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Home Remodeling and Repair DIY Exterior Projects - Roof repair, deck design and construction, and more

Welcome to Our Articles on Exterior Projects and Care.

Standard Disclaimer:

Any project which requires the use of tools carries the potential for injury. Use caution and your safety gear, this site can’t and will not be liable for accidents!

Here's our most recent articles. Enjoy!

Drill Down by More Specific Sub-Topics

• Backyard Decks
• Concrete and Asphalt
• Exterior Structures
• Gardening
• Insurance, Contractor Relations, and Home Finances
• Landscaping
• Patios
• Pest Control
• Roofing and Siding
• Windows and Doors
• Miscellaneous

Backyard Decks

• Cleaning Your Backyard Deck Protect your investment in your deck by powerwashing or scrubbing and sealing annually.
• Deck Building: Beams and Joists Part six in the deck building series, we are dealing with installing the beams and joists as well as some bracing for strength.
• Deck Design and Framing Concepts Part two in the deck building series. This one addresses framing material and the deck's structural members.
• Deck Design and Post Hole Layout Here we are at part four in the deck building series. Lay out your post hole locations and your ledger board.
• Lumber Sizes And Spacing For Deck Building Part three in the deck building series. It shows how to determine spacing intervals for joists, beams, and post height, dependant of the dimensions of the lumber you select. Get out your calculator!
• Popular Deck Board Patterns and Decking Installation Instructions Finish your deck with a basic, diagonal, or picture frame pattern, and learn board securing techniques.
• Setting Posts in Deck Construction Part five in the deck building article series finds us actually digging holes and setting posts.
• Trex Composite or Aluminum Decking vs Natural Wood This article compares decking choices. Prior articles focused on framing concepts, lumber sizes and spacing, and post hole location and setting.
• Upgrade a Cement Patio to a Deck Got a cement patio but want a deck? Quite easily done.
• Wood Deck Design Fundamentals This is article one in the deck building series. It's an introduction and overview. Recommended reading before diving into the meatier articles.
• Wood Deck Refinishing To get ready for summer activities, you need to protect your investment by refinishing your backyard deck or your pool deck. Here's how.

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Concrete and Asphalt

• A DIY Guide to Types of Concrete Deciding which pre-mixed concrete blend to use? There are differences between general purpose pre-mixed, fiber-reinforced, countertop concrete, and fast-setting concrete.
• Asphalt Repair for Driveways, Sidewalks, and Parking Lots Asphalt is also called blacktop. Another term, tarmac, is often used interchangeably, but to be precise, it’s not the same composition. Learn how to patch cracks and holes.
• Avoid Costly Foundation Repair A foundation repair could very well saddle you with a second mortgage. But you can avoid it with a little forethought.
• Common Tree Root and Home Foundation Issues Slab repairs and plumbing problems can result from poorly-located landscaping.
• Finishing a Concrete Slab This is article two in the concrete slab series. It covers finishing the slab by the steps of screeding, darby, edging, grooving, floating, and troweling the slab.
• Five Concrete Resurfacing Techniques Bring old floors back to life with chemical acid stains, dyes, epoxy, limecoat, and stamping.
• Pouring a Concrete Slab This is article one in the concrete slab series. It covers site preparation, form building, and pouring.
• Prices for Asphalt Driveway Alternatives Some alternatives to concrete and asphalt driveways include cobblestones, stamped concrete, bricks, and gravel. Prices vary, so choose wisely.
• Top 5 Tips for DIY Driveway Paving Choose from pavers, concrete, or asphalt, dig the foundation, and finish installation.

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Exterior Structures

• 10 Types of Residential Fencing Home Security, Curb Appeal, and Property Value.
• Build a Free-Standing Patio Cover Build a freestanding patio cover to protect your camper, car, or boat. Or add value to your home while creating a space for entertaining.
• Choosing and Maintaining Residential Fences Choose from this list of types of fences and learn how to take care of it.
• Designing the Perfect Patio Cover Different types of awnings along with how and where to build them.
• Get More Out of Your Garden With a Canopy Install a patio awning to further enjoy your deck or patio area.
• How to Build a Privacy Fence Constructing a picket fence easily.
• How to Build an Inexpensive Storage Shed in Your Backyard Basic framing and carpentry skills make this a fun project.
• Repair Picket Fences and Tie Sections Together at a 90 Degree Angle Cedar or pressure treated picket fences may seem tricky to tie together; the intersection might not intersect a fence post
• The Benefits of Having a Steel Garage Metal buildings reduce maintenance and add fire resistance and add to home equity.
• Three Outdoor Upgrades You Must Consider A deck and outdoor kitchen are a winning combination.
• Transform your Garden Shed Use that extra space for a home office, music room, or a workshop for your DIY projects.
• Types of Fences for Privacy and Security A residential fence will mark your property line and is part of a home security system.

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Gardening

• Basil: a Savory Addition to Your Herb Garden and Kitchen Freshly-picked basil is essential for dishes like pesto and dips. It can be hard to find (and expensive) but it's so easy to grow!
• Companion Planting Guide for Your Veggie Garden Companion plants offer benefits such as higher yields and pest prevention.
• Create a Luxury Feel in a Small Garden A backyard oasis is within reach with landscaping, a barbecue pit, and a water feature.
• Eight Simple Steps to Having an Environmentally Friendly Garden Create an organic garden and lawn with mulch, compost, and by reducing water usage.
• Foliar Feeding with Medina Hasta Gro Plant Food Spraying the leaves of your garden plants is an effective fertilization method.
• Growing Mint: An Herb Garden Staple Why buy mint? Grow your own for your food, cold drinks, coffee and tea, etc.
• How to Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Learn how to grow organic container herbs and vegetables or a showcase flower bed this spring and say goodbye to high produce prices.
• How to Build a Raised Garden Bed This form of modular gardening makes weed control easy and is good for people with back problems.
• Indoor Gardening: Basic Hydroponic Tools and Equipment Looking to more self-sufficient and want organic produce and herbs year-round?
• List of Cold-Hardy Mexican Avocado Trees Guacamole, anyone? Avocados are beautiful shade trees and put food on your table.
• Move Your Garden to a New Home Transporting annuals, perennials, and gardening tools.
• Nutritional Gardening Requirements; Calling in the Topsoil Suppliers An organic program, soil analysis, and regular aeration leads to success.
• Rainwater Harvesting 101 Why pay for tap water for irrigation? Plants prefer the pH of rainwater. Catch and release!
• The Organic Method of Planting a Tree There are 2 methods of planting trees, the organic way and the synthetic chemical way. Landscaping contractors are much more likely to go the synthetic route that involves more soil amendments, gravel for drainage, and staking. The organic method avoids this.
• Types and Benefits of Mulch Mulch dresses your property up and is essential for moisture retention. It also breaks down to feed your soil and beneficial micro-organisms.

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Insurance, Contractor Relations, and Home Finances

• Building a New Home? Start taking home security and safety measures now!
• Financing Home Improvements with the FHA PowerSaver Program A long-term remodeling loan in a slumping housing market with rising energy bills.
• Finding and Evaluating Contractor Bids for Remodel Projects Picking the right contractor can spell the difference between a money pit and customer satisfaction
• Protection with New Construction or Remodeling Insurance Policies include dwelling and personal property, owners and landlords liability, and worker’s compensation.
• Protect Yourself from a Mechanics Lien Against Your Home After accepting a bid and signing a building contract, understand how to protect your property.
• Remodeling Contracts Protect Building Contractors and Homeowners Detail the work description, payment timeline, funding, start date, bonding and insurance.
• Remodeling Investment Cost and Return Value Generally, exterior projects do better during an economic recession.
• Remodel Planning after a Homeowners Insurance Settlement After dealing with your insurance company, make your settlement money work harder following a fire, hurricane, or flood.

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Landscaping

• 4 Ways to Affordably Landscape Your Yard A realistic budget and being your own contractor will save money.
• Choosing the Right Trees Do you want trees for fruit? Shade? Privacy? Decide this and then check options for your hardiness zone.
• Designing an Outdoor Space for Valentine’s Day Choose live flowers to represent a lasting, not wilting, relationship; plant them in a garden environment.
• DIY Outdoor Christmas Decorations Install landscape lighting along with your wreaths, snowman, and Santa Claus.
• How to Add Water Features to Your Backyard A mini wildlife preserve and calming retreat from the rat race.
• How to Build a Pond in Your Backyard An aquatic water feature is a relaxing investment in your home equity.
• How to Remove a Tree Stump This article explains how to remove a tree stump easily without using a stump grinder. It’s simply a matter of methodically trenching around the stump and cutting out the roots with a nursery digging spade and a utility bar.
• How to Revamp Your Home Exterior Add water features, garden sculpture, iron fences, and more.
• Irrigation With Gutter Downspouts Divert rainwater away from your home and irrigate your garden or flower beds at the same time.
• Landscaping Tools for Lawn Care When you opt to take care of your own property and not contract a professional lawn care and landscaping service, you need tools. Learn about them here.
• Lawn mower Selection and Maintenance This article provides you with an in-depth look at lawn mower selection and maintenance.
• Methods of Removing a Tree Stump Use a digging spade, a stump grinder, or chemical disintegration.
• Ryobi 20 in. 40-Volt Brushless Mower Review I've been using this mower for three years now; it's quiet and powerful.
• The Benefits of Artificial Grass Synthetic turf is a viable landscaping option for arid regions.

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Patios

• 5 Inexpensive Home Patio Upgrades Your available real estate can be more useable.
• 5 Solutions For a Bug-Free Outdoor Patio Eliminate pests with porch screens, citronella candles, and pest traps.
• 5 Tips for Purchasing Durable, Weather-Resistant Patio Furniture Look for sturdy framing and high-quality materials.
• Building a Patio the Right Way Professional construction with brick pavers, concrete, a ground level deck, or stones.
• Decorating Your Patio for Spring Install fire pits, exterior lighting, and landscaping.
• Frugal Ways to Spice up Your Patio this Summer Outdoor decorating dosn’t have to be expensive.
• How to Install Stepping Stones on Concrete Surfaces Easier than laying stepping stones over dirt; you will need concrete stones, or even bricks, and sand.
• It’s Time to Enjoy Your Patio Garden A tranquil relaxation area with landscaping, water features, more.
• Porch Construction with Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Flooring Why not dress up your porch with tile?. With the proper support and the right type of tile, it is easy.
• Using Clay Brick Pavers for Driveways, Patios, and Garden Paths Springtime is a prime time to install a driveway, garden path, or a patio with clay-fired brick pavers.
• What to Look for in Patio Umbrellas and Accessories Exterior lighting and mosquito netting will enhance your experience.

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Pest Control

• 5 Tips to Safely Handle an Indoor Pest Problem Insect exterminators recommend kitchen sanitation and other methods to avoid insect infestations.
• Creepy Insects that Will Help Improve Your Garden How to achieve organic pest control using beneficial insects.
• How to Control Boxelder Bugs They feed primarily on seeds of female Boxelder trees but eat foliage and flowers of ornamental plants and orchard crops.

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Roofing and Siding

• 5 Maintenance Tips to Help Prolong Your Roof’s Lifespan Bi-annual inspections and maintenance save money over time.
• 6 Things You Should Know about Vinyl Siding A wide color selection requiring no annual painting, easy installation, and more.
• Boost Home Equity by Installing a Cupola and Weathervane Although all cupolas today are not as functional as in the old days, they do add to your home’s charm.
• Choices for a New Roof Asphalt shingles, metal roofs, solar shingles, and more.
• Choose the Right Cladding for Your Home New siding can make your home more efficient and raises equity.
• Do Rain Gutter Guards and Screens Work? Do gutter guards eliminate the chore of seasonal cleaning? Or are "maintenance free" gutter covers salesman hype? To perform, they must keep debris, leaves, and bits of composition shingles from clogging the downspouts.
• Examining Home Siding Choices Home siding choices are made depending on homeowner preference, climate conditions, and home maintenance needs.
• Fiber Cement Siding 101 Fiber Cement Hardi Board is a good example of this low-maintenance, non-combustible material.
• Gutter Cleaning, Essential Home Maintenance Home neglect can lead to costly exterior repairs.
• How to Determine when You Need a New Roof or Shingle Repair Many homeowners fail to give their shingles the respect they deserve. How do you know when it's time to seek out a licensed and bonded roofing contractor? Here's how: perform a visual inspection on a regular basis.
• How to Estimate Material for Roofing Projects Different situations call for different estimating methods.
• How to Extend the Life of Your Roof Regular inspections, cleaning, and maintenance pay off in the long run.
• How to Fix the Most Common Winter Roofing Problems Roof flashing, ice dams, and attic ventilation.
• How to Fix Roof Shingles Asphalt or composition roofing repair made easy.
• How to Maintain and Clean Vinyl and Aluminum Siding Two popular cleaning methods are a pressure sprayer and a telescoping RV brush.
• How to Select a Roof Contractor There are rip-off artists in the roofing industry. Use customer opinion, estimator questions, and the BBB to hire an honest roofing contractor on a re-roofing project.
• How to Select a Roofing Contractor Vet your roofing contractor carefully; this is a big investment.
• Porch Roof Construction Why not put a roof over that porch so you can enjoy it in the shade? Learn how to tie it into your roof.
• Roofing Contractors—Avoid the Cowboys Find a reputable business, for a reasonable price.
• Shingle Roofs VS Metal Roofs Quite a decision. Shingles cost less but metal will probably outlast you and stands up to severe weather.
• Springtime is Roof Inspection Time Your roof may not be in as good a shape as you think. Check the details and repair as needed.
• The Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs Steel roofs cost more than asphalt composition shingles but offer storm and fire resistance.
• Your Home Might Need Rain Gutter Repair Use them for rainwater harvesting and garden irrigation.

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Windows and Doors

• 4 Tactics to Raise the Value of Your Home Add equity with energy-efficient window and door replacement, repainting, and landscaping.
• Choosing the Type of Entry Door During a Remodel Guard against home invasions while adding to home value and equity.
• Five Great Reasons to Switch to Roller Garage Doors They last longer, are easy to operate, and require less space.
• How Electric Roller Garage Doors Work Prevent home break-ins while keeping a high degree of safety.
• How to Dress Up a Drab Door With some design creativity, upscale doors need not be expensive.
• How to Repair Wooden Window Frames and Sills Exterior woodwork, including your windows, should be inspected and repaired annually.
• How to Replace Old Windows Double-pane replacement windows will pay for themselves in the long run.
• New Door Installation Existing jamb, prehung, storm, or bypass; which type meets your needs?

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Miscellaneous

• 3 Additions to Your Pool Area That Your Family Will Love Amenities like waterfalls and backyard bars offer pleasure and home equity.
• 5 Frugal Ways to Remodel Your Backyard Tie Landscaping, Furniture, and Patio Together.
• 5 Ways to Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Home Home equity improved with landscaping, a paint job, and replacement hardware.
• 7 Exterior Home Improvement Ideas Focus on roofing, siding, foundations, and more.
• Add Curb Appeal with Address Plaques Residence identification is essential for emergency response services, UPS drivers, and even the pizza delivery guy.
• A Hurricane Disaster Preparation Checklist Here are the steps you can take to protect your home now and the ones before the storm hits.
• Boost Curb Appeal on a Budget Raise home equity with solar lights, decorative stair treads, and more.
• Emerging Architectural Design Styles Functionality and aesthetics from passive solar to industrial lofts.
• Exterior, Plantation, and Storm Shutters Protect your windows in a hurricane and your furniture and carpet from UV rays.
• Get the Most From Your “Man With a Van” Deal Know prices, services, and verify insurance status.
• Home Improvement Projects Not to DIY Obey building codes and don’t void your home warranty.
• Home Maintenance 101 Critical repair issues new home owners should keep track of.
• Home Repairs: When to Hire Out and When to Do It Yourself Check building codes, do your research, and hire contractors when needed.
• How to Protect Your Home From 5 Threats Residential fire protection, pest control, flooding, tree trimming, and more.
• Hurricane-Proof your Home in 5 Essential Steps Natural disaster steps to take to protect your home now before the storm hits.
• Making the Exterior of Your Home Look Better Landscape lighting, plants, and imaginative paint combinations can juice up curb appeal.
• Making Your For-Sale Home as Attractive as Possible Sell real estate in the economic downturn easier with these tips.
• Michael Phelps Spas Your Family’s Best Health Investment.
• Replace Old Locks to Improve Security Prevent home break-ins and burglaries with deadbolts and locksets.
• Use the FHA 203(k) loan to Buy and Remodel a Fixer-Upper Home In a depressed housing market with low interest rates on home mortgage loans, buy a HUD home and qualify for homeowners insurance.

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About the Author:

Kelly R. Smith is an Air Force veteran and was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation, financial, and energy-trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at I Can Fix Up My Home Blog where he muses on many different topics.

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