Susan's Lawn Gardens

Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, ANNE HARVESTER. She is an expert on outdoor fireplaces, so we feel very comfortable recommending her work to our visitors.

The Proper Maintenance and Care of your Outdoor Fireplace

by Anne Harvester

One of my favorite summer activities involves sitting around our fireplace made from soapstone on cool those cool summer nights with a refreshing drink in hand.  Now that the temperatures are warming up, it’s time to get your backyard ready for the summer and this means getting everything cleaned and ready to go.  One of the first things we do during our backyard cleaning days is to clean up the outdoor fireplace.  Depending on the type and style of outdoor fireplace you may have, maintenance can be simple or complicated.

Did you know no matter what your fireplace is made of they are still mostly all built the same and then spring cleaning of them are all similar. You’ll need an ash can, a good broom, and some sturdy work gloves. You’ll find it can be a pretty dirty job from all the remaining ash and wood in it. Use your brush or broom to sweep the ash into the can for proper disposal.

Iron Fireplaces
Fireplaces made from iron are probably the most popular models because of how sturdy they are.  You’ll find different styles implementing steel or aluminum chimneys to go along with an iron base. Make sure you can purchase any replacement parts before you purchase a certain type of iron fireplace since the other parts don’t last as long as the iron base will. Why replace the entire thing if you don’t have to? Apply high-temperature paint to the iron portions of the fireplace to protect it from rust.

Copper Outdoor Fireplaces
Another common type of outdoor fireplace is the ones made from copper. While a little more expensive, these particular models are sought after for its unique and brilliant copper shade which is much different than the plain black iron types. Storing the fireplace in a dry place away from the harsh weather helps to keep it at its original color. You can use covers for copper fire pits as a way of protecting them from the rain and such without having to move them when not in use.

Brick and Stone Fireplaces
Soapstone fireplaces, brick fireplaces and soapstone masonry heaters must properly be cleaned as often as you do with your indoor fireplace.  Remove the ash and debris from the fire box after use with soapstone fireplaces. A good investment is installing a chimney cap to keep leaves out of the chimney which can sometimes spark fires. Although soapstone fireplaces don’t have to be covered during the rain or in winter, you’ll still want to clean the exteriors in order to keep its attractive appearance.

It is important to the necessary time to care for your outdoor fireplace properly.  With the right amount of maintenance, you’re fireplace can last you many years of summer enjoyment.

Anne has worked on many home improvement projects with soapstone. Her specialties are redesigning ordinary houses into the extraordinary using soapstone fireplaces or soapstone masonary heaters.

Article Source: The Proper Maintenance and Care of your Outdoor Fireplace

 
Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, JOE SWANTACK. He is an expert on outdoor flooring, so we feel very comfortable recommending his work to our visitors.

How to Install Modular Outdoor Flooring Deck Tiles

by Joe Swantack

 Modular Outdoor Flooring Decking Tiles, made of Ipe hardwood, also known as Brazilian Walnut, can be installed over most hard surfaces such as concrete, existing wood decks, brick pavers, asphalt, rubber roofs, etc., either indoors or outdoors, in protected or unprotected locations.  To ensure trouble free installation and long life, the surface must be as firm and as even as possible, with no major irregularities or depressions.  In exterior installations, the underlying surface should slope slightly to allow water to drain away freely.

1.) Calculating How Many Decking Tiles You Will Need

One carton (10 tiles) will cover an area of 10sqft.  Additional tiles may be required for cutting as spacers, if the finished deck is to fit flush against walls or other structures.

2.) No Additional Tools Required

Modular Decking Tiles require no nails, screws, adhesives.  A handsaw or jigsaw may be required if tiles need to be cut to fit around posts, or pipes, or to trim the outer row of tiles in confined areas.

3.) Installation Step by Step

Place a single tile in one corner of the area to be covered.  Taking a second tile, align the plastic connecting tabs on the outside edges of the tiles to be joined and push down firmly on the second tile close to the connection point.  This will engage the tabs and lock the tiles together.

Continue this process adding tiles in both directions until the area is covered, ensuring each tile is securely locked to the neighboring tile.

Different patterns can be achieved by joining tiles so that the wood slats of adjacent tiles are aligned in different directions.  To fit around pipes, posts, or corners, cut to fit using a jigsaw or handsaw, sawing through both the wood slats and plastic base.  Take care to avoid the screws in the base.

When cutting irregular shapes, it is best to first make a template from a piece of stiff paper or cardboard.  Make sure that cut slats remain securely attached to the plastic base with at least 2 screws.  Extra screws may need to be inserted if any slats appear loose. (Blank screw holes are molded in the plastic base for this purpose). To provide a smooth transition between the tiles and the base surface, optional reducer strips are available which lock securely to the outer row of tiles.

For more information on  modular decking tiles, please visit OutdoorFloors.net, a leading distributor of outdoor flooring, decking materials,  premade modular patios, and  fire pits.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/How-to-Install-Modular-Outdoor-Flooring-Deck-Tiles/856165

Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, KEITH KINGSTON. He is an expert on garden sheds, so we feel very comfortable recommending his work to our visitors.

How to Build a Shed
By Keith Kingston

The easiest way to build a shed in the backyard is to make a trip to the
local Lowe’s or other hardware shop to purchase a shed-building kit.

Never
choose one from a picture in a brochure or from the Internet. When viewing
in person, you can check for important quality control details such as
thickness of timber, overlap structure of panels, type of wood, whether it
is pre-treated with a preservative and the quality of flooring. Thick
timber is longer lasting. An overlap structure on wall panels is important
to prevent water leakage. It is beneficial for the shed to have been
pre-treated with preservative, but in your upkeep you will still want to
treat it once a year. Flooring should be thick so that it does not give
with the weight of tools and equipment you want to store.

Read the rest of How To Build A Shed…

Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, TOM B GEE. He is an expert on garden sheds, so we feel very comfortable recommending his work to our visitors.

Cheap Garden Sheds – What Are Your Requirements?
By Tom B Gee

When you think of a garden shed, you most likely visualize a wooden box-shaped construction situated at the end of somebody’s backyard, filled with all sorts of household paraphernalia and gardening tools. For some, their shed offers a place to do some DIY that is not appropriate for indoors; for others, their shed provides a silence location for them just to sit down and think. Although, these are the most conventional uses and designs, there are lots of other variations of the traditional shed that can be purchased and sheds can be made from a variety of materials and come in a whole range of distinct shapes and sizes. Additionally, sheds come in several price ranges and you don’t have to break the bank to find something appropriate to your needs. Some can be small open-sided with tin-roofs and others can be big wood-framed sheds with shingled roofs.

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Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, CHRIS HOPKIN. He is an expert on garden sheds, so we feel very comfortable recommending his work to our visitors.

How To Build A Shed Base
By Chris Hopkin

As spring draws to an end and a promising English summer begins, the gardening retail market is at its peak. With the garden on everybody’s mind, the sale of garden buildings and sheds in particular start to soar. This article explains something that not everyone is aware about, but everyone needs to know before buying a shed. Building a garden shed base which is firm and level is vital. A base must be constructed for any garden shed, and why pay excessive amounts to dodgy local handyman when you can do it yourself. With the help of the following, you can create your own base, and then you’ll have the perfect foundations for your garden shed.

Firstly, to ensure both ease of assembly and the longevity of your garden shed, it is essential that it has a firm and level base constructed from a durable material. Construction without such a base may not only invalidate any product guarantee that comes with your garden shed but also lead to problems such as doors dropping out of square and water leakage.

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