Raised beds are a great way to create a nearly instant garden in your landscape because they allow you to start with perfect, loamy soil instead of digging deep to turn and amend the dirt you already have. You won’t even have to dig up grass or weeds to get started — just build your bed, […]
Doing the dishes, pressure washer style. By Mark Clement Because deck cleaning—that I’m trying to re-brand as deck brightening because I can see all the dirt coming off in my mind’s eye and the ever-awesome wood grain being re-exposed as I write this; also, I am a dweeb—is a job with a number of moving […]
The race to build taller than the last guy seems to be in full swing in cities around the world. From iconic venues like the Empire State Building and One World Tower in New York City to Burj Khalifa in Dubai, immense structures of steel and glass reach to the heavens. But today, more and […]
It takes very strong leadership to keep a family business afloat, and to remain operational for ninety-plus years is a feat few businesses can accomplish. This achievement is especially challenging in an industry as tough as the lumber industry. That’s why it’s no small surprise the people who have been at the helm of Rex […]
Beautiful, versatile, and un-treated. Check out these Southern Pine projects. By Mark Clement Southern Yellow Pine is the mainstay for decking and outdoor projects. The wood’s abundance, transportability to major population centers, makes it valuable and convenient. More importantly, though, we love SYP for its ability to absorb the stuff that makes it the first […]
Working with wood is a practice of trial and error and, depending on your project and needs, the type of wood and the stability of the particular pieces you are using can impact the entire project. All lumber, even the same grade, is not exactly the same. “All lumber is not the same, even though […]
By Michael Connolly, WIR Contributor The AgCenter at Louisiana State University (LSU) has recently received a $250,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to research the potential of using wood residues to create a biomass insulation spray. Scientists will determine if wood can be used to create an effective foam insulation capable […]
If you love flowers and designing colorful gardens filled with texture and aroma, pressure treated wood should be high on your list of useful materials as you create your next outdoor masterpiece. Modern pressure treated lumber is perfectly safe for kids, pets, and even growing edible plants like aromatic herbs, so it’s a great choice […]
Giant Jenga®?! Woot! This is probably one of the easiest DIY holiday presents EVER. Build a Giant Toppling Tower – Free Project Plan: Giant Toppling Tower Source: www.yellawood.com Just in case a plan is needed to put this project together, the nice folks over at YellaWood put it down for us. Here’s the gist: 1. […]
Sometimes you get a DIY itch that only a big project will scratch, and there’s nothing like an outdoor project to get those handyman and handywoman juices flowing. Tackling a gazebo or deck project is one of the most satisfying things you can do with hammers and saws, but before you dive headfirst into a […]
Learn how to build this styling outdoor furniture, including a full sized outdoor sofa, and a bench/coffee table. It is an easy build with free plans! Source: www.homemadebycarmona.com Here’s what we like about these plans for an outdoor sofa and coffee table from HomemadeByCarmona.com. DIYer Ursula Carmona used pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine for the […]
Photo courtesy of Georgia Lumber & Supply. Greening your home? Good idea! In today’s real estate market, the home improvement trend is clear: ‘green’ is the new gold. Eco-friendly remodeling offers multiple benefits – improved living spaces, higher property values and a healthier planet. Amid all the green building options, Southern Yellow Pine (SYP), with […]
Wood. It’s Real. was delighted to help Brittany Bailey of Pretty Handy Girl with her big ol’ building project: Saving Etta. She purchased this charming home, in need of some major rehab, and brought her back to life. We followed her journey from start to finish, always impressed by her integration of Southern Yellow Pine […]
Set scene: Grilling out. Kicking back. Sipping on a cold one. You know a deck can be a great everyday getaway. A deck adds strong natural accents to your environment and lifestyle. But before you call a contractor to begin your project, there will be a few things you want to think about before you […]