Backyard Spaces

To enjoy your backyard outdoor living space to its fullest, these articles provide information on projects that will boost the comfort and value of your outdoor space.

Deck Skirting – On a Budget

Deck skirting can run on the expensive side, but you can save money if you are okay with repurposing things you already have available or just taking a DIY approach. Some things you can use for deck skirting are premade deck skirting, lattice, vertical boards, or plants. You decide based on what you have available…

What are the Best Materials to Build a Pergola?

What is the Best Material for Building a Pergola? (Answered)

A pergola is a beautiful addition to any backyard. It provides shade and adds a lot of character to your outdoor space. A wide variety of materials can be used to build a pergola, but some are better suited than others. The best material for building a pergola depends on your needs and budget. Each…

Should I Insulate My Covered Patio? (Explained)

The answer to this question is simple yet complicated. I don’t want to give you an answer without telling you how to accomplish it. You should absolutely insulate your patio. Insulating your patio and the structure around it can help lower your energy bill and balance the temperature so you can use your outdoor living…

How Much Wind Can a Shade Sail Withstand? (Answered)

It’s an important question, especially when you live in areas with high winds. It depends on what kind of shade sail you have and where you live. Most shade sails can withstand winds up to 85 mph. In a hurricane-prone area with high wind, you should ensure the material, anchor points, and what your shade…

Gazebo vs Cabana - What's the Difference?

Gazebo Vs Cabana Compared – What’s the Difference?

In an earlier article, I compared a Pergola and a Gazebo. And I thought I was done. But a cabana has been brought up to my attention. Someone wanted to know what the difference is. And I plan on telling you. Both gazebos and cabanas are structures made with solid roofs to offer protection from…

What You Should Know Before Choosing a Pea Gravel Patio

When I was growing up, I had an aunt who had a pea-gravel walkway through stacked natural stone planters that led to her house. It was a lovely design, a precursor but to me, also something more colorful than a planned concrete walkway. My mother and father made a patio beneath their yard swing out…

3 Things that Affect Value of Outdoor Projects

3 Things That Affect the Value of Outdoor Projects to a Home

Whether you’re just getting into your home or you’ve been there a while and know that you might want to sell the house in the future, homeowners like you and I tend to want to develop our backyard space. If you are building something from scratch or adding to an existing backyard, the temptation to…

Top 5 Backyard Projects to Boost Home Value

Top 5 Backyard Projects that Boost a Home’s Value

Lots of people want to add more to their backyard space. Whether they’re building something from scratch or adding to an existing backyard, the temptation to design and improve this space can be very persistent. But which projects are going to give you the biggest bang for your buck? The 5 most popular improvements that…

5 Most Common Problems With Wood Decks (With Tips)

Wood decks are the only way to go for a lot of homeowners. If your exit is too high above the ground, you can’t exactly build a concrete pad or use pavers for your outdoor living space. So, building a deck is a must. And unless you want to use high-end Polywood (wood made mostly…

Keeping Cool in Summer with a Gazebo or Pergola

Keeping You Cool in Summer with a Covered Pergola or Gazebo

If your patio doesn’t already have a built-in cover or roof, and you have the money and time to build a permanent or semi-permanent cover for your patio, a pergola or gazebo are good recommendations. Pergolas and Gazebos are medium-cost, unattached structures that can provide cover for your outdoor living space. One usually has a…

Do Awnings Keep You Cool? (Answered)

It may be obvious that awnings can help out when they’re over windows by blocking the sun’s rays from getting into those windows. But did you know they can also be helpful over your outdoor living space? Using awnings of any kind to cover your outdoor living space can make the air feel 10° –…

Are Shade Sails A Good Choice For Keeping You Cool?

It’s pretty obvious that shade sails can provide much-needed shade for your outdoor living spaces during the heat of the day. They become very useful during the summer months. But they’re also much more dynamic than other methods of providing shade. Shade Sails are a good choice for keeping your outdoor living space cool because…