My Old Workshop | Category Archives: Exteriors | Page 3Exteriors Archives - Page 3 of 7

Home improvement and renovation tips

Great deals — cheap, rustic siding

Here's a way to get a rustic look on your cottage or garden shed -- even your home -- that costs you next to nothing.When the sawmill mills boards from a log, there are four pieces that don't make the cut... the four outside sections. Flat on one side, and rounded (covered in bark or ...

How to design a second-story deck

The second story deck, usually a product of a sloped lot, poses some interesting design challenges. It can appear massive and out of proportion to the house and yard. Here are three ways to make your deck do more and look better.Create a new room. Well, not an actual living space. But if you have ...

Seven rules for long-lasting deck framing

It's a lot of work; here's how to make your deck last.1. Install your concrete footings below the frost line. Sure, it's only a deck, but heaving or shifting can ruin all the hard work you put into it.2. A slope helps shed water. Particularly if you've built a solid-floored deck using tongue and groove ...

Tips for designing outdoor deck steps and stairs

If you're building a deck, spend a little time on the ups and downs. That is, give some thought to how your stairs or steps might look.The standard functional route is to run stringers and nail one or two boards across these for the treads. This technique does the trick, but you may not like ...

Good communications make good neighbors

In the interest of neighborly relations, a feudless community, and the opportunity to use your neighbor's washroom when you're in the midst of a two-day plumbing job, here's some advice on construction and renovation etiquette. Let your neighbors know ahead of time what you're planning on doing, before their lives are disrupted by your work. ...

How to clean and paint vinyl siding and aluminum siding

If you're getting tired of the look of your vinyl or aluminum siding, you don't need to install new siding. Go ahead and paint it. For a small investment you can make it look like new or even change the color.As in any painting job, the more attention you pay to surface prep, the better ...

How to wire in the great outdoors

If you need to run power outside your house -- for lighting, to supply power to a toolshed or garage, or to power a pump in that pond you're installing, you'll need to run your wiring underground. Here are some general guidelines, but make sure you check with the electrical inspector first.Remember, if you just ...

How to stain decks and fences

Most manufacturers recommend applying stains and finishes when the temperature is somewhere between 50 F (10 Celsius) and 95 F (35 Celsius). Problem is, they mean surface temperature -- not air temperature. Wood absorbs and stores heat from the sun, and the deck surface may be 40 degrees F hotter than the air temperature.If the ...

Keep your outdoor furniture looking good

Even plastic outdoor furniture doesn't come cheap these days. So a little preventive maintenance is time well spent.The longer dust and dirt sit on furniture, the more damage they'll do. Clean your furniture at the beginning of the year and at least once more during the year.Plastic resin This is pretty easy. Just mix up ...

Wacky and unique fence ideas

Here are some more ways you can spruce up your fence design.Sit on the fence. Break up the monotony by creating an alcoved bench as part of the design (if property lines aren't a big consideration.)Consider the fence an actual structure. Build a roof for shade and protection from rain, or construct a pergola (an ...