Showing posts sorted by relevance for query patio deck kits. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query patio deck kits. Sort by date Show all posts

Sunday, 16 January 2011

How to Build a Patio Deck

Wouldn't you just love to stay outdoors during a cool sunny day, spend quality time with the family, or just give yourself a treat with a good book that you just got from the bookstore, or just simply relax on comfortable furniture listening to the sound of the wind or the chirping of the birds? Well, it's about time you got yourself a patio deck.

A patio deck is simply a combination of a patio and a deck which is an extension of the living space of your home to the outdoors. It gives you an inviting area where you could entertain yourself, your family, or your friends. It is an area where you could relax and enjoy outdoor living.

Building a patio deck is relatively easy, what you need time with the most is the process of planning, framing, decking, and permitting, and they need careful preparation, too. You can follow these building basics to achieve that outdoor living you have always wanted.

Before beginning the construction, you have to make sure that you have the necessary documents and permits.

When you are allowed to build a deck, you can start on the planning by examining the area where you are going to construct your deck. Determine where you want to locate the different parts of the deck like the steps to the yard. You have to assess the entire area relative to the deck.

This is important to make everything work well together considering the home and the yard where you are going to put up your patio deck. You have to plan for the drainage of the groundwater across the area so as not to cause damage to your deck in the long run.

When all considerations have been made, you can now plan your deck on paper. Start by plotting the overall dimensions and where the critical pieces are located such as the raised sections or the stairs.
Next is to plan the foundation. Normally, 4x4 treated lumber posts are used to support a deck. These are set on post anchors which are galvanized and embedded in concrete footing which are 8 to 10 inches in diameter.

You can begin your construction by determining the foundation locations and laying them out on the ground. A system of strings can be used along with batter boards to make a rectangular grid.

Next, using lag bolts, affix the ledger board to the home's foundation wall. Grade the area underneath the deck to create a smooth surface that will drain away from the house. Below the frost line, dig footings to the required depth then fill with concrete mix.

Set the purchased galvanized post anchors. Next, set the treated posts then create the deck's outside dimension. With all the other installing done, nail the joists with galvanized nails then install the blocking.

In installing the decking and railings it is important that you install the railings first. Install the deck with overhangs. Then add trim boards around the deck's edge for a finished look. Deck the stair treads. And finally, you can apply clear finish or stain to the decking and railing to give it a finished look.
Tag : patio deck,patio deck design,patio deck covers,building a patio deck,patio deck kits

Monday, 21 February 2011

Having a Patio Deck in Your Home

If there is one thing that you can do to make completely change your backyard is by installing a patio deck. A patio deck is a great addition to your backyard. You can install it at the side of your home adjacent to your back door. You can place outdoor furniture in it such as tables, chairs and even some lounge chairs to make it more comfortable. It is a great way to enjoy your backyard with the comforts of your home.

There are different kinds of patio decks that you can choose from. The most popular nowadays are open and only have the floor area is constructed. By doing having this, you can enjoy your outdoors more. Of course the problem with this is that when it gets too hot and you don't have any shades for your deck. There is a solution for this and that is to place mesh tarps in it. This is a great way to use as a cover or shade for your patio deck because it can protect you from the sun and at the same time you can still enjoy the breeze of the wind. You can also easily take it down when you want to enjoy the sunlight more or when you are sunbathing in your patio deck. More and more people choose to use this, instead of making a roof in their patio deck. There are a lot of colors and designs that you can choose from your mesh tarps. One of the most popular is the tan mesh tarps because the color can match just about anything.

Your patio deck is also great when you are having an outdoor party at your home. This is a great area where you can place the food to serve your guest. You can also place more chairs and tables in it for them to enjoy it more. There are some people who would rather stay at your patio deck than explore your backyard. This is a good place for them to just enjoy and relax in your garden.

There are different kinds of furniture that you can place in your patio. If you want to add decorations for it, you can add plants and other type decorative materials such as lights. This can make it look more attractive.

Having a patio is easier than you think. You can install it yourself if you know about carpentry or you can hire someone to do it for you. And since you are only putting it in one area of your backyard, this can be done in a few days. If your carpenter is really good, they can even do it in one day! All you need for this is to have a great quality of wood that can be water-resistant since your patio deck is exposed to weather and some few nails. You are then ready to make it.

You can relax in this area, read a book or just simply enjoy your outdoors. You can enjoy the sun and just simple relax in this part of your home.
Tag : patio deck,outdoor patio deck,patio deck plans,patio deck kits

Friday, 7 January 2011

Go Green With Energy Efficient Patio Deck Lights and Save Money and Energy

There are many different types of energy efficient patio deck railing lights available today. In times of economic turmoil and utility costs that are resulting in many people losing their electricity, it is important to learn as much as you possibly can when it comes to energy efficient means of lighting.

This is especially true if you are seeking to light up your patio area, or the outside living area of your home. In this guide, I will share with you a couple of choices that you have when it comes to energy efficient patio deck railing lights.

The first choice that you have when it comes to energy efficient lighting for the outdoor deck area is the ever-popular solar lighting fixtures. You can purchase fixtures that are mounted in three to four inch to three to four foot intervals along the patio deck railing on top of the railing. You can also purchase the same type of lighting that is attached underneath the railing as well.

In addition to this, you can purchase solar lighting that is attached to hanging rods all along the length of the patio deck railing to light up the area. The sun provides the light that is reflected in the night hours, so you do not have to worry about the expense associated with utility costs.

The second choice that you have as far as energy efficient lighting is concerned for railings on a deck is LED rope lighting. This is a useful type of lighting that provides a large amount of lighting for cents on the dollar monthly! You can wrap the rope lights around the deck rails, or simply run them along the deck rails.
The choice is yours! Rope lighting typically comes encased in a weatherproof plastic that preserves the bulbs from weatherization. In addition to this, LED lighting has been determined to be highly versatile and durable. This means that you literally get more "bang for your buck" when it comes to efficiency!

The next choice that you have when it comes to energy efficient patio deck lighting is a combination between solar lighting and LED rope lighting - it is called solar LED rope lights! These lights work by the sun's energy that is stored during the day, and provides the ultimate amount of efficiency because there is no cost associated in running these types of patio lights! As you can see, you have many choices in energy efficient patio deck railing lights.
Tag : patio deck,patio deck lights,patio deck designs,patio deck kits

Thursday, 10 February 2011

Patio Deck Railing Lights Can Enhance the Appeal of Your Outdoor Living Area

This type of lighting is a step in the right direction when it comes to lighting up an area in the outdoor living space that you want to be safe and secure. However, many homeowners are starting to discover that these types of lights are also quite decorative and can enhance the overall look and feel of the outdoor living area in the evening and night hours.

In this informative article, you will learn more about patio deck railing lights and how they can create an ambiance that you will thoroughly enjoy.

If you have a basic understanding of carpentry, some basic mechanical inclination, and some skills when it comes to electricity, you will find that it is relatively simple to install and implement the use of patio deck railing lights.

If you are looking for a low cost, energy efficient means of bringing outdoor lighting to your home, you will be pleased to note that patio deck railing lights operate on very low voltage, and there are some that even implement the use of solar lights!

Naturally, outdoor solar lights do not use any sort of voltage on an electrical grid, they simply harness the power of the sun's light, and then have a censor that allows the light to cut on automatically when the lighting is low outside.

There are many different types of deck lights that can be purchased for your patio. You can choose from lights that can be mounted on top of deck railings, as well as lights that can be mounted underneath deck railing. You can also select from lights that can be posted on walls, as well as the ever-popular rope lighting that can be purchased.

The type of lights for your patio and/or deck that you elect to purchase will depend largely on the theme of the area that you are adding light to, the amount of light that you need, whether the light will be decorative, functional, or both, as well as the amount of money that you have to invest in the project.

If you are searching for a unique way to light your outdoor living area so that it is appealing as far as decorative ambiance is concerned, and bright for safety and security purposes, you may find that patio deck railing lights are right for you!

Tag :  patio deck,patio deck railing,outdoor patio deck,patio deck covers,patio deck kits

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Retractable Screens - Enclose Your Covered Patio Deck With a Motion Screen

In the many custom homes and stock plan modifications that I perform, one request that continue to pop up is the need or want for a screen porch and a covered patio deck. In some cases, the issue is resolve with a separate screened porch and deck. When there isn't room in the design or the budget, I recommend combining the two into one. Clients are usually puzzled at this point and wonder how is this possible. Afterall, a screen porch has fixed panels right? Yes they do, but if you are using retractable screens or a motionscreen, you eliminate the fixed panels.

Retractable Screens do just as the name implies, they retract when not in use and remain out of sight. You can use them on entry doors, out swing & in swing doors, patio and sliding doors, double french doors, garage doors, and windows. They can be used in new construction or installed in your existing home with ease. They are also puncture resistant, tear resistant, and mildew resistant.

The specific name for the screens on a covered patio deck is called a MotionScreen. At the click of a button, you can turn an open patio deck into a bug and pest-free outdoor living space. When you are ready for an open patio just click the button once more and watch the screens rise and disappear. If the sun is beaming down on the covered patio deck for the better part of your day this can be problematic. However, retractable screens can help with this too. These screens actually block UV rays and the sun's glare which helps to decrease the patio temperature by several degrees.
Tag : patio deck,patio deck design,cover patio deck,wood patio deck,patio deck kits