By Deborah M
After you labor for hours planting, weeding, watering and waiting you are ready to sit and enjoy the garden you so carefully tended. You can use a few pieces of scrap lumber, a well placed log, or cinderblocks and an old plank for a place to sit, or you could build a bench. If you're after that "rustic" look, then making a bench out of scraps, logs and old stuff should do just fine. If you're looking for something a little more polished and eye-catching, then consider building it yourself and tweak the design as you like it. It only takes a few basic tools and a little time. The cost is minimal.
Instead of dragging one of those tacky lawn chairs from the shed or garage or sitting on the ground, consider taking on a weekend project of constructing your own garden bench. There are different varieties to suit your needs. There are also numerous types of wood to choose from. You could choose to stain your bench or add some character with paint or even a mural.
You can build your own garden bench very easily with very little help, unless you want it. If you have a formal garden and a need for something with an "air" about it, you may need to spend a little bit longer on the design and extra features. However, you are less concerned with impressing people and just want a basic bench for functionality, you could build something very classy and simple. You can produce a comfortable area for you and others to sit and enjoy your garden.
No matter whether you're a beginner or a seasoned woodworker, whether you're building your first wooden bench or you've built many, whether you DO or DO NOT have the skills or knowledge for building, or however many instructional books or blueprints you've ever bought...you can build your own bench.
These plans have illustrations and easy-to-read language. The process is outlined step-by-step, so virtually anyone can do it. You can also download a simple basic 12' x 18' storage shed plan free, so you can see first hand how the plans are laid out.
http://www.woodenshedplans.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deborah_M
It's time to start thinking of warm weather and your garden. What a wonderful idea this is! Please check this out and for help check us out at knkhomeimprovements.com
We offer a bit of free advice. Thank you for your interest.
Showing posts with label diy questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diy questions. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Creating a Outdoors Cold Weather Retreat
By Maria Polidoro
As the weather cools, many families are forced indoors during chilly evenings, which is a shame because fall is a beautiful season that should be enjoyed. There are a few fairly fast and easy ways to make your outdoor area more hospitable in the cooler months. All you need to do is organize the yard so that wind and moisture are minimized, and extra warmth is provided. Here are a few tips to make the most of your yard during the cooler seasons and well into spring.
-- Create a shelter belt. If your outdoor space or patio is highly exposed, determine where most of your frosty winds are blowing from and build a barrier in that vicinity. The most effective barrier is a fence, but if this is a view you do not want to obstruct, small hedges, open-weave fences, and tough trees can help reduce the wind's severity without blocking the landscape. This barrier will not only make outdoor activities more comfortable, but it can also reduce home heating costs.
-- Install a heating device. Patio heaters, chimineas, fire pits, or fireplaces are all excellent options for adding a bit of heat to the vicinity. If you have a large area, you may want to use more than one. While they take a little more effort to install, a fire pit or place is a fantastic edition that creates ambiance and allows your family to enjoy activities like roasting marshmallows or just gathering around the fire, which are fun activities year round.
-- Get the right gear. The right patio furniture will make being outside a pleasure. Look for cushions and pillows that are plush. Have several "outdoor blankets" handy (i.e. blankets clearly designated as appropriate for outdoors use.) Store these inside and wash them once a week or as appropriate for your family's use.
-- Consider awnings or canopies. If your outdoor space is exposed, you may want to consider adding a "roof" over the gathering area. This can help minimize moisture. This certainly isn't necessary for all yards, but can increase the social areas usability in some climate zones. A retractable canopy will allow you to keep the area dry and also view the stars on clear nights.
-- Now that you have the space, use it! Plan activities, invite over friends, and keep extra marshmallows or hot beverages handy for spontaneous evenings. A nice outdoor gathering area will give your family a delightful place to socialize without the distractions of TV or modern life.
Maria Polidoro is the owner of Ace Tool Online, a leading dealer and service center for electrical power tools. Headquartered in Wantagh, New York, Ace Tool offers over 70 major brands of hand and power tools and is also home to a full service center.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Polidoro
For help with your DIY Home Improvement project check out knkhomeimprovements.com
As the weather cools, many families are forced indoors during chilly evenings, which is a shame because fall is a beautiful season that should be enjoyed. There are a few fairly fast and easy ways to make your outdoor area more hospitable in the cooler months. All you need to do is organize the yard so that wind and moisture are minimized, and extra warmth is provided. Here are a few tips to make the most of your yard during the cooler seasons and well into spring.
-- Create a shelter belt. If your outdoor space or patio is highly exposed, determine where most of your frosty winds are blowing from and build a barrier in that vicinity. The most effective barrier is a fence, but if this is a view you do not want to obstruct, small hedges, open-weave fences, and tough trees can help reduce the wind's severity without blocking the landscape. This barrier will not only make outdoor activities more comfortable, but it can also reduce home heating costs.
-- Install a heating device. Patio heaters, chimineas, fire pits, or fireplaces are all excellent options for adding a bit of heat to the vicinity. If you have a large area, you may want to use more than one. While they take a little more effort to install, a fire pit or place is a fantastic edition that creates ambiance and allows your family to enjoy activities like roasting marshmallows or just gathering around the fire, which are fun activities year round.
-- Get the right gear. The right patio furniture will make being outside a pleasure. Look for cushions and pillows that are plush. Have several "outdoor blankets" handy (i.e. blankets clearly designated as appropriate for outdoors use.) Store these inside and wash them once a week or as appropriate for your family's use.
-- Consider awnings or canopies. If your outdoor space is exposed, you may want to consider adding a "roof" over the gathering area. This can help minimize moisture. This certainly isn't necessary for all yards, but can increase the social areas usability in some climate zones. A retractable canopy will allow you to keep the area dry and also view the stars on clear nights.
-- Now that you have the space, use it! Plan activities, invite over friends, and keep extra marshmallows or hot beverages handy for spontaneous evenings. A nice outdoor gathering area will give your family a delightful place to socialize without the distractions of TV or modern life.
Maria Polidoro is the owner of Ace Tool Online, a leading dealer and service center for electrical power tools. Headquartered in Wantagh, New York, Ace Tool offers over 70 major brands of hand and power tools and is also home to a full service center.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Polidoro
For help with your DIY Home Improvement project check out knkhomeimprovements.com
Friday, September 25, 2009
Winter-Proofing Your Home
By Mike Ciucci
With the weather in many parts of the country cooling down and sliding us into fall, it's getting to be time to think about ways to prepare your home for upcoming winter weather. While it is far too early in most places to be worried about the winter weather, it's not too early to get a head start on being prepared.
Probably the biggest job-with the potential to take the longest time-in preparing for winter is household repairs. You need to ensure that your roof has no leaks, your siding is firmly attached to the house, and that the gutters are properly attached and functioning properly. Take some time to check the weather stripping around any windows and outside doors and replace it if it doesn't seal well, keeping cold air and driving rain outside where it belongs. If needed in your area, install storm windows for the wet season; it's also a good idea to seal the concrete in your basement with a sealer to help keep moisture out. Any repair jobs that require you to hire construction or repair workers to accomplish will be done faster and possibly cheaper when done well before it is an urgent matter.
The next biggest step in your project will be any upgrades that will help you survive the winter with more comfort. One of the biggest ways you can do that is by adding an extra layer of insulation to your attic or crawl space. Unless your house is quite new, it may well have sub-ideal levels of insulation keeping the cold out and expensive heat in. If your hot water tank is older, you will want to add an insulating wrap to it as well, though don't bother if when you touch the tank it feels room temperature. New hot water tanks have a lot of insulation in them and a wrap will not add any benefit.
Next comes household maintenance, starting with your furnace. Have your furnace cleaned and inspected for ideal heating power. Likewise, your chimney should be cleaned and inspected to ward against chimney fires. Drain outdoor taps to prevent freezing and insulate any pipes that could freeze when the chilly weather hits. Clean your gutters so that any heavy rainfall or melting snow can be removed efficiently.
In your yard trim back branches and foliage from your house; this will keep them from falling on your roof in a storm or due to the heavy weight of snow. This also protects the plants and trees from breaking if you have a heavy snowfall.
Make sure that well in advance of the cold weather that you purchase as much salt and de-icer that you think that you will need for the winter as well as snow shovels. As soon as the snowy weather threatens, you can be sure that everyone will be running to the store to buy these items which makes them very hard to find then. Don't leave anything until the last minute and you will enjoy the winter much more!
Work with a qualified, dedicated agent for yourMount Pleasant real estate purchase. Find the ideal Charleston S.C. home at BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Ciucci
For help with DIY Home repairs before those cold months ahead, check out
knkhomeimprovements.com.
You can get a bit of free advice.
With the weather in many parts of the country cooling down and sliding us into fall, it's getting to be time to think about ways to prepare your home for upcoming winter weather. While it is far too early in most places to be worried about the winter weather, it's not too early to get a head start on being prepared.
Probably the biggest job-with the potential to take the longest time-in preparing for winter is household repairs. You need to ensure that your roof has no leaks, your siding is firmly attached to the house, and that the gutters are properly attached and functioning properly. Take some time to check the weather stripping around any windows and outside doors and replace it if it doesn't seal well, keeping cold air and driving rain outside where it belongs. If needed in your area, install storm windows for the wet season; it's also a good idea to seal the concrete in your basement with a sealer to help keep moisture out. Any repair jobs that require you to hire construction or repair workers to accomplish will be done faster and possibly cheaper when done well before it is an urgent matter.
The next biggest step in your project will be any upgrades that will help you survive the winter with more comfort. One of the biggest ways you can do that is by adding an extra layer of insulation to your attic or crawl space. Unless your house is quite new, it may well have sub-ideal levels of insulation keeping the cold out and expensive heat in. If your hot water tank is older, you will want to add an insulating wrap to it as well, though don't bother if when you touch the tank it feels room temperature. New hot water tanks have a lot of insulation in them and a wrap will not add any benefit.
Next comes household maintenance, starting with your furnace. Have your furnace cleaned and inspected for ideal heating power. Likewise, your chimney should be cleaned and inspected to ward against chimney fires. Drain outdoor taps to prevent freezing and insulate any pipes that could freeze when the chilly weather hits. Clean your gutters so that any heavy rainfall or melting snow can be removed efficiently.
In your yard trim back branches and foliage from your house; this will keep them from falling on your roof in a storm or due to the heavy weight of snow. This also protects the plants and trees from breaking if you have a heavy snowfall.
Make sure that well in advance of the cold weather that you purchase as much salt and de-icer that you think that you will need for the winter as well as snow shovels. As soon as the snowy weather threatens, you can be sure that everyone will be running to the store to buy these items which makes them very hard to find then. Don't leave anything until the last minute and you will enjoy the winter much more!
Work with a qualified, dedicated agent for yourMount Pleasant real estate purchase. Find the ideal Charleston S.C. home at BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Ciucci
For help with DIY Home repairs before those cold months ahead, check out
knkhomeimprovements.com.
You can get a bit of free advice.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Classic Renovations Mistakes That DIY Enthusiasts Make
By Gemma Clarke
It is possible when to save money whilst tackling a large improvement project. One good way to save money is to avoid costly mistakes and to do as much of the work as possible by yourself however this can be a very daunting thing to consider.
A lot of people have a hard time deciding whether to a job on their own or whether to hire in a professional to do it. The amount of work that you are actually able to do will depend on the amount of experience you have and also what skills you have. It is worth remember that a lot of projects that look very easy actually turn out to be very awkward and time consuming. It is very important to weigh up the various pros and cons when you are trying to decide whether or not to hire a professional.
It is very important to remember that home renovations can lead to a lot more expense that you previously calculated there for it a very good idea to underestimate the budget. It is a very good idea to set aside some funds just in case anything should lead to more expense than was originally calculated for it.
It is very important to conduct a reasonable amount of research prior to starting the renovation project. This way you get to know the layout of the house such, as where the electrical wiring is located.
When you are thinking about renovating a house it is very important to shop around prior to starting in order to see how much things are. This way you can work out a realistic budget. Some things are commonly overlooked by the DIY enthusiast, the favourites being skip hire and a contingency budget. When deciding on a budget it is also very important to take into consideration the amount of money that you can realistically spend on the renovation project, as there is no point spending more than you are able to afford.
When you are planning a renovation project it is essential to know if any permits are required for the work that you plan to undertake. The permit requirements will depend on the type of work that you wish to undertake and you may even need a permit for things like skip hire or material removal. It is important to check the situations with regards to permits as this can help you to avoid a costly mistake.
It is very important not to sacrificing the quality of the work. A lot of the home improvement project requires the quality of the work to be of the utmost importance. In order to have a high quality of work it is very important to use the best quality of materials and also a high level of workmanship.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gemma_Clarke
We suggest any DIY project requires research and an expert on your side.
knkhomeimprovements.com We give advice from an expert in the field of contruction and home repair.
It is possible when to save money whilst tackling a large improvement project. One good way to save money is to avoid costly mistakes and to do as much of the work as possible by yourself however this can be a very daunting thing to consider.
A lot of people have a hard time deciding whether to a job on their own or whether to hire in a professional to do it. The amount of work that you are actually able to do will depend on the amount of experience you have and also what skills you have. It is worth remember that a lot of projects that look very easy actually turn out to be very awkward and time consuming. It is very important to weigh up the various pros and cons when you are trying to decide whether or not to hire a professional.
It is very important to remember that home renovations can lead to a lot more expense that you previously calculated there for it a very good idea to underestimate the budget. It is a very good idea to set aside some funds just in case anything should lead to more expense than was originally calculated for it.
It is very important to conduct a reasonable amount of research prior to starting the renovation project. This way you get to know the layout of the house such, as where the electrical wiring is located.
When you are thinking about renovating a house it is very important to shop around prior to starting in order to see how much things are. This way you can work out a realistic budget. Some things are commonly overlooked by the DIY enthusiast, the favourites being skip hire and a contingency budget. When deciding on a budget it is also very important to take into consideration the amount of money that you can realistically spend on the renovation project, as there is no point spending more than you are able to afford.
When you are planning a renovation project it is essential to know if any permits are required for the work that you plan to undertake. The permit requirements will depend on the type of work that you wish to undertake and you may even need a permit for things like skip hire or material removal. It is important to check the situations with regards to permits as this can help you to avoid a costly mistake.
It is very important not to sacrificing the quality of the work. A lot of the home improvement project requires the quality of the work to be of the utmost importance. In order to have a high quality of work it is very important to use the best quality of materials and also a high level of workmanship.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gemma_Clarke
We suggest any DIY project requires research and an expert on your side.
knkhomeimprovements.com We give advice from an expert in the field of contruction and home repair.
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