Quick and Rewarding Summer Projects

Outdoor Lounging: Patios & Decks

Adding a new patio or deck is an excellent way to increase your outside time and decrease your energy consumption. You might design a special space for a hobby, like painting, or create a multifunctional patio that can be used for porch-sitting, exercise, and birthday parties. Spending more time outside this summer can do wonders for both your physical and mental health and will cut down on your indoor cooling and lighting costs.

Classic & Creative Concrete Patios

Concrete is inexpensive to install and can last up to 30 years. You might put down a simple slab and call it a day or add a concrete finish for a unique look. Concrete coatings can also be slip-resistant for patios near pools and ponds. You could add personal touches to your new concrete patio by incorporating colorful broken glass, seashells, marbles, or your family's handprints. 

If you live in a particularly wet area or stormwater runoff is a problem, consider a patio made of permeable pavers or pervious concrete that allows the water to drain through the surface. Other, more sustainable concrete options include Hempcrete and Dialysis Plastic Scrap Concrete.

Radiant & Rustic Decks

If you prefer the look of wood over concrete, you may be more interested in installing a deck. Hardwoods, including cedar, redwood, and bamboo are the most resistant to rot and warping and can often be found at construction reuse stores. Composite decking is a good alternative that looks just like wood but doesn't require the staining and maintenance that solid wood does. High-Density Polyethylene Resin (HDPE) is another environmentally friendly wood-look-alike.

Once you build your deck, you can add comfortable outdoor furniture, potted flowers, a pergola, screens, or even an outdoor heater.

Hot New Additions: Fire Pits & Outdoor Kitchens

Sunsets and summer evenings are simply too nice to cut short. So don't. Stay outside, grab another cool drink, and make your dinner alfresco. 

Built-in BBQs

Anyone can buy an inexpensive BBQ, but how many people do you know with a stylish, built-in grill? Building a permanent grilling space is much easier than you think. You might frame a space for your current grill to slide into and flank it with counters or upgrade to a professional BBQ specially made for built-in use.  If you plan to buy a new BBQ, pellet grills are the most environmentally friendly option. They cook extremely efficiently and are fueled by a renewable sawdust material. Solar grills are also great if you don't mind a longer cook time. 

Pizza Ovens

Who doesn't love pizza? Wood-fired pizza ovens are a super fun way to make a delicious meal. Impress your friends with a gourmet flatbread or set out the fixings for everyone to make their own. Pizza ovens are also great for cooking an ooey-gooey sandwich, a flakey filet of fish, or a tray of brownies. You'll save on indoor cooling costs by running the hot oven outdoors and will create a fun new family activity at the same time. If you have little ones, invite them to build their own meal and watch as the crust rises, and the cheese bubbles up.