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Patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, special features—these can transform your outdoor area into a year-round, multifunctional living space that’s perfect for dining and entertaining. Even a small space can transform into an appealing outdoor retreat. Why stay cooped up inside? Extend the livable portion of your home by creating an outdoor living space.

Add a Deck – The most common way to enhance your outdoor space is to add a deck. A deck increases the usability of your space, particularly if you have a sloped yard, bare patches, or uneven areas to hide. Decks provide a flat, finished entertainment space. Screened porches, gazebos, grill stations, planter boxes, built-in benches, and dining nooks can take your deck to the next level. Depending on the building material you use, you can achieve almost any look.

Wood is still a viable decking material. Pressure-treated lumber is easy to work with and can be refinished for years. Exotic hardwoods like redwood or cedar are beautiful and naturally resistant to insects and decay. Quality composite materials are a low-maintenance alternative to wood; these generally resist fading, cracking, and rotting. A newer alternative is aluminum. Aluminum systems create a gapless deck surface that is completely waterproof. Aluminum decking is powder-coated with a nonslip surface that eliminates the need for painting and staining. Aluminum stays cooler to the touch than some other deck surfaces.

Custom Patios – Patios are another outdoor favorite. This is a great solution when a house is constructed on a concrete slab and is too close to the ground for a deck. Constructed of concrete or brick pavers, a patio functions much the same as a deck. But gone are the days of the dull gray concrete slab. Stencils, stamping tools, custom designs and textures, stains, and colorants can give a concrete slab the look of flagstone or tile. If you prefer brick pavers, these can be mixed and matched by color or style to create beautiful patterns or a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Build an Outdoor Kitchen – Outdoor kitchens have become surprisingly popular. An outdoor kitchen can be as simple as a patio with a gas grill station or as elaborate as a full meal-preparation center complete with built-in gas-burner stoves, ovens, refrigerators, and sinks. Covered dining areas provide all-weather enjoyment for your guests and family.

Add a special feature – Other features make your space uniquely suited to your taste and lifestyle. A fire pit or built-in outdoor fireplace extends the use of your outdoor living area well into winter, providing warmth and a focus for cold-weather gatherings. Architectural features such as pergolas or trellises and carefully selected plantings create secluded areas for meditation. A water feature, such as a pond or fountain, can provide a beautiful focal point. Outdoor lighting can accent special features and provide security.

Whether you have acres or just a few square feet of space, consult an exterior designer for great ideas on making the most of your outdoor space.

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The use of lead-based paint in home application was banned in the U.S. in 1978. Prior to this, lead was commonly added to paint as it increased the durability of the paint, shortened drying time, and helped the paint resist moisture and corrosion. As of April 2010, all contractors that work in a potential lead-contaminated environment must be certified by the EPA to do so.

If you’re considering remodeling an older home, you should be aware of the dangers of possible lead poisoning due to exposure to lead-based paint. Remodeling activities, such as sanding or removal of lead-based paints, can create dangerous dust and paint chips. Ingestion and inhalation are the most common ways for lead to enter the body.

Lead poisoning can lead to permanent developmental and behavioral problems in children who are exposed at ages younger than six, but it affects the health of adults as well. Even a small amount of lead in your system can lead to a wide variety of health issues, such as reproductive problems, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and convulsions. Pregnant women can transfer lead to their unborn child. Even pets are susceptible to lead poisoning.

If you aren’t sure about the lead content of the paint in your home, there are several steps you can take to find out. If your home is old enough, you may just want to assume that the paint is lead-based. If your home was built before 1940, there’s an 87% chance that it contains lead. A building constructed between 1940 and 1960 has a 69% chance of containing lead, and a building built between 1960 and 1978 has only a 24% chance. Lead test kits, which are are available at your local hardware store, can be used to determine the lead content of existing paint. Make sure the test you purchase has been approved by the EPA. Another option is to hire a certified inspector to determine which areas of your home contain lead-based paint.

While work is being done, be mindful of your family’s exposure to lead. Consider the area where work is being done off limits or stay somewhere else temporarily.

• Do not enter and exit your home through work areas.
• Ensure that work areas are entirely sealed off from the rest of the house, including ductwork.
• Turn off heating and air conditioning.
• Securely cover furniture that can’t be moved.
• Ensure a thorough cleanup.

If you have lead paint in your home, be sure to work with a certified contractor to ensure proper removal. Ask to see their certification. Before work begins, review plans with your contractor on how they plan to confine dust to the work areas and ensure proper cleanup after the work is completed.

Know the facts before you start. Get more information by calling
1-800-424-LEAD, or visit www.epa.gov/lead.