DIY Projects For Your Outdoor Summer Patio

DIY PROJECTS FOR YOUR OUTDOOR SUMMER PATIO DIY RECYCLED PALLET PATIO FURNITURE 2 DIY TILED PATIO 3 SUMMER MENU MATERIALS YOU'LL NEED: DIY RECYCLED PALLET PATIO FURNITURE • Pallets Measuring Tape Handsaw or circularsaw • Hammer and Drill • Nails or Screws This is a brief explanation of how to reuse pallets into patio furniture. This method can also be used to make sofas, chairs, or tables! • Sandpaper • Safety Goggles • Paint (Optional) STEPS: 1) Get pallets! If you order tiles torenovate your patio, the pallets they come on are perfect. SAFETY When using a saw be sure to take safety measures by reviewing proper TIP: handling methods and techniques. 2) Measure for the seat and back before you begin and make sure they're the same length. 3) After measuring, carefully cut the pallets with a saw. 4) Lay down the structural pallet and stack the seat pallets to a height of your choosing. TIP: For aesthetic purposes you can add trim pieces to the front edges. 5) To conjoin the pallets together drill or nail the bottom slat of the top pallet into the thicker structural wood of the pallet (Pallet styles vary. Example: a 2x4 piece running along the bottom or a block of wood). 6) Attach the back piece to the rest of the structure by nailing through the thicker wood into the top panel of the seat. For extra strength use sarews instead of nails. Add cushions to reduce the amount of paint you'll need to cover your creation! 7) Sand out the splinters and rough edges for a smooth finish. 8) Paint (optional) 2 MATERIALS YOU'LL NEED: DIY TILED PATIO Frost-Proof Tiles • Tile Adhesive When choosing a floor for your patio, it's often difficult to decide between tiles or slabs. While their resistance to freezing is equal when laid properly, tiles have something that slabs don't-a broader sense of style. If you're looking for a wood effect, a modern look, or another design feature that will fit your personality, there's no better choice than tiles. Once you've found a style that you love that can be laid outdoors, it's time to get down to business. • Grout • Spacers • Bucket • Solid Bed Notched Trowel • Rubber Float or Squeegee We are going to assume that a suitable concrete base, which was given an adequate amount of time to dry, is in place. Slabs don't need this initial base. • Tile Cutter • Level • Tape Measure • Grout Sealant STEPS: 1) Sweep the surface and seal the concrete (if specified bythe adhesive manufacturer). Large areas or very new screeds may benefit from the use of an uncoupling membrane. 2) Dry lay the tiles to decide the best layout, aim for even cuts on either side. Adjust your layout to avoid thin, sliver-like cuts. TIP: Have all your supplies and extra tiles handy so you can work for longerstretches. 3) Lay the tiles using a solid bed notched trowel. Mix tile adhesive mortar and apply it to the concrete using the flat side of the trowel, then use the comb edge to make a groove in the tile adhesive. Slide the tiles into place and use spacers to keep the gaps consistent. SOLID Using a solid bed notched trowel will ensure that there are no gaps in the BED: adhesive that can fill with water, which will eliminate the presence of loose or cracked tiles from freezing. 4) Apply grout after letting the tile adhesive cure. Carefully scrape off excess mortar with a utility knife. Mix the grout. Pour about half ofthe mixture at a time onto the tile. Use a rubber float to pack the joints by pulling diagonally across the tiles. After grouting, use a large damp sponge to clean the tile in the same diagonal direction. Buff the chalky residue with a dry SPECIAL Tiles must be frost-proof, such as porcelain or slate. This means the tile won't absorb NOTE: water, which causes a cracked surface during freezing temperatures. Select a slip resistant tile to prevent risk of injury when walking on your patio. cotton cloth. 5) Sealing the grout is a good idea, but should not be done for about two weeks so that it can fully cure. Check out a tile example at: www.tradepricetiles.co.uk/arizona-porcelain-tile SUMMER MENU Mint Iced Tea Mango Wrapped Mozzarella INGREDIENTS: INGREDIENTS: • Water • Sugar • Orange Pekoe Tea (a genre of black tea) • Fresh Mint • Mango • Mozzarella Balls • Balsamic Vinegar • Lemon Juice • Ice FOR THE FULL RECIPE: FOR THE FULL RECIPE: bhg.com/recipe/drinks/minted-iced-tea/ food52.com/recipes/17448-mango-wrapped-mozzarella Watermelon Salad w/ Balsamic Mango Mojito INGREDIENTS: INGREDIENTS: • Balsamic Vinegar • Watemelon • Sugar • Lime • Fresh Mint • Light Rum • Two Ripe Mangoes •Black Peppercom Feta Cheese • Fresh Mint • Olive Oil FOR THE FULL RECIPE: FOR THE FULL RECIPE: passthesushi.com/watermelon-salad-with-a-balsamic-reduction nytimes.com/recipes/11711/mango-mojito.html GREEN TIPS Host a Party and Help the Environment! • Plan your party during the daytime to be energy efficient with lighting. • Grab decorations from your garden, such as rocks, flowers, decorative branches, leaves, etc. » For example, fill a vase with rocks and place a candle on top or place fresh cut flowers in small glass cups. • Ask your guests to bring their own plates or pick up recycled paper plates from your local store. • When cleaning up from your party, be sure to recycle! tradepricetiles.co.uk SOURCES: www.bhg.com | www.food52.com | www.passthesushi.com | www.nytimes.com | sassy-sparrow.blogspot.com/2012/04/dly-outdoor -patio-furniture-from.html | www.hgtv.com/decks-patios-porches-and-pools/how-to-make-stylish-outdoor-pallet-seating/index.html