If you are like most people who own an older home, odds are pretty good that you have a wooden deck that is beginning to fall to pieces. Your deck is probably starting to rot through in places or maybe even has a broken step or two if you didn't take great care of it. Now is the time to start thinking about replacing the deck, not only for everyone's safety, but also to get rid of that eye sore once and for all.
If your craftsman bungalow house plan has a large back deck there are many options that you have when it comes to replacing it. While you could simply rebuild the exact deck that you already have, perhaps instead you should do some research to find the perfect deck for you. For instance: if you love to barbecue and dine outdoors, you could choose to build a section of the deck that will be wholly for the cooking of the food and another section of the deck that steps down to where the table and chairs will be located. If you would much rather spend your days relaxing in your above ground pool, perhaps you could build a deck that extends out as a deck for your pool as well.
While most luxury architecture home plans incorporate a luxurious backyard deck, there is always something that could be added just for fun. You could add a gazebo right into your deck. This would mean that rather than having a free standing gazebo randomly sitting in your backyard, you have a gazebo that connects to the deck providing a relaxing shelter from the elements. You might also consider adding a little height to your current deck. Decks don't all have to be on the same level, so why not have a few different decks that you access by staircases. This is a great way to make your deck stand out from everyone else's single level deck.
One of the most attractive features of a house built from country style house plans is that of the wrap around deck. These decks are generally the envy of everyone who doesn't have one. These decks can wrap all the way around a house, inviting everyone who passes by to stop and sit on one of the tempting Adirondack chairs resting upon it. If you do have a country style home but do not have a wrap around deck, you should definitely consider updating your current deck to add more drama to your home. Your deck can either add or subtract value from your home. Now is the time to start adding value!
Be sure to check out House plans & More today if your current deck from your craftsman bungalow house plan needs updating. House plans & More has plenty of information to offer when it comes to dealing with the decks built for luxury architecture home plans. Country style house plans can also be found at House plans and More as well.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could own a spa that you could make use of outdoors? I don't necessarily mean totally outdoors, such as taking a bath whilst everybody's watching. What I mean is that it might be great to have an outdoor, sheltered area for it, like a hot tub gazebo. It could offer you lots of protection against the elements whilst giving you additional privacy.
Nowadays you can pick from a wide variety of different spa or hot tub gazebo s. It truly depends on just how much money you wish to spend and what your individual style is. The following ought to give you some food for thought:-
What about a gazebo with an open top roof so you can enjoy the stars at night or perhaps a remote controlled one that allows you to close the top should the weather change. If personal privacy is not that important to you then a cheap gazebo alternative might be to have the roof with the four pillars and no enclosure. You could possibly even arrange for a deck gazebo to be designed so that it complements the style of your home. What about gazebo kits for people who want to build a gazebo and love a bit of Do-it-yourself. The opportunities are endless.
All of these ideas revolve around the actual dimensions of the hot tub or spa that you buy and the eventual size of the gazebo. Complete a basic draft of precisely what you envisage and line it out with strings and stakes; examine it to see if it actually meets all your expectations. Check with local zoning as well as planning county offices for zoning permits and conditions based on the area and size of the framework you have already established. Remember to enquire about home owners bi-laws and restrictions.
Nothing makes a home-owner more proud than hearing other people praise his property. When it comes to outdoor sophistication, nothing can compare to a gazebo covered hot tub or spa. Many people say that landscaping can make your garden beautiful. That's very true but beautiful is not the same as elegant. Your backyard could be the envy of your friends and neighbors if you bring this touch of class. There isn't quite anything that can make a garden perfect like a hot tub gazebo.
Millions of people have seen and currently watch the do-it-yourself shows on television ranging from dog training to remodeling an entire home. It makes one wonder if it is as easy as the shows make it seem, why aren't more individuals doing it themselves? There are two answers. The first answer is it isn't as easy as the shows make it out to be. The second reason is editing. Most of the hard times and difficult steps are edited out to make a half hour show.
What the audience doesn't see and realize is the number of years experience the work crews have remodeling and crafting something as "simple" as a textured wall. Make no mistake. It is an art creating a perfectly smooth, seamless wall and then going back over and adding a texture such as a stucco finish. The ability to do this type of work halfway decently is not a talent the majority of homeowners have developed or even possess.
Attempting to tackle a more involved do-it-yourself project, such as a covered deck or gazebo, requires much more stamina, patience, strength, and ... The list goes on and on. The average stereotypical family has some tools, equipment, and some skill enough to make minor repairs to the home, however, in a very real sense, adding a covered deck or gazebo is adding another room.
Safety should always be in the forefront of the mind. There is no pleasure in not being able to enjoy an unfinished or finished deck with sustained injuries or having the structure fail while enjoying it. The next major component of adding a covered deck is having an understanding of basic construction techniques of a safe and supportive structure. If the homeowner doesn't have a basic understanding of building techniques, then tragedy is soon to follow. Nothing is worse than completing a deck project just to have a small child being injured or worse due to improper construction. Many of the do-it-yourself programming touch on this, but these programs are never all inclusive to safety and proper techniques.
The next tasks which can be annoying, but necessary are obtaining the correct permits and inspections for a covered deck at the proper stages in order to prevent citations and fines. Many locales or home associations may prevent any construction that is not in keeping with the architectural style of the neighborhood.
If the homeowner possesses all of the proper tools, equipment, materials, and abilities to build a new covered deck, one of the best moves to ensure safety is to have a deck builder or residential contractor draft up blueprints for the construction of the new deck. As long as the homeowner is familiar with knowing how to read blueprints, a do-it-yourself deck building project is that much more of a reality.
A deck is a nice place to spend time outdoors. But if you don't have a covered deck, where does that leave you to spend time outdoors on scorching hot sunny days? For many people it keeps them indoors. A deck gazebo is one solution to spending time outside on days that are too hot.
A deck gazebo is a gazebo that is built over a deck. It can be made of a fabric material on a portable metal frame, or it can be made as a permanent wood structure built directly onto the porch. Each of these deck gazebo types has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage of having a fabric material for a deck gazebo covering is the fact that it can be removed to be cleaned. But on the other side, a disadvantage to this feature is the possibility of it blowing away or tearing with high winds. A gazebo on a metal frame also has the advantage of being able to be disassembled and moved to another location if desired, or being taken down to store away for the winter months of cold snowy weather.
A deck gazebo that is connected directly to the deck has the advantage of looking great. An attached deck gazebo blends in with the entire porch structure, giving it a more uniform look. Another advantage to a wood deck gazebo is the fact that you do not have to worry about it being blown over or torn by strong winds.
Whether you choose to add a portable deck gazebo or an attached deck gazebo to your deck, either one will provide shade for your comfort during hot summer days.
You have finally decided to add that gazebo you have always been wanting to your backyard. You have done your research, decided what type and style you want, now all you need to do is to learn how to build a gazebo.
It is fairly easy to learn how to build a gazebo, especially if you are talented with your hands. You learn how to build a gazebo with advice from the experts, a good design plan, the proper tools, and the best wood that your budget allows. It doesn't hurt to have some help and a lot of patience when you learn how to build a gazebo.
When you learn how to build a gazebo, the first step should always be the base and flooring. If your base is constructed properly, completing the rest of the gazebo should be a snap. When you have learned how to build a gazebo, you need to determine where you want your gazebo and how large you want it to be. The closer you position the gazebo to your house the more you will use it, so you may want to keep that in mind when you are deciding where your deck gazebo should go.
When you learn how to build a gazebo, you will need to put together the frame of he deck floor first. When you have finished the base, you will then level it with patio blocks starting at the highest point. You will need one block for each corner and another one in the center. Hide the blocks under the joists. If the floor base is not level, the wall and decking sections of the project may not fit right.
When the base is squared and level, you will need to bolt it down with three 13" anchors.
When you are ready to put the deck boards on, lay some fiberglass screening over the base and staple it down in order to keep out annoying bugs. When you are laying the deck boards, it is best to start with the longest of the boards and work your way in. To help keep the wood from splitting, you should pre-drill the holes to prevent this from happening.
It is not hard to learn how to build a gazebo and the reward of seeing your handiwork will make you proud each time you see and use your gazebo.
