Ideas for Your Backyard Living Space

Stained Wood Attached Pergola

Full Guide on Pergola Staining & Sealing

When is the best time for staining and sealing wood on outdoor structures? In warm climates, winter and early Spring are the perfect time of year to take care of outdoor tasks, like staining and sealing wood. In cooler climates it's best to wait until the temperatures warm up before getting out your brushes and other supplies for staining outdoor wood structures such as pergolas. If you're gearing up for adding a fresh coat of sealant or stain to your backyard wood structure, this article will answer questions such as: Why is staining and sealing wood important? When should you stain or seal a wood pergola? What types of products are best for staining and sealing wood? What are the steps for staining and sealing a wood pergola? Which colors look best on a pergola? Before...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living Space, Patio StructuresRead more...
Pergola Design Ideas for Outdoor Room

Pergola Design Ideas and How to Choose

Are you sitting down this weekend to sort through all your ideas about what to do with your backyard patio to make it a year-round living space? Would you like a pergola to be part of the design? There are so many ideas out there for pergola design ideas for patios and backyard areas, it’s hard to know where to start! This article can provide some inspiration, lay out some options (freestanding, attached, pergola over a hot tub or patio, long vs. square, spaced slats vs. close together) and discuss when certain choices might be better than others. To find the perfect pergola design for your backyard, first step is to decide how you’d like to use the space. Will it be a place...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living Space, Patio StructuresRead more...
DIY Pergola Kit Assembly Post Installation - Big Kahuna

How to Build a Pergola Step by Step

If you've been searching through pages of DIY sites on how to build a pergola, you already know that there many ways to achieve a beautiful backyard dream pergola! Sometimes it's difficult to choose from the countless options out there. As you're wading through detailed how-to plans and assembly instructions, we'd like to offer another option. Have you ever considered taking a hybrid approach to create the ultimate wooden structure for your backyard? Let me introduce you to the game-changer: pre-cut pergola kits. With our pine and cedar pergola kits, you get the best of both worlds, no guesswork involved. We take care of all the time-consuming cutting and drilling, ensuring you have the right materials. Your job will be to measure your space, unload the kit when it...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living SpaceRead more...
woodpergolakits

DIY Spruce-ups for Wood Pergola Kits and Patio Pieces

Getting your outdoor furniture and structures ready for the season? Grab a paintbrush and do a quick spruce up of your front door, patio furniture, and other structures. The summer heat that will be here soon can crack and warp a wooden front door's surface over time. Repainting or staining doors, wooden benches, and furniture can help protect those wood surfaces from the elements. It also makes it look fresh and welcoming! Assess your larger outdoor wooden structures such as pergola, deck, trellis, or fence and decide if it's time to add another coat of sealant or stain to preserve the natural look of your wood. Spring is the time to clean, refresh, and get your patio furniture ready to use again, and it's also a good time to do...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living Space, , Read more...
sample outdoor patio drawings

How to Get Started with Your Outdoor Patio Design

If you're just getting started with a new outdoor patio design, try one of the many sample outdoor patio drawings out there. Or start from scratch by creating your own rough sketch of your yard and some of the basic features you'd like to add. Your local landscaper could help you out or do your own quick drawing with pencil and paper first. This can help you figure out your space, think about the elements you'd like to incorporate, and decide possible placement that'll create the landscape that best meets your needs. Maybe you're trying to create more shade, add more privacy, or make an entirely new outdoor room. Choosing plants, trees, outdoor structures, accessories, and patio or deck materials are some of the elements you'll be able to customize to really...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living Space, Patio AccessoriesRead more...
measuring standard pergola dimensions

How to Measure Pergola Dimensions

Ready to take the big leap and add a backyard pergola to complete your patio design? First step - you'll want to measure your space so you know the best size pergola for your outdoor living setup. Here are a few steps that'll walk you through how to measure and find the pergola dimensions and size to fit your space. We've outlined how to measure for a pergola attached to a wall or a freestanding pergola. For our pergola kits, standard pergola dimensions range from 8x8 to 20x20. Once you take your measurements, you'll know if a standard size will work, or if you'll need to request a custom pergola size.

Planning Your Pergola Space

One of the first considerations is how much useable...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living SpaceRead more...
Rough Sawn Cedar Pergola Wood

Best Wood for Pergolas

This easy to follow wood pergola guide offers a brief overview of two of the most popular wood types for pergolas. What are the most important factors when choosing pergola wood? We've found that durability, sustainability, and easy of installation are 3 of the top features that homeowners are looking for when shopping for a wood pergola. Two classic choices of wood for pergola kits that offer those features and more are #1 pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine and Western Red Rough Sawn Tight Knot Cedar. Both are excellent choices for a sturdy pergola that will last for many years. These wood types offer strength and durability that look good in many types of settings from rustic to traditional. Which type do you prefer? We’ll compare...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living SpaceRead more...

How to Enhance Outdoor Spaces

Looking for ways to enhance your outdoor spaces and not sure where to start? Landscaping and hardscaping can transform your backyard into a functional favorite room that can be used year-round. Define and enhance outdoor spaces with pavers for your patio and pathways, and soften the backdrop with evergreens or deciduous plants that will thrive in your climate zone. Pull it all together with an outdoor structure like a cedar pergola and you're well on your way to defining your outdoor space! Even if you have a shady spot for relaxing and entertaining, some planter boxes brimming with shade loving flowers under a pergola could enhance the look and make it even more inviting. If you're just getting started and need some ideas, many landscape contractors can help you decide...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living Space, Outdoor Living Space IdeasRead more...

7 DIY Outdoor Patio Cover Ideas For Various Space & Shade Needs

Transform your patio into a protected area where you can unwind and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. With our all-season DIY patio covers, you can easily add shade to your deck or backyard. Our pergolas come in various sizes and can even be equipped with a retractable canopy for ultimate flexibility. We even have a roofed pergola that is offered with optional metal roofing for maximum shade and beauty in your backyard! Whether freestanding or attached, our quality-built structures will enhance your outdoor space and provide year-round enjoyment!

Achieve Maximum Shade with our DIY Patio Cover Kits

Say goodbye to sweltering summer days and hello to cool comfort with our Big Kahuna pergola kit. Designed to provide ample shade, this is the perfect solution for protecting yourself and your loved...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living Space, Outdoor Living Space Ideas, , , , , , , , Read more...

Top Trending Colors for Spring Outdoor Design

Spring is a time for all things new, and outdoor design is no exception. Color is an easy way to update an outdoor living space and tracking some of the top color trends is a fun way to spruce up your outdoor space for spring and summer festivities! The colors for this spring are trending in the neutral zone and offer many opportunities for subtle classic outdoor decorations. Top colors? This year the warm, taupe-y shades, such as taupe tone, warm white, greige, and dusty pink are all fan faves. If you're more a bold and bright decorator, go ahead and blend in those snazzy colors with the neutral tones for a pretty backyard setting.

5 Best Colors for Outdoor Patio Decorations

Everything about the picks for this season invoke the feeling...

Ideas for Your Backyard Living SpaceRead more...