Plan & Build
The same five decisions for every backyard project. Find the stage you are stuck on, then the project: every cell links to the guide that answers it.
Decide Ideas and head-to-head comparisons, so you choose a design that fits the yard and the budget.
Raised Garden Bed Guide: Size, Wood, Soil & Cost
Plan a raised garden bed without the guesswork: the right size and depth, safe wood, what to fill it with, honest costs, and the mistakes that waste a season.
Pergola vs Gazebo: Which Should You Build?
Pergola vs gazebo in plain terms: shade, rain protection, cost, permits and placement — plus a five-question framework that settles it for your backyard.
12 Pergola Lighting Ideas That Actually Work at Night
Pergola lighting ideas from string lights to integrated LEDs — how to layer them, mount them without damaging beams, and what to check before you buy.
22 Pergola Ideas for Every Backyard
Pergola ideas grouped by what you actually want: shade, privacy, dining, poolside or budget — plus styles, materials and the decisions to make before building.
Deck Skirting Ideas: 12 Ways to Close In a Deck
Deck skirting ideas from lattice to horizontal slats and stone — with the ventilation and access rules that decide whether skirting protects or rots your deck.
Deck Lighting Ideas: 14 Ways to Light a Deck Properly
Deck lighting ideas that work after dark: stair, rail, post and under-rail fixtures, a DIY low-voltage wiring plan, and the glare mistakes to avoid.
Patio Privacy Ideas: Block the View, Keep the Light
Privacy ideas for a patio, matched to the problem: upstairs windows, a close neighbor, or an open side — screens, planting, overhead cover and no-drill fixes.
Outdoor Kitchen With Pizza Oven: Types, Layout, Safety
Planning an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven — oven types compared, where it goes in the layout, structural and clearance requirements, and running costs.
Wood Privacy Fence: Styles, Lumber, Height and Lifespan
Compare wood privacy fence styles, cedar vs pressure-treated pine vs redwood, why 6 ft is the usual height, post spacing, and how long posts really last.
12 Cheap Privacy Fence Ideas With Cost per Foot
12 cheap privacy fence ideas with cost per linear foot, from $15 wood stockade to $1 mesh screens, how private each one is and which to pick for your yard.
10 Retaining Wall Ideas by Material, Height and Budget
10 retaining wall ideas, from segmental block and natural stone to boulders, timber, gabion and terraces, with the height each handles and relative cost.
Concrete vs Paver Patio: Cost, Cracks, Repairs, DIY
Concrete vs paver patio: plain concrete runs $4–$12 per sq ft installed, pavers $8–$24. Compare base, cracking vs settling, freeze-thaw, DIY and repairs.
Board on Board Privacy Fence vs Shadowbox: Coverage and Cost
A board on board privacy fence stays private as boards shrink. Overlap math, lumber vs stockade, cost per foot, wind notes, and when shadowbox wins.
Arbor vs Pergola vs Trellis: Size, Cost and Best Use
Arbor vs pergola vs trellis compared: walk-through vs sit-under size, posts and footings, permits, installed cost by size, and which vines each supports.
14 Deck Ideas Cheap to Build, With Cost per Sq Ft
14 deck ideas cheap to build, from $20 per sq ft floating decks to refinishing the deck you have, with sourced costs and which idea fits your yard.
18 Fence Line Landscaping Ideas With Plant Spacing
18 fence line landscaping ideas with mature widths, plant spacing and how far from the fence to plant, from arborvitae screens to low-care grasses and vines.
Sunroom vs Screened Porch: Cost, Permits and Year-Round Use
Sunroom vs screened porch: same-size costs, why heat makes a sunroom conditioned space under the energy code, permits, square footage and which to build.
Size it Footprints, depths, heights and clearances: the numbers to sketch before you shop.
How Deep Should a Raised Garden Bed Be?
How deep should a raised garden bed be? 10-12 inches on concrete, but only 6-8 inches on open soil. Depth by crop, by surface, and what each inch costs.
Small Deck Ideas: Layouts That Work on 100 Sq Ft or Less
Small deck ideas with real dimensions — furniture that fits, layouts for narrow and square decks, plus the visual tricks that make a small deck feel bigger.
Above Ground Pool Deck Ideas (Sizes, Heights, Safety)
Above ground pool deck ideas from a ladder landing to a full wraparound: deck height, free-standing framing, barrier and gate rules, and the right build order.
Small Patio Ideas: Layouts, Sizes and Space Tricks
Small patio ideas that fit real spaces — minimum sizes for dining and lounging, layouts for narrow and square patios, and the tricks that add visual space.
Covered Outdoor Kitchen Ideas: Layouts, Roofs, Ventilation
Covered outdoor kitchen ideas with the practical detail — roof options, grill ventilation and clearances, working layouts, materials and what to plan first.
Outdoor Kitchen Pergola: Sizing, Clearance and Roof Options
An outdoor kitchen pergola done right: how much cover you need, grill clearance and airflow, sizing the structure, and lighting that survives the smoke.
How Tall Is a Privacy Fence? 6 ft vs 8 ft and Height Limits
How tall a privacy fence can be by yard position, 6 ft vs 8 ft, lattice toppers, fences on slopes and how height is measured, from five real city codes.
Outdoor Kitchen Dimensions: Heights, Depths, Clearances
Outdoor kitchen dimensions: 36 in counters, 42 in bars, 32 in deep tops, 12-15 in landing space, and grill clearances from Weber, Blaze and Fire Magic manuals.
Price it Cost ranges by size and material, and where DIY actually saves money.
Pergola Cost: DIY vs Pro, by Size and Material
What a pergola costs by size, material and install route — plus the hidden line items (footings, permits, delivery) that decide the real number.
Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (Old Slab or New)
Budget concrete patio ideas for both cases — resurfacing a tired old slab with stain, paint or overlay, and pouring a new one for less without cutting corners.
Outdoor Kitchen Cost: What Drives the Price
What an outdoor kitchen cost depends on: four build tiers from grill station to full custom, the real cost drivers, and the hidden gas, water and roof lines.
Retaining Wall Cost per Sq Ft: Block, Stone, Wood, Concrete
Retaining wall cost runs $15–$65 per sq ft installed. See prices by material and height, plus drainage, geogrid, engineer, permit and removal costs.
Privacy Fence Cost per Foot by Material and Height
Privacy fence cost runs $17–$60 per linear foot for a 6 ft fence installed. See prices by material, 6 ft vs 8 ft, gates, removal, permits and DIY savings.
Paver Patio Cost Installed: Per Square Foot and by Size
Paver patio cost installed runs $8–$24 per sq ft: about $1,400–$2,500 for 12×12 and $3,200–$9,600 for 20×20. See prices by material, base, labor and DIY.
Deck Cost per Square Foot: Wood vs Composite, Labor Included
Deck cost per square foot runs $25–$50 installed for pressure-treated wood and $40–$80 for composite. See prices by size, type, railing, stairs and permits.
Screened In Porch Cost per Square Foot and by Size
Screened in porch cost: $5–$25 per sq ft to screen an existing porch, $30–$175 to build new. 12×16 totals, roof, foundation, permit and DIY numbers.
How Much Is a Storage Shed? Kit, Prefab or Custom Cost
How much is a storage shed? A 10×10 runs $1,000–$3,000 prefab installed or $2,500–$15,000 custom. Prices by size, material, pad, permit and DIY.
Make it hold Ledgers, footings, weight limits and the code basics inspectors check first.
Pergola on a Deck: Can Your Deck Take It?
Putting a pergola on a deck: how to tell if the frame can carry it, the four mounting methods, post placement, permits, and the mistakes that cost a rebuild.
How to Attach a Pergola to a House (Ledger, Flashing & Roof)
Attach a pergola to your house without inviting water in: where the ledger bolts, how flashing works, wall vs roof mounting, and when to stay freestanding.
Deck Railing Ideas: 14 Styles, Materials and Code Basics
Deck railing ideas by material and style — cable, glass, wood, composite and metal — plus the height and spacing rules every railing has to meet.
Hot Tub Deck Ideas: Design, Load and Placement
Hot tub deck ideas that hold up — the load math most galleries skip, plus flush-mount, sunken and platform designs, materials, privacy and access.
Retaining Wall Drainage: Gravel, Pipe and Weep Holes
Retaining wall drainage: 12 inches of clean stone behind the block, a 3-inch perforated pipe with outlets every 20–50 ft, fabric, weep holes and swales.
Pergola Permit: When You Need One and What Inspectors Check
When a pergola needs a permit: the IRC 200 sq ft exemption, attached vs freestanding rules, and real city handouts on post holes, inspections and fees.
Patio Paver Base: Gravel and Sand Depths That Stop Sinking
Patio paver base depths by soil: 4 to 12 inches of compacted gravel, 1 inch of concrete sand, 1-2% slope, plus fabric, frost and edge rules that stop sinking.
Outdoor Kitchen on a Deck: Weight, Framing, Fire Clearance
Outdoor kitchen on a deck: decks are built for 50 psf, a stone kitchen weighs 60-125 psf. Framing upgrades, grill clearances, heat shields and gas/GFCI rules.
Retaining Wall Footing: Leveling Pad, Depth and Frost
Retaining wall footing basics: a 6-inch gravel leveling pad 6 in front and 12 in behind the block, 6 in of buried block, frost rules and IRC footing minimums.
Raised Garden Bed on a Slope: Leveling, Anchoring, Drainage
Raised garden bed on a slope: measure the drop, dig in the uphill side, brace the low wall, control runoff, and know when it turns into a retaining wall.
Privacy Fence on a Slope: Stepped vs Racked, Posts and Gaps
Privacy fence on a slope: when to step or rack, rack limits per 8-ft section, how codes measure height on slopes, downhill post length, gaps and gate posts.
Shed Foundation: Gravel, Skids, Piers or Slab by Shed Size
Shed foundation by size: 3-4 in of gravel under skids or solid blocks, piers, or a 3 1/2 in slab, plus frost rules, UC4A lumber and anchoring requirements.
Retaining Wall Repair: Leaning, Bulging and Cracked Walls
Retaining wall repair by symptom: measure lean with a 4-ft level, when 1/2 inch means rebuild, crack size rules, drainage fixes, and permit and engineer limits.
Build it Which material, which base, which method, and the mistakes that cost a second weekend.
How to Fill a Raised Garden Bed (Spend Less on Soil)
How to fill a raised garden bed: the topsoil-compost mix that works, how much soil each bed size needs, and the layering trick that halves a tall bed's soil.
Is Treated Wood Safe for Raised Garden Beds?
Is treated wood for a raised bed garden safe? Modern pressure-treated lumber is — arsenic-era CCA is not. What changed in 2003, plus easy precautions.
How to Cover a Raised Garden Bed (Frost, Bugs, Sun & Winter)
Cover a raised garden bed the right way: frost cloth, insect netting, shade cloth or a tarp — matched to each threat, all on one cheap hoop frame.
Cardboard for Raised Garden Beds: Uses, Rules & Mistakes
Cardboard for raised garden beds works brilliantly — in the right layer. Where to use it, which boxes are safe, and the places it quietly backfires.
How to Irrigate Raised Garden Beds (5 Options Compared)
How to irrigate raised garden beds, from hose to automated drip: five options compared by cost and effort, plus a weekend drip install that ends the chore.
Pool Deck Ideas: Materials That Stay Cool and Safe
Pool deck ideas built around what matters barefoot: heat, grip and drainage away from the pool, plus layout zones, barrier rules and materials compared.
Flagstone Patio Ideas: Patterns, Joints and Real Costs
Flagstone patio ideas with the practical detail — dry-laid vs mortared, joint options, stone types by climate, and the layout patterns that look best.
Paver Patio Ideas: Patterns, Materials and Base Basics
Paver patio ideas that hold up — laying patterns and what each suits, paver types compared, plus the base and edging details that decide if it stays flat.
Cinder Block Outdoor Kitchen: Build It Step by Step
How to build a cinder block outdoor kitchen — base and layout, block courses, grill cutout, countertop options, cladding and the safety details that matter.
How to Build a Pergola: Footings, Posts, Beams and Rafters
How to build a pergola in 9 steps, with a size table for 10×10 to 16×20: post count, beam and rafter sizes, and footing sizes from a real city span table.
How to Stain a Deck: Prep, Weather, Coats and Dry Time
How to stain a deck in 7 steps: when new treated wood is ready, the 40-90°F weather window, one coat or two, and dry times from real stain data sheets.
How to Build a Retaining Wall on a Slope, Step by Step
How to build a retaining wall on a slope: step the base, bury a block at each step, space terraces by the 2x rule, add drainage, and know when geogrid is due.
How to Build a Fence: Wood Privacy Fence Step by Step
How to build a fence: a 6-ft wood privacy fence step by step, from 811 and string line to post depth, concrete, rails, pickets, gate clearance and finish.
How to Build Deck Stairs: Stringers, Rise, Run and Landing
How to build deck stairs: work out rise and run to the 7 3/4-in riser and 10-in tread limits, cut 2×12 stringers, set footings and a 36-in landing.
Paver Patio Installation Tools: What to Buy, Rent or Skip
Paver patio installation tools by phase: what to buy, which plate compactor force to rent, saw vs splitter, and OSHA silica rules for cutting pavers safely.
How to Build a Storage Shed: Floor, Walls, Roof and Door
How to build a storage shed step by step: permit rules, foundation options, joist and rafter sizes from IRC span tables, roofing, door and common mistakes.
Treated Lumber Retaining Wall: Grade, Deadmen and Steps
Build a treated lumber retaining wall: UC4A 6×6 timbers, 60d spikes, 6-ft deadmen every 8 feet, drainage, the 4-ft height rule and why to skip creosote ties.
Deck Maintenance: A Yearly Schedule for Wood and Composite
Deck maintenance schedule: inspect the ledger, flashing and fasteners yearly, clean in spring and fall, recoat wood every 1-3 years, and clear snow safely.
How to Build a Screened In Porch: Framing, Screens and Roof
How to build a screened in porch: frame 2×4 screen walls, pick spline or batten screens, bug-proof the deck floor, hang the door and plan the roof and permit.
DIY Gravel Patio: Base, Edging and Gravel Size, Step by Step
DIY gravel patio build: dig 4 to 5 inches, pick 1/4 to 3/8-inch pea gravel or 1/2-inch crushed stone, stake edging every 4 feet, and add a grid if needed.
How to Build a Gazebo: Footings, Frame and Roof
How to build a gazebo with an octagonal hip roof: rafter sizes from IRC span tables, hub and hip rafter math, footings by roof area, and permit limits.
Retaining Wall Stairs: Rise, Run and How to Build Them
Retaining wall stairs: block risers run about 8 in with 12-in treads. Compare IRC and outdoor step rules, count steps, and build each riser on 6 in of gravel.