Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day will be here in just a few weeks.  In some parts of the country, that means the end of the season for patio chairs, picnic tables, and grills.  Of course, those who live in warmer climates, or have enclosed porches, patios, sunrooms, or gazebos, can use their outdoor furniture all year long.  However, millions of porch swings, chaise lounges, outdoor dining tables, and patio umbrellas will be cloaked with outdoor furniture covers, and/or headed for sheds and garages.

No matter where your porch furniture will be spending the cold months, now is the time to clean and, if necessary, repair it.  After all, at this point in the summer, it has probably seen a lot of action, and is likely to have been spilled upon, or somehow marred, along the way.

So, if you’re going to continue to use it, you’ll want to spiff it up for the fall; and if you’re not going to be seeing it until next spring, you’ll be glad you cleaned it before you put it into storage.  Furthermore, depending upon the material that it’s made from, and the type of injury that it has sustained, there’s a chance that the damage could worsen over the winter.

For example, certain kinds of metal, such as cast iron, or wrought iron, may develop rust patches.  Naturally, these will get larger anyway; but if left untreated for several months, they can really get out of hand.  Therefore, you should do regular inspections for rust, and get rid of it immediately.  Whenever you spot a spot, sand it down, cover it with primer, then apply a rust-resistant paint that is made for outdoor use.

Fortunately, today’s aluminum outdoor furniture is a lot more durable than some of the flimsy specimens of old.  In fact, many of the newer aluminum outdoor chairs and picnic tables can be exposed to the elements, year-round, without ever rusting, bending, chipping, or breaking.  You may be able to clean these with only a wet sponge.

However, for outdoor aluminum furniture in general, or other aluminum items, such as patio umbrella stands, or lounge chair legs, use dishwashing liquid and water.  Never use a product with an alkaline base, such as window cleaner, or anything else that contains ammonia.  Clean the piece with a cotton cloth, rinse thoroughly with a hose, and dry.  Then, with a soft cloth, rub on some non-abrasive car wax, and buff when dry.

To clean plastic outdoor furniture, apply the same dishwashing liquid solution with a sponge, and let it soak in for a few minutes.  Use a toothbrush to get dirt out of crevices.  You can also make a paste out of baking soda and water, spread a layer of it on with a sponge, scrub gently, and rinse thoroughly.  To keep spilled liquids from penetrating and setting in as stains in the future, follow up the cleaning with a coat of car wax.

Now, if you don’t have, or don’t want to use, dishwashing detergent or baking soda, there is another alternative.  Although it is not widely recognized as such, shaving cream is a gentle, non-toxic solvent and cleaner.  Just spray it on, let it soak in, rub with a soft cloth or toothbrush, and rinse it off completely.

Hmm.  Shaving cream, wash cloth, toothbrush; well, if nothing else, your patio furniture will certainly be well-groomed!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: aluminum outdoor furniture, chaise lounges, Gazebos, grills, outdoor aluminum furniture, outdoor chairs, outdoor dining tables, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture coveres, patio chairs, patio furniture, patio umbrella stands, patio umbrellas, picnic tables, porch furniture, porch swings, Sheds, Sunrooms

Now that you’ve cleaned and repaired all of the concrete and asphalt around your house, it’s time to relax for awhile.  So, invite a few friends over, throw some steaks on the grill, and get the picnic table ready.  After you eat, sit back on your porch furniture and socialize, or take a snooze in the hammock.

Once you’re well-rested, you can start surveying the landscape again, with fresh eyes, to see what other tasks there are to be done before summer fades away.  For one thing, you may want to get a heads-up on the tree situation, as low-swaying, dead, or diseased branches can be quite hazardous, especially in cold, stormy weather.

For example, they can rub against, and damage, your roof, siding, and gutters, while steadily dumping loads of leaves and sticks.  They can also hurt other outdoor structures, such as garages, gazebos, sheds, cabanas, and pool houses.  Furthermore, in high winds, or when laden with ice and snow, they are famous for dropping entire limbs, or dropping entirely.  On top of that, they act as natural bridges and ladders to your home, for rats, mice, and squirrels trying to find places to hole up; and you don’t want to have these worries hanging over your head all winter.

Therefore, in order to preclude the impending peril posed by these precarious perches, it’s imperative that you pinpoint and prune them, pronto.  Identify the ones that are the biggest threats, and, as long as you can get to and remove them safely, cut them back, or cut them off completely.  If you see any branches that are obviously dangerous, but out of reach, or any that you’re not sure about, you may have to call a certified arborist and/or tree removal service.

This is also a good time to take another look at your deck.  By this point in the summer, it has probably been continually supporting a lot of people, pets, patio furniture, and planters; and it’s been constantly exposed to the elements.  If it has been treated regularly with a sealer, that shouldn’t be a problem; otherwise, it may have taken on a great deal of moisture.

Moreover, if it’s left to endure a winter of ice, snow, and rain, the wood will repeatedly absorb water, as it expands and contracts, and will develop cracks.  As they deepen over time, the water will penetrate further, and the deck will get weaker.  If you can’t remember the last time you sealed and/or stained it (or if you’ve recently moved in, and haven’t done it yet), do a quick test.  Just pour some water over the boards, and if it beads up, you don’t have to worry; but if it sinks in, the deck needs another treatment.

Besides looking for cracks, and making certain that it’s water-repellent, examine your deck, top and bottom, for loose boards.  Shake the railings to ensure that they’re secure, and inspect the stairs, too, as the expanding and contracting of the wood can also dislodge hardware.  Any nails or screws that are sticking up should be refastened, or replaced with galvanized deck screws.

There’s no over-emphasizing the importance of keeping decks strong and healthy, considering how many of them collapse every year.  So, remember – a check of the deck prevents a heck of a wreck!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Cabanas, Gazebos, hammock, outdoor structures, patio furniture, picnic table, Planters, pool houses, porch furniture, Sheds

Nearly everything, including the way we dress and decorate, the tools and equipment we use, the food we eat, the places we go, and even the way we live, changes with the seasons.    Consequently, many of our possessions are stored in garages, sheds, attics, and cedar chests, for the better part of the year.

Right now, for example, patio furniture, grills, picnic tables and baskets, shorts, tank tops, lawn games, and mowers, are being used or worn every day.  Two months from now, however, we’ll be packing them up, and getting out our warm clothes, rakes, and fall decorations.

Even those who live in regions where the weather barely changes throughout the year, have to adjust to the seasons.  The only difference is that they don’t have quite as many things to put into storage; and that’s good.  After all, it’s sad when something that has been indispensable for months, suddenly becomes a worthless object that’s merely taking up space.

So, it’s always nice to find ways to be able to use things beyond their traditional seasons.  For instance, many people who live in cold climates enclose their porches, patios, and gazebos, so that they can enjoy their porch furniture year-round.  Millions of people have also decided that their Christmas lights, rather than being buried in boxes, should be strung around their arbors, trellises, and pergolas, to add permanent sparkle to their outdoor décor.

Picnic baskets, too, can be functional all year long; yet, people usually put them away at the end of summer.  That’s a shame, because they sometimes get dirty or damaged, or even gnawed by rodents, during the winter (the baskets, that is, not the people – or so one hopes).  Furthermore, like the other types, picnic baskets are attractive, and available in different designs and colors; and they can serve a number of purposes.

Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to keep them hidden away, especially if you have more than one picnic basket, as many people do.  Keep one on your porch or deck, near your favorite lounge chair, and use it to hold magazines, board games, knitting supplies, binoculars and bird books, or anything else that you want to have handy.

In your pool house, you can fill picnic baskets with towels, tanning lotion, bug spray, hairspray (just don’t get those two mixed up!), or other health and beauty products, for guests to use.  Larger baskets can hold extra blankets or outdoor throw pillows, for those chilly nights when you’re lying in your hammock or swingbed, gazing at the stars.  At backyard parties, put them on your outdoor buffet table, to hold napkins and utensils.

Of course, you can always use picnic baskets in your kitchen.  Fill them with snack foods, such as cookies, crackers, nuts, protein bars, and even cereal, rice, and beans (as long as they’re sealed in plastic bags).  You can also keep napkins and tablecloths in them.

In the summer, drape some cloth napkins in pretty patterns, such as gingham, around the edges of the picnic basket, and put a bouquet of dried flowers on top.  Use russet-colored napkins and, perhaps, dried leaves or Indian corn, in the fall.  At Christmastime, use red and green napkins, along with any of the multitude of seasonal decorations.  When spring comes around, try flowered or pastel napkins, and some colorful flowers.

Truly, if you let your creativity flow, you’ll think of a hundred uses for picnic baskets.  If you can save just one of them from the jaws of a rodent, it will be worth it.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, cedar chests, Gazebos, grills, hammock, outdoor buffet table, outdoor decor, patio furniture, Pergolas, picnic tables, Pool house, porch furniture, Sheds, swing bed, trellises

It’s no surprise that outdoor weddings are more popular than ever; in fact, it seems only logical.  After all, millions of backyards have been turned into luxurious exterior rooms, complete with outdoor sofas, loveseats, lounge chairs, outdoor dining tables, and other comforts.  Furthermore, many people also have gazebos and pavilions, which are perfect settings for weddings and receptions.  With all of these amenities, who wants to go anywhere else?

The trouble is that insects also enjoy hanging out in these backyard havens; and they wouldn’t think twice about crashing an outdoor wedding.  So, if you’re planning one, take all possible measures to prevent them from ruining the occasion.  You can begin by spraying the area the day before the ceremony.  Using citronella candles is also a must; and, fortunately, they’re much more attractive than they used to be.  No longer available only in big, silver buckets, they now come in all colors of votive candles, which can easily be worked into any centerpiece, or used separately, in decorative holders.

Of course, taking steps to reduce the insect population is a good move anyway, because, aside from being mere annoyances, they can sometimes even be deadly.  Such is the case with mosquitoes, which can carry the West Nile virus.  Luckily, you can control them by eliminating their favorite breeding grounds, which are pools of stagnant water.

Don’t leave anything lying around outside that will collect water, such as empty buckets, flowerpots, planters, wheelbarrows, sandboxes, sandbox covers, wading pools, waste receptacles and lids, or old tires.  If you’re not using these items for their intended purposes, bring them inside, put them in your garage or shed, or get rid of them.

If you have any low spots in your yard, where puddles remain for days after a heavy rain, build them up with topsoil.  If there are sunken areas on hard surfaces that cannot be raised, put a few drops of dish detergent into the puddles.  This will make them uninhabitable by mosquitoes, and kill their eggs as well.

Keep wasps away by destroying their nests, which are usually found under the eaves of houses, sheds, and garages.  Just wait until dusk, when all the wasps are tucked in for the night, and squirt them with wasp and hornet spray; it shoots a steady stream that travels 20 to 30 feet, and kills on contact.

To get rid of maverick wasps, fill some margarine containers halfway with sugar water, cut tiny holes in the lids, and set them around the outskirts of the yard.  The wasps will go into the holes, and get stuck inside the containers.  Yellow jackets often nest in the ground; so, wait until after dark, pour boiling water down the hole, and you’ll wipe out the entire colony.

As for flies, well, they’re really tough to control.  I mean, they can certainly be trapped on fly paper, but it’s never a pretty sight.  So, I guess you’ll just have to do something creative, like having fly swatters for favors.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Gazebos, lounge chairs, loveseats, outdoor dining tables, outdoor sofas, pavilions, Planters, shed, Sheds, waste receptacles

Now that you have the front of your house looking spiffy, and your porch chairs, patio furniture, planters, and picnic table in place, you can move on to other areas and items that need to be repaired, tidied up, cleaned, or replaced.

Exterior doors, for example, can be adversely affected by the months of excess moisture, heavy snows, and freezing temperatures.  The hinges can become squeaky, or they may even begin to stick, preventing the doors from opening and closing properly.  Usually, you will be able to fix these problems with just a can of lubricant and a rag; but first, you’ll have to pull out the hinge pin(s).

To quiet a squeaky door, you may need only to oil the pin (yes, you can do this without removing the pin, but the noise will eventually return).  However, a pin on a sticky door is likely to have some kind of build-up, such as rust, or old oil that has been thickened by accumulating dirt and dust.  Just sand and clean it, then lubricate and replace it; and if one pin is in this condition, the other ones probably will be, too, so it’s best to take care of them all at the same time.

If a hinge is in really bad shape, the pin can become stuck, and you’ll have to knock it loose with a screwdriver and a hammer.  At this point, the door may even be sagging, and you may be able to fix it by tightening up or replacing any corroded or missing screws; but if that doesn’t work, you may need a new door.

Of course, it’s time to take out your storm windows, and put in the screens again.  If you find any that are torn, don’t worry – fixing screens is a breeze.  Just measure the screen, then add at least an inch to each side, and get a new length of it at a hardware store.

The screen is held in place by a thin, rubbery cord that fits into a groove that goes all the way around the edges of the frame (if it’s brittle or inflexible, pick up a new one when you get your screen).  Just pull the cord out, place the new screen tautly over the frame, and, well, get the cord back into the groove.  The easiest way to do this is to push it in with a screwdriver, being careful not to rip the screen.  Once it’s snugly in place, use a box cutter, or a pair of scissors, to trim off the excess.

While you’re at it, check the screens of any outbuildings or garden structures that you may have, such as garages, sheds, gazebos, and pool houses.

Sure, your home will probably need some repairs this spring; but, fortunately, you will be able to make most of them without spending a lot of money, or calling in a professional.  So, there’s no reason to become unhinged, because you’ll have no trouble getting everything back into the groove.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: garden structures, Gazebos, patio furniture, picnic tables, Planters, pool houses, porch chairs, Sheds

March is finally here; and rarely has a month been so anticipated by so many people across the nation.  After the record-breaking, branch-breaking, and back-breaking amounts of snow that fell on much of the country in February, millions of people have been waiting for the weather to break, so that they can do some serious ground-breaking in their gardens.

Although there are lots of places where it will be safe to start planting this month, there are also many regions that can have frost, and even more snow, well into April.  So, if you live in one of the latter locations, even though spring is just a few weeks away, and even if the temperature is rising, and the forecast calls for it to continue in an upward trend, you’ll still have to resist the temptation to start putting things into the ground too early.

Of course, as I always say, if you can’t plant, plan.  Start by designing the structure of your garden, and don’t forget to include your garden structures.  Whether you already have arbors, trellises, or pergolas, or are going to install any, make sure that they’re properly placed before putting seed to soil.

This Planter Bench is all ready for spring!

This is even more crucial when it comes to gazebos, pool houses, cabanas, and sheds, as it’s common to give these backyard structures some special landscaping of their own.  Furthermore, if you don’t have one yet, but intend to get one, some of your newly-established plants and flowers may be wiped out during its construction.

You can also tend to your compost pile, which may very well have been neglected – and, indeed, even forgotten – if it has been buried deep beneath the snow.  Begin turning it regularly, to get it all heated up and ready for action.  If you don’t have a compost pile (or if you accidentally shoveled or plowed yours away with the snow), start one now.

Your tools will also have to be ready for peak performance, so have your lawnmower’s blades sharpened, oil changed, bolts tightened, and other parts inspected and/or cleaned.

Sharpen your garden tools, using a file on trowels, hoes, clippers, and shovels, and a whetstone on pruning shears.  Once they’re sharpened, coat the metal with some penetrating oil; and, if they are moving parts, a heavier oil as well.  Sand rough spots on wood handles, and then apply some linseed oil.

In my next entry, I’ll have some more suggestions for March gardening projects.  I’m anxious to get started on mine, too, but, at the moment, I’m sitting here looking at a patio that remains covered with at least a foot of snow.  So, I’m still waiting for that big break!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, backyard structures, Cabanas, garden structures, Gazebos, Pergolas, pool houses, Sheds, trellises

There are tons of projects for us to do, in and around our homes; but, at least, we get to work with houses that already exist.  Imagine the monumental challenges that our earliest ancestors faced, when, surrounded by wilderness, they had to construct various forms of shelter from whatever was at hand.

Many of those who weren’t lucky enough to find caves to live in (the “high society” crowd), made huts from wood and branches, while others draped animal skins over wooden frameworks, or used the bones of mammoths for the skeletal (literally!) structures, then covered them with the skins.  In any case, it took a lot of effort to build even the most makeshift abode.

Even so, it wasn’t long before people began adding on rooms to these modest dwellings, and furnishing them with chairs and tables that had been crudely fashioned from rocks, wood, and branches.  Outdoor furniture, I guess, was anything that was found lying around on the ground.  Perhaps a felled tree could have been used as a lounge chair, a smooth rock, as a garden bench (or, if it teetered on an uneven surface, a rocker), and an animal pelt tied between two trees, as a hammock, a hammock chair, or even a porch swing.

Naturally, people quickly began accumulating more possessions, in an attempt to keep up with the Joneses – or, the Oggs, as the case may have been.  Then, because of the apparently innate compulsion of the human race to hoard things, even when there’s no place to put them, the first storage sheds were created; and, like many homes, and some inhabitants thereof, they were nothing but skin and bones.

Throughout the ages, they have really fleshed out, appearing in many forms and materials, in virtually every culture, evolving into the good old backyard structures that we’ve all come to know.  In the 21^st century, however, apparently unsatisfied with being used only for storage, the shed has once again changed the way it is perceived in society.

Today, there are several styles of sheds, made from vinyl, cedar, and pine, available with features that include skylights, insulation, window boxes, and dozens of colors of siding and roofing.  Along with their impressive, new looks, garden sheds are taking on daring new roles, as home offices and gyms, studios, playhouses, guest rooms, and hobby rooms.  In fact, because they have proven that they can successfully serve all of these purposes, and many more, sheds have become almost as popular as gazebos.

It just goes to show that great things can happen when you’re courageous enough to shed your old image.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: backyard structures, cedar, chairs, garden bench, Gazebos, hammock, hammock chair, insulation, lounge chair, Outdoor Furniture, pine, porch swing, rocker, roofing, Sheds, siding, skylights, storage shed, storage sheds, tables, vinyl, window boxes

Well, another year has begun; and, while many people are complaining about winter’s icy grip, my gripe is with all of the articles and news stories summarizing the “first decade” of the millennium.  It’s incredible that so many supposedly knowledgeable news professionals are calling 2010 the beginning of a new decade, when it is, in fact, the last year of the first decade of the 21^st century, which began on January 1, 2001.  They seem unable to understand that, since a count of ten always begins with 1, the first year of any decade will always end with a 1.  Sheesh!

Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, another thing that everyone is unhappy about is all of the weight that they gained over the holidays, and the trouble that they’re having trying to lose it.  While this is one of the most common challenges (and one of the most frequently broken resolutions) of every new year, with the right mindset, it can be done.  The important part is just getting started; and you don’t have to join a gym or spend any money to do it.

If you want to begin slowly, your everyday housework and yard work can help you burn a lot of calories.  In fact, the after-Christmas cleanup can give you an exceptionally good workout, because it requires a lot of energy just to take down the decorations and the tree.  You’ll probably have to move some furniture around, too, if you rearranged it to make space for the tree.  This is also a good time to tidy up your closets, by adding, or re-organizing, modular shelf units, wood storage boxes, dressers, armoires, and storage chests.

Mopping, sweeping, polishing, vacuuming, and carrying boxes and loads of laundry are also great exercises, especially if you’re going up and down a lot of steps.  Outside, you’ll get a great workout taking down your lights and displays, hauling everything back to the shed, garage, or outdoor storage boxes, and putting up new outdoor décor.

These are just a few of the simple ways that you can get started on losing weight, before you move on to more strenuous activities.  Of course, I’m not a health care professional, and, since I don’t want anybody getting hurt, I guess I’ll add that you should always consult your doctor before doing any housework!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: armoires, furniture, house work, outdoor decor, Sheds, shelf units, storage boxes, storage chests, work out

Another year is ending, and millions of people are making their New Year’s resolutions; but I am not in that number.  It has never made sense to me.  For one thing, no one ever keeps them.  For another, if there’s something that you really want to – or have to – do, why in the world would you wait until the next year to do it?

Still, the tradition of making resolutions goes back, at least, to 153 B.C., and the Roman god, Janus, for whom the first month of the year was named.  With an extra face on the back of his head, he was the god of beginnings and endings, and the symbol for resolutions.  At midnight on December 31^st, Romans imagined that he was looking back at the old year, and ahead, to the new one.  Many began exchanging gifts with, and asking for forgiveness from, their enemies.  They often gave branches from sacred trees, for good fortune, or nuts or coins imprinted with the image of Janus.

Certainly, no one knows exactly when the first New Year’s resolution was made; but this is believed to be the oldest celebrated holiday, begun by the Babylonians, more than 4,000 years ago.  I’m sure that there were people back then who thought that they could magically quit their bad habits at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the year (which, at the time, was on what would be March 23^rd today).

Still, I say that the best strategy is to just try to improve yourself every day, regardless of the date; and that’s also the philosophy here at CedarStore.com.  We have always been dedicated to enhancing the outdoor living experiences of our customers, by offering the highest-quality wood, metal, and synthetic outdoor furniture, along with garden structures, such as gazebos, sheds, pool houses, cabanas, and sunrooms.

We speak with – and listen to – our customers every day, and work year-round to provide them with everything that they need for comfortable, stylish, and gracious outdoor living.  That’s our resolution, 365 days of the year; and we’ve kept it since our first day in business.

So, here’s listening to you in 2010, and hoping that it’s a great one for us all!

Happy New Year!

Kathy

Tags: Cabanas, garden structures, Gazebos, history, metal, new years resolutions, Outdoor Furniture, pool houses, Sheds, Sunrooms, synthetic wicker, wood

Every year, thousands of people are discovering that sheds are good for a lot more than just storage.  Furthermore, because we offer them in so many attractive designs, with tons of features, including various kinds of flooring, walls, and windows, steel doors, cupolas, lofts, vents, skylights, shutters, flower boxes, and several types and colors of shingles, trim, and siding, they can be just as beautiful as gazebos, cabanas, pool houses, and sunrooms. 

At GazeboCreations.com, you can get a pre-designed package, or customize your own gable, saltbox, hip roof, or barn-style shed in just a few steps.  While you’re waiting for your easy-to-assemble kit to arrive, you’ll want to make sure that your chosen building location is properly prepared.

As long as your site is fairly level, you shouldn’t have any problem getting it ready, because the shed will be sitting upon 4 x 4 runners.  If necessary, you can use bricks, concrete blocks, or pressure treated lumber (2 x 4, 2 x 6, or 4 x 4), cut to about 8”, as shims, to level it. Each runner should contact either the ground or the leveling materials at each end, and at least one point in the middle.     

It’s okay if it’s not perfectly level, because a slight grade will help with drainage; and using shims to level the shed will maintain a steady flow of air beneath it, which is important for keeping the inside dry.  For the same reason, if you want to put skirting around the bottom, it’s best to use lattice, or another ventilated material. 

Now, if the ground is too uneven, it can compromise the stability of the shed.  If it’s less than 24” out of level, you can still shim it, using concrete blocks, but make sure that the ground beneath the piers is level, and that each runner has at least four points of contact. 

If it’s more than 24” out of level, you’ll have to use 6 x 6 posts, cemented into the ground.  The rule of thumb is that for every foot the post is above ground, at least half of that length should be underground, which means that if it’s 5’ above ground, 2½’ should be in concrete.  Check your local codes, however, as they may require posts to be a minimum depth that is equal to the “frost line,” which varies among climates.      

If you want to dig out a level spot instead of using posts, make it 12” to 24” larger than the shed’s perimeter, to give yourself enough room to build.  If the area is more than a few inches deep, taper the slope of the ground, and plant grass, or put in a retaining wall, so that the ground won’t cave in against the shed. 

Once you’ve prepared your site, you’d also better prepare your sight, because our sheds are so eye-poppingly gorgeous, that you may have to hang onto those eyeballs!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: shed, Sheds