According to the North American Deck & Railing Association, there has been an increase in the number of decks that have collapsed, fallen apart or just failed in some form or fashion over the last few years.  It’s the rain and snow combined with the freezing and unfreezing that can exacerbate damage to your deck though you may not be able to see it until the spring thaw.

It is highly advised that you do an annual deck check up to make sure you don’t have an unfortunate accident with a group of parting friends this summer.  In most cases, in regard to deck accidents, they could have been prevented by doing some simple upkeep.  By the way, most of the accidents occurred when the decks were packed with people.  You can find out a ton of information about deck safety and what and how to inspect your deck from the North American Deck & Railing Association.

I know it’s not what you want to think about in December, but it might save you some good money in the long term if you buy one of the larger items you will need this spring.  If you don’t think you need a storage shed, garage, greenhouse or other large outdoor item, then don’t bother shopping for one.  However, if you know you are going to have to bite the bullet anyway, why not get the deals now.

You can landscape on the cheap as well with this same principle.  Many outdoor product and structure stores have some great bargains going on during the holiday months.  There are items that need moved off their shelves before the next year’s batch can be brought in and many are pricing them to sell.  Online stores are also giving a lot of free shipping and free accessory deals right now that are attractive.  Just FYI.

If you find yourself a little short on funds these days, it might be wise to look at ways to save money when you want to tackle any project either by yourself or one you would like to hire out to a contractor.  The one place you don’t want to skimp on is the materials as you need to have good solid materials to build anything you do so it will stand up over the test of time.

Another option is to purchase either a kit of some kind that has different sizes to choose from where you can simple put it together or install it to get what you are looking for.  There are some very good kits for garages, sheds, greenhouses, pergolas, closest and garage storage, arbors, fences and many others that can come in handy if you cannot afford a custom made item.  If you want to get something done bad enough you will find a way.

I’ve been looking at a ton of different garden structures lately just to see what is out there in the universe in case I decide I need to add to my yard this next year.  You may think that looking this fall is crazy but I think it’s the perfect time.  Once late winter, early fall hits I am always so busy with those projects that come up that I seem to forget to go see what is available to me.  I end up doing the same ole thing every year.  This next year I want to try some different things.

I honestly have no idea what I am going to choose but I have found some interesting things to consider.  One is to add post caps to my deck posts.  For very little money I can make my deck pop and totally change the current look.  I like that.  Another thing I am considering is changing out my patio set to include some deep seating.  I want to utilize my deck more this next year and would like some comfortable furniture if I plan on being outside more.  I’m looking at some water features and structures and considering if I want to go that direction or not this next season.  The main thing is I am thinking about what I want to do now so it doesn’t sneak up on me like it has in the past.

You see them everywhere; carports.  However, you may not even recognize some of the carports out there because they have been expanded to be oh, so much more.

Let’s start with the obvious.  Carports were developed to be a simple covering that was both inexpensive and strong to provide adequate coverage for your one or two car families that don’t have access to a garage.  The older models looked like silver metal building tops on skinny poles.  Newer models come in an array of different colors and are lighter and stronger than the older models.

Becoming lighter and stronger has expanded the use of carports into several additional areas.  The first is farming where you now can purchase a large version of the carport to house tractors and combines and any other large or small piece of equipment that needs protected from the elements.  This protection is exactly what is needed for some of the pumping stations that are located in excessively hot areas.  Carports are now being used to cover sensitive equipment in many different industries with a good deal of success.  It is both an effective and inexpensive solution.

For those of us who do not have a garage, we have to decide what is most important; the added storage a garage gives us; or protection for our vehicles, before we decide to either pay the expense of building a garage or settle on an alternative.  Another consideration is how much space we have on our lot to build from scratch, erect some kind of a kit or just do with what we have.

If protecting the car or truck is the ultimate goal, a simple carport is a great alternative way to accomplish that end result.  Carports are easy to install and can be purchased in many different sizes and colors so you can cover more than one vehicle or a boat, camper or RV.

If storage is what is most important to you, obtaining an outdoor storage unit would be a good alternative.  They come in various sizes and most have foundation kits that are very helpful.  You will need to check with your codes department in your county or town to make sure what you want to do is within their guidelines.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…

I own a convertible, and I honestly don’t drive it much, except for those beautiful days in the late spring and early fall, when the temperature is just right, and the weather is cooperating fully.  The rest of the time, my convertible has been sitting in my driveway, and the weather has been wreaking havoc with my vinyl top.  The last one literally just fell apart, and it cost me over $800 for a new one to be installed.  I could have taken that same cash and invested in a steel metal carport, which would have provided MUCH more protection when storing my car for months on end.

Cars, boats and motorcycles kept underneath a carport have fewer incidents of damage overall.  THe paint laswts longer, they need to be cleaned less frequently, and parts that are subject to weathering can be spared the brunt of the harshest elements.  You might not have considered a carport as an investment in storage, but trust me, you owe it to yourself to think again.

Most people never think to move their greenhouse.  However, there are times it really does make since to pull up the tie-down kits and move that home greenhouse.  Since you always want your greenhouse to face either east or west, you will need to at least turn it if it is facing north or south.  The east/west position simply gets more sunlight.

Another factor to look at is the types of plants you are growing. If you are into foliage and greenery you don’t want to be sitting out in the open taking on full sun during the day.  You will need to be under some protection of shade for at least a portion of the day.  On the flipside, if you are growing fruits and vegetables, you will want to be out in full sun all day.  Either way, having a greenhouse that is movable can be a great bonus to gardening year-round.

If you like the charm and natural look of cedar, you’re sure to love it as a part of your outdoor landscape. Adding cedar planters, window boxes, Adirondack chairs and even bridges, can really spice up your environment. Look for these at your home improvement store or online and you’re sure to find a variation of each one along with other enjoyable designs.

Cedar doesn’t require a lot of upkeep or maintenance and will stay beautiful for years of pleasure on your deck, porch or patio. Decorate around your pool using planters. Hanging cedar pots are usually available, some already filled with luscious and fragrant blooming plants. If you have a large yard, an ornamental well made of cedar can make a lovely focal point for your flowering garden area.

Wood and vinyl fencing are both desirable, but for different reasons. Wood fencing is attractive, blends well with landscaping, weathers beautifully, can be customized in infinite ways or built to match a historic or distinctive structure, and can be painted or stained to change its look during its useful life. Its downside is that it has a limited lifetime and requires regular cleaning and maintenance, and it is subject to pests. Also, some people dislike the look of weathered wood.

Vinyl fencing is attractive, comes in several styles and colors, is also easily customized using components, never needs painting, is resistant to pests, and better quality models can last for decades with little maintenance. Its downside is that it is not paintable if you want to change the color, and some people dislike the look of vinyl fences.