One essential element is going to be stone and you want to use this on your patio. There are many options if natural stone is not in the budget or if you wish to go with something even more decorative.  Specifically, stamped concrete is a popular option. However, even if you can just go with a stained concrete this also works well because it also uses many of the warm colors that are vital for this design style. I even find that it’s possible to use a lot of the Spanish clay tiles in this feeling – both a Mediterranean feel. There can also be a Southwestern feel to them, so you need to pay attention to detail.

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As far as the wood tones go for this space, you really need to add richness. If you’d rather go for a more sustainable wood, then mahogany is likely out.  Cedar and other engineered wood products can be durable and more environmentally friendly as well.

If you don’t have a wood deck, try this on your patio furniture itself. The actual cushions can be a little bit difficult to track down but you just are going to want to stick with things in solid colors. Oftentimes, you can find prints or striped patterns that work quite well for creating the look and feel you are after.

There also is an element of elegance in this look. You may think that you can get away with terra-cotta pots and if they are more of a sculpted resin with intricate vinework on them it may work. However, if it’s just a plain terra-cotta pot this is going to be too rustic. Instead, you’re going to see more of an urn kind of style. This helps adds in the elegance. Tuscan patios are fairly low maintenance because of the architectural features and simple landscaping choices.

Provided by the folks at pergolaawning.com

The Various Uses of Artificial Hedges and Shrubs

This is a great example of a nice looking artificial boxwood hedge.

When you install an application outside of your home you need to decide what purpose the application will serve.  In other words, is the purpose added outside of your home purely for aesthetics or is there a functional utility as well. Artificial shrubs are great embellishments that are pleasing to look at and can also be used for different purposes. Some of the most popular uses of the fake boxwood hedge are:

* Provide shade to areas of your yard
* Provide shelter for your children in their play areas
* Accent garden areas and walkways
* Block areas you do not want guests and children to access
* Improve privacy around the home
* Add color to your front yard to accent your exterior home to decor
* Reduce the effort you put in maintaining your garden or yard
* Act as fencing or other landscaping structure

Now that you understand how hedges made of artificial materials can be used, it is time to understand the benefits of investing in fake versus real. Individuals with a lot of time on their hands and an inherent green thumb may have no problem caring for flowers, shrubs, and other living plants. While this is the case for some, others just do not have that desire to get dirt under their fingernails or simply don’t have the time.

If you fall into the latter category, you can free up your time and avoid ever having to maintain your shrubs because they are not living. Artificial shrubs do not grow or wilt. This means that they do not have to be clipped and you will not have to rake during fall to pick up debris. With artificial boxwood hedges, you do not have to compromise the appearance of your yard just to limit the amount of time you have to spend maintaining it.

If you have decided that fake shrubs are the best option for your yard it is time to search the market to find the best applications made of the best materials. Look for maintenance free options that are very durable and beautiful. The key to choosing the right shrubs is choosing a shrub that looks real. This might seem obvious, but you should also check out the samples live.  Some manufacturers will send samples of their products for you to examine.  Many of the synthetic grass companies will do this.  You’d be surprised at how much variation there is among top manufacturers. Read through user reviews and make sure you look into color fading and longevity. If you choose quality artificial shrubs from a reputable manufacturer, you can spruce up your yard without taking on the extra burden of yard work.

Retaining Walls Improve Backyard Design

This photo captures the initial stage of the retaining wall that will be creating a nice tier effect in this yard.

There are many choices of retaining wall blocks available. Whether you decide to construct your wall on your own or you hire a contractor to do it, you should be able to find blocks that suit your personal style. Blocks are available in many earth tone colors and are offered in many different choices of materials, including brick, stone, and concrete.

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You are really only limited by your imagination. That is why it is a good idea to search various sources for ideas on backyard design before moving forward. Looking at gardening and landscaping magazines, browsing online and even attending a garden tour can give you ideas for your own retaining wall design.

If your budget permits it, meeting with a landscape designer can give you better ideas for creating a haven in your backyard. A designer will give you retaining wall ideas that include uses and placement for your wall.

If you choose to construct a retaining wall on your own, you will want to find plans either at your local hardware store or through the Internet or magazines. This will help you plan and purchase the materials you need and will have you prepared for the time and work it will take to complete the wall.

One of the most important parts of building a retaining wall is grading the land where the wall will be built and ensuring that a drainage system is in place so that the wall does not get washed away. Filter fabrics and gravel are sometimes used to accomplish this. Before beginning construction, you need to plan the design that will be followed and know the dimensions of the wall. A strong base is important to stabilize the wall and as each layer of blocks added, the entire wall should be compacted to maintain the stability of the entire structure.

Whether a retaining wall is built for function or for decorative purposes, it can make an attractive addition to a backyard design.

They are often found in public spaces or commercial applications, providing large areas of shade.  These shades are quite durable and cost effective for such applications.  They also offer the protective qualities of shading you from the harmful effects of the sun’s radiation.  In areas with more intense sun, like outdoor seating areas and playgrounds, shade sails are also employed.

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This photo shows a great example of a square shade sail being used over a nice patio area, suspended by steel cables.

History
Large pieces of cloth were used as shades by Ancient Egyptians followed by the Greeks and Romans as well. In fact, large canvas ‘sails’ were put up in the Colosseum in Rome by the Roman sailors. With the innovation of a hard-wearing and relatively cheap shade sail fabric, the modern pergola or shade sail replaced the old ‘sails’. During 1990s, many other versions of the shade cloth were available especially in South Africa and Australia.

The final name – shade sails – persists in Australia, South Africa and the U.S. Some Australian companies export these sails to many other countries and the business is rapidly growing and expanding into more residential applications.

Current technology
Many early versions of these shade clothes were prone to degradation due to UV radiation. Therefore, UV inhibitors had to be incorporated into the original cloth fiber to make it resistant to UV degradation and to increase the warranty of the product.

Using the knitted fabric, the sails are able to fold three dimensionally, owing to the ‘stretchiness’. A lot of other fabrics are also used in shade sails such as PVC, canvas variations and a much cheaper fabric with its property of ‘breathing’.  This breathability is what makes them so attractive as options over playgrounds and in patio and backyard settings.  It is why we looked into it as well.  It keeps the space beneath it relatively cool, allowing the warm air to flow up and through.

Installation
Today, the shade sails are available in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Colors range from subtle, like tan, browns and greys, to more vibrant – purple, blue and yellow.  Shapes are often triangular and square, though some are even oval or hexagonal.  They can be made to overlap each other in a way to add elegance and style to your space.

One of the more common installations involves the use of stainless steel or brass turnbuckles.  Likewise, a pulley system at each end, which is connected to posts or anchor points can be utilized.  A patio or backyard space often does well with the fixed anchor points, as a large post or pole can be an eye sore.

Shade sails that are fixed permanently are the ones that use the turnbuckle system, allowing more tension to be provided. While sails that are used occasionally employ the pulley system since it can be gathered in a matter of minutes.  These are more often than not shade sail kits, that are for less sizable applications.

For conditions like severe wind or torrential rain, the pergola may be a better choice.  They will provide more of a structure for your environment.  You can also affix some of the shade cloth or sail material to them to expand their shading reach and function.  With these, a snap hook or easily removable grommet and carabiner type of system.

This way, they can be quickly taken down to avoid damage. Correct amounts of tension are to be applied otherwise, so that the shade sail doesn’t flutter in the wind. The nylon and PVC materials can be most beneficial in this way because they can take much more tension without tearing.  Also, the mounting points should be strong and be able to withstand the pressure and the required tension.

This article was provided by the folks at http://shadesail.org where you can find more information about shade sails and other outdoor shading options.

There are three main types of algae grow in pool water. Green algae is the most common, and also the easiest to get rid of.  It tends to be free floating in the pool water. Yellow and black forms of algae are hardest to kill as they cling to pool surfaces with strong penetrating roots and have developed strong resistance to common algaecides.

• Your first step should be to shock treat your swimming pool. Add a powerful chlorine based shock treatment and run the filtration system for several hours to ensure the chlorine is evenly distributed.  Ideally, add the shock treatment out of direct sunlight as UV light causes chlorine to degrade.  Poolshock.net has more information on pool shock products and their application.
• Add a pool clarifier or flocculant to the water. This will help you get rid of any suspended microscopic algal particles that are too small for your main filter system to get rid off. Flocculation chemicals help clump the contaminants together into larger particles. These will fall to the floor where you can vacuum them away.
• You may also have to brush down pool walls and surfaces. This is particularly the case if you have algae clinging to these surfaces. Once you’re done, vacuum the pool. For a hands off approach to pool vacuum cleaning check out this Blue Pearl pool cleaner review.
• It’s a good idea to add an algaecide. While many of the products on the market are preventative, there are some products that are useful for destroying algae once this takes hold in your swimming pool. Ensure you use the right product. Generally speaking polyquat algaecides or those that contain metals such as copper or silver are the most effective.
• If the algae remain after these steps it could be due to high levels of phosphate (a food source for many algal strains) in the water.  Take a reading and if this proves to be the case add a phosphate remover.

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Written by the staff at PoolShock.net

Roof Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

Your number one precaution, to avoid constant and costly roof service, is to perform proper and regular maintenance of your roof. Most of the tasks that fall under this description, are quite simple to perform, so you should have a chance of success here. The most importance ones are to do with cleaning:

Clean out the rain gutters at least two times a year – more if you can see it is needed.  Keep the surface of the roof clean from moss and lichen, as well as different kinds of debris like twigs, branches, dead leaves, etc.

Doing this, you help the roof construction drain away rainwater which would otherwise penetrate the outer roofing materials and damage the woodwork, your ceiling, etc.

Roofing Service: Immediate Savings Versus the Long Term

Did you discover a leak in your roof and want to fix it yourself? Well, maybe you could. I would say, that most roofs made with roofing sheets – and that aren’t insulated or complex in any way – can likely be fixed by the homeowner. But if you have clay tiles, slate or shingles, and your roof is insulated, there is a much larger chance of making fatal mistakes. You could cause more bad than good.

Even though you might save some money, short term, by doing it yourself, you don’t have to make many mistakes for that money to be lost – and then some. Hiring a pro roof service is always costlier, when viewed in isolation, but doing the same thing twice, because you messed it up the first time, quickly ends up costing as much – or more.  So, to answer the question in the title: No – it is not a waste of money to hire a roofer for repairs. Just don’t throw money at the simple maintenance tasks outlined above – but do them yourself.

Just as with indoor shower designs, there are options for your home or other outdoor arenas.  When buying showers for the outdoors, here are some guidelines that you need to keep in mind so that you will end up with the most suitable choice.

Consider opting for easy to install outdoor shower systems. A wide range of these products normally come in quick install kits. These kits will come in handy during those weekend camping trips since they are fairly easy to setup without needing special tools. And if you are worrying about your privacy, you can always opt for a set that comes with lightweight fabric shower doors. Aside from easy setting up and down, the parts of portable showers can be tucked away all in one compact bag. Brands that are worth checking out include Zodi and Cabela.

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Acquire a shower model that is equipped with heating mechanisms. If you think you would have to make do with showering under water of freezing temperature, then you better think again. There are plenty of outdoor portable showers that are fitted with heating mechanisms. For camping trips, there are portable assemblies consisting of an insulated bag that can hold up to six gallons of water. All you have to do is to simply hang the filled bag somewhere within the sun coverage, and a few minutes is all it is going to take to heat the water.

Of course, there are much bigger setups that can hold up to 30 gallons of water which are designed to accommodate about ten minutes of continuous showering. However, these solar-powered systems come with bulky insulated water tanks. The gas-heated systems, on the other hand, will include both water tanks, plus the tanks containing the liquefied butane gas.

Of course, your best bet at finding the cheapest quality outdoor shower assembly will be shopping around and comparing prices online. Often, the large stores have discounts or web-only specials on these units that are last year’s model or in time for certain holidays.  You might even find free shipping and same day delivery options when you make a purchase online.

This article brought to you by plumbingpoint(.)com

You will also have to rely on your outdoor cooking systems such as your portable barbecue. It should be easy to carry around and will give you a lot of cooking recipe options that of course involves a barbecue. A typical barbecue may look simple but the recipes and sauces that come with it are so delicious that you would be surprised on how easy it was to prepare. Plus, a portable bbq makes it easier to prepare and cook.

It would be convenient if you prepare mixes and sauces at home to minimize the chopping and preparation during outdoor cooking. You will have much more fun if the ingredients are already prepared and all you have to do is cook them. This will also save you, your friends and family a lot of time for other recreational stuff like games, hiking, or if you are on a beach, swimming.  Then, you can just all enjoy your outdoor dining experience without the hassles or worrying.

So the next time family and friends come together try suggesting outdoor cooking for a change. The whole experience will definitely be enjoyable. Just make sure you all bring an empty stomach.

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• First, count the number of cushions needed for your patio furniture. If there are only 6, buy only 6. If you have some money to spare, you can ‘buy in sets’ and make it 12. You keep first the other 6 and make use of them when the need arises. Don’t go beyond that number. It may take more time before you would need to buy some more cushions.
• List first all the designs that you like. Don’t buy them yet. When you have short listed what you wanted to buy, go back to them again. Try to compare and contrast them. Gradually eliminate the ones that you don’t really like. Eventually, you will come up with the cushions that you really want to bring home.
• Always allocate an amount ahead of time. If you have allocated only $100-250 for all cushions, don’t go beyond. Discipline yourself. If you want some other designs, just take note where you’ve found them. You can go back to them the next time around. If you order online, don’t click your orders right away. Include in your evaluation the shipping and handling fees and taxes, if applicable.

So, while your patio furniture does need some nice cushions, follow these tips to keep yourself within your budget.  In short, with discipline, you will really avoid overspending. Check out more ideas about these cushions along with an outdoor chaise lounge cushion at A-Z Home Centers.

Here is an example of those string lights for the umbrella.

If you have discovered the fun of hanging out in the patio then you probably must have a cool patio umbrella with very cool patio table and seating as well. A very great way of topping off this set-up is to add patio umbrella lights. It may not be everyday that you take the time to lounge in your patio but it will surely become a habit if the patio becomes a very appealing place at night. The best of way of making it thus is to have appealing and decorative patio umbrella lights.

In fact, these lights have been the very important asset of outdoor cafes and restaurants because the soft glow that these lights give to the patio table actually invites customers and many people to dine under the canopy of the umbrella.

There are of course two kinds of lights that can be placed on the umbrellas. There us the string lights and the other one is the lamp type.

If you are a newlywed who are still on that romantic maze, a perfect way of making the home a love nest is to place string lights on the patio umbrella. This way, you can dine close to home, cook the dish you like, and control the mood and setting of your environment with absolute privacy. String lights are made up of small light bulbs that are installed in a definite distance from each other along the ribs of the umbrella. The result is one which is very romantic and like having an artistic chandelier at the top.

If you have teens who love hanging out then encourage them to hang out in the patio and install lamp type umbrella lights. These are brighter which means that your kids can make use of the patio as studying area and you can see that they are safe inside your premise. Always ensure that your umbrella is sitting on a sturdy patio umbrella base and like all outdoor lighting, make sure that it is safely hung and connected properly.

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