Garden designers love to talk about the benefits of a seamless extension of your indoor living accommodation into your outdoor space – and the installation of a patio is the natural first step to achieving this idyllic scenario.

As a result, patios have become one of the most popular features in UK gardens today, providing a dedicated space in the outdoor room (which joins with the main living accommodation), specifically designed for outside dining, relaxation or recreation. Regardless of whether you have a rambling country retreat with plenty of space, or a small urban back yard, a patio makes it possible to create a dedicated outdoor living zone. And if you needed any further persuasion, lifestyle benefits aside, a patio will also add to the value of your home, according to a report in the Scottish Sunday Mail which claims “a new patio will add more in value to your house than the cost of laying it”.

The key benefit of a patio lies in its undisputed ability to extend the amount of time you are able to spend in the garden.  In the warmer months, the patio becomes the central hub for informal entertaining and socialising with an endless flurry of barbecues and impromptu garden parties – with the excellent advantage of dispensing with worries about mess and accidental spillages ruining the carpeting! As the temperatures begin to drop, the patio comes into its own by providing a safe place for the kids to play (thankfully without their play stations or Wii games) whilst getting some good old-fashioned fresh air.

Location location location

The natural siting for a patio is immediately outside any patio doors (if your property boasts this feature) or alternatively immediately outside the back door of the house.  Given you are likely to be using the patio for outdoor dining, easy access to the kitchen is key.  Think carefully about which parts of your garden enjoy a sunny aspect – although sitting in the glorious sunshine sounds appealing, the reality is that when you are sitting down eating a meal it is far more comfortable to be in a slightly shaded area.  Many people choose to position the patio in the warmest part of the garden but invest in a shade solution such as a good size parasol, bespoke awning or even – for the more adventurous – a contemporary sail.

Shapely solutions

The shape of your patio needs to be considered not only in terms of the space available, but also in relation to the overall styling you are hoping to achieve in your outdoor room.

Circular patios: part of a circle can often look better than a full circle when it’s right up against the house – it creates interesting shapes around the edges for planting.

A circular patio in the middle of the garden will reflect a modern look, although it can also be used in a formal garden. Think about having two overlapping circular paved areas, of different sizes or at different levels, for a less symmetrical look. Positioned at the rear of the garden a circular paved area makes an unusual ‘hidden’ feature, or it can also provide a perfect base for a gazebo.

Square patios: a square patio at the front of the garden can easily look a little unadventurous, unless you use a variety of textures, or add detail around the edge, such as building hollow-topped dwarf walls to plant in.  it may be worth considering taking a corner out create a more inspiring L-shape.

A square patio in the middle of the garden suits a formal courtyard-style garden, but once again, it is in danger of lacking impact unless you add detail like a central water feature, sculpture or container display.

A plain shape is easily lost when positioned at the rear of the garden where it’s flanked by planting, although it makes a good base for a summerhouse with seating space in front of it. However, note that a square, rectangular or L-shaped patio is the most economical shape if you are a sun worshipper and plan to install a series of sunloungers in the garden.

Triangular patios: a triangular patio at the front of the garden suits a modern design, and it adds drama to a typically rectangular garden. A triangular patio in the middle of the garden is only really suited to an outdoor space which boasts a very strong modern design. At the rear of the garden a triangular patio is ideal for a private seating area tucked away in a corner.

Sort out your surface

The appearance of the finished patio is often the first priority for many people. The choice of materials available to work with is endless and includes natural stone flags, man-made slabs, slate paves, bricks, crazy paving, concrete paves and granite setts. Generally your final decision in terms of surface choice will be largely dictated by budget, the style of your property, anticipated practical usage and personal preference. It’s harder to place furniture on some of the rough textured surfaces and if you have children riding tricycles, elderly friends or family who might trip, be sure to avoid anything that might produce an uneven surface.

One important consideration to bear in mind if you opt for a natural sandstone surface in today’s increasingly “ethically conscious” society is where and how the stone has been sourced. Make sure that the stone has been processed and supplied to comply with ethical trading standards.

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

• Solar Garden Lights There are a myriad of different ways that you can improve the look of your country garden landscape, and one such way is to make use of solar garden lights. Solar garden lights present you with a super ecologically friendly and cost effective method of making your garden appear more......
• English Style Country Garden Landscape Design pt 1 There are a number of important elements that come into play when it comes to creating a romantic and comfortable English style country garden landscape design including the appropriate plant life, materials and accessories. These things are all important when it comes to adding both elegance and beauty to the......
• Topiary in the Garden: How to Clip, Train and Shape Plants Topiary in the Garden: How to Clip, Train and Shape Plants [Illustrated] [Hardcover] by Author, Jenny Hendy This wonderful book is the perfect introduction to the world of topiary. A fascinating introduction examines the history behind the art and is followed by an exploration of the many topiary styles. The first part......
• Recession Gardens: 10 Easy Herbs & Vegetables You Can Grow at Home to Save Money So get this, when people lose their jobs or their investment portfolios lose half their value, they actually switch back to quaint little customs -- like growing their own personal vegetable garden -- to save money. How anti-90s! Yep, garden space is rapidly becoming a hot commodity now that......
• A Container Garden for Small Spaces If you don't have much room for gardening but love to grow your own flowers or vegetables, try a container garden. You can enjoy growing everything from veggies to trees on a porch, patio or balcony. A wide variety of flowers, vegetables and other plants do very well in containers......

When it comes to planning the landscape for the patio, be it renovating an old one or making a brand new one, it is very important to begin with a fresh surface of concrete, stone or brick. The most important factor in landscaping your patio is the foundation; it will help you build a cozy place for you whole family to enjoy.

Using material for your patio

Choosing the right material for your patio is a very important factor as it is a place to relax for you & your family. Any material can be used as long as it is hard and durable, like stone, rock, concrete, bricks etc or you could even experiment with tiles if you want to give your patio a fancy look. It is advisable to select materials that suit your style and preferences and that of your family as well.

Where to begin with while building a patio

Building forms is the most important aspect while building a new patio. The forms add extra height to the perimeter, which provides the extra foundational support. It is essential to ensure that the edges are smooth and no nails are sticking out from the sides of the patio and that the height is even with the doorway or the entrance of your home.

Once you decide and are done with the patio forms you need to add some curves to the design. Use bender boards for this purpose. These are made of plastic and as the name suggests it can be bended to ones requirement. Using these for the patio will give an overall look and feel. This will make it look elegant and stylish.

Match the flooring materials you add.

It should not be difficult now to use your imagination and creativity to select the right flooring material for this design. Choose one that matches the theme and does not dominate the look. Remember you want the flooring to compliment the patio.

Adding the finishing touches

Adding color will help you create a more inviting look to your patio. To achieve this you can add shrubs and flowers to your overall landscaping plan. You can use a variety of flowers for your patio landscaping. This can be done very creatively depending on whether you want to do a simple arrangement or a more complicated beautiful on.

Adding Potted Plants

If you don’t want to grow plants around your patio, you can opt for plants that are in pots. They are easy to maintain and can be placed wherever you want. One can find unique pots in the market that can help to add that additional touch to the overall theme. Your family and friends can have a wonderful time enjoying this place.

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

• Practical Country Garden Landscaping Tips When you're planning your country garden landscaping, of course you'll want to think about your favorite flowers and shrubs and how they'll look together here, or combined over there. The big fun and joy in country garden landscaping is how creative you can be. You can choose one color theme......
• Want to Save on Health Care Costs? How about Free Antibiotics My Mom (way to go!) told me about this great deal so I figured I'd get more details and share!  It seems to be applicable for those in the North East Region.  Apparently, Stop and Shop has figured out that they would make more on the sale of other items by just getting......
• English Style Country Garden Landscape Design pt 1 There are a number of important elements that come into play when it comes to creating a romantic and comfortable English style country garden landscape design including the appropriate plant life, materials and accessories. These things are all important when it comes to adding both elegance and beauty to the......
• Bringing a Container Garden Inside If you have a container garden that you’ve been carefully tending all summer long, it’s time to start thinking about what you plan to do with it for the rest of the year. Depending on the types of plants you have, you may be able to enjoy them all year......
• 3 Things Which Add to the Value of Old Coins If there is one constant in the coin collecting world it is that the value of old coins is much higher than the value of newer coins. This is because as they get older they become rarer. The rarer a coin is, the more it is worth. Of course, there......

If a concrete patio is decorated well after being built, it can
be an attractive part of your landscaping. It also adds
convenience to your landscaping since it is rectangular and easy
to mow around. Concrete patios also offer great places to
entertain guests and a way to increase property value. Rather than paying someone else to do it, you
can save time and money by building the concrete patio on your
own in about 3 days. It is a relatively small amount of time and
effort to build when compared to how long the patio will last.
It will be very durable and can withstand years of wear and tear.

Planning the Patio

You need to begin by planning your patio. How big do you want it
to be? You’ll then need to mark off that area. Do you have all
of the necessary tools? How much concrete will be needed? A
common size for a patio is 50 square feet. To make a patio about
this size, at 6 inches thick, you will need 25 bags of pre-mixed
concrete. For the pre-mixed concrete (the best option) you will
need to have concrete tools and an automatic concrete mixer. If
you do not have these, don’t want to buy them, or you can’t
borrow them, you can rent them from a home improvement or
hardware store.

After marking off the area, you should use a garden shovel to dig
out the area six inches deep. Digging at this depth will allow
you to use 2 inches of gravel beneath 4 inches of concrete. It
is very important to do this in cold climates where freezing and
thawing can cause drainage problems. The gravel will prevent
these problems and prevent your patio from cracking.

After excavating the area for the patio, you should build a form
out of wood to hold the gravel and concrete in place. This will
prevent the concrete and gravel from spreading out past where you
want your patio to be. Other options besides wood for the form
are to use strong plastic or rubber. No matter what you use, the
entire form should be sunk into the ground and line the entire
border of the patio area. The top of the form should be at the
same level as the top of the lawn if you want the patio to be
flush with the ground. Next, you will add the gravel. Make sure
it is packed somewhat tightly so it doesn’t shift in the future.
Next, you should add two-inch high flat pieced of rock. These
will act as supports for the rebar that will reinforce the
concrete.

Forming the Grid

The rebar is made in a grid form, and will be installed in the
middle of the 4 inch thick concrete slab. You should install it
by putting pieces 2 feet apart from front to back an left to
right. Secure the intersections of the rebar together with
wiring. It is necessary to have the rebar to help unify the
concrete and to provide extra support for the patio.

Next, you should use the automatic mixer to mix the concrete.
Closely follow the directions for adding water. You should add
water first with a hose, then begin adding concrete. You can
begin adding water again until the concrete becomes a medium
shade of shiny gray throughout. Once the concrete is mixed, you
can begin to pour it into the form. You should begin to pour at
the end of the patio farthest from the concrete mixer. You will
most likely want to transport the concrete in a wheel barrow. It
is important that you have several filler rocks ready to add to
the concrete mixture. You should have everything prepared as
much as possible before pouring, because once you begin to apply
the concrete, you should pour as quickly as possible.

After the concrete is poured, use a creed to smooth out the
surface and to take off excess concrete above the top of the form
boards. Using a mason’s trowel, you should now cut initial
control joints into the patio. The joints should be 2 inches
deep, 3-4 feet apart from each other. When a watery layer
appears, you should wait for it to disappear before you move on.
Using a jointer will help you finish the control joints. You can
then make a clean groove, about one inch deep.

Finishing

Last, you can finish by adding any stylistic elements that you
would like. Pushing a broom lightly over the surface, for
example, will create a nice look while being functional in
preventing a slippery surface in wet weather. After you do this,
you should lay plastic over the patio for the concrete to “cure”
(dry) properly. The plastic should be left on for 1 week, and
you should not heavily use the patio for at least 2 weeks after
that.

Did you know that a landscaped patio area can add as much as 12.4% to the value of a property!
Once the patio is completed it’s time to look at adding some landscaping as the next project for your patio.

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

• The Basics of Drilling 3 Drilling without splinters! Drilling a hole completely through a piece of stock is going to leave an edge that is rough and splintery on the way out. In order to create a hole that is clean, you should look for the point of the bit as it is piercing through......
• How to Build a Privacy Fence For any person looking to add a little privacy to their back yard you should look into adding a privacy fence. You might have a pool, small children to keep in the back yard to stop them from wandering off into a nearby street, or maybe you need to keep......
• Rock Garden Fountains 101 pt 2 Rock garden fountains are capable of providing your garden space with a focal point as well as visual style for any living space that you are looking to create. Rock is a mineral that is formed naturally and available in a wide variety of different shapes, sizes, types and designs.......
• How To Really Make Money Online With Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing is easily probably the most common ways to get making money from home. But what lots of people do not understand is the fact that it may be tough. You can succeed very well but you need to know your work this will let you good work ethic.......
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheese Cake Recipe My Son’s birthday is today, and he just loves cheesecake. This  Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheese Cake Recipe had turned into one of our favorites. I used low fat cream cheese on this recipe to help hold the calories down a little bit. But I can still say this......

A patio in a garden can be categorized into two types. The first one is attached to the house building, preferable in the backyard. Such types of patio will be a semi-open space with seating arrangement like cane chairs and a small coffee table. Because of it’s semi-open nature the residents can enjoy the view of the outside garden by seating inside the patio.

The second type of patio is detached from the house building into the garden itself. A small paved walk connects the patio and the house building. In this type also the design of patio is of semi-open type so that the residents can enjoy the view. Such type of patio can also contain a doghouse or any other arrangement for the safety of pets.

Patios can be designed with enough creativity. The second type of patio mentioned above can be treated as a separate building in itself and can have a very different theme that the rest of the house.

The construction of a patio in the garden is very simple. A brick wall with medium height and a sloping roof that is supported by vertical posts is an ideal patio design. Container gardening works best with such kind of patios. The main purse of a patio is to just create a small space to enjoy the surroundings and carry out certain human activities. A design that creates a habitable space is enough for a patio.

A little creativity can create wonders in patio landscaping. The surrounding landscaping can be merged into patio interiors for creating extra interest. For example a potion of the lawn or even fishpond can be taken into interior of the patio. As I said earlier the main purpose of a patio is to enjoy the garden fro m close. So such kind of ideas work really well in patio landscaping design.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

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

• Couple of Ideas for Landscape Design Every tree and plant that you put into the ground helps the environment and helps to heal the ozone layer. If you want to contribute to a cleaner society, you will think about greening up your landscaping. Here are some examples of landscape design ideas that you can implement in......
• Swimming Pools in your Garden Landscape When you add a swimming pool to your landscape, it should not appear as a fish out of water, but instead incorporating a pool into your landscape should be smooth and easy. Your swimming pool should look as if it belongs as part of your landscape rather than sticking out......
• Practical Country Garden Landscaping Tips When you're planning your country garden landscaping, of course you'll want to think about your favorite flowers and shrubs and how they'll look together here, or combined over there. The big fun and joy in country garden landscaping is how creative you can be. You can choose one color theme......
• Creating an Inviting Home Garden with Landscaping Ideas pt 2 Patios and decks are both more than capable of giving you a really wonderful place where you can host family events, family gatherings and other special types of entertainment. At the same time, it is quite possible for you to add a small patio to a special little garden area......
• Designing a Game Room on a Budget Your house will be a lot more fun if it has a great game room. This article tells you how to create one on a budget. Wouldn’t your house be a lot more fun if it had a game room? This is a place where you can escape from the......

Building a concrete patio is hard work, but with a lot of planning, a bit of sweat, and the know-how below, it’s definitely a job that you can tackle yourself.

1) Like most home improvement projects, a little planning goes a long, long way. You should not only plan your concrete patio itself but be sure to have all the materials you’ll need.

Anything other than a tiny concrete patio will require renting a cement mixer. If you’re building a typical six inch thick patio, you’ll need one bag of pre-mixed concrete for every two square feet of patio.

2) Dig out the patio shape with a shovel, digging down at least six inches if you live in an area that freezes in the winter. If you’re building next to your house, establish a grade so that water will run off the patio.

The easiest way to establish a grade is to drive stakes into the ground at the high end as well as the low end, and then hang a string and line level between them.

Try to dig out the patio so that you have a grade of 1 inch for every 3-4 feet.

3) Build a form from 2×6 lumber that will hold gravel and concrete. This is the basic frame for the outer edge of the patio and once inserted into the area you’ve excavated, it should be level with the ground, assuming you want your patio to be flush.

4) Once the form is in place, put down a two inch base of gravel. This will provide some flexibility so that the concrete won’t crack during the winter when it freezes.

5) Insert rebar as reinforcement into the hole, making a grid by placing sections of rebar either one foot or two feet apart, moving from front to back and then from left to right.

6) Mix the concrete in the automatic mixer. Pour the concrete as quickly as possible, mixing in filler rocks as you go and using a straight board (called a screed) to keep it level. Drag the screed down the length of the form, with it resting on both sides.

Use a float to smooth out any lumps, sweeping it in a long arc and taking care not to gouge it into the concrete.

7) For larger patios, you’ll need to cut control joints with a trowel to prevent the slab from cracking. These are grooves cut every 3 feet or so in the concrete. For the first pass, use the trowel to etch them in place, with the edge of a board as a guide to keep them straight. Once in place, extend the grooves deeper to about one inch deep with the jointer.

Cover the patio with plastic sheeting so that it can cure properly. The sheeting traps moisture in and prevents the concrete from drying to quickly. Try to keep the patio covered for at least a week with the sheeting and avoid putting too much stress on the new patio for at least a month, as concrete takes 3-4 weeks to completely cure.

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

• Breaking the 2 Year Blogging Curse, pt 3. This is the final post in discussing the 2 Year Blogging Curse and ways in which to counter the urge to up and quit. We talked about blogging schedules and grabbing specialty plugins, now we’ll focus on four new ideas. Establish a Feature. A feature is not a meme. A......
• Choosing Pavers There are three primary types of paving stones in existence that you can use for the purpose of creating a unique and interesting driveway space, patio space or walkway. These three primary types of pavers are: Concrete pavers, which are made out of cement materials, Brick pavers, which are made......
• 6 Tips for Getting Your Lawn Ready for Winter Even though you may be done with mowing for the year, that doesn’t mean that your lawn doesn’t need more attention before winter strikes. Whether you live in a warm climate or a cold one, by taking the time to take care of your lawn before winter comes, you can......
• Is Radiant Floor Heat the Most Efficient? As most of you know, I've gone back to school for Residential Planning, because I want to design and consult. I love to talk to people about the building projects I've done or dreamed about. People frequently call me to ask how to remodel their homes and incorporate solar and......
• How to Replace Window Screens Windows screens may look tough, but many times they are all too fragile. One small tear can mean a house filled with bugs, but thankfully, it’s easy enough to fix them if you have the right tools. Here’s a quick guide to replacing and repairing window screens that anyone can......

Before you start a patio or any other home improvement work, make sure you have the time and commitment to see it through. It might have only taken the builder 2 or 3 days to do your neighbours patio but he’s doing it for money. After a hard days digging its easy to think sod this, I’ll finish it next weekend. The next thing you know your garden spends the whole summer looking like a building site and your wife takes herself and the kids to her mothers!

Planning your patio. Keep it nice and simple, forget curves and other fancy shapes. Choose a paving slab that matches the colour of your house, you want it to blend in not stand out like a sore thumb. Plan the size of your patio to suit the size of your slabs so that minimal cutting is not required. Remember to allow 10mm for each joint when measuring out your area.

Tools required. A spade and shovel. A fork if grass needs to be removed. A rubber mallet. A spirit level. Lines and pegs. Wheelbarrow. Safety gloves.

From the hire shop. Small cement mixer and compactor (also known as a wacca) plate. If cuts are required an angle grinder or disc cutter with safety goggles.

Marking out. Use pegs and lines to mark out your area. To check your angles measure from corner to corner. The distance between corners 1 and 3 should measure the same as corners 2 and 4.

Digging out. You should dig down about 100mm (4inch). As your patio is going to butt up to your home you must make sure that the top of the paving slabs will finish at least 150mm below your damp course. Also, it is important that your patio slopes away from your house. 2.5cm for every 2m or 1inch for every 6ft.

If you are only digging out top soil you should be able to get away with dispersing it around your garden. Anything else and you will require a skip.

Laying the hard core. Spread the hard core approx. 100mm (4inch) deep. Run the wacca plate over the hardcore, adding more to any low points. Your hardcore should finish about 75mm (3inch) in depth and should be solid under foot.

Laying your slabs. Mix sand and cement without water at a ratio of 5 sand to 1 cement. If you are using a small mixer, 10 shovels of sand and 2 of cement is just enough for the mixer and gives you a good wheelbarrow full.

Spread out your sand and cement mix in a corner. If you are butting up to your house, start against the wall. Using a straight edge such as a length of 2×4 timber, level out the mix. It wants to be fairly firm but not so firm that you can’t tap down the slabs into place.
[ad#big square]
Place your first slab down and tap it in place with your rubber mallet. If the mix hasn’t been packed down too hard you should be able to position the slab. Use your level to make sure this first slab is bang on. All the other slabs work from this one so take your time to make sure its correct. It wants to be level following the brickwork of your house but with a very slight slope away from your home.

Always work off the hardcore. Don’t stand on your paving slabs for a few days while the sand and cement sets. Use a spirit level to check each slab as you lay them. If a slab goes down too easy, lift it and spread more sand and cement.

Once you have laid several square metres worth of your paving slabs, spread some mix on top and brush it into the joints. You may have to do this several times as the mix settles in the joints.

Alternatives. Consider using block pavers instead of slabs or building your patio in decking. If your patio needs to be raised because it finishes above ground level you will need to build a base. An alternative to raising in brick is to use railway sleepers.

• Determining Whether Home Improvement Costs are Good or Bad One of the most important decisions that you will make in regards to home improvement costs on your various projects has to do with determining whether those costs are good or not. It is an important decision because it is one that you need to understand in order to make.......
• Classic Album Review-"Tompall & The Glaser Brothers Greatest Hits" As we reach the weekend, we end the week with a look back at the Greatest Hits compilation from Tompall & The Glaser Brothers. Released in 1974, this collection covers their output from the 1967 to 1974 period, and includes 9 tracks that appeared in the country top forty, including......
• Installing Walkway Pavers Any home can look better when you add a nice walkway leading up to it. Luckily, just about anyone can do it on their own and it doesn't take much time. We recommend allowing around two to three days to complete your walkway, so it can be accomplished on a......
• The Smartest Way to Design Your Home with a Patio Slab and UPVC Patio Door When it comes to renovating your home to create a brighter living space and also increase the value of your home, paying attention to details is important. People fix areas like: bathroom, sinks, master bedroom, roof tops, backyard and even kitchen floor. Any area that needs repair should be done......
• How To Revamp Your Home With The Installation Of Garden Decking At times, some of us finding us looking out the back window and wishing there were something we could do about the appearance of our back yard. Most especially start to notice around the time it starts to get nice outside. One way to resolve the issue, involves Garden......

Examples:

- Environment:

You can purchase about gas patio heaters for your workplace that will simply do wonders for you. Many people enjoy being outdoors during his or her breaks from their work—and there are countless office facilities, call centers, etc. Because of these about gas patio heaters, many employees and employers can still relax and unwind outside—even in the cold weather.

- Smokers in the cold:

- You want the very best about gas patio heaters possible on the market today they will be like a gift this season: a wonderful surprise that emits warmth and comfort for you. In addition, a company usually prefers that its employees and patrons do not smoke in or near the building, making it virtually freezing to smoke in the winter. However, if simple gas heaters are set up away from the building—everyone can be happy.

- Public dining and other businesses:

Many public dining and other business places have nice patios set up for the warmer season—but it won’t have to be just a warm-weather patio if you choose. About gas patio heaters will provide you with high quality dependability and effectiveness.

- YOUR HOME!

It is amazing what about gas patio heaters can do! It is wonderful to have impressive, beautiful and pleasing to the eye about gas patio heatersfor outdoor happy times through the entire year.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, recreation, education and décor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles about outdoor heaters, please visit

Outdoor Gas Patio Heaters.

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

• Retractable Awnings in your Garden Space Adding a retractable awning to your homes exterior is a great way to provide shade from both the sun and the rain with a distinct look. Here the types of retractable awnings will be discussed, along with how they add value to a home. Retractable awnings make an economical and......
• Study Shows Homeowners Using Landscaping to Save Energy and Water In this current day and age, where common activities among people include the tightening of wallets and the fearing of soaring energy bills, almost everyone has had to adopt some substantial practices inside and outside of their own homes. Americans are also incorporating techniques in their landscaping that are allowing......
• How to Care For Acoustic Instruments Caring for your acoustic instruments is not difficult, but it does take a little bit of know how if you want to do it right. There are many consequences of improperly caring for your instrument, most of which can be easily and effectively avoided simply by keeping some basic things......
• Indoor vs. Outdoor Bike Riding [/caption] Whether you're an aspiring Lance Armstrong, or a casual bike rider, you'll probably ask the simple question: should I ride my bike indoors or outdoors? Is one environment more effective than the other? There are indeed fundamental differences between each style of bike riding that could affect your enjoyment......
• Enjoy Your Patio All Year Round With Outdoor Heating With today's contemporary outdoor heating systems, your patio and other outside areas can be used all year long. These modern, good looking appliances are in great demand. Practical and effective, outdoor heaters can add a new dimension to your social life. Even on those cold, frosty evenings, you can......

Do you know just how durable teak wood really is and what makes it that way? Have you ever thought about where it is harvested from and how long it has to grow before it can be harvested?

Well, if you have pondered some of these questions you are in luck because you will find some answers here. If you haven’t pondered these questions, or questions like it, then this will just be a fun learning experience for you. And hey, this article will make an excellent conversation starter at your next family get together or your next party. You will be the hit of the gathering!

In researching this article, I could only go back in time about 600 years. That was the time frame when the Chinese Ming Dynasty had a pretty powerful fleet of ships called “junk” ships. These ships were built out of teak wood. These were huge, powerful sailing ships that could carry thousands of men and cargo for extended periods of time. The Teak wood used was said to have been buried for several years before the Chinese deemed it usable to build into one of these ships. The Chinese knew that teak wood could withstand the sun while out on the ocean. They also knew that teak wood would not shrink when exposed to the wind, the heat, the rain or the salty ocean water itself. These are some of the main reasons why boat and shipbuilders today still prefer to use teak wood when building ocean vessels. Because teak wood experiences such little shrinkage, it makes an excellent choice for the ships doors and cabinets.

Teak wood contains a very large percentage of silica (sand) and natural oils. It is also a very dense wood. Because of these characteristics, teak wood is the preferred wood for decking either on ships or at the home. Believe it or not, the silica content in teak wood actually helps to attain sure footing when used in the flooring of a ship. The oil content assures its durability. To maintain it, it just needs to be cleaned off periodically. The benefits do not end there. Because of the oil content, the silica, and the density of the wood, teak wood does not react with any metals that may come in contact with it. These are the same characteristics that have caused people around the world, and companies that operate resorts and retreats to invest in outdoor patio furniture made of teak wood.

Back to the article at hand. The Ming dynasty needed to tough ships for several reasons, one very important being that it wanted the word of Zen spread to all lands to the edge of the earth. It is being reported that indeed, the Chinese did just that. It was 600 years ago that the Chinese circumnavigated the earth, and they did so in ships made of Teak wood.

Teak wood takes approximately 50 to 60 years to grow to maturity. One reason for the cost is just that. It is a commodity that is heavy demand, but with a limited, recurring supply.

In early history, Britain was very interested to grow and produce this wood. The British quickly realized they did not need to grow Teak Wood as they could annex those countries where the Teak wood was grown and have a plentiful supply: India, Thailand and Burma. I am not saying this is why the British took over Asia and India, but it certainly helped to give reason. Myanmar (formerly Burma), which is just south of India, and Yangoon became the first places where teak was being harvested for British ships. Calcutta was set up as another British shipbuilding site. All of the British merchant ships built in Calcutta were built with Myanmar teak logs which were said to be the best at that time. Once the wood was depleted from India, teak logs were harvested from Thailand and Burma. The British needed many ships to be able to go on to conquer and take control of British colonies and the naval fleet was their primary means.

Teak forests were quickly being depleted. Teak was now the preferred wood used for building ships as we have previously explored. The wood was also impervious to wood rot and insects, like the mighty woodworm, (side note: The famous Ocean liner “Queen Mary” used no less than 1000 tons of teak when built). The British quickly realized the depletion of teak wood that was taking place and developed a re-forestation plan. They appointed a leader to head this new bureau and began replanting teak trees on what are now called teak “plantations”. A set of very strict laws were enacted regarding who can cut teak wood and who can purchase it. Once these laws were set in place, one needed to have permission from the British Government to be able to cut a teak tree down and or export it. Teak was also being used by the locals for furniture, posts for houses and paneling, (another side note: India is the third largest importer of teak wood today, behind China and Japan. As much as 80% of India’s timber consumption is teak). Teak wood is used in India today for local consumption; building homes, furniture, fencing, etc. It is the one wood that can withstand the monsoons, the blistering heat and the humidity. It is the wood that all other timber species are compared to.

Due to the large demand for teak wood today, many countries that now have government controlled plantations are reviewing the possible rotation (cutting down the teak wood trees) after 30 or 40 years. The consensus with this rotation is that the wood will not be inferior at that rate. However, there are some countries that are trying tree rotation after only 25 years. This would help their particular economy by turning out teak wood more frequently. The result of this shorter rotation cycle is timber that is smaller in diameter, color, and grain.

Because most teak wood today is grown on plantations, and the demand is growing at an estimated 10% per year, teak is still heavily regulated and is sold through the auction process. It is not very easy to get. There are still the regulatory permits that must be purchased and other expenses that go along with regulation. For example, once purchased, it is usually the purchasing companies’ responsibility to provide transportation if the teak wood is to be exported, and certain countries have regulations on how many logs can be exported. Currently, Java, Indonesia is the largest exporter of teak. There are several companies located in Java that will process and fashion the teak wood into furniture or planks for flooring or siding, and then export the finished items to countries around the world.

For those who like to invest, there are several plantations that have been started and are taking on investors right now. Many countries depend on teak wood exports for their financial stability. One country for example that has two main exports: Rice and Teak, where rice was the number one money generator recently has experienced a turnaround and teak became their number one export deriving most of their money. Upon learning this, several other countries are developing strategies and seeking locations where they can begin their own teak plantations.

Remember, because of the characteristics of teak wood, teak wood patio furniture will last about 75 years. This needs to be taken into consideration when making your purchases. When regular maintenance is performed (which means to clean it periodically) the true annual cost for your outdoor patio furniture really only comes out to about $133.00 per year (based on a $1000 investment).

So, when you add it all up, you get a much better understanding of what the hype about Teak Wood is all about: the numerous qualities of Teak Wood: the supply and demand side of Teak Wood: and last but not least, the answer to the original question,“Why does Teak wood patio furniture have to be expensive?”

When investing in your outdoor patio or garden, or decorating the verranda, and even for indoor decorating, teak wood outdoor patio furniture is simply the wisest choice you could make.

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

• Random Musical Thoughts I have to admit that the past 3-4 years in country music, there have been several really good recordings, but very few that really have stood out and gotten my attention. However, this year, I have already found two that, to me, are a step or two above the rest.......
• PGA Championship at Hazeltine: Top 10 Contenders The PGA Championships is returning to Hazeltine, located in Chaska in MN, which is where the 2002 PGA Championships were held. Here are the top ten contenders who are going to wipe up this tournament. 1 - Tiger Woods - He finished in second place here during 2002, and the......
• Red Cedar Furniture Red Cedar Furniture, Western Red Cedar Furniture Red cedar furniture is made from the wood of a cypress tree normally found in the northern part of the United States and Canada. This evergreen tree has reddish brown bark that can be made into beautiful furniture for either indoor or outdoor......
• Clarke Takes the British Open in a Surprise Win The only thing which was crazier than the weather at this year’s British Open was the winner. Many people did not even expect that Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke would be able to win the Claret Jug. Yet, at the end of Sunday, it was his name which was on the......
• Strathwood Patio Furniture Review To create relaxation in your garden, patio, or beside your pool at dwelling enjoyable, get good patio furniture where the complete family or buddies can sit with you. From the collections of Strathwood patio furniture, you could choose the style and design that will fit your taste. Having this......

To put this in context, think of patio covers as a simple but not easy project. Let me explain. The idea of putting up four posts (usually) and then covering it with a series of beams is what most covers will consist of. With some handy skills, the right tools and some help for the heavy lifting, you can probably manage to build your own patio cover.

However, I would recommend you get started by getting some plans or at least patio design ideas from an architect, builder or fine home magazine. Having your patio design laid out first will save you a lot of frustration. Since the pergola style for patio covers is probably the simplest, it is the most common and even most elegant looking.

Once you have your plans, you can make a list of materials. You will be able to judge how much wood you need and then you can figure out how you will anchor your posts in the ground. There are a variety of styles that help you directly mount to cement or you can pour footings and set your brackets in that as it cures. Since your whole patio cover will rest on these, you should do it right – don’t skimp here.

Now that you have your materials and you can begin construction on this exciting project. Think of the enjoyment you will have under your shaded patio and know that you built that cover yourself. Make sure that your footings are in the right place. When you set the posts, check and double check for plumb and square. Remember, your beams and other lattice cross member pieces will be sitting on this ‘foundation’. There is nothing worse than having your pergola being racked. This makes it so obvious that you built it yourself – and did a poor job at that!

Once your posts have been secured, you can move on to placing the beams. These, too, will be anchored but in this case to the posts themselves. There are brackets that you can buy at your local home improvement store. Most have a galvanized zinc metal look, so you may want to paint them. You can also make your own if you know how to weld. It is just a nicer touch, but will take you far more time – time spent taking away from you being closer to enjoying your patio cover!
[ad#big square]
As you put the beams in place, secure them using lag screws. As you get them in, you should notice how your pergola feels more rigid. There should only be a slight amount of movement, but nothing wobbly. It is common to use 4 x 4s because they can be pulled off the shelf at your home improvement store. But, you might want to go for a more substantial looking pergola and get larger 4 x 6 or even 6 x 6 posts and beams.

What makes pergola style patio covers unique are the lattice nature of the top. This is achieved by using more beams or boards placed on end to give some height and allows for more shade. This will be a nice place to have your vines or other greenery growing on, providing ample shade and ambiance over time as they mature. A pergola provides for one of the most simple, but elegant types of shaded covered patio.

Building patio covers is hard work as you can imagine, but so rewarding. The sense of being able to sit beneath your own pergola, knowing that you built it and can enjoy your patio for years to come is a rewarding experience. If you get really fancy, you can even install outdoor lighting or a hanging chair or swing to further enhance your patio and its versatility.

• What is Travel Insurance? Many people take travel insurance, but few know what it is and how it can defined. If you know what is included, you can take the full advantage of its protection. Overall, the insurance protects the rental costs of holiday travelers from the adverse effects such as cancellation and interruption......
• Truck Bed Tonneau Covers - A Brilliant Add-on To Any Pickup Truck You May Own Keep it all boxed in! You bet that's the way it should be.  In the event that you're a truck owner you no doubt know how it is of great essence to protect your truck bed and also your bed contents from numerous elements just like weather and crooks. No......
• Went to NBA Finals (and weekend links) This past Thursday, I was reminded of the power of social capital. A friend of mine contacted another friend (who works for the Celtics) on my behalf to score tickets to last Thursday's game. I'm the type of person who won't bug a movie star for an autograph. Even though......
• In Defense of Guest Posting [/caption] Bloggers should embrace guest posting as an opportunity to expand their blog to more varied content and a wider readership. While some bloggers regard guest posting as too risky of an enterprise since you’re allowing a stranger to post their views on your site, I think the risk......
• Leveraging Your Blog To Grow Your Online Business No matter what nice your business is in you need a blog. This article will teach you a few moves that will help you get more from your blogs, build a better brand, and enjoy greater exposure. Income Instruments is one of those things where the total influence it has......

There are several factors that must be considered when deciding on patio furniture. This is primarily due to three specific reasons which include the type of building material the home was built with, the color(s) used and the furniture itself. In most cases people prefer to get patio furniture that matches the overall décor of the exterior of their house. Color schemes and material types for the home normally dictate the style. However, in some cases the indoor ambiance may be used to determine the patio furniture. Both the indoor and outdoor will be taken into consideration throughout this article as well as other factors.

Building material and color.

Homes can be built using many different types of building materials including brick, wood, steel and other kinds of stone just to name a few. Conventional wisdom would suggest that a building structure comprised of wood would likewise have wood based patio furniture as well. This may or may not be the case though. In certain situations color may be used as a substitute for building materials. Home owners may want to purchase steel patio furniture that has the same color as the wood used to build their home. When you factor in the various colors and materials available in patio furniture, you can see that there is something available for everyone. Another example of this would be a home with green plastic siding. Green may be brought in to accent the look or green wicker depending on the homeowner’s taste. Either way, the furniture would blend in nicely to the homes décor.

Inside out styles.
[ad#big square]
For the eccentric home owner who wants patio furniture that matches the interior furniture of their home rather than blend the exterior, this can be accomplished as well. The same principles mentioned above may be utilized to make outside patio furniture an extension of the inside. In some cases the patio is technically in the home enclosed with a roof or on a balcony. These ideal settings make it better to decorate in order to match sofas, recliners and desk located indoors. For enclosed patios, wallpaper and/or tile colors can be the basis for the color scheme of your patio furniture just as the actual colors of your home can be applied for outdoor patios. For people living with plants, trees or gardens, take into consideration the time of year it is when getting patio furniture. In the spring and summer months there may be a colorful array of flowers that aren’t present during the winter time. It should match the environment that is most commonly present year round if you decide to use the terrain as a color scheme for your furniture.

Simply by mixing and matching colors and materials any home can be brought to life with patio furniture. For more information and articles on patio furniture, please visit the following links.

• Cosmetics for Un femme d'un certain age Have you ever noticed ...that most makeup blogs (and images) are written by younger women... ...that advertising shows young women, even if they are advertising a product for an older woman, 90% of the time or more... What's up with that! What if you fall outside the youth category, but......
• Learn How to Repair a Flooded Home After a flood, it may seem as if your home and your possessions are beyond hope, but many of those belongings can likely be repaired. With the right process, you can clean up, dry out, rebuild and reoccupy your home much sooner than you may have previously imagined. First and......
• Working At Home - Do Everything In Time And Gather Money! Work at home is not an up-to-date thing – lots of people work now at home and gather money they want. May be it is not quite popular as real business, but it is in a great develop, day by day more and more people find out themselves in this......
• Home Improvement Tips for Your Home When it comes to home improvement tips, it is important to keep in mind that the beauty of your home is absolutely in the eye of the beholder. A home is generally going to reflect the personality behind the residents. There is a very important role in home improvement that......
• Substances Utilised for Window Shutters When it comes to window finishes, window shutters are generally used as opposed to curtains. They help save warmth as well as give you more privacy than some of your alternatives. You should know that window shutters can be assembled from lots of different materials. Each type offers its......