would suggest applying the deck sealer in late spring.


Clean the deck prior to sealing


First, remove all of the deck furniture off of the deck.


Prior to sealing it is then best to power wash the deck and let it thoroughly dry. You may need to use a stiff bristly brush to get off any material that is not being removed by the power washer. Pine pitch frequently requires the services of this tool. There are also a variety of products offered by sealant manufactures that can also assist in the deck sealant preparation.

After power washing it may take 24-48 hours, or even longer, for the deck to thoroughly dry, pending weather conditions. Make sure the deck is completely dry prior to applying the sealant. Otherwise, the sealant may not be appropriately absorbed into the wood’s surface.


Once the deck is dry, and you are about ready to begin sealing, use a leaf blower to remove any debris that may have fallen onto the deck’s surface since you power washed it. If you do not have a leaf blower, than simply sweep the deck.


Sealing the deck


First, the deck sealer should not be applied if the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and if rain is forecasted in the next 24 hours. Otherwise, the sealant may not absorb properly, nor dry properly.


Using a brush apply the sealant around all the deck edges and posts. Once the edging is complete, use a sprayer, brush or roller to apply the sealant to the deck surface. Make sure that the sealant is firmly pressed into the wood surface to maximize the penetration of the sealant into the wood.