Outdoor Environments Blog

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

Are you in need of some outdoor design inspiration? Here are some beautiful ideas that you can use for your current or future deck and patio projects! Just because the fall is near doesn’t mean it’s too early to think about spring. Early planning is key!

Contact Outdoor Environments for your patio and deck needs in Kansas City and Overland Park!

Images from BHG

Patio decorating can go a lot further than plush seating and a deluxe grilling station. It’s time to start thinking about your patio’s entry and exit point as a bonafide outdoor design element. No patio is complete without the right patio door to complement it. Patio doors, when chosen and constructed selectively, can serve as an amazing focal point that adds to the panache of your entire patio. Here are some trends and ideas to keep in mind when installing or updating your patio doors:

• Customized doors – Consumer want their choice when it comes to materials, grille patterns, colors, and hardware finishes.
• Green features – Just like windows, doors also have eco-friendly features. You can easily reduce heating and cooling costs by installing Energy Star doors on your patio.
• Style – From swinging to sliding doors, there are plenty of options that’ll allow your patio doors to operate in a way that is safe and convenient for your entire family.
• Privacy – Don’t forget that you can always dress glass patio doors with blinds, curtains, drapes and other decorative panels to keep the inside of your home private. There are also many ways to keep your patio private.

Patio doors can add a stylish and beautiful element to your outdoor space!

Visit the Outdoor Environments Facebook gallery to see examples of our patios and other outdoor spaces.

Image from Houzz

As the summer slowly winds down and the cool autumn season arrives, keep in mind that there are still plenty of ways to enjoy your outdoor space. Don’t let the cooler weather keep you inside! With an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, you can make the most of your backyard long after the summer is over.

Fire pits

• Usually serves as an accent piece
• Great for creating a natural and conversational gathering spot
• Small, but radiates plenty of heat
• Very cost-effective
• Can be portable or custom built
• Can often be converted into outdoor cocktail table
• No smoke control

Fireplace

• Usually serves as the main outdoor focal point
• Easy to install on a porch, patio or deck
• Lots of options when it comes to architectural details

Which option is best for your outdoor space? If you need an expert to custom build or install your fireplace or fire pit, contact Outdoor Environments today!

Images from Latte Lisa and Remodelista

One of the disadvantages to living in some of today’s modern subdivisions is the loss of privacy. Even if you have a beautiful and fully functional outdoor living space, you won’t enjoy its full potential if the space is open to wandering eyes and nosy neighbors. Backyard privacy is a must. A recent Philadelphia Times article explains it best by saying,

It’s a particular problem for homeowners in close-in suburbs, where backyards abut and you may as well invite the neighbors to everything you do outside since they’re pretty much right there with you anyway. But even spacious yards can feel exposed, with neighboring lots impinging on personal space.

In the article, a handful of landscape designers provided tips and tricks to creating more privacy in the backyard. Here’s what they had to say!

Privatizing your backyard is key to enjoying your outdoor living space.

Santa Barbara-based landscape designer Margie Grace:

“Think ‘screening’ before throwing up a barrier. One of my favorite choices is a screen made of steel-wire reinforcing mesh mounted on wood posts. Let the wire rust for a great look, and add lacy vines. You’ve got a show-stopping art piece, plus the privacy you need. Add architectural details such as screen panels or an iron grill; artistic details like tile mosaic, shutters, shadow box or a mural; or a beautiful gate even if it doesn’t go anywhere. These help make the wall welcoming.”

If a neighbor’s house looms over you, Grace suggests creating an outdoor “ceiling” with canopy trees and overhead structures such as pergolas, shade sails and arbors.

England-based landscape designer Julia Fogg says,

“I prefer the softer look that the Japanese do so well — interwoven bamboo and willow with tightly bound knotted twigs. You can solve concerns about fence-height restrictions or neighbor sightlines with double screens, ornamental grasses and slim, tall trees. Place the deck or patio so you have your back to the problem. Foliage also saps up and absorbs noise.”

Click here to learn more tips mentioned in the article. If you need privacy features in your Kansas backyard, contact Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706.

Image from Houzz

Adding a deck, patio or four-season room to a residential home are all very common projects. But did you know that you can also add a porch?

Detached porches are yet another solution when you’re thinking about adding both value and efficiency to your home. Think about it: how many of your neighbors have a detached porch? Why not start a trend in your neighborhood by letting Outdoor Environments build one for you?

With a detached porch, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds. Not only will you take pleasure in viewing your beautiful garden, but you can do so from the comfort and privacy of a completely enclosed structure. Detached porches are perfect for enjoying beauty of the outdoors without suffering from the unbearable and even dangerous heat. Best of all, you can decorate a porch just as beautifully as you would a room inside your home.

Here are some examples of detached porches we have constructed:

To discuss the possibility of adding a detached porch to the exterior of your home, contact Outdoor Environments today!

Grills are the perfect accessory for any outdoor living space. But when safety is a factor, you need to put in place every preventive measure you can think of. If your grill rolls around on wheels, it may be time to consider an outdoor grill enclosure. With a custom built enclosure, your grill remains safely in one place, minimizing the dangers that can arise when children, pets or large crowds are in the vicinity.

Grill enclosures are also a great investment because they’re built with all the storage you need to keep up with all your grilling utensils and ingredients. With a rolling grill, it can be difficult to keep up with all of your grilling tools and must-haves. Plus, there’s no need to worry about lugging everything back inside the house – your clean utensils can be stored right inside your new grill enclosure!

Here are some examples of grill enclosures built and installed by Outdoor Environments:

Call Outdoor Environments in Overland Park, KS at 913-897-2706 for more information about our custom grill enclosures.

So you want to spruce up your outdoor space, but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to do so. There are plenty of ways to add style, character and panache without breaking the bank. What do you think about these ideas?

• Instead of buying an outdoor rug that will rip and get dirty, opt for painting. With the right stencils and bright colored paint, you can fool guests into thinking it’s a real rug!
• Gather unused chairs and stools around the house and use them to position potted plants and flowers.
• For porches, seasonal rooms and gazebos, use sheet fabrics and curtains to create a bit more privacy. Plus, they look fabulous on breezy summer days.
• Are you bored with your potted plants and flowers? Buy a can or two of spray paint for less than $5 each and spray each pot a bright, happy shade.
• Speaking of spray painting, take a look at small chairs, tables and other décor you keep outside. If any of it needs a face lift, it surely can be spray painting for a brand new look.
• Don’t be afraid of thift shops and dollar stores. You can add color with fake fruits and silk flowers for just a few measly dollars!

What other cost-effective ways have you spruced up your outdoor space?

Image from Decor Pad