Beautiful Choose Beauty and Durability in Wood Porch Decking

When it comes to the options available for material to construct wood porch decking, there are a variety of good looking wood choices depending upon your design preference.

Redwood is among the best known and most popular woods available, with a natural beauty and a resistance to decay and insect infestation. If you purchase grades that include sapwood, however, termites can be problematic. Clear Heart Redwood with no knots is the most expensive grade available but has the least amount of drawbacks.

Those who prefer a handsome looking blond deck can consider Cypress wood with smaller knots than most grades of redwood. It accepts colored stains easily, but like redwood, tends to be at the premium price range. Imo cypress is ranked the most resistant to decay.

Western red cedar is an easy lightweight wood to work with, colorful and good looking, but can rot, decay or become insect infested in as little as seven or eight years. If your deck does not ventilate or is subject to the accumulation of leaves drifting in from nearby trees, take a pass on using cedar. Cedar does not hold up well for low to the ground deck projects as ground moisture causes quick deterioration.

Take a pass on using treated yellow pine wood, which is not stable enough to create durable wood porch decking and has a habit of cracking and splintering. Douglas fir is usable for creating wood porch decking, but sap leaking from the boards create problems.

For a hardwood that combines beauty and durability with none of the drawbacks associated with domestic woods, imported Ipe deck wood, also called Brazilian walnut, is an excellent value for decking projects.

Ipe is prized for its extreme hardness, actually five times harder than treated yellow pine. Grown in South America, Ipe is impervious to decay, rot and termite infestation, and is slip resistant even when wet.

Ipe deck wood is fire resistant, an important safety feature especially in fire-prone states, and when left untreated, will last four decades or more. If maintained with deck oil, wood porch decking using Ipe has been known to stand up to the elements for 100 years. Its rich brown color accented with golden hues makes a deck that offers elegant beauty without the hassle of high maintenance.

Awesome How to Choose the Best Exterior House Paint Ideas

Everyone wants to make their home beautiful. Your duty is to paint it right. There's a high chance your house would be a fashion flop if it is painted the wrong way. As a prudent homeowner, noone wants that to happen. Fortunately, you can choose from variety of exterior house paint ideas to pick the best fit one  for your beloved house.

 

There are several things you need to factor in when choosing paint ideas that suit the outside of your house.  First, you have to consider your budget. There are paints for the outside of your house that are expensive, and there are house paints that are affordable. The key here in choosing several paint ideas however, is to compromise. Choose one that best suits your house while at the same time keeping your budget in check.

 

The next question you should ask yourself in choosing from the different kinds of exterior house paint ideas is the number of colors that you will use. On the average, modern homeowners choose only three colors from the different kinds of house paint ideas available. They use the paints to create a contrasting look, which is simple yet attractive the eye.

 

When choosing from several exterior house paint ideas, it is also best to factor in the style of your house and its materials. For example, a roof should be painted brown or with any other warm colors as it is usually the most easily seen fixture of your house.  If your house is made up mainly of brick, then it is recommended that you choose the color that best blends in well with the material.

 

A good way of choosing from the many exterior house paint ideas is to go to paint shops and ask for brochures. These can help you pick out the right colors. If your neighbor has the same home style and structure as your own house, then you can also ask him to help you pick out the paint ideas for the outside of your house that he used. If you're the modern homeowner who knows how to use the computer, then you can also use a software program which will allow you to paint and evaluate your house virtually. Software programs can be found on the Internet or are given out by paint manufacturers.

 

Choosing the best exterior house paint exterior ideas will give you the benefit of a house that is nice to see, and nice to live in.

 

Luxury Why Choose a Canopy Porch Swing?

A porch swing is an iconic member of the outdoor furniture family. Many childhood memories involve a relaxing day sitting on the porch swing and enjoying the company of family and friends. For families who don't have a covered porch but would like to sit outside and relax under the sun, a canopy porch swing is the perfect piece of furniture. A canopy porch swing can be useful and rewarding in any living area, even if you don't have other outdoor furniture. There are many advantages for making a canopy porch swing your newest addition to your outdoor living area.

A canopy porch swing is a great item to own if you have small children because it provides ample protection from the sun. This is important because it is proven that most individuals receive between 50 and 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. For those who do not have an enclosed or covered porch, a canopy porch swing can benefit children who want to play outside but have no shade from damaging ultraviolet rays.

This product is very beneficial for those individuals who cannot commit time to keeping them protected. The canopy hangs over the seats and provides protection from rain and sun, which can cause a lot of damage to the cushions and fabric.

Wood, metal, or plastic are the materials from which most swings are made. Wooden swings usually last longer outdoors and they weather better than metal or plastic. Wood is often more expensive than the metal or plastic designs. Metal canopy porch swings are very durable but they often heat up quickly. They are also pretty prone to rust but they are extremely low maintenance. Plastic canopy porch swings are often the cheapest and easiest to care for, but will probably not last as long as wood or metal. Canopy porch swings are also easy to transport and can be placed in any location where there is a flat surface, whether it be the lawn, patio, or deck.

Canopy porch swings are unique because they are often a more decorative piece of furniture. Canopies can be purchased in the same color scheme as the cushions and can match the existing theme of the house or garden. Canopies are also easy to find and replace when they fade or become damaged.

Swings with canopies can be the most comfortable addition to your outdoor furniture because of the soft cushions and shade from the sun. A shady place to sit in the hot summer weather is always a much more comfortable place to sit your guests, especially for family cookouts and parties. Relaxing on a canopy porch swing can be as comfortable as relaxing inside, with the added benefits of sitting in nature. Sunburn will never again be a factor which prevents you from enjoying the outdoors.

Whatever the reason for purchasing a porch swing with a canopy, it will always be a great addition to any outdoor furniture set because of their comfort and versatility. They can be made or purchased to fit any lifestyle or environment.