Hardscape: Patios and Stone Walls
Hardscape (flagstone, brick or concrete patios, stone walls, etc.) complements your landscape gardening. Ideas for stone walls and patios, and masonry tips you need to build them. Step by step instructions for building simple brick patios and concrete patios, including cement-mixing tips.
Concrete Work: Tips for Working With Cement
Concrete work ('cement') can be satisfying, as you behold your finished construction project. Learn about concrete work tips to make your construction go smoother, including mixing cement.
Concrete work ('cement') can be satisfying, as you behold your finished construction project. Learn about concrete work tips to make your construction go smoother, including mixing cement.
How to Mix Concrete
Learn how to mix concrete properly. These tips on how to mix concrete are presented as step-by-step instructions.
Learn how to mix concrete properly. These tips on how to mix concrete are presented as step-by-step instructions.
How to Build a Flagstone Patio
Are you seeking a rustic feel for your patio that neither brick nor concrete can offer? Try a stone patio. This tutorial shows you how to build a flagstone patio. There are more rustic stone patios than the flagstone variety, but flagstone provides a smooth, flat surface that's both easy to work with and easy to walk on.
Are you seeking a rustic feel for your patio that neither brick nor concrete can offer? Try a stone patio. This tutorial shows you how to build a flagstone patio. There are more rustic stone patios than the flagstone variety, but flagstone provides a smooth, flat surface that's both easy to work with and easy to walk on.
Easy Design for Beginners: How to Build Brick Patios
Simple design plan to make laying brick patios easy for do it yourselfers. Brick patio design easy to build yet elegant, laying the bricks in a striking “basket weave” pattern that requires no cutting! Edging is also done in brick. Step by step instructions, including drainage, measurements, crushed stone and sand underlay, tools. An easy hardscape project for do-it-yourselfer beginners.
Simple design plan to make laying brick patios easy for do it yourselfers. Brick patio design easy to build yet elegant, laying the bricks in a striking “basket weave” pattern that requires no cutting! Edging is also done in brick. Step by step instructions, including drainage, measurements, crushed stone and sand underlay, tools. An easy hardscape project for do-it-yourselfer beginners.
A Concrete Patio Floor Design
Using concrete as a surface for patios and landings is practical -- too practical, for some. To spice up bare concrete, incorporate designs. This article details many concrete patio designs, including the planning required to implement such designs successfully for your new patio or landing.
Using concrete as a surface for patios and landings is practical -- too practical, for some. To spice up bare concrete, incorporate designs. This article details many concrete patio designs, including the planning required to implement such designs successfully for your new patio or landing.
How to Build a Concrete Patio
Concrete can be an effective hardscape element in landscape design, when used properly -- but a disaster when botched. This step-by-step guide will take you from purchasing supplies and excavating the site to applying the finishing touches. Instructions apply specifically to free-standing concrete but are also applicable to the use of concrete as a base for brickwork.
Concrete can be an effective hardscape element in landscape design, when used properly -- but a disaster when botched. This step-by-step guide will take you from purchasing supplies and excavating the site to applying the finishing touches. Instructions apply specifically to free-standing concrete but are also applicable to the use of concrete as a base for brickwork.
Hardscape, Rock Gardens and Solutions to Landscape Problems
Almost every landscape has a problem area, be it a rocky area, a slope, or an area so heavily shaded that design options with plants are limited. Fortunately, rock gardens, hardscape and other landscaping allies present themselves as solutions for dealing with problem areas.
Almost every landscape has a problem area, be it a rocky area, a slope, or an area so heavily shaded that design options with plants are limited. Fortunately, rock gardens, hardscape and other landscaping allies present themselves as solutions for dealing with problem areas.
Building Stone Walls to Retain Soil
If you have a slight slope you'd like to tame, building a short, mortar-less stone retaining wall might be the answer for you. Building such retaining walls is a relatively easy project for the do-it-yourselfer. You'll find these retaining walls visually appealing; they also complement rock gardens beautifully.
If you have a slight slope you'd like to tame, building a short, mortar-less stone retaining wall might be the answer for you. Building such retaining walls is a relatively easy project for the do-it-yourselfer. You'll find these retaining walls visually appealing; they also complement rock gardens beautifully.
Landscaping With Stone: Stone Walls, Hardscape's Many Faces
Learn how your “softscaping”, or plants, can be complemented by the artful use of stone, or "hardscaping." Stone can be used for work on patios, paths, outbuildings, accent pieces and, of course, walls. Explore the many varieties of stone walls, according to function and style. And learn about stone wall accessories.
Learn how your “softscaping”, or plants, can be complemented by the artful use of stone, or "hardscaping." Stone can be used for work on patios, paths, outbuildings, accent pieces and, of course, walls. Explore the many varieties of stone walls, according to function and style. And learn about stone wall accessories.
Hardscape FAQ
Read this FAQ on hardscape to learn about the topic that encompasses stone walls, patios and more. These answers to frequently asked questions about hardscape may set your mind at ease as you undertake your own do-it-yourself projects.
Read this FAQ on hardscape to learn about the topic that encompasses stone walls, patios and more. These answers to frequently asked questions about hardscape may set your mind at ease as you undertake your own do-it-yourself projects.
Building Portable Raised Beds Out of Wood
When landscaping for small spaces, it's tough to extend "out," so extend "up" by building wooden raised beds that are like benches. Building raised beds of this sort means less bending over, too, and gives you storage space underneath -- important when landscaping for small spaces. Wheels can be attached to the legs to make the unit portable, so you can wheel it around your patio!
When landscaping for small spaces, it's tough to extend "out," so extend "up" by building wooden raised beds that are like benches. Building raised beds of this sort means less bending over, too, and gives you storage space underneath -- important when landscaping for small spaces. Wheels can be attached to the legs to make the unit portable, so you can wheel it around your patio!
Checklist of Home Safety Tips
It's always a good idea to study safety reminders when undertaking the hard work involved in installing concrete, flagstone or brick patios, building stone walls, or any project that involves landscaping stone. Just remember: a list of home safety tips can never be complete and is never a substitute for good old common sense.
It's always a good idea to study safety reminders when undertaking the hard work involved in installing concrete, flagstone or brick patios, building stone walls, or any project that involves landscaping stone. Just remember: a list of home safety tips can never be complete and is never a substitute for good old common sense.
Hardscape Book Review: Building Garden Terraces
Ideas for how terraces can turn a barren landscape into a Garden of Eden. Packed with pictures, including before and after photos. Building a garden terrace is, by its very nature, a hands-on endeavor, however; much is left to your own “inspiration.” But if you have a knack for hardscape design, this book's stunning photos alone will be enough to put you on the right track.
Ideas for how terraces can turn a barren landscape into a Garden of Eden. Packed with pictures, including before and after photos. Building a garden terrace is, by its very nature, a hands-on endeavor, however; much is left to your own “inspiration.” But if you have a knack for hardscape design, this book's stunning photos alone will be enough to put you on the right track.
Patio Construction Versus Patio Plants
When your patio is "out of date," what should you do? You have to decide between the costs of patio construction (for a new one) or using container-grown plants to dress up the old one. The choice largely comes down to your personal tastes. But this piece addresses some of the issues involved and may help you make up your mind.
When your patio is "out of date," what should you do? You have to decide between the costs of patio construction (for a new one) or using container-grown plants to dress up the old one. The choice largely comes down to your personal tastes. But this piece addresses some of the issues involved and may help you make up your mind.
Outdoor Patio Furniture
Enhance your al fresco dining by selecting the outdoor patio furniture right for your yard. Outdoor patio furniture includes lounge chairs, cedar benches, wicker chairs and their accompanying cushions.
Enhance your al fresco dining by selecting the outdoor patio furniture right for your yard. Outdoor patio furniture includes lounge chairs, cedar benches, wicker chairs and their accompanying cushions.
Concrete Mixing Tips: Water and Mixing Concrete
Who better to turn to for concrete mixing tips than a retired inspector? An expert on mixing concrete, Ed Adams relates the importance of water in the curing process. Those considering building concrete patios will want to read Ed's tips, first!
Who better to turn to for concrete mixing tips than a retired inspector? An expert on mixing concrete, Ed Adams relates the importance of water in the curing process. Those considering building concrete patios will want to read Ed's tips, first!
How to Resurface Concrete Patios
DIY concrete resurfacing begins with a trip to the hardware store. The project I discuss is resurfacing concrete patios.
DIY concrete resurfacing begins with a trip to the hardware store. The project I discuss is resurfacing concrete patios.
Brick Patterns
Brick patterns used in building patios include the basket weave, herringbone and running bond. My photos of brick patterns provide examples.
Brick patterns used in building patios include the basket weave, herringbone and running bond. My photos of brick patterns provide examples.
Illustrated Guide to Hardscaping
Illustrated Guide to Hardscaping (or “landscape construction”), supplied by the Texas A&M Extension. Learn how to build brick paths and patios, steps, drainage systems, parking spaces, arbors and benches.
Illustrated Guide to Hardscaping (or “landscape construction”), supplied by the Texas A&M Extension. Learn how to build brick paths and patios, steps, drainage systems, parking spaces, arbors and benches.
Replacing the Lawn With a Patio Xeriscape
Interesting article from Less Lawn.com on saving time and money by covering a lawn area with patio stones, effectively eliminating the lawn. In place of a lawn you are left with an extended patio. The technique is inexpensive, precludes drought problems and, depending on your tastes, may even be an aesthetic enhancement.
Interesting article from Less Lawn.com on saving time and money by covering a lawn area with patio stones, effectively eliminating the lawn. In place of a lawn you are left with an extended patio. The technique is inexpensive, precludes drought problems and, depending on your tastes, may even be an aesthetic enhancement.
Resources for Landscaping Stone - Construction
The library of FindStone.com provides resources for those wishing to build with landscaping stone. Use the drop-down lists (selection boxes) to navigate to the topic that interests you. You'll find "all things stone" on this site from illustrated stone wall patterns to lists of the pros and cons of various hardscape materials.
The library of FindStone.com provides resources for those wishing to build with landscaping stone. Use the drop-down lists (selection boxes) to navigate to the topic that interests you. You'll find "all things stone" on this site from illustrated stone wall patterns to lists of the pros and cons of various hardscape materials.
The Use of Stone in Japanese Gardens
A stone is not just a stone in traditional Japanese gardens. Even if you are not interested in the philosophy behind stone in Japanese landscaping, you may pick up some interesting ideas from this link.
A stone is not just a stone in traditional Japanese gardens. Even if you are not interested in the philosophy behind stone in Japanese landscaping, you may pick up some interesting ideas from this link.
Concrete Stamping Tools for Concrete Patio Design
Concrete is a sturdy, versatile building material that has great potential for enhancing a landscape. Its one drawback is that it is not inherently beautiful. You as the landscaper have to do a little extra work to make the end result of your concrete work aesthetically pleasing. One means of doing so is through concrete stamping tools....
Concrete is a sturdy, versatile building material that has great potential for enhancing a landscape. Its one drawback is that it is not inherently beautiful. You as the landscaper have to do a little extra work to make the end result of your concrete work aesthetically pleasing. One means of doing so is through concrete stamping tools....
DV Construction: Building Resource
Dv Construction -- "Your online resource for construction" offers this useful article on determining how much concrete you need to build your patio.
Dv Construction -- "Your online resource for construction" offers this useful article on determining how much concrete you need to build your patio.
How to Build Stone Walls
A guide to building stone walls. Detailed instructions on how to build stone walls, including a list of required tools and calculating how much rock you'll need.
A guide to building stone walls. Detailed instructions on how to build stone walls, including a list of required tools and calculating how much rock you'll need.
Intriguing Stone Walls
Joanne Smith's article based on her research on stone walls in this small town in Connecticut (U.S.). More than just another how-to on the art of building stone walls (although it provides that, too), this link peeks into the history and idiosyncrasies of stone walls in a region famous for them.
Joanne Smith's article based on her research on stone walls in this small town in Connecticut (U.S.). More than just another how-to on the art of building stone walls (although it provides that, too), this link peeks into the history and idiosyncrasies of stone walls in a region famous for them.
All Things Concrete
"All Things Concrete" offers ideas, instructions, and tips for enhancing, decorating, and maintaining concrete surfaces such as patios, driveways, and sidewalks. The site covers the topics of acid staining, acrylic staining, sealers, removing stains, and stamped concrete.
"All Things Concrete" offers ideas, instructions, and tips for enhancing, decorating, and maintaining concrete surfaces such as patios, driveways, and sidewalks. The site covers the topics of acid staining, acrylic staining, sealers, removing stains, and stamped concrete.