Category Archives: Tips

Enjoying your outdoor space during the cold winter months may seem like a crazy idea. But did you know that you can incorporate a hot tub onto your deck?

An example of a deck and hot tub combo from our portfolio.

One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is to have their hot tub sitting off to the side in the yard or on an elevated platform. This can hurt the overall appeal of an outdoor space. When it’s treated like an eye sore, that exactly what it’ll look like to others.

A better idea would be to incorporate this water feature with your existing deck for a purposeful and useful added value element. Here is an excerpt about hot tubs and decks from Service Magic:

When investing in a deck hot tub, there a few considerations to keep in mind. First, are you building decks around the spa, or are you installing a new unit into a preexisting structure? If adding new construction, the tub is probably sitting on a concrete slab and you won’t have to worry about special modifications. But most people already have a deck, and so accommodating a new hot tub addition will require additional support in the frame. They’re heavy when empty but filled with water and people they can weigh several thousand pounds. So to avoid sagging, cracking, or other mishaps, always fortify the center of your decking with extra braces. Also, you’ll need other forms of support in your plans, including electrical service and plumbing. So hire a professional who has experience with these remodels and can properly calculate the project’s requirements.

Would you like to discuss marrying your hot tub with your deck in Kansas City? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Many home improvement projects will earn you a pretty decent return on investment. Typically, kitchen and bath remodeling will result in very high returns. But what other projects will earn you most of your money back?

Room additions and extensions. And we can do both right here at Outdoor Environments! But what are the benefits to getting a room addition or extension?

• When you realize that your home has become too crowded or cluttered, your first instinct may be that it’s time to buy a new home. But it’s not! With the right addition, lots of square footage can be added to your current home for just a fraction of the cost of moving!
• No matter what your addition is used for, there will be an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and pleasure when it’s done. Whether it’s a home office, game room, play room or whatever, it’ll be custom made just for you and your family’s needs!
• Depending on the type of addition and where it’s located, you stand the chance of earning back a very high percentage of your investment.

Example of a room/home addition from Houzz.com

Would you like to discuss the possibility of an room addition or extension for your home? Contact Outdoor Environments today if you live in the Kansas City or Overland Park area.

Image from Houzz.com

We’ve written before about the advantages of using fireplaces and fire pits to heat your outdoor living areas as the weather gets colder. No matter which one you choose, they both offer a number of benefits. But let’s not forget that there are certain safety precautions that should be taken to keep your loved ones and your property safe. Here are some tips from the Journal Sentinel:

1. Follow all directions when setting up your fireplace or firepit.
2. Don’t place the firepit within 10 feet of a structure or under low-hanging tree limbs.
3. Don’t have a fire on a windy night.
4. Use a spark screen if possible.
5. Never leave a fire unattended. When calling it a night, make sure the fire is out.
6. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand and a garden hose nearby before you light the fire.
7. Don’t let children run or play near the fire or heat source.
8. Make sure you have a first aid kit on hand and read up ahead of time about how to treat burns.
9. Don’t place a firepit on a wooden deck without proper precautions.

Outdoor Environments can help you to figure out what outdoor heating features would be ideal for your deck or patio. Contact us today to learn more!

Image from Decor Pad

Fall is a season of preparation. There are many things that need to be done before the frosty cold winter sets in. If you’re a homeowner with a patio, now is the time to start getting things in order before it’s too late. Taking certain precautions now will help to make things easier when the warm spring rolls around again. Here are some tips from Houzz on fall chores that’ll help to winterize your patio.

1. Clean and store patio furniture.
2. Scrub patio cushions.
3. Clean off the grill.
4. Store garden tools and accessories.
5. Clean off hammocks.
6. Clean and store umbrellas.
7. Freshen up the base of your patio by power washing it.
8. Continue to enjoy your patio!

In what other ways do you prepare your patio for the winter season?

Image from BHG

To enjoy Mother Nature and all her beauty, a four-season room is a good home addition to make. While decks, patios and gazebos are great for spring and summer enjoyment, a four-season room doesn’t have any time restraints.

A four-season room is beneficial for a number of reasons:

• It can be enjoyed 365 days a year, regardless of the weather.
• Just like the rest of the home, it can be heated or cooled for your comfort.
• These rooms are perfect for storing outdoor furniture during the winter. You can also furnish a four-season room with high-quality furniture that isn’t fit for the outdoors.
• The room can serve as an extra living space if guests are plentiful during the holiday season.
• Many times, custom features like a fireplace or floor-to-ceiling windows can be incorporated.

If you’d like to learn more about the possibilities of a four-season room for your Kansas City home, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706.

Image from Houzz

Even though the weather is cooling down, that doesn’t mean the exterior home improvement season is over. Chances are the blazing summer sun did a number on your patio, deck, outdoor furniture and other backyard features. Now is the time to start preparing your outdoor living area for the brisk winter weather this is on the horizon.

Let’s start with the deck. Cleaning and protecting it are the best steps you can take to keep it sustained over the winter.

• Clean your deck by power washing it to remove all dirt, sand and dust particles.
• Be sure to check for any damage, splits, loose nails, rotting, etc.
• If you plan to stain your deck, be sure to wait at least 24 hours after it has been cleaned or power washed.
• Pay attention to weather reports. Cleaning and staining should not be done when rain is expected.
• Set aside enough time get your deck maintenance done. The larger the deck, the more time it will take. A weekend is usually enough time.

Do you need help preparing your deck for the winter season? Contact Outdoor Environments in Kansas City at 913-897-2706 for more information.

Image from PP

It’s official. Today is the last day of summer. Tomorrow we’ll enter a season full of falling leaves and cool breezes. But before we go, let’s take a look back at the blog posts that got the most attention this summer.

1. Make your deck or patio more private
2. Privacy please!
3. 6 Tips to cleaning your grill
4. Screened-in porches
5. The benefits of a four-season room by Outdoor Environments
6. Great outdoor rooms: Three-season vs. Four-season
7. Seasonal rooms 101
8. Deck makeover: Before and after
9. Great porches for entertaining
10. Gazebos, pergolas and shade arbors… Oh My!
11. Stylish outdoor furniture by Sutherland

We hope you enjoyed reading all of our ideas and trends for summer outdoor living. Get ready for even more great tips this fall!

Image from La Belle Mariee

The fall season is the perfect time to enjoy a hot tub out on your deck. It’s not too cold, but it also isn’t uncomfortably hot. Hot tubs, unlike swimming pools, can be used year-round. But how do you even go about shopping for a hot tub? What features and benefits should you be looking for? Our list should lead you in the right direction.

1. Always measure the space where you think the hot tub will be installed. Proper dimensions are the most important step in making sure you choose a hot tub that will actually fit.
2. Speak with your home insurance agent. There are rules and regulations regarding how close your hot tub should be to your house.
3. Research jets and pumps. The more jets you have, the more powerful your pumps will need to be.
4. The cover you choose for your hot tub should be very thick and sturdy. Many come with locks.
5. Not only should you closely monitor your hot tub’s filtration system, but you should also consider buying two. This way you can easily rotate when one needs to be cleaned.

Outdoor Environments has plenty of experience installing hot tubs in Kansas City and Overland Park. Call us at 913-897-2706 to speak with us about your outdoor hot tub needs.

Image from Houzz

Of all the outdoor furniture materials out there, teak is one of the most popular. In fact, it’s used more often than any other wood for outdoor furniture. Teak will last a lifetime, but you’ve got to maintain it properly. But how? Here are a few tips to get your teak cleaned and stored for the end of the season.

1. Clean – Scrub with warm water, a light detergent and a soft bristle brush.
2. Sand – Using a medium grit sanding block, sand the teak to even out the top layer of wood. Make sure that the color is even throughout.
3. Dry – Allow teak to completely dry for a few days.
4. Oil – In a well-ventilated area and using rubber gloves, lightly brush teak oil all over furniture. About three or four layers should do. Keep applying oil until you achieve the darkness and color you are going for.
5. Seal – Apply a few coats of polyurethane to seal the oil. Let it dry for a few days.
6. Store – Cover furniture and place it in an unheated garage or shed for the winter.

Image and information from Apartment Therapy

Now that Labor Day weekend is over and the summer is finally coming to a close, it’s time to clean up your grill and store it until next spring. Proper cleaning will help to keep your grill in tip top shape for many seasons to come.

1. Clean grill racks with solid wire brush, preferably while the grill is still warm. The temperature will help to remove hardened food residue.
2. Dump all ashes from your charcoal grill. Be sure to clean all of the debris that’s left over.
3. For gas grill cleaning, be sure to disconnect the gas. Clean all hidden nooks and crannies. And don’t forget to check all the burners to make sure the gas is distributed properly and evenly.

We hope you’ve enjoyed your summer grilling!

Image from Tip Junkie