Danny Lipford » Decks and Patios

How to Install a Retractable Awning on Your Home

Allen Lyle — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:00:05 +0000

Retractable awnings on a patio or deck allow you to control the amount of shade or sun either manually or with the touch of a button. They can be installed on the side of your house in a few hours to provide a shade canopy for up to 10 feet. Here’s how to go about installing a retractable awning:

Mark the location of the awning on the side of the house, making sure it is level.
Pop a caulk line to mark the position for the support brackets.
Attach the brackets to the house even with the chalk line, making sure they are plumb.
Lift the awning into place and bolt it to the brackets.
For motorized awnings, plug the cord into an electrical outlet and use the remote control to extend and retract the awning.

How to Install Wood Deck Boards

Danny Lipford — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:00:06 +0000

Building a wood deck makes a great DIY project for your home. Here are some tips when laying the deck boards.

When using pressure treated wood that’s still saturated with preservative, install the boards without a gap between them. As the wood dries, it will shrink, leaving a small gap between each board.
Orient the deck boards so the growth rings in the end grain have the arc facing up.
When nailing into the end of deck boards, turn the nail over and tap the point with a hammer to blunt the nail and prevent splitting.

How to Choose and Install Wood Floors in Your Home

How to Clean Outdoor Patio Furniture

Tricia Craven Worley — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:00:06 +0000

Here are some tips to keep your patio furniture clean:

A mixture of soap and water works best on most types of outdoor furniture, followed by rinsing with a garden hose.
A pressure washer set on low can be used to speed up the process.
Wash fabric in a clothes washer on a gentle cycle.
Put fabric back on the furniture frame before it has dried completely dry to prevent shrinkage.
Wood furniture that has weathered can be carefully pressure washed and resealed.
To repair metal furniture that has rusted, use fine steel wool to remove the rust then repaint with a spray paint made for metal.
Use paste wax to protect wicker and metal furniture.

Watch this video to find out more

Advantages of Urethane Moldings over Solid Wood

Danny Lipford — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:00:25 +0000

A number of high-density urethane building products are available from Fypon that can be cut and finished just like wood while providing added resistance to decay and termites. Products include turned spindles for porches, ceiling medallions, and easy to install crown moldings that don’t require mitering. Watch this video to find out more.

How to Score Lines and Apply Finish to a Concrete Patio

Danny Lipford — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:00:10 +0000

To improve the looks of a concrete patio:

Start by thoroughly cleaning the surface with a pressure washer.
Give the concrete character by cutting a series of shallow lines into it.
After laying out the pattern for the lines, cut them into the concrete using a circular saw equipped with a masonry blade and using a board a guide.
Since this can generate a lot of dust, wear a respirator while cutting.
Apply a concrete stain or paint to seal the surface and add a touch of color.

Adding a Pool House to Your Home

Danny Lipford — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:00:44 +0000

A pool house was added to provide and a bathroom and changing facilities without having to go into the house. The privacy fence for the outside shower was made from a dense tropical wood called ipê, which is naturally resistant to rot and decay.

Building a Screen Enclosure for Your Pool

Danny Lipford — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:00:26 +0000

To keep your pool area free from unwanted leaves and insects, a custom built, aluminum framework can be erected over your entire pool and covered with durable screening. Watch this video to find out more.

How to Clean a Gas Grill

Danny Lipford — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:00:39 +0000

Cleaning your gas grill is important to its lifespan. Here’s how to clean it properly:

Remove grates from the grill, spray with liquid grill cleaner.
Allow grates to soak before cleaning with a wire brush.
Remove burner covers and scrape with a wire brush.
Take out burners and scrape off debris.
Clean burner holes with a toothpick.
Use a wet-dry vac to remove the remaining debris from inside the grill.

Performing this simple maintenance on your grill will ensure that it lasts for many years to come.

Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner

Jodi Marks — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:17:32 +0000

Thompson’s Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner with oxy-foaming action is formulated to remove dirt, mildew, and other stains from a variety of outside surfaces including wood and composite decks, concrete, masonry, and even some fabrics.

The powerful oxygen cleaner contains no bleach, making it gentle on surfaces. Apply with a pump up sprayer or watering can and then allow 5-10 minutes for the cleaner to soak. Scrub the surface with a stiff brush, then rinse it off with a hose. Thompson’s Exterior Cleaner is available at The Home Depot.

How to Plan and Design an Outdoor Kitchen

Danny Lipford — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:48:44 +0000

When designing an outdoor kitchen for your home, be sure to provide a way to vent the smoke from the grill out of enclosed areas.

Cabinets for an outdoor kitchen should be made from materials that resist the elements—such as pressure treated wood or plastic—even if they will be covered by a roof. Perma-Panel cabinets from Atlantis Outdoor Kitchens are made from a polymer material.