Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The Collections Of Home Depot Patio Furniture

For people who do not know much about the Home Depot patio furniture, it is important to explain how and when to purchase the furniture without first venturing to educate the person on the various collections that the person can shop the furniture. In this article, I am not going to look at many of them, but I do hope that the ones that we shall look at, will be enough to give you an idea of where to start from when looking for the place to buy the furniture.

Dining Sets

If you are planning to buy the Home Depot patio furniture by the collections that are available, the first collection that you will come across will be the Dining Sets. Indeed, this is really not something that you can talk much about. The dinning sets are those that will help you and your family to be in the right place when you are having your meal.

Casual Seating

Apart from the dining sets, you also need to look at the Home Depot patio furniture that will allow you to seat casually. These collections are simply those that will give you an opportunity to discuss issues and talk about things in a really relaxed atmosphere. If you are a family and are looking for an opportunity to discuss issues with each other and you find that most of the seats in the house are just very formal, then this is a good area to go with.

Bistro

The next collection that is available for people who would like to own the Home Depot patio furniture is the Bistro collection. Unlike the casual seating and the dining sets category, the Bistro collection is somehow new to some people. In normal cases, the bistro refers to place where someone can come and have a meal in a simple way. They are mainly much cheaper than many other joints where the serving and the foods are more elegant. When it comes to the home furniture, it refers to a simple place where one or two people can have their meal from, without having to move to the dining table.

All in all, the Home Depot patio furniture is an extremely wonderful piece of furniture. Unfortunately due to their high quality, they can be a bit expensive for the average person. The good news however is that the company has a lot coupons that can be very beneficiary to them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nadav_Snir

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

How to Choose Outdoor Cushions For Patio Furniture

Choosing the right outdoor cushions for your patio furniture can really reflect either positively or negatively on the exterior of your home. Just because you find some cushions discounted in the clearance bin super cheap does not mean that they are necessarily a good deal. Keep in mind that your outdoor living area is where you will entertaining, gathering with family, friends, neighbors and sometimes even a stranger brought along as a date. What kind of impression do you want to offer with your furniture?

Things to Consider

When shopping for chairs, a sofa or even a chaise, there are a few things you need to consider, such as:

Practicality - Sure, you want your patio stylish but you also want to choose pieces that are going to be weather resistant, easy to clean and durable. Do you really want to be running out and putting a cover on your furniture at the first sign of unfavorable weather?

Size Proportion - You should consider the size of the pieces in comparison to the square footage of your patio. While a wrought iron bistro set will look simple and elegant, an ensemble with overstuffed cushions could look quite cluttered in a small space. It is a good idea to take measurements of the area with you when you go shopping.

Theme - Is there an overall message that you are trying to display? Try to have ideas before you go scavenging through the discounted items of what theme you wish to achieve with your area. You could go for a tiki look or turn on the country charm with gingham patterns. Victorian floral designs are always a popular option or you could take a more contemporary approach with bold colors and geometric shapes.

Why Choose Cushions?

Aside from the obvious comfort factor associated with cushions, they are typically easy to clean too. Most outdoor furniture cushions will be made from a water-repellant fabric that you can wash off and some will even come equipped with removable covers. Keep in mind that not only will your furniture attract dirt, it will see visits from birds, squirrels and other backyard friends.

Another great quality about outdoor cushions for your patio furniture is that many choices today are tear and fade resistant. Therefore, even if you have a cat or a dog that enjoys jumping on the furniture, tears won't be a problem and regardless how many days of sunshine you see, your cushions will maintain their beautiful appearance.

Tag : patio,patio furniture,patio cover

Friday, December 10, 2010

Extend The Life Of Your Patio Furniture With Patio Furniture Covers

You can spend a lot of money on patio furniture and it just makes good sense to keep it in good condition as long as possible. No matter how much it costs, all furniture will break down over time if left exposed to the elements year round. A set of patio furniture covers that are specially fitted to your type of furniture will be well worth the extra expense. They will keep your furniture protected, adding years to its life. Since there are hundreds of different styles and sizes, take a little time to make a list before you begin shopping.

Unfortunately, patio furniture comes in many sizes and shapes, and you need to know what you have before you actually make your purchases. The easiest way to be sure you get what you need is to take a pen and paper, along with a tape measure, to your patio or back deck and make a list. Write down everything want to cover, along with its size. This list will help tremendously when you start shopping.

The table is most likely the largest piece you'll be trying to cover, so start making your list with it. Make a note of whether it is round, square or rectangular and the size of it. Also, make a note if you have an umbrella that can't be removed so you'll know to look for a specialized patio table cover that has a hole in the middle and a zipper so you can fit the cover around the umbrella pole.

You can also get a single cover that goes over both the table and the chairs. If this idea appeals to you, push the chairs up to the table and measure it that way. Be sure you include the height in this measurement - you'll want the cover to be long enough that the bottoms of the chair cushions are protected.

If you have a nice comfy lounge chair on your patio, you need to pay special attention to how the cover you select fastens to the bottom of the chair. If it has elastic, it can be hard for one person to get one end in place, then try to stretch the other end into position. A better option is to look for lounge chair covers that are held in place with tie straps or velcro fasteners.

Stacking chairs have become quite popular in the last few years. You can keep yours clean and ready to use by covering the whole stack at once. Measure before you shop, since there are several different sizes available in stacking chair covers.

Most barbecue grills are finished with a special paint that resists high temperatures, but even that can't last forever out in the weather. You can extend the life of your grill's finish with a patio furniture cover made especially for barbecue grills. These are usually simple covers that just slip right over the grill and its stand to keep them both protected.

After you make the list of the sizes and styles of covers you want, you still need to think about a couple of other things before you start shopping.

Unless you have a very tight budget, you'll want to stay away from the thin vinyl patio furniture covers. They may be the cheapest, but they seldom last very long. They are easily punctured by falling limbs and strong winds can rip the seams apart.

Vinyl covers that are made of a much thicker, heavy duty fabric are available as well. These are completely waterproof. This is important if you will be using your covers during the summer to keep the cushions dry between uses. If your patio furniture covers aren't waterproof, you'll either have to take your cushions off every time after you use them, or wait for them to dry after a rain.

One more thing you should consider before your final decision is how you are going to keep the covers in place. Elastic hems are popular and good for keeping the cover secure in high winds and storms, but they are harder to get into position initially. Straps that either tie or fasten with velcro are much easier to use, but can rip out or come loose in a storm.

Once you have your comprehensive list of the styles and sizes of everything you want to cover, you'll need to decide which type of fabric you want and whether you want the tie on or elastic bottom style. You are now armed with all of the information you need to find the perfect set of patio furniture covers that will protect your furniture for years to come.

Tag : patio,patio furniture,patio sets,patio heater

Sunday, December 5, 2010

DIY Deck Cleaning, Coating, and Conditioning Considered

When is the best time to clean, coat, and refurbish you the deck, gazebo, or wood patio at your home? Well, you may not like this answer, but it really depends. Depends on what you ask? Well, seasonal temperatures, and how much you are using your deck are the first consideration.

If you are not using your deck, no need to coat and treat it in the dead of winter, plus it's hard to get the coatings to dry anyway with the chance of snow, rain, sleet, or freezing - which can make your Do-it-Yourself project a total mess and disaster.

In the Winter the wood takes a beating and often the coatings can peel or come apart. Most of the deck coatings you buy in the home improvement stores last 2-5 years, and thus, you should buy the best you can, premium quality stuff. But rest assured the secret is all in the pre-prepping of the deck or gazebo, as the coating is fairly cut and dry (wet). How would I know?

Well, you see before retirement I ran a franchising company and one of our franchise modules was Deck Cleaning. Yes, it was a seasonal business, you see, early to Mid April is pretty much when the services are most desired below the Mason Dixon Line, so March issue makes sense, and above the Mason Dixon Line, I'd say that late April, early May is the busiest.

Folks start thinking about such things as the temperatures start heading up about 70-degrees average during the day. This industry gets NUTS, literally controlled chaos in Spring, by fall and winter, it's a trickle, and thus, our crews seek other work. I'd like you to also consider this famous question; "when did Noah build the ark?" Before the storm right, yep, and so you need that wood treated and coated before winter so it doesn't rot out. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Right Patio Set For Your GardenThe Right Patio Set For Your Garden

By getting the right patio set for the garden, one will definitely get to have the dream garden that he desired. The features that one decides to include in the patio will have the patio looking charming, graceful and out rightly attractive. The main point here is that the patio should transform the home into an attractive, peaceful and enjoyable place to relax for you and the family. It is paramount therefore that the right furniture and the right doors be chosen in order to make this happen. Some of the points to consider while doing so are given below.

One of the very first items one should decide on is the theme of the garden. The theme is what carries the garden to a better state. It will determine which design the patio set will have and will also help decide on the color of the patio set and patio doors. Whenever someone has gotten the theme, say "a 1950's look" the designer can get to decide which materials, designs, tones of color and effects will give this look. Next, one will have to look at what outdoor fixtures are required in making this theme come out as wanted. One of the best ways on how to go about this is to do a sketch of the whole garden. Evaluate each of the fixtures in the sketch and make a judgment on which of the fixtures need to be changed or not. Even on the sketch work, it is important to come up with a decision as if it will be the one to be implemented on purpose.

While making the patio sets, one should then decide on the designs that will be done to all the fixtures. Considering the theme that was stated in the beginning, the design is done. This will touch on the color, and subject of the outdoor work of design. It touches also on the materials that are needed to come up with the design. Some of the materials that can be used may contradict the theme of the garden area. It is therefore necessary to match this theme with the materials that are used on the fixtures.

Included in the making of the garden are the patio doors. There are some factors to consider before the door is fixed. These conditions, which by the way, will follow the exact same procedures as he ones stipulated above will cause a perfect harmony of the theme and the door as a fixture. One of these considerations will include weather. The weather condition certainly will affect the type of door placed on the outside of the home. If there is persistence of cold, long winters it will be necessary to place a door that is thermally insulated against the cold. One will also need to create room for smaller garden areas. Patio doors that use sliding are better than those that use hinges if space is to be preserved. The doors do affect the area of the garden.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Protect Your Patio Furniture From Damages In The Winter With These Tips

Most homeowners who have a patio, also have patio furniture that are perfect for summer to sit out and enjoy the weather outdoors. However when winter comes, many times the furniture gets damaged due to the water, snow, humidity or too dry air, and most people have no idea how to protect their patio furniture from damages caused by winter.

So here are some tips that should help you ensure that your patio furniture will be unharmed this winter and every other winter that comes after that.

Furniture for the patio comes in several materials. You have furniture made of plastic, of wicker and wood, of metal, fiberglass and several others. Each of these needs a different kind of protection from winter. Many times what works for wood won't work for plastic and vice-versa.

Wood furniture is very easily damaged during the winter due to the dry air that tends to crack the wood easily. Snow will add to the damage due to the water getting into those fresh cracks, which will strain and buckle the wood, rendering it useless at times. So what you need to do here is first of all to get some patio covers that can protect the wood from becoming damaged in the first place. The covers can come off as soon as winter is over. Also you can move the furniture to a shielded room, or a closed patio or gazebo, somewhere where snow, humidity and extensive dry air won't touch the wood.

Plastic furniture is another popular one with many homeowners, particularly when they don't have much money to spend on hardwood. Plastic is quite economical and fun to have around. Unfortunately plastic and vinyl are very vulnerable to get snapped by extreme cold, so this furniture needs to be placed somewhere inside where cold can't get to it.

Metal furniture can really get damaged by being outdoors during harsh winter times, especially if the metal is not stainless steel. Metal can rust easily and it only takes a bit of humidity or water to start the rusting process. With metal, you should go about the same way as you did with wood. You either need to cover the pieces or bring them indoors. You could also coat the metal surface with a protective coating that keeps your metal pieces away from getting damaged.

Something else that we haven't really talked about but it's important is dealing with furniture cushions. These are made of fabric that can soil if left outdoors and unprotected, so you need make sure that they are either covered or even better, taken to a safe place indoors where snow, humidity and changes in the weather temperature can't get to them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jorge_Duvais

Friday, November 19, 2010

Advice On Choosing The Right Garden or Patio Awning

A change of scenery is necessary every now and then, and how much easier does it get than simply getting outside of the house? It's hard to beat the simple pleasure of relaxing on the patio and sipping a drink with a friend or reading a good book. While you are enjoying the outdoors, a garden, or patio, awning keeps you protected from the weather. What then are your options?

Retractable awnings are one option and not only do they keep the sun and rain from beating down on you, but they keep your deck, patio, and furniture safe as well. The ability to control the amount of heat that gets to the house from the sun is one of the best aspects of a retractable awning. If it is a particularly hot day, the awning can be extended for a cooling shade. Your electric bill will lower considerably. When the weather turns cooler, simply roll up the shade of the awning and let the sun's warm (and free) rays heat your home. Whatever your needs, the retractable awning can be extended and retracted accordingly.

Stand alone awnings offer similar protection to that of retractable awnings, but they can be placed wherever you need it. Because they don't need to be attached to the house or other structure, you can cover up a vehicle, garden, or play area on any location you want. Though stand alone awnings lack the simple amenities of retractable awnings, they are not permanently attached to anything and can be relocated if needed. One other concern involved with stand alone awnings is that they do not receive the wind protection provided by a house or other building. Seek awnings with frames made from sturdy metals. It will be worth the extra cash.

The different materials that awnings can be crafted from offer options as well. Wooden frames are perfect if you wish to add style as well as practicality. The wood makes the awning look natural and provides a rural look that other materials cannot. They need regular treatment, however, because wood will warp and splinter if unprotected against water and wind. Aluminum frames are lightweight, making them attractive to attach to a house or other building. High grade aluminum is pricier, but it can withstand the weather better. Vinyl requires the least effort to maintain, but it can be a burden to put up at first. Once it is erected, however, you can leave it alone for the most part.

Garden/patio awnings come in many styles and with several types of frames. Decide upon the look and style that is perfect for you and you will have protection outside from the weather. Awnings are a great way to enjoy the outdoors in comfort.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Thomas_Walters


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Flooring For Your Patio - Here Is What You Should Do

What factors should you consider when choosing the flooring of your patio? The first and most obvious factor is comfort and convenience. If you have many kids and if they love playing in the patio every evening, you should opt for flooring that will not cause them to skid or slip very easily. This will help you avoid unnecessary injuries when kids run too fast on the floor of the patio.

Safety First

If it rains a lot, the combination of a slippery floor and water can lead to disastrous consequences. On the other hand, if you do not have any kids or if the patio is protected from rains, you can opt for expensive and smooth flooring to improve its appearance. Give equal importance to comfort, convenience and safety for maximum benefits.

Beauty Next

The second factor that you should consider is the beauty and the aesthetic of the flooring. Many persons opt for flooring that makes the patio look an extension of the house. Well, if you have a patio situated right in the middle of the garden, opting for mosaic flooring that resembles your drawing room does not make sense.

Why would you want your guests to get a drawing room feel when they are in the middle of natural surroundings? Should you not try to give a separate and distinct feel? How about earthen tiles? Opting for clay tiles can be a very expensive affair because it will break very often and lead to frequent damage and repairs. Well, you can opt for cement or other tiles with a clay or earthy finish.

Variety And Coolness Quotient Next

If you do not intend to walk on the floor of the patio very often, you can opt for flooring with design that may not be very comfortable for your feet but make the room look very good. If you are not keen on adding cement and concrete to the flooring, you can opt for hardened mud that is just an extension of your garden.

Of course, this will bring its own set of problems and complications. However, there is no denying that a well maintained earthen floor has a charm and appeal that no other flooring option offers.

Choosing the right flooring can be difficult unless you know what you are doing. Just make use of online resources to understand the various options before proceeding. You will have sufficient scope for getting the best deal at affordable prices if you use online tools.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nazimabee_Woozeer

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Teak Patio Furniture: How to Care for It

Now that you have some beautiful teak patio furniture, how do you make sure it keeps its natural beauty for a long time?

Teak is a very durable wood that wants only a little care. After all, teak was the preferred wood for the decks of sailing ships. It stood up to blistering tropic sun, howling gales and frozen artic spray for years. It will last just as long and just as well for you with minimal care.

Sorrento Furniture, manufacturer of teak patio furniture known round the world, has offered some advice on how to care for their fine products.

To know how to care for your teak patio furniture, you first need to know how it is finished. It will be one of two ways, fine sanded or oiled.

Fine Sanded Teak will show only the natural color and grain of the wood. If you keep it indoors, away from sunlight, in six months to a year, it will age from a its original yellow-brown-olive color to a darker shade of brown. If you use your teak patio furniture outdoors, in direct sunlight, the original color will bleach out to a soft silver-gray color. Many people find this color very attractive. Whether indoors or out, you should not have to treat the wood in any way except to wash off surface dust and dirt.

Oiled Teak is already a mid brown color and has a soft sheen because of the oil. Kept indoors, the wood will keep that same color for many years. If you use your oiled teak patio furniture outdoors, it will age to the same silver-gray as un-oiled teak, but the process will be much slower. Whether indoors or out, you will want to apply a fresh coat of oil from time to time.

Re-oiling teak patio furniture requires oil, a little time and some elbow grease. First, make sure the wood is clean and free of surface dust and dirt. We will discuss that more a little later. Inspect the furniture carefully and see if any areas need a little sanding. If so, sand lightly and carefully. Now, you will want teak oil, a clean 1 or 2- inch paint brush, some cotton rags and plenty of room to work. You will probably want to wear gloves to keep the teak oil off your hands. Brush on the oil, working from the top of the furniture down. Use just enough oil to leave the surface wet, but not enough to run. Now, let the furniture set long enough for the oil to penetrate the wood thoroughly. How long will depend in the temperature and the relative humidity where you are working. Five to fifteen minutes should be enough. When the surface of the oil gets tacky to the touch, wipe the wood down with a soft cotton cloth. Be sure to get all surplus oil off. Wait until the surface feels dry, then use another clean cotton cloth to buff. One coat of oil is almost always enough, but if you feel a second coat is necessary, wait at least an hour before you apply it.

Cleaning surface dirt off of teak, whether oiled or not, is easy. We live on a gravel road, so some dust likes to collect on our teak patio furniture. Most of the time, a soft cloth is enough to wipe off surface dust. If dust and dirt get caked on, or if the cats track dirt on it, we use mild soapy water, not too hot, and a medium to soft- bristled brush to get into the crevices. Never use steam or high pressure hoses. In rare cases, you may have gotten a stain in the wood. If that happens, use some fine sandpaper, always sanding with the grain of the wood. If the teak was oiled, apply fresh oil according to the directions above. The sanded area will be the original color of the wood, but it will age to match the rest of the piece.

With only a little care, you teak patio furniture will stay serviceable and beautiful for many years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Mohrbacher

Monday, June 7, 2010

Spicing Up a Patio Or Deck With a Fire Pit

Patios and decks are great outdoor spaces. Many home owners do not take advantage of the large open space they have available. Luckily, a patio or deck can be improved at any time and some improvements do not require any money at all. A great method of improving your outdoor living space is to install a fire pit.

People love to have an outdoor fire throughout the year. It helps them feel like they are escaping from their lives and going back to an easier time. The moon and stars can be seen on a very dark night in a rural area. Plenty of individuals choose to burn broken branches, twigs and other small yard waste in their fires. Others pick out only the best logs to ensure they have one of the longest fires possible.

Another great idea for an outdoor deck or patio is weeding. There are people who get so busy with their lives that they let their yard turn into a jungle. Most homeowners want to have their yard looking well kept and trimmed. Taking an hour per month to remove the weeds from your yard, patio and deck area allows your home to look so much better. Weeds can be burned in most fire pits. Check with your local authorities before conducting any open burning as some regulations may apply.

Purchasing flowers at a nursery can be pricey. It may be a better idea to transplant flowers from a friends home or community garden to the area around your patio or deck. Many times you can get these flowers for free and they are beautiful. Check to ensure that the flowers receive the correct amount of sun and water throughout the growing season.

The decision to add a fire pit to your patio or deck is easy. There are pits that range in size, design and color. It is important to allow room for embers to blow out and not hit a wall. Try to place a fire pit so that it does not touch a wall or any other structure. Remember to carefully watch any fire and always extinguish the fire with sand/water after you have finished.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoffrey_Moore

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Enhance Your Patio With Outdoor Pizza Oven

Imagine spending a summer evening with your loved ones in your patio with you preparing the best food you can cook for everyone. Wouldn't it be nice to make the night extra special by putting their favorite pizza on the table?

Patio is a good place to spend with your loved ones; you can enjoy many things and make the bond with you and your family and friends even stronger by putting up an intimate and relaxing set up for all you to make the night memorable.

Impress them with your cooking skills by making ordinary food extra ordinary, like pizza for example. You can do this of course by putting your own personal touch on the food you cook, and with the help of cooking equipments like the outdoor pizza oven. This type of oven is not just used for cooking, baking and making pizza; its classic design also complements greatly to your patio style and contributes to the whole ambiance of the place.

This oven may look traditional and ordinary, because you can usually see ovens like this in your local pizza parlors. But it is a completely different story when this type of oven is placed right outside your house, and is used in cooking pizzas for gatherings and parties.

Many people still love the old fashion way of cooking bread and pizza, open-air cooking. Ovens placed outdoor contributes greatly to the overall appearance of your patio deck as it acts like an attraction piece in your lawn, plus the wonder of cooking pizzas through traditional ovens is still there, the taste of the smoky aroma distinct to traditional oven is still the best for most pizza lovers.

The secret of this ovens lies on its cooking system. Its cooking system makes use of the smoke by channeling the smoke that comes from the favored wood to the oven. This process enhances the food by sticking the smoky aroma to the food being cooked inside the oven.

This cooking equipment comes in various styles; you can always choose one that fits to your patio's style.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Hansen