With an eye toward the future, you should know that the outdoor room is going to quickly displace the old stand-by poured concrete slab as the patio of the future. It’s true, the patio, as the way you know it, is changing. There are still many homes that have the small little concrete slab and some plastic furniture as their patio space. Some just don’t use their patio much to desire anything more. However, since you are looking into patio cover designs, we know this isn’t the case for you. You are looking for a new design or a fresh new look for your patio.
If you are not clear as to what an outdoor room is, it is really nothing more than a space outdoors that is decorated and outfitted with many of the same features that you would find in an indoor room in your home. These can be anything from lighting ideas to furniture and flooring choices. While your ‘flooring’ for your patio is usually stone, concrete or pavers of some kind, it can be softened using rugs and other drapery materials. Another option is to pour a concrete slab but then utilize a stamping technique to get a unique look that has both texture, depth and even color if you choose.
There are also many ways to convert simple Continued…
Posted in Outdoor Living Spaces, Patios & Decks.
Tagged with covered patio, outdoor room, patio cover designs, patio covers, PatioCoversPlace.com.
By Stanley Coleman
– March 8, 2010
Many intruders who invade someone’s home… enter the residence through the patio door. Probably the major reason for the intruder’s decision to enter the house through that door is the fact that people often do not think about securing the patio door since it very often used; that is, it is a casual entrance and so people think less about it. If the home is equipped with sliding doors, there is a risk then that the lock on the door will not stand the test of time. Outside of purchasing a very expensive surveillance camera system, a simple bit of attention to this door lock can really help secure your home. Lets evaluate the options when it comes to locks for this type of door.
First of all we will talk about sliding patio door locks. There is an primary security concern where the door slides open, so it is very wise to get a lock that will protect against brute force, especially in comparison with the traditional ways most cheap locks have. This type of security lock slides in behind the passive door so that the active sliding glass panel cannot slide back. Any force on trying to open the door will actually secure it even more. If this type of lock is mounted high, there is a less chance that children will reach it and unlock it. Of course, this may not be so great a solution in the case of a fire. However overall, this type of bar lock is both an efficient and cheap solution. Especially when comparing the cost of this solution with that of a full fledged professionally installed Continued…
Posted in Patios & Decks.
Tagged with bar patio door locks, patio locks, sliding bar locks for patio door, sliding patio locks.
By Stanley Coleman
– March 5, 2010
Illuminating your driveway is useful for a number of reasons. Not only will everything be more visible to you when you are arriving with your car, but it will also withhold burglars from coming to your house. It is a fact that burglars will always look for the most easiest prey and if you have some kind of external lighting you will decrease the chance of burglars visiting your home. But yet another reason could be that outdoor lighting lamps can create a very romantic setting on your patio or driveway.
When you are considering driveway lighting or patio lighting than you basically have 2 options. Either you will go for solar lights or you will go for stringed lights. The advantage of solar lights is that they will be charged by the sun and not cost you any electricity but the disadvantage is that quality solar lights will be quite of an investment. Stringed lights are the cheaper alternative and still the most popular option. But stringed outdoor lighting is much more difficult to install and and they will also cost you a lot of electricity. What way of lighting will have your preference will probably be a matter of budget and how much lighting you need.
Continued…
Posted in Landscaping.
Tagged with driveway lighting, driveway solar lighting, landscape lighting, outdoor lighting.
By Stanley Coleman
– February 28, 2010
Each year as the holiday season nears, the sound of “Jingle Bells” serenades consumers in department stores and Christmas lights appear in the windows. Nothing gets people into the holiday spirit more than holiday lighting. To prevent Dads across the country from tragically hanging onto their houses, lights in hand and ladder on the ground, here are some great tips for safely hanging out outdoor string lighting on your home.
A great way to start is to form a plan. Where do you want the lights on your home? If need be, measure your home to make sure you have enough string lights to cover the desired area. Ensure that all lighting works before putting it up. Plug each string into an outlet and check for burnt out bulbs. After replacing the bad bulbs, set a ladder on a flat surface, and extend it into the full position. Start hanging lights on the ground, preferable using staples or nails. If using nails, hammer each nail only halfway into the exterior and drape lights over or around each nail. Carefully extend lights over each desired area, moving the ladder to other flat surfaces as the lights work their way across the house.
When the desired area has been covered, use an extension cord to connect the light string to outdoor outlet. The easiest way to ensure that the lights come on and off at appropriate times is to buy an automatic timer. There are types that are programmable and there are other types that read how much light is still in the sky. A solar timer can help save you money on electricity bills too. If a timer is not available, please remember to unplug the lights Continued…
Posted in Landscaping, Patios & Decks.
Tagged with outdoor lighting, outdoor string lights, patio lights, string lighting, yard lights.
By Stanley Coleman
– February 19, 2010
Do you have patio furniture that you want to use cushions with to make the seat more comfortable to sit in? Patio cushions are very comfortable and are necessary if you want to be able to enjoy your time outside with your family and friends. You will want to consider several different things when you are trying to find the right look and comfort level for your outside patio furniture.
One thing that you will want to consider is the look that you want for your cushions to have. There are several different styles and designs that you will be able to choose from when you are looking around for the perfect cushions to put on your patio furniture. You may choose a floral pattern or something more conservative such as a solid color that will make your cushions stand out and accent your furniture.
After you have chose the perfect design and style for your cushions you will want to decide which type you want to get. There are cushions that are for furniture that is under a non protective surface. These cushions can easily be transported from the place where they are stored to the furniture. This means that it is easy to move your cushion if a storm is fixing to happen outside. You will want to make sure to keep your cushions out of the elements so that they will last for a long time and will not have a bad appearance or smell. If your furniture is in a screened in porch or sun room you may want to think about a cushion that stays stationary so that you will not have to move them back and forth. Continued…
Posted in Furniture, Outdoor Living Spaces, Patios & Decks.
Tagged with outdoor patio furniture, outside patio furniture, patio cushions, patio furniture cushions.
By Stanley Coleman
– February 19, 2010
