Choosing brick is a major consideration for a house. It must fit with the style and décor because brick is a durable building material and once installed will last for a long time. All brick is made of clay, fired or baked into sturdy building blocks, but there are many options in color, size and texture. Finding the right brick for a house is mainly a matter of design, matching the brick to the type of house and the personal preference of the owner or builder.
Exterior Grades
Modern bricks are graded for exterior use. SW is the top grade, made to withstand below-freezing temperatures in a moist climate, such as much of the northern United States. MW is a second exterior grade, made to withstand freezing temperatures but in a drier and milder climate, like most of the southern United States.
Third Grade
A third brick grade, NW, is primarily for indoor use, although it can be used outdoors as “backup” brick, laid behind a layer or facing of more durable brick. NW may be used as facing brick outdoors in warmer and drier regions, such as locales that rarely get freezes or where rainfall is less than 15 inches a year.
Antique or Used
Another type frequently used on exteriors is antique or used brick, reclaimed from old buildings that have been torn down and cleaned of mortar. This style does not have modern exterior ratings, but usually is presumed to be acceptable if it lasted outdoors for 50 or more years. Used brick usually has less sharp edges than new brick and a more textured surface.
Brick Colors
Most homebuilding brick today is façade or facing brick. Common brick, as the name suggests, is the most common form, typically red brick. Brick colors can vary, however, from almost black to almost white, through a range of browns, reds and yellows. The color depends on the clay and other components used to make the brick. Colors also can be intermixed for more variety.
Brick Faces
Standard exterior or face bricks have smooth surfaces, but there are many variations. Some bricks are finished on one side with “struck” faces, inscribed with irregular lines. Others are “sand struck,” molded against sand to produce a rough texture. Another style is “glazed,” with a ceramic layer on one side.
Structural Bricks
Most bricks are solid rectangles, but “structural” or building bricks are made with two or three holes in the wide face. This reduces the weight of a brick wall without any loss of structural support. The holes also create a larger mortar connection and can be used in some situations for reinforcing with steel bars. Exterior structural bricks are most commonly used on freestanding walls and not as facing on a house.
Sizes
Standard or common bricks are nominally 2 by 4 by 8 inches, but specific dimensions will vary by manufacturer and the allowance for 3/8- or 1/2-inch mortar joints. Other sizes include king, which is thicker and longer; Roman, which is thinner and longer; and economy, which is square and longer. It’s best to look at samples and measure the actual sizes before making a selection.Article From(homeguides.sfgate.com By Bob Haring)
If you haven’t considered using rocks in your landscaping before, this article may change your mind. Rocks add organic and textural elements to your landscape and are also durable and low-maintenance. If you’re looking for something to help tie everything together or hide problem spots, landscaping with rocks might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Protect Your Flowers and Plants
In addition to anchoring the look of your landscaping, smaller rocks can be used to create a border from your grass to your flower and plant beds. Not only does this create a beautiful border that helps to visually break up your yard, it also helps physically separate your plants from pets, children, and clumsy neighbours who may be walking through your yard.
Low Maintenance, Low Cost
One of the best things about landscaping with rocks is how easy they are to take care of. Unless you want rocks that look like they’re polished daily, you really do not have to do anything to your rocks once they’re in place. This makes them a great choice for lazy-landscapers. In addition to their low maintenance, rocks are also considerably cheap. In fact, you may already have the perfect rocks for your yard on your property! Take a look around and see what you can make use of.
Aid in Drainage
If you’re looking for an attractive way to direct your water runoff, consider incorporating rocks. Oftentimes drainage solutions are seen as unattractive but necessary. By adding rocks to your garden, you can easily and beautifully disguise your drainage system. Your garden rocks are able to handle constant contact with water, unlike many other materials. This makes them a smart material choice for the job.
Beneficial to Plants
Did you know that adding rocks to your plant beds can actually be beneficial to them? The addition of rocks to plant beds helps hold in and distribute moisture. Because of this, your plants will get the right amount of water they need and help them thrive and grow. The addition of rocks also helps the plants stand out and add some diversity to this homeowner’s very green lawn.
Fix Problem Spots
Rocks are great at being place fillers. They can help make an awkwardly shaped plant bed look purposeful and beautiful. Take for example this backyard. While this slope might have been a challenge to navigate at first, the addition of large boulders and smaller rocks help create visual levels that make the backyard look lush and interesting.
Grass Alternative
If your yard has a hard time keeping grass alive, you should consider switching over to a rock garden. Not only are they beautiful and easy to maintain, a rock garden gives you unlimited options when it comes to looks. Choose from small pebbles, fine gravel, or statement-making boulders, all in a variety of colours and textures. We love the use of multiple rock materials in this backyard.
Now that you have a better idea of all the different ways you can use rocks in your landscaping, it’s time to give it a try. Let us know in the comments how you plan to use rocks in your landscaping, or if you already are using them, let us know your favourite way to incorporate them.
Article from
(blog.homestars.com)
DIY | 3 Simple Driveway Ideas
Nowhere to park? Create your own driveway with one of these affordable methods.
A DIY driveway can be an easy want to add parking or improve the look of your home. Here are three relatively simple options.
1. Carve out a parking pad
The easiest, most affordable way to get an extra parking space is to clear out some grass and throw down mulch. It works fine, looks good and can be done in a day.
But beware: Mulch isn’t a permanent solution. Mulch breaks down over time, floats away in a heavy rain and fades in the sun. Over time, you may end up spending more money sprucing up the mulch than you would have pouring concrete in the first place.
Be sure to use a store-bought landscape barrier, or even lay down newspaper to prevent weeds.
If mulch seems too temporary, consider other loose materials like gravel, stones or crushed oyster shells.
2. Build a DIY driveway with pavers
A more solid parking option is a concrete or brick paver driveway. It can be installed either professionally or DIY. Thousands of videos online show the steps and all the tricks of the trade. It’s really quite simple:
Excavate the area to be paved. Install a base material, such as crushed concrete, at a thickness of a few inches.
Pack down the base material with a compactor, making sure to slope it as desired.
Install a thin layer of sand on top of the base material.
Install paver blocks on the sand layer, laying them in place in the pattern of your choice.
Install a border row of bricks along the edges, and back that row with a poured concrete edge restraint, which will keep things from moving outward.
Put another layer of sand on top of the finished surface and broom it into the joints between the bricks. When installed properly, a paver driveway can last for decades.
3. Go with classic concrete Finally, there is the tried-and-true concrete driveway.
There’s a reason concrete is still the most common driveway product in the world: It looks good, doesn’t cost a fortune and lasts a very long time.
There are fewer steps to pouring a concrete parking area than there is to installing pavers, but it’s not quite as beginner-friendly. If you’ve never poured concrete before, it’s a good idea to start with a smaller area, such as a sidewalk, before tackling a large area.
1. Aesthetic Appeal
Brick possesses natural and infinite pleasant colors of burnt clays. Its color formation is achieved through a complicated physio-chemical reaction during the firing process. In contrast to the color of stained body, brick color is permanent and will not fade during weathering process. Different clay compositions, firing temperatures, or kiln atmosphere can lead to different colors. By proper control of these factors, bricks can be made to exhibit endless variety of natural and attractive colors. Bricks’ natural colors combined with the extreme flexibility in applications produce aesthetic results which are always personal and everlasting.
2. Thermal & Acoustic Insulation
Thermal mass reaction through brick wallThermal Insulation: Brick generally exhibits better thermal insulation property than other building materials like concrete. Perforation can improve the thermal insulation property of bricks to some extent. Besides, the Thermal Mass and moisture that the brick has absorbed can help to keep the temperature inside the house relatively constant. In orther words, brick absorbs and releases heat slowly and thus keep the house cool during day-time and warm during night-time.
3. Zero Maintenance Cost
Clay bricks do not require maintenance. When you build a home, you might save a few hundred dollars by using a substitute wall material. However, major exterior maintenance such as painting can cost as much as several thousand dolars, depending on your home size. Clay brick may cost a little bit more cost initially, but the very first time that you paint, you might well spend more than the additional cost of the brick. In addition, you do not need to worry the clay brick from rotting, denting, warping, rusting, spliting, peeling, fading, and termites. As your home gets older, it naturally becomes more beautiful.
4. Fire Resistance
The fire resistance of a building material refers to the length of time a walling element is about to resist a fully developed fire. In every case, clay brick walls obtain maximum fire ratings. To the owner of a clay brick building, this means peace of mind and substantial savings over time on insurance premiums.
5. Flexible in Application
The high compressive strength of fired clay bricks has been exploited for millennia to build structures ranging from single-storey huts to massive public buildings and enormous bridges and viaducts. In particular, it can be used for load-bearing structures which greatly simplify the construction process so as to save materials, time, and labor.
Besides, brick can be made into convenient shape and size to facilitate the construction work.
How to Use Rocks in Your Landscape
Natural stone is one of the most versatile elements available for a landscape makeover. Landscaping with rocks adds texture and contrast, providing durable ground cover that requires little or no maintenance.
Choosing the Right Rocks for Your LandscapeThe rocks you choose will help set the tone for the rest of your garden. Tawny beach pebbles or river rocks add warmth, while white marble chips help brighten up shady areas. Flat terracotta stones complement a tropical landscape, but can seem out of place in a more formal garden. For a minimalist modern landscape or Polynesian-themed garden, try black lava rocks. Check out photos of rocks capes online to see what appeals to you. Because stones last indefinitely, it’s important to choose a look you’ll be happy with for many years.
Sidewalk Landscaping With Rocks
If there are no major HOA restrictions on landscaping your street strip, why not be creative? This sample from garden designer Rebecca Sweet features a colorful, eye pleasing mixture of river rocks, mulch and ornamental grasses and plants for maximum curb appeal.
Use Landscaping Rocks to Create a Fairy Ring
Stack landscaping rocks a few rows high to create a barrier between the plants and the play area in this DIY children’s fairy ring you can create in your backyard.
Asian Garden Design
This Asian garden uses stepping stones and rocks to create an organic landscaping design that blends beautifully with nature.
Create a Beautiful Vignette
A mixture of rocks, stone slabs, potted plants, ornamental grasses and ground covers transform the border areas of this pool into a wonderful study in textures and contrasts.
Plant a Rock GardenFor a more exotic look, add a rock garden to your landscape. Choose an area that gets plenty of sun and install two or three small boulders. Surround the boulders with closely spaced low-lying flowers, such as portulaca (left), ground orchids or decorative cactus. Carefully fill in the gaps with smaller stones that complement the color of your boulders.
Create a CenterpieceA large, unusually-shaped boulder can serve as an eye-catching focal point. Use as a tidy, low-maintenance centerpiece in a small garden, where an ornamental shrub might become too large or unruly. In larger gardens, a rock centerpiece can add visual interest to monotonous border areas, such as hedges.
Cornerstones in Herb GardeningThis beautiful front yard edible garden by Home & Garden Design, Inc features a quartet of raised beds with natural stones and a variety of cool season favorites such thyme, kales, lettuces, fennel and parsley.
Round Fire Pit in Middle of Outdoor Kitchen
These homeowners have it made in the shade, with a built-in outdoor kitchen and stone fire pit that makes their yard ready for entertaining.
Front Entrance to Beautifully Landscaped Home
The front yard of this contemporary lakeside home features a beautiful, symmetrical design with concrete retaining walls, a gravel walkway and green shrubs filling the landscape with natural color.
Stone Fence Close-upA stone fence can add a charming sense of character to a yard and garden. This fence uses stones of different sizes and hues to fit in with the wooded landscape. Article from:hgtv.com
12 Money-Saving Landscaping Tips
Keeping costs down may be the toughest landscape challenge. Use our price guide as a starting point for your budget.
Trying to get yourself a bargain on the plants, soil, wood, and rocks you need to build up your outdoor living area means making sense of the huge variations in prices among sources and regions. As if that’s not challenging enough, prices for many materials — such as lumber — fluctuate quickly and seasonally. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you shop for your yard.
Plan before you buy. Sketch your landscape design on paper before you start planting and building. Knowing exactly what you need and where you’re going to put it helps avoid wasting money.
Decide how much design you want. Although it’s less expensive to build a square patio or deck, it’s no bargain if you find the result so unappealing that you don’t use it. It may be worth it to pay a designer to create a space that you can really use.
Talk to a pro. You may not need to hire a landscape architect or designer to develop your whole project, but $50-$100 for an hour-long consultation is well worth the money if it saves you from costly mistakes later.
Buy in phases. Few people have the financial resources to landscape their property all at once. Divide your project into phases, and pay as you go with funds on hand. You’ll save on loan or credit costs and be able to evaluate your progress and adjust plans before moving to the next phase.
Don’t assume cheaper is always better. Economics of scale being what they are, home improvement warehouses typically offer the lowest prices for common plants and hardscaping materials, such as lumber. However, they may not have the selection and quality you find at more specialized sources. Also, a local specialty shop may provide more personal service, expert advice, and guarantees, which are all helpful if you’re a novice. When installing a pond, for example, it may be worth it to pay more through a source that specializes in water gardens, particularly if the staff can help you choose and install equipment. Plant prices may be higher at specialty nurseries, but many offer money-back guarantees on trees, shrubs, and bedding plants.
Accept cheaper when it’s good enough. With some items, there’s little difference in quality between top-of-the-line and economy. Why pay more? Take advantage of a home improvement warehouse’s volume buying power for bargains on common annuals and perennials, mulch, pavers, and containers. Inspect plants closely, however. A “big box” store may not care for them the way a nursery would.
Time your purchases. When you buy can be as important as where you buy. Lumber for outdoor projects is often cheaper during winter months. Save money on trees, shrubs, perennials, soil, and mulch by buying late in the season. Don’t rush out to buy newly released plant varieties, which may be expensive initially because supply is low and demand is high. When production catches up in a few years, prices will likely drop.
Shop online and mail-order sources. Catalogs and websites expand your choices, especially for rare plants and specialized products. Shopping online or by phone is convenient, and prices may be lower than in stores, but don’t forget to include shipping costs when comparing prices with local sources.
Check alternate resources. Look beyond stores and catalogs for bargains. Arboretums and botanical centers often hold plant sales, and neighbors may have extra perennials to share.
Be sociable. Being neighborly cuts costs. Share the rental fee for tillers, chippers, or other heavy equipment with others on the block, then take turns and save.
Determine Your Materials
When buying sand, soil, rocks, mulch, and other loose landscaping materials, it can be hard to estimate how much you’ll need for a project. Materials may be sold by volume (cubic feet or cubic yards) or by weight (tons). A ton (2,000 pounds) of anything may seem like a lot, but if it’s a dense, compact material, such as sand or soil, a ton might not cover as much as you think — particularly if you are spreading it to a depth of a few inches. Keep in mind that a ton of dirt, sand, or gravel will fill up less than a cubic yard (27 cubic feet; a space 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet deep). Here are some other helpful guidelines:
- A cubic yard of soil, compost, or mulch fills about this much space: 320 square feet to a depth of 1 inch; 160 square feet to a depth of 2 inches: 110 square feet to a depth of 3 inches; 80 square feet to a depth of 4 inches.
- A cubic yard of soil weighs more than 2,000 pounds; a cub yard of sand or gravel weighs nearly 3,000 pounds.
- A ton of 1/4- to 3/4-inch-diameter decorative rock spread 2 inches deep will cover 110 to 120 square feet.
- A ton of sand or pea gravel spread 2 inches deep will cover 100 to 120 square feet.
- Most full-size pickups hold 2 to 3 cubic yards of dirt, sand, gravel, or mulch; however, maximum weight capacity may limit you to carrying less. A single-axle dump truck holds 5 to 7 cubic yards of loose-fill material. Larger trucks may hold more than 10 cubic yards.
Article from (bhg.com)
Popular patio building materials run the gamut from poured concrete and pavers of recycled plastic to natural flagstone and bricks of fired clay.
Patios can make your outdoor space more enjoyable, increase your home’s value, and not so insignificantly, save you money on landscape maintenance costs. What type of patio is right for you? Any number of colors and patterns may be installed in a variety of materials. Pros and cons for a few of the most popular are discussed here.
FLAGSTONE
The color and characteristics of flagstone result from the natural process by which it forms, a slow and gradual accumulation of layers of sand, clay, mineral and organic sediments. The most common colors available are red, blue, and buff, with regional varieties like Arizona sandstone and Pennsylvania bluestone among the most popular.
Flagstone patios are unmistakable—and hard to resist, if you favor the material’s earthy, timeless appearance. Irregularly shaped and sized, quarried flagstones are heavy and rather difficult to work with, especially for the inexperienced do-it-yourself. Since flagstone is subject to erosion and splitting, a successful flagstone patio design prioritizes adequate drainage.
CLAY BRICK
A time-tested, endearingly popular patio building material is clay brick, which offers a distinguished aesthetic that complements both traditional and contemporary architecture.
Over time, bricks usually retain their rich, warm color, and due to their handy weight and size, installing them in a patio is DIY-friendly work. Mortar is not strictly necessary; bricks can be laid easily on a dry bed of sand.
Homeowners love brick’s versatility—myriad patterns are possible, from rectangular to round. Reclaimed brick, though typically more expensive, has grown in popularity owing to its “green” status and unique look.
PATIO PAVERS
Pavers come in forms as varied as natural stone, concrete, clay and even recycled plastics. For patio installations, experts recommend either stone or concrete pavers, which, due to their higher density, may be expected to last longer and undergo less color fading than other paver types.
Concrete pavers in particular are a mainstay of patio building, beloved for their easy installation and the range of sizes, shapes, and colors in which they can be found. Inevitably, this man-made product lends itself to a less “natural” look, although some concrete pavers are manufactured to look like natural stone or clay brick.
CONCRETE
Concrete patios are typically one of the least expensive to build. Assuming proper installation and maintenance, they are one of the most durable, too, though like brick, concrete is subject to cracking with freeze-thaw cycles.
Since poured concrete follows any form, unlimited patio design options are possible. If your dream patio is one covered with glazed decorative tiles, a concrete slab is the way to go, as it will provide a solid, even base on which to add tiles in future.
GRAVEL
If you are looking for a patio material that may be installed quickly and easily, look no further than gravel. Usually two types are available, river rock or crushed stone (in sizes ranging from a quarter-inch to one inch in diameter). When installed over landscaping fabric, gravel effectively deters weed growth, and compared to other materials, it offers excellent drainage.
At best, a gravel patio recalls English cottage-style gardens and Tuscan courtyards. At worst, a gravel patio is high-maintenance, plagued by stones that are difficult to keep level and in place. Some folks also complain that gravel is uncomfortable to walk on with bare feet, and other materials provide superior support for outdoor furniture.
Prized for its classical appeal, durability, and low maintenance, brick is among the most desired types of exterior siding. While it’s traditionally found on Colonial, Greek Revival, and Tudor Style Homes, brick is just as attractive on a ranch or an English cottage. If you’re considering brick siding for a newly constructed home or an existing one—or if you’re just a fan of these striking structures—keep reading. We’ll detail the benefits of brick homes and other considerations so you can make an informed choice.
FROM ANTIQUITY TO MODERN TIMES
The earliest known brick structures, dating back to 7000 BC in Turkey, featured crudely crafted blocks of clay left to dry in the hot sun until they hardened. Rudimentary by today’s standards, ancient bricks were valued for constructing strong walls, floors, and bridges. Sun-baked bricks remained the norm until ancient Romans, around 3000 BC, began firing clay bricks in earthen kilns, which greatly increased their structural integrity. Today’s bricks are created through an extrusion process, whereby low-moisture clay is forced into columnar molds, allowed to set, and then cut into smaller sections to form individual blocks. The bricks are then fired at a high temperature, resulting in strong bricks of uniform size.
Houses with thick brick walls were common in Europe from the 14th Century up until a few hundred years ago, when they were gradually replaced with wood-framed walls. Because transporting bricks over long distances was cost-prohibitive, solid brick wall construction was mainly limited to regions were bricks were manufactured and easily accessible.
Early brick wall construction in Colonial America often featured double brick walls, stacked a few inches apart, but parallel to each other, and then the gap between was filled with small rocks and rubble to create a thick wall that was strong enough to support a second story or overhead roof.
As wood-framing techniques advanced in the 1800s, and mass production of wooden timbers and studs began, solid brick wall construction declined. The advent of universal building codes further decreased the use of bricks in solid wall construction, because they were more likely to crumble in an earthquake-prone area.
And so bricks are now reserved for creating a durable and beautiful exterior, rather than a weight-bearing wall. Today’s houses are constructed with wood or metal studs, with brick installed on the outside as siding.
BRICK SIDING BENEFITS
While brick is no longer used for structural support, it offers a home more than a pretty face!
Brick homes are fire-resistant and will often have lower homeowner’s insurance premiums.
Brick is unaffected by moisture—it naturally absorbs and then releases moisture without damage.
Clay is one of the most abundant natural materials on the planet, making brick environmentally friendly.
Strong and durable, bricks won’t dent or break like vinyl or aluminum can.
Brick helps insulate a home, resulting in more consistent indoor temperatures. Rooms stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, keeping heating and cooling bills down.
Sound transfer is reduced through brick wall construction; residents are less likely to be bothered by traffic and other outdoor noises.
Brick increases property value. In addition to being a selling point, installing brick siding on your home translates into an approximate 6 percent increase in its value.
COLOR AND DESIGN
Bricks come in a variety of colors, ranging all the way from white to black and including shades of red, orange, tan, gray, rust, brown, and similar earthen hues. Multicolored bricks, featuring two or more complementary or contrasting colors, are also available. The texture of the brick face (the side that faces outward) can be rough, smooth, or somewhere in between. While classic red brick is always in style, in recent years, gray bricks and lime-washed bricks that give a house a vintage whitewashed look are popping up in new housing developments. Homeowners can further customize the look by choosing from a handful of mortar colors, ranging from white to deep gray.
ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS
The standard residential bricks used for siding, known as “modular” or “face” bricks, are uniform in size; 3-5/8” wide, 7-5/8” long, and 2-1/4” high. Allowing for 3/8” mortar joints, that equals seven bricks per square foot, installed. Unlike the bricks used for paving, modular bricks are not solid; they feature three vertical holes that allow the mortar to seep in and create a stronger bond.
Siding assembly for brick homes typically involves installing a membrane, such as vapor-resistant house wrap, over the home’s sheathing (the plywood sheets that cover the wall studs) and then leaving a narrow air space between the membrane and the bricks. During construction, the brick siding is secured with metal anchors, known as “brick ties,” to the home’s framing. Mortar is used to create uniform joints between the bricks, and small holes, known as “weep holes,” are positioned along the bottom course of bricks to allow any water that happens to get behind the bricks to drain out naturally. Laying bricks requires skill and precision and is a job best left to the pros.
The Art Of Landscaping Your Garden
Landscaping is the one gardening endeavor that can consume lots and lots of your time and energy. If you are thinking of tackling it on a grand scale, you will need some major preparation. If you were to consider hiring a professional landscaper, you would most probably find that the costs would be quite horrendous.
Now that’s fine if money is no object, but I personally get great pleasure from my own endeavors, gardening is after all my great passion in life.
I would strongly suggest however, that you have a clear idea in your mind about how you would like your garden to look, rather than simply starting off without a clear plan in mind.
Having said all that, here are simple but indispensable tips to guide you in making your landscaping activities extremely rewarding.
Draw Your Landscape Plan
However not just any plan. It needs to be a well thought out landscape plan, or you are certainly doomed to lose money as well as time and energy. You really need to take account of the style
and function of your landscape, and a good idea of the plants that you also want to include. Focus on that area where you spend most of your time, because this is where your landscaping labors should all be directed.
Investigate A Free Planning Service.
Hiring an independent designer would probly cost you hundreds of dollars, but you might well discover that many nurseries offer a free planning service, particularly if you are likely to be
spending some money with them.
Take Account Of The Style Of Your Home
When planning your landscape, the style should complement the design of your house and your personality as well. There are various landscape styles which you can choose for your garden:-
1. Formal – This style uses lots of straight lines and perfect geometrical shapes. Orderly arrangement of plants instead of random positioning is employed, and close arrangement and pruning
is used on many landscaped gardens with this style.
2. Informal – This kind of landscaping goes well with houses which have a cozy look to them. Beds with curved edges instead of straight lines and random placement of plants suit this landscape style.
3. English Garden – This style emphasizes on the harmony between the house’s architecture and the garden.
4. Formal/Informal Garden – This style often comes with a brick walkway that exudes formality. This walkway leads to the rear with a circle of plants. The arrangement of plants resembles the English garden style, but it has no formal borders.
5. Oriental – It is often the kind of garden found in houses with small backyards. It uses rocks, evergreens and water, and a wide variety of plants to create several angles with this style.
6. Woodland – This landscaping suits a house that has a wooded backyard and an inclined terrain.
Keeping those tips in mind will not only make your landscaping a very fruitful activity, but will save you considerable expense as well as time.
Don’t be frightened to use your imagination and flair for color in this project, after all it is primarily to please yourself and your family. I suggest that the satisfaction that you will gain from creating and designing your own personal landscaped garden, will make you feel like a true artist.
Patio Design | Expanding Your Home Outdoors
A patio can be just like another room in your house. Effective patio design can mean that your increase the floor space of your home, by adding an outside room that allows you to entertain like never before. A patio can just be a rectangular slab of concrete with some plastic chairs and griller, but it can also be so much more.
What comes to mind when you think of a patio?
Patio design gives you the opportunity to create an outside living area – an extension of your home – for entertaining and relaxing all year round. For instance, people who like to entertain may want to consider a patio with an undercover kitchen and dining area. By adding a barbecue grill, a built in fridge and some quality outdoor furniture, the patio can, in itself, become a feature of your home.
When commencing a new patio design, it is important to remember that your new outdoor entertaining area does not need to be expensive. There are a variety of different patio surfaces to fit a particular style or budget, including concrete pavers, natural clay stones and bricks. There is no need to stick to one type of paving or surface – experiment. Pebbles, gravels, bricks and tiles, can all be incorporated. A contrasting brick edge can also be effective. Similarly, patio shades need not be extensive, just enough to cover the main cooking and eating areas; after all, why block out the view of your gorgeous garden in the midday sun or the stars in the sky on a clear night.
Consider textures, colors, and materials before starting One of the most important considerations of patio design is landscaping. Plants help to soften the hard surface of a patio floor by providing color, texture and fragrance and they set the mood for an outdoor living space. Further, you might also like to consider the use of a water feature and some soft low voltage lighting or candles, to create a stunning patio setting for night time entertaining.
Finally, selecting the right furniture is the key to the perfect patio design. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars on the right setting; more importantly you want to select items that are durable, basic in color and rich in style and sophistication. Consider resin coated wicker or rattan pieces that can be dressed up with different cushions and throw rugs. These items can be changed regularly to cater for a themed party or more simply, to match the changes in your flourishing flower beds.
A patio design can be as elaborate or as straightforward as you want it to be. Patios can be arranged in any shape and size and can be refreshed regularly just like the interior of your home. Outdoor entertaining is an increasing pastime – enjoy it with family and friends! #landscapingideas #landscapedesign