Protect Your Pet From the Cold

Dogs are commonly known as man’s best friend, and for good reason. If you are lucky enough to own one of these cuddly creatures, you know exactly how important a part of your life your pet can become. So, you naturally want to take the best care of your beloved pet as you possibly can. This desire is probably why you bought your dog a dog house; to give him a place to rest his head and protect him from the weather. However, if you do not spend the extra money to buy an insulated dog house, all of your efforts will be in vain.
Insulated dog houses go the extra mile to help keep your dog nice and warm, even during the coldest weather. When you combine the use of an insulated dog house with a dog house heater, your pet can survive outdoors all winter long. Don’t underestimate the effects of cold weather on your dog; prolonged exposure to low temperatures can cause permanent damage to both your dog’s health and demeanor. If you love your dog and he is going to spend significant amounts of time outdoors, be sure that you buy him the insulated dog house that he deserves. He is, after all, your best friend.

Planter Box Thickness

A cedar planter box can be an excellent addition to your backyard, providing you with a space to showcase your gardening abilities and add beauty and color to your backyard. However, you need to make sure that you have the best planter box available. If you choose a low-quality box, although it may last for one season, it will not be good the next time you want to grow flowers in it.
If you want to reuse your planter box, it is essential that you choose a wooden planter that is at least ¾” thick. Planters that are only ½” thick will become warped and twisted from the moisture in the soil after only one season. This warping will render even the most attractive of planter boxes of no use, after only being able to plant one set of flowers in it. To keep your cedar planter boxes from warping, be sure your planters are at very least ¾” thick, so it can withstand water damage without warping. It also helps to use a plastic planter box liner, which offers further protection from the soil moisture. This added protection decreases the chance of your wooden planter box warping due to water damage.

The Advantages of Teak Furniture (Part Two)

Teak is a popular material for outdoor furniture. Many people choose to use teak benches to decorate their backyard. In my previous post, I started to explain the advantages teak offers, and I will give you a few more reasons in this one.
Advantage #4 – Durable and Strong

Another advantage is that teak is an incredibly strong and durable wood. This beautiful hardwood grows in India, Thailand or Malaysia, and was first used in the Middle Ages as a shipbuilding material. It had to be strong to undergo long voyages at sea, and that same potency will keep your teak furniture standing strong for years and years.

Advantage #5 – Stylish

The final benefit to choosing teak is how attractive and chic it is. To keep teak’s original color, all you have to do is apply teak cleaner and protector regularly. Or, if you prefer, you can allow the color to naturally fade to a regal silvery-gray over time. With so many options, there is sure to be at least one type of finish that will suit your tastes.If you’re in the market for new garden furniture, I recommend that you check out teak. There are clearly many benefits to choosing teak, and if you do, you will not be disappointed.

The Advantages of Teak Furniture (Part One)

A teak chair can be an incredibly attractive addition to your backyard. However, you might be wondering what are the advantages to choosing teak furniture? Is teak quality worth the extra buck?
Advantage #1– Low Maintenance Some garden furniture requires a lot of maintenance. A lot of materials attract a lot of dirt and grime. Luckily, teak wood is not one of those woods that need a lot of attention. It does not call for a lot of upkeep, which making teak garden furniture a great buy. If you are looking for a low maintenance material for your garden furniture, teak wood is the way to go.

Advantage #2– Waterproof Teak was originally a shipbuilding material. After these boats were decommissioned, the teak was still salvageable, because teak does not rot or rust, even when joined with metal. This is one of the reasons that teak is such a great material for making garden furniture. If teak could survive long trips on the harsh ocean, image how well it will stand up in your garden—without rusting or rotting! This waterproofing advantage is one reason that teak garden furniture is an exceptional choice for your outdoor furniture.
Advantage #3 – Long-lastingLike me, most people can’t afford to purchase new garden furniture each year. Therefore it’s important to buy furniture that is built to last. One distinct advantage of teak garden furniture over garden furniture made from other materials is that it is extremely long-lasting. Teak garden furniture is extremely cost-effective, because it is so strong that it can stand the test of time.

Build Your Own Firewood Rack

A firewood rack is an important accessory for everyone who likes to have fires, both in their home fireplace and in their backyard fire pit. Firewood racks can be quite elaborate and be full of many exciting features that will dazzle you. However, if you just want an easy way to keep your firewood organized and off the ground, you can choose to build your own firewood rack in four simple steps.
1. Decide on the best location for your rack. Ideally it will be flat, provide sufficient space for the amount of wood you want to store, and close enough to your fireplace or fire pit that it will be conveniently located.
2. Set the cinder blocks on the ground and place two 4x4 posts into the blocks, maintaining a slight two to three inch gap between the blocks. Make sure both the blocks and the posts are as close to level as you can possibly get them.
3. Drive one metal fencing post into the ground at each end of the firewood rack and then drive one more into the center. The best tools for driving in the metal stake are a sledge hammer or a post driver. Typically, the stake should be driven between 8 to 10 inches into the ground.
4. Finish off your rack by stacking two cords of wood, ready for burning.
And there you have it! A great do-it-yourself project with the end result of creating a place for you to store your firewood.

Why Buy Cedar?

A cedar garden bench is undoubtedly a beautiful choice for any homeowner’s backyard. However, when purchasing outdoor furniture, aesthetics is not the only concern you must take into consideration. Luckily, there are many other reasons why buying cedar furniture is a great decision.

Unlike plastic or resin furniture, cedar furniture does not bow, sag or get brittle over time. It is also substantial enough that the wind won’t pick it up and blow it across your yard. However, it is also not too heavy to be easily relocated if you should choose to do so.

Cedar wood also has no need for any treatments or finishes. It naturally resists both rot and insects, and can last between twenty-five and thirty years unfinished. During those years, cedar also requires very little maintenance. If you leave it unfinished, it will weather to a regal, silvery gray over time. If you hope to preserve the original color, it can easily be stained to match.

Because cedar furniture does not require finishing, it is altogether much safer and more natural than most other outdoor furniture you can buy. Plastic and resins are artificial materials, and most other woods require treatment with chemical preservatives or some sort of other chemical finish to maintain its quality as long as cedar wood.

So, not only is cedar wood furniture gorgeous, it’s also an incredibly practical purchase! It is a safe, durable, and attractive choice for your outdoor furniture.

How to Build a Deck Box (Part Three)

The last couple posts have been devoted to instructions on how to build a deck box. This project is a great way to improve your elementary carpentry skills, and the resulting storage box is incredibly practical and useful. Here are the last two steps to finishing up your box.

4. Screw the sides to the front and back of the storage box. Set the bottom on the box. Drill and countersink pilot holes. Attach the bottom to the cedar box. Turn the box upright so that it is standing on its feet.

5. Position the piano hinge flush with the back edge of the top piece for the cedar box, so that there are six inches at each end that will be unhinged. Use the brass wood screws to secure the hinge to the top of the chest. Have someone else hold the top in place while you position it on the top edge of the cedar storage chest. Use brass wood screws to finish securing the top to the rest of the box.

And now you’re done! Pat yourself on the back, dust yourself off, and go try that box out! With this box you can finally get your patio and backyard organized, or at least make it look that way.

How to Build a Deck Box (Part Two)

In my last post, I began my instructions on how to build a deck box. Now that you have your supplies, it’s time to get started!
1. Place the front and back cedar boards in between the sideboards. Mark screw positions one inch from both the top and the bottom, so that the screw holes will be centered in the 1/2" thickness of the front and backboards. Then, make pilot holes using a 1/8" drill bit and power drill

2. Sand the four cedar chunks until they have smooth, rounded edges. Position one of them in each of the four corners of the bottom cedar board. Apply the carpenter's glue to each foot and press it into place. Clamp the feet until glue dries overnight.

3. Drill pilot holes into each foot for two wood screws, one in the outer corner, and one on the diagonal from the first. Then, countersink all the holes. Use a belt sander to sand away any rough spots on any of the cedar boards of the box or the feet. Screw the feet into place using 1" brass wood screws.

The rest of your patio box instructions will come in the next post, and after reading and following those directions, you will be able to finish your deck box.

Storage Box Construction

As I have always said, you can never have too much outdoor storage. I know that my home and yard are often full of clutter, and the amount of “stuff” I have just seems to keep growing and then growing some more. There are many items that you can put into a deck box, such as pool toys and cleaning supplies, extra pool towels, outdoor toys, furniture cushions and pillows, and many other similar objects. The sheer amount of junk you have in your backyard is definitely reason enough to invest in some outdoor storage,.
You can easily construct a wooden deck box that will provide the storage you need in your backyard. And, you can make it even if you are not a master carpenter.
First, you need to purchase your supplies. Here’s a list of the items you will need:
• Two 3' x 4' x 1/2" cedar boards
• Two 24" x 4' x 1/2" cedar boards
• Four 2" x 1" x 3" cedar chunks
• One 3' Brass piano hinge
• Brass wood screws
• Four C-clamps
• Power drill 1/8” bit
• Countersink bit
• Belt sander
• Sanding paper
• Carpenter’s glue
Once you have your supplies accumulated, you’re ready to begin your construction project. In my next post, I will begin to tell you how to build a deck box.

Why You Need a Wooden Beverage Table

One furniture item that is often overlooked is the beverage table. While you probably won’t notice it when it’s there, this small piece of furniture will definitely be missed when your patio is lacking a beverage table.
Have you ever been sitting on a porch swing or chair, enjoying a cool drink, and then realized you had nowhere to put it? I know this has happened to me. When you are having a drink on a porch without a beverage table, your options are very limited. You can either set your drink on the ground and risk spillage, or you have to hold your cup in your hand the entire time you are on the porch. Neither option is ideal, and honestly, both are rather annoying. This problem is why every porch needs a beverage table.
Whether you purchase a large table for the middle of your seating area, or you decide to go with a simple end table, some sort of beverage table is an absolutely necessity to be included on your patio. Trust me, it will make all the difference in the world the first time you decide to enjoy a cold beverage in your backyard or on your patio.

The History of the Rocking Chair (Part Two)

In my last post, I began to discuss the history of the rocking chair. Here is the rest of the story!
The first bentwood rocking chair was designed by Michael Thonet, a German craftsman, in 1860. What makes this design different is its graceful shape and light weight design. Thonet used wood that was bent and steamed to make these rocking chairs. Bentwood rocking chairs became famous around the world because of their affordability and gorgeous design. They also spawned countless imitators as well.
During the 1890’s, Neoclassical designs became a trend in the United States. These rocking chairs were influenced by classical Greek and Roman designs, with a hint of Renaissance flair and the artistry of the colonial era.
Then in the 1920s, folding rocking chairs became more popular in Europe and the United States. They were convenient for traveling and could be stored in a much smaller space. By the 1950s, rocking chairs built by Sam Maloof, an American craftsman, gained renown for their durability and deluxe appearance. These rocking chairs are differentiated from other designs by their ski-shaped rockers.
Today, there are countless different rocking chair designs. Basically every type of chair available has been adapted to be able to rock back and forth. They are an excellent addition to any backyard, and you can definitely find a model that suits you perfectly.

The History of the Rocking Chair (Part One)

A wood rocking chair is one of the rest ways to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of your backyard. The original inventor of the rocking chair is actually unknown. Some people want to attribute Benjamin Franklin with its invention, although there is no historical evidence to back these stories up. In fact, historians are only able to trace the origins of the rocking chair to 18th century North America.
Originally, the chairs were simply ordinary chairs with two rockers on the bottoms. They were only used as garden chairs.
In 1725, the early rocking chair first arrived in England. These chairs had hoop-shaped backs and were also used in the garden. However, these chairs were invented in the North American colonies and made their way over to England.
Windsor rockers, as this design was called, were first built near the Windsor Castle in the early 1700s. These rocking chairs featured a round hoop back, a birdcage (with spindles that are known for its cage-like appearance), and a comb-back (with comb-shaped head rest).
The wicker rocking chair is another popular design that was created during that time. The production of wicker rocking peaked in America during the middle of the 18th century. These wicker rockers, as they were commonly called, were famous for their well-crafted and creative designs.