Stout Build-DesignThe Versatility of ConcreteOf all the materials available to build patios, concrete is the most traditional yet versatile choice. It's smooth, clean, can be cast and formed into curvilinear or geometric shapes, and, with the addition of tints,…
Travertine is a gorgeous sedimentary stone that lends itself well to interior wall and flooring applications, as well as for exterior pavers and pool copings. Find out how travertine can enhance the look of your home.Texture Distinguishes…
Simon Battensby/Image Source/Getty ImagesMore Options Than You ThinkThe vast majority of outdoor patios are constructed with some form of masonry, such as poured concrete (sometimes stained or stamped), or brick or stone paver products. But it…
Avalon_Studio / Getty ImagesUnderstanding Cement, Concrete, Mortar, Grout, and Thin-SetThe terms cement, concrete, and mortar can be confusing to DIYers because they are often used interchangeably—and inaccurately. Though the terms are often used synonymously, cement, concrete, and…
sodapix / Getty ImagesChoose the Right Outdoor FlooringWhen it comes to materials, patios are made of pretty much one of six basic materials. It's what you do with these materials that can give your outdoor surface an individual…
A shorea wood patio dining set from Oxford Garden. © Oxford GardenOutdoor Furniture and MaterialsSimilar to teak or ipe wood, shorea is a tropical hardwood that is used for many of the same purposes as teak, including garden furniture. Like…
David BeaulieuMasonry Tools for Evening Off Concrete Surfaces and Preventing CracksWhile the word does have other meanings (for example, "a lengthy discourse"), in masonry terminology, the definition of "screed" is a straight board used to even off the…
It's inevitable: brick patios and walls get exposed to the elements or something else creates a stain: mortar, mildew, rust, paint, even graffiti. Before you attack it with your power washer, find out the best remedies for…
Concrete slabs make great foundations for patios. But one might question how comfortable they are to sleep on under tents.Picturenet / Getty ImagesPreparation Counts in Forming a Solid Base for Your PatioFor an outdoor tile patio installation …
How Are They Different?Porcelain vs. ceramic tile: Is this a war between two vastly different types of materials or simply a war of words? The terms porcelain and ceramic are often used interchangeably as if they were the…