From the category archives:
Some times when you think you can build a wall block by yourself, think again because it is better to do it with the help of friends rather than doing it alone. It looks like a simple task to work on but two heads are better than one. In order to make a wall block, [...]
The way to preserve your porch and keeping the stray animals or unwanted people out from your home area is by building a fence (something like a protection). That said, it is also known that in good nature without a gate, the fence will be inconvenient and unusable. If you want to increase the entire [...]
A patio is where you extend the front portion of your house usually up to 12 feet long and it is single storied. The patio can be fully covered on top of it or without a cover. In order to built a patio, you need to have a lot of patience, know the correct dimension [...]
The snow covering your garden maybe is a nice view to look at during the winter but as the temperature drops, the snow, frost and waterlogged soil will become major killers of most of the tender plants or dormant plants. The protections that you need to give to your plants definitely depend on the weather [...]
A brick paver patio is a great accent to include in your yard and adds to the aesthetic value to your home. Before you can begin the actual breaking ground on a paver patio, you need a design. The design of your patio must reflect and compliment the overall look to you home, not one [...]
A storage bench can be built easily and will be a useful feature in your home not only providing you with a simple spot to rest but also some storage place where you can place items in and away from view. A entry room, garden or courtyard bench seat can be constructed in the most [...]
An outdoor kitchen is a great addition to your home and provides you with an alternative space in your home to entertain your guests. It invokes a casual and relaxed atmosphere that is such as welcome retreat after a hassling week at work on a Friday evening with friends and family.
Getting a Permit
Before you begin [...]
A smoke house is traditionally used to prepare and cure meats long before refrigeration was invented. A smokehouse creates flavorful meats and the different types of wood chips used for smoking creates particular flavors. A smokehouse can be built from cinder blocks.
Things to Consider When Building a Smokehouse
Permits
Before starting your project of building a permanent [...]
Pergolas are outdoor structures that can be stand alone units or structure attached to the sides of the house that provide semi-protection from the elements. You can even add climbing plants or vines that will provide shade. Before you start building your own pergola, check with the local building authority if you need any building [...]
Exposed to weather, and usage, your new deck will one day look worn and tired. You will need to maintain it by regularly making sure that the area is clean, as well as stain it to upkeep the luster of the wood . Below list some steps on how to re-stain your deck.
Prepping the Deck
As [...]
Steps can be built in a number of different ways depending on aesthetic preference, but most municipalities have specific codes that must be taken into consideration.
Some terminology that you may encounter when planning and building your deck stairs are as follows:
Vertical Rise : Distance between 2 steps which is usually 6 – 7 inch
Run – [...]
There is one final step that many builders take before completing the deck.
To protect the wood and extend the life of the deck, you will need to coat the deck with water-repellent sealer.
This will prevent rotting due to exposure to moisture, AND prevent the costly effect of needing to repair your deck.
Also use water repellant [...]
There are several types of railings that you can choose from when building a deck. Just remember that there are certain local codes that you may have to adhere to, and this applies to railings. Check with the local building authority about the types that you can and can not use when you are planning [...]
Making sure the outer edge are flushed
As you apply the last few deck boards, you will need to make sure that the outer edges of the deck boards are exactly flush with the ends of the joists.
After the second to last course is in place, measure to the ends of the joists. This measurement is [...]
This part is where you will start seeing all your hard work and preparation come to fruition.
Before you install the deck boards, make sure you plan and layout the boards properly. Look at each piece and try to put the most attractive pieces in the high-visibility areas. Also, look at each side of each board [...]
You need to layout your joist, by marking layout marks on the ledger and girders that show which joist will be located. Joists are located “on-center” distance, where their centers occur exactly every 16”, 24”, or 32”. The distance between joists depends on several important factors:
1. Size of the joists
2. Spacing of the joists
3. Length [...]
Post and Girders
You can install the girders in two ways:
If the posts and girders are not too long or heavy, you can pre-build the girders/post system, bolt or nail the entire thing together, and then move it as one large piece into place.
The other way is to build it piece by piece in place.
Determine with [...]
Once you’ve installed the ledger, you can now install the outermost joists at the either end of the ledger.
The outer joists should cover the exposed end of the ledger. Have someone support the furthest end of the joist in a more of less level position and nail the joist into the ledger using 3 or [...]
A ledger is used when you are attaching a deck to your existing home. This board is bolted to the house, and the deck is hung on it. If a freestanding deck (not attached to the house) is being constructed, then you do not use a ledger. What you need is to add more bracing [...]
Materials:
• 2 x 6 boards (pressure-treated pine)
• 2 x 2 boards (pressure-treated pine)
• 2 x 8 boards (pressure-treated pine)
• 2 x 12 boards (pressure-treated pine)
• 2 x 8 boards (pressure-treated pine)
• 4 x 4 posts (pressure-treated pine)
• 6 x 6 posts (pressure-treated pine)
• Carriage bolts and nuts
• Post anchors
• Galvanized 3″ decking screws
• Concrete mix [...]
Deck building can seem to be a complex do-it-yourself project. It is however, well within the scope of most novice builders. It is definitely a demanding job both physically and mentally, but is ultimately very rewarding. Before you start this project, be sure you have used all the proper materials and construction techniques, and make [...]
Each A-frame support for the table consists of:
1 piece of 2×6 seat support
1 piece of 2×4 tabletop support
2 pieces of 2×6 legs
Assembling the A-frame support
1. The above image shows the side view of one of the A-frame of the deck table and its individual parts on right. There should be a width of 52 ¼ [...]
Like entertaining guests at garden parties and barbeques? Having deck tables will be a great addition to provide seating space for your guests. This article deals with the construction of a kid’s table, and you can also make adjustments to measurements to build an adult deck table. An A-frame table is a good choice for [...]
You will need to install UV sterilisers if you have green water. You should however remember that you should not rely solely on the UV unit to get rid of algae in the water. The filter that you’ve installed should be sufficient to solve the green water problem.
UV Steriliser is recommended for Koi keeping. Not [...]
Venturis are an effective way of getting oxygen into the water. While you can build one yourself, there are many choices that you can buy now at suppliers at reasonable price. A venturi works by compressing the flow of water, then releases it abruptly into a larger chamber which creates a vacuum. Air is introduced [...]
