THE COMPLETE OUTDOOR BUILDER The Complete OUTDOOR BUILDER From Arbors to Walkways 150 DIY Projects Contents INTRODUCTION PLANNING Building Materials Lumber Metals & Plastics Cast Blocks Natural Stone Concrete Mortar Estimating & Ordering Materials Basic Tools Power & Rental Tools Masonry Tools Fasteners & Hardware Codes & Courtesies Measuring Challenges Drawing Plans WALKWAYS, PATIOS & STEPS Loose-fill Pathway Stepping Stone Path Flagstone Walkway Mortared Flagstone Concrete Walkway Simulating Flagstone in Concrete Simulating Brick & Stone in Concrete Acid Staining Concrete Coloring Concrete Garden Steps Brick Paver Landing Brick Paver Patio Exposed Aggregate Patio Tiled Patio Tiled Step Landing FENCES & WALLS Fence Lines Posts Poured Footings Board & Stringer Fence Panel Fence Picket Fence Post & Rail Fence Composite Fence Chain Link Fence Brick & Cedar Fence Brick Archway Stone & Rail Fence Framed Trellis Wall Mortared Block Wall Interlocking Block Retaining Wall Poured Concrete Wall Dry Stone Wall Mortared Stone Wall Stone Moon Window Brick Garden Wall Basic Gates Chain Link Gate Trellis Gate DECKS Basic Techniques Construction Codes Determining Lumber Size Understanding Loads Step-by-Step Overview Installing a Ledger Locating Post Footings Digging & Pouring Footings Installing Flashing Installing Posts Installing Beams Hanging Joists Laying Decking Building Stairs Installing Railings Compositie Railing Glass-panel Railing Steel Cable Railing Fasteners & Hardware Second-story Walkout Deck Ground-level Walkout Deck Casual Curve Deck Wraparound Deck Low-profile Deck Platform Deck Multi-level Deck PORCHES Planning & Designing Porches Anatomy of a Porch Step-by-Step Overview Basic Techniques Attaching Ledgers & Installing Posts Installing Joists Installing Porch Floors Installing Beams & Trusses Installing Sheathing & Fascia Installing Step Flashing Wrapping Posts & Beams Finishing the Cornic & Gable Installing the Soffits & Ceilings Building Railings Porch Screen Porch Screen Kit SHEDS & OUTBUILDINGS Basic Construction Techniques Anatomy of a Shed Building Foundations Wooden Skid Foundation Concrete Slab Foundation Concrete Block Foundation Concrete Pier Foundation Framing Floor Framing Wall Framing Roof Framing Roofing Fascia & Sheathing Asphalt Shingles Metal Roofing Cedar Shingles Siding & Trim Plywood Siding Trim Doors & Windows Prehung Doors & Windows Simple Storage Shed Lean-to Tool Bin Service Shed Kit Sheds Hard-sided Greenhouse A-Frame Greenhouse ACCESSORIES & RECREATION STRUCTURES Children’s Play Structure Tree House A-Frame Swing Set with Climbing Wall Raised Garden Bed Fire Pit Outdoor Kitchen Brick Barbecue Garden Pond & Fountain Free-form Mediation Pond Backyard Putting Green Arbor Classical Pergola Conversion Charts Resources Photography Credits Index Introduction Many homeowners and do-it-yourselfers narrow their focus to the interior of their homes as they dream and plan for upcoming projects. However, the area outside of your home is a perfect place to exercise your creativity and is overflowing with possibilities. Whether your front steps simply need a makeover or you think a new greenhouse or shed would give you the extra space you need to fully explore your hobbies, The Complete Outdoor Builder has the ideas and know-how to help you turn your plans into realities. Whether you’re new to outdoor home improvement or a seasoned veteran, start with the “Planning” section, which covers essential information about seeking permits, how to estimate and order materials for outdoor construction, and the tools, codes, and challenges of outdoor building. This section also includes insight on how to draw plans to help you ensure that your project ends up as exquisite in real life as it is when you imagine it. The next sections each cover a different area of outdoor construction, from “Pathways & Patios” to “Porches” and “Sheds & Outbuildings.” Projects as simple as building walkways, sidewalks, and patios or as complex as constructing a children’s play area from lumber and basic tools are all included in these sections. Pay careful attention to the first few pages of each, which will cover basic techniques to help you complete your project with ease. After that, be grand in your ambitions and tackle projects both familiar and challenging. If your needs are practical, perhaps you should review how to pour a concrete patio, install a panel fence, or build a children’s timberframe sandbox. If you’re ready for a larger project, why not build that deck you’ve been wanting to sit on, screen your porch, or build a service shed for firewood or yard implements. Perhaps, however, you feel like your yard needs dressing up—perfect! Use our plans to construct a garden pond and fountain, a backyard putting green, or a beautiful brick archway over your front drive. The projects in this book include lists of the tools and materials you’ll need, the lumber you’ll need to purchase, and in some cases, the entire plans for a large-scale projects. Whatever your ambitions, The Complete Outdoor Builder has the tools, expertise, ideas, and simple how-to instructions with large, easy-to-understand photographs to guide you from start to finish. Even if you’re a beginner, you’ll find many projects here that are well within your abilities. And remember, with each new project you tackle, you’ll acquire new skills and gain the confidence to take on larger ones. So what are you waiting for? Start making your backyard dreams a reality today.