| There are plenty of houses that have a simple set of | | | | If you wanted to build your patio with concrete, you |
| steps that lead out to the backyard and nothing else. | | | | would have to learn how to pour and level out the |
| You may just have a door that goes straight out to | | | | concrete. But, it's not hard. If they sell DIY books |
| the backyard. Let's get our hands dirty and turn that | | | | about it at your local hardware store, it's obviously |
| eye sore into something you can enjoy. Patios or | | | | not a skill you need a degree to do on your own. |
| decks are beautiful additions to your home and not | | | | Mastering it is another argument entirely. But, give |
| as difficult as you might think to do by yourself. | | | | yourself a chance. You just might find you can have |
| The first thing that you need to do is imagine what | | | | some fun playing with your own concrete. |
| you would like it to look like. That means take it all | | | | Building a deck is little different. Measure out your |
| into consideration. Do you want a patio? Is it going to | | | | area and make sure you have enough wood as well |
| be concrete or brick? Do you want a deck? Do you | | | | as the right building material. Now, what I would do if |
| want a fireplace, a grill, a concrete seating | | | | I was you is build the grill first. Then, build the deck |
| structure...etc.? | | | | around the grill. It's much easier than any other option |
| There are so many options that we should probably | | | | you can imagine. |
| explore a few. First of all, a great patio idea is one | | | | You can build a deck right on the ground if you want. |
| that has a grill to match the surface of the patio. | | | | It doesn't have to sit high up in the air. But, it should |
| Also, you can either buy your furniture or build it with | | | | if your back door is way up there. However, if your |
| concrete, brick or wood. It doesn't have to be | | | | backdoor is just about on ground level, I would |
| elaborate. I'm not asking you to build Appalachian | | | | suggest just building the deck right on the ground. |
| chairs. But, it's not as hard as you think to build | | | | Run 2X4s vertically on their ends and make sure |
| wood, brick or concrete benches. It's just as easy as | | | | they are equidistant as well as square with your |
| building wall structures to enclose your patio or deck. | | | | home. It takes some time and effort to do. But, |
| So, let's start with one scenario where you have a | | | | don't forget to make it perfect. Use a T-Square and |
| brick patio with a brick grill in the middle of it and a | | | | string for guidelines. It's a snap. |
| few brick benches surrounding the area. If you have | | | | Now, run 2X4s flat across the tops of your base. |
| grass, you'll have to work with the ground so that | | | | Bolt them into place. Readjust as you go so that |
| you dig all the grass away and then work the dirt | | | | nothing has the chance to maneuver out of place. |
| until it is level. A great way to level ground is to till it | | | | Constantly make sure that your deck is aligned and |
| until it is soft, take all the rocks out of it and then | | | | realigned. It might seem like a slow process. But |
| use a long 2X4 to drag across the surface. Use a | | | | when you work alone, it has to be. Your deck will |
| level to make sure you are on track and keep | | | | soon be in place and built nicely around your grill. Now, |
| dragging the 2X4 across the surface until it is perfect. | | | | build wood benches. Finish it off with railing and |
| Place your bricks anyway you want. Staggered is | | | | you've got one great looking deck in your backyard. |
| often best. But, there are plenty of designs to | | | | I have been saying for years that there is practically |
| choose from such as diagonal and interlocking. Once | | | | nothing you can't do yourself. Of course, there are |
| you have your surface bricked. Choose the area | | | | times when you need to call an expert. But if they |
| where you want your grill. An article entitled The DIY | | | | sell books at your local hardware store that teach |
| Patio Grill and Fireplace Double can teach you how to | | | | you how to tackle certain projects, it's obviously not |
| build your own grill in the middle of the patio. If you | | | | rocket science. Mastering it is obviously another story. |
| can build your own grill, you can use your imagination | | | | But, you can tackle most anything on your own. |
| to build some benches for people to sit comfortably. | | | | |