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If you're thinking about giving your yard a makeover, you're in the right place. This article is all about helping you find the perfect deck design to complement your outdoor space. We've broken down the patio decks by style: Modern: Characterized by clean lines, minimalist decor, and the use of materials like glass, steel, and concrete. Modern design focuses on simplicity and function. Traditional: Features classic details, sumptuous furnishings, and an abundance of accessories. Traditional homes often reflect historical design elements and symmetry. Rustic: Emphasizes natural beauty, with extensive use of wood, stone, and other natural materials. Rustic homes often have a cozy, earthy feel. Minimalist: Takes cues from modern design but further simplifies it to achieve a sense of tranquility and uncluttered space. It uses a minimal color palette, functional furniture, and strives to maintain a clean, distraction-free environment. At the heart of many of these designs is a nifty little invention called TuffBlock deck blocks. These blocks are a game-changer for anyone looking to build a deck, offering a simpler, no-fuss alternative to traditional concrete foundations. They're lightweight, super strong, and kind to the environment, making your deck project easier to manage and kinder on your back. Brent from 'BYOT' created an awesome video teaching you how to build your very own patio deck using deck blocks! So if you feel inspired, consider giving it a go yourself. It's easier to build than you might think: This guide is packed with a range of ideas, from cozy corners to expansive entertaining areas, showing you the versatility and benefits of using TuffBlock deck blocks. Whether you're planning to DIY your new deck over a weekend or discussing options with a builder, you'll find plenty of inspiration here. We'll cover everything from the basics of using TuffBlock in your deck construction to how these blocks can support a variety of designs and styles. By flipping through our suggestions, you'll see the latest in deck design and learn how to make the most of your outdoor area, no matter its size. Each idea is laid out with clarity, aiming to inspire you and make the planning of your deck project straightforward. So, grab a cup of coffee and start imagining the possibilities for your yard. By the end of this read, you'll be buzzing with ideas and ready to take the next step toward creating your dream outdoor space. Let's dive in! Modern 1. This sleek and modern deck allows you to walk straight out of your patio doors and enjoy your yard all year round. Featuring 2 levels with plenty of space for an outdoor dining area, it incorporates the indoor space along with the outdoors to seamlessly blend the two together in stunning fashion. 2. This deck extends the patio for increased living space, and incorporates a feature wall in the same style of wood used for the decking boards. Stones, pavers and fairy lights are all great ways to enhance your space, and allow you to segment the yard with simple retaining walls. 3. This deck is something that any DIYer could build. It's a simple rectangular patio deck that greatly increases the living space of this house with the addition of a sofa and coffee table for enjoying a book, having a drink or entertaining with friends. 4. We love the 2 toned fascia board on this one that wraps around the deck. It provides contrast and adds a bit of dynamism. A deck like this can easily be built with a row of beams below joists. Or use 4x4 posts to build up to the height of the door jam. Either way, with TuffBlock it's easy! 5. This beautiful mutli-level patio deck is not only practical but visually stunning. Think about how you can incorporate a patio deck that also features as a walkway into your yard. 6. Patio decks are all about connecting the indoors with the outdoors. It's not just for summer either! In winter, adding a deck means you can walk outdoors without stepping into a muddy lawn. But let's face it...decks like these are best enjoyed on warm summer nights when you can eat outdoors with the bbq on. If you're entertaining, it allows more room for people to mingle too! 7. Having a gazebo, pergola or overhanging roof is a great way to stay sheltered whilst enjoying the outdoors. This simple patio deck is a great example of that! Enjoy outdoor dining and stay sheltered against the rain. 8. Incorporating a deck alongside your sliding glass doors can dramatically enhance the sense of space in your home, effectively creating a seamless extension that bridges your indoor and outdoor living areas. 9. This deck combines a both modern and rustic features. Stone pavers combined with a modern house creates a great juxtaposition! Traditional 1. A patio deck can be a very warm and inviting feature of a home. We love the muted and mature colours of this patio against the brick house. 2. If you're looking to build steps into your patio deck, then consider checking out a video tutorial by Brent from 'BYOT' on YouTube, who shows you how to build something like this yourself: 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Rustic 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Minimalist 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Thanks for joining us on this visual journey through 33 exquisite patio deck ideas. It's our hope that you've found inspiration and maybe even the perfect design for your outdoor retreat. Feeling motivated to embark on a DIY decking project? Look no further! On our BuildTuff YouTube channel, we've put together a comprehensive video tutorial to assist you in creating a stunning floating deck by yourself. This could be the resource you've been searching for to transform your outdoor area into a personal oasis. If this is your first time building a deck, then check out this video showing a first DIY builder who took on this patio deck to extend the living space of his home: Hopefully this gives you the confidence and inspiration to take on a project yourself! Building a deck can be as simple as building lego when using TuffBlock, and with a few basic tools can be done by anyone who's willing to roll up their sleeves and take it on.Build On.

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There is nothing better than bromeliads to give a garden that tropical look. By the time we are done with this blog you will feel transported to the Caribbean Islands or the tropical rain forest for a short virtual visit, lol. Bromeliads are a very unique plant with a look no other plant can match. There are over three thousand species in about 56 genera, wow think about all the limitless variety of colors & shapes! Growing mainly in the New World tropics and subtropics, bromeliads have a history that date back about 500 years ago! Most everyone knows at least one bromeliad...the pineapple, yup the delicious yummy tropical fruit. If you cut the top off a pineapple & put it in the ground, you will have a bromeliad growing in no time. Once established the pineapple bromeliad usually takes about 15-24 months for it to bear a pineapple fruit, though it will be worth the wait! Believe it or not the Spanish Moss you see hanging in the oak trees is a bromeliad too. In their native habitat many bromeliad's grow on rocks and/or trees as epiphytes (meaning the plant takes in water & nutrients through the atmosphere as well as the debris that decays in their center cup section). The ones that grow on the forest floor get their nutrients through their roots. Here are bromeliads in their native environment high up in the trees. Even in this environment they add beauty & color. For the most part, bromeliads are pretty easy to grow with relatively no special care. As long as they have the right conditions to grow, bromeliads can be planted in landscapes, used as container plants, floral arrangements, in terrariums and some species can even be used as indoor plants. Though where they really do their best is in tropical & subtropical environments with warmth, water and humidity to keep them healthy & happy. When I first renovated my yard I included bromeliads all throughout the landscape. There is an unusual area between the driveway and front porch that is small and convoluted so larger plants wouldn't work. My best friend suggested bromeliads, hence my first bromeliad garden. She & I drove to Tropiflora in Sarasota for their annual Spring Festival. Thank goodness I brought our company van because I got a little carried away in my purchasing, lol. The bromeliads I bought this trip were: Billbergia 'hallelujah', Aechmea 'maginali', a no name one they sold me, Quesnelia marmorata, Vriesea delicatula, Vriesea racienae brazil, Aechmea carvalho brazil, Neoregelia wilsoniana x (marmorata x fireball), Vnesea 'odenrode', blanchetiana, Neoregelia concentrica x hyb Bl 'lavender pink' and Voesea erythrodactylcn. We also went to quite a few nurseries in Homestead as well but apparently didn't document what I bought as this was about six years ago. With my bromeliads in hand we set forth on creating a bromeliad garden. Here are some pictures of how it turned out. This is how it looked when we first finished it in 2005 This is how it looked in 2009, wow it really filled out nicely! Another view of a the front yard bromeliad garden in 2009 Here is the front entry with the blanchetiana's in 2009 Billbergia 'hallelujah' & a neoregelia Two stunning bromeliads which lost their tags A handful of different bromeliads in the garden A few in the backyard garden Yes this is really blue, pink & purple! In a Coconut Grove backyard oasis Absolutely gorgeous backyard in Coconut Grove which my best friend designed & installed. Totara Waters subtropical gardens located in New Zealand, amazing! Totara Waters subtropical gardens in New Zealand...so many bromeliads! What a cool idea to have the bromeliads mounted on the wall under the waterfall. Would love to have one in our backyard! Nice contrast of texture & colors. Really beautiful yet simple water feature at the entrance of the Whitehall club house in Davie. It is a pondless feature that recirculates the water into the ground rock then back up through the waterfall. Perfect low maintenance water feature than can be made to fit any space. The bromeliads really make it colorful! Two eye-catching bromeliads in our backyard with a birdsnest fern in the middle. Unfortunately the name tags are lost for these but it doesn't take away from their beauty! Their colors change depending on the light, heat & cold throughout the year. You can see the one of the right has a new "pup" (new plant) growing next to it. These are slow growers. A close up of one of the watermelon starburst bromeliads next to the birdsnest fern. These beauties on the other side of the walkway are very fast growing clumping variety. In Asia they have extremely elaborate garden shows & this is one of the exhibitors. Very cool paisley pattern with coleus! Bromeliads are in the foreground and background perimeter. This is someone's greenhouse they are turning into a tropical jungle. Absolutely amazing, so much contrast, color & diversity! Wish I had one! Believe it or not this is a bromeliad nursery, so simple yet so stunning! Another Florida wish list landscape, how absolutely spectacular! Amazing fuchsia colored bromeliads in this Florida landscape. A wish list bromeliad, if anyone knows what kind & where I can get one, please let me know! Our old Miami house had a tropical planter on the back of the patio filled with palms, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, papyrus, etc. These bromeliads have been growing in our family's patio planter since the late 1980's when we remodeled the patio. Super intense color on these blooms! Not for nothing, but this is what the planter looks like now after the new owners moved in this year :( You can go to the blog I did of the yard earlier this year. So sad they ripped everything out. You can see the patio planter is completely empty. Same with the yard, they completely gutted it all. It's such a shame since it was filled with all kinds of wildlife due to the landscape. I found this picture on someone's blog & though it looks like a great idea, the old palm fronds will eventually drop off along with all your bromeliads. Here is what bromeliads on palm trees should look like. Wait till the old fronds have dropped off or you can cut them off then attached the bromeliads to the trunk with a little sphagnum moss around the roots. I use zip ties because I can adjust them when the sphagnum dries out. Just make sure you check the ties so you don't choke the palm trunk from growing. This is what happens naturally in the rain forest, a tree falls then other plants live off the decomposing tree giving the new plants nutrients to grow. This look can easily be replicated in your yard. Another unique garden with bromeliads growing on a piece of bamboo. Eventually the bromeliads will cover the entire piece of bamboo, like the tree. So many ways to include bromeliads into your garden! When in doubt plant a bromeliad, you can't go wrong. Some love full sun, some need part shade and others can adapt to different light conditions. Usually a rule of thumb is, the bromeliads that have thorns on the leaves (saw blades, lol) can tolerate full sun and the bromeliads without thorny leaves and/or smaller thorns usually need to be in part shade as understory plants. In almost all of the landscapes I design & install for our clients you will see a variety of bromeliads. Everyone loves them. Well I hope you have been inspired to bromeliad your garden with these delightfully unique plants. If you ever have any questions please feel free to send me an email at [email protected], post a comment or you can visit our website at www.creativespacesfl.com. Happy Gardening and Happy Holidays to everyone! Joyeux Noel! Sheri xoxo

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Building a deck can be a fun and rewarding project, but it's important to choose the right type of foundation. Two popular options for deck foundations are deck blocks or in-ground posts. Both options have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and the right choice will depend on the specific project and the desired look and functionality. In this blog post, we will outline 13 benefits that TuffBlock has over concrete deck blocks, as well as benefits that floating decks have over in-ground posts. Save time Easier to transport Reduce injury & back strain No need for a chisel Fewer tools required Achieve ultra-low decks without digging Avoid water wicking into lumber Save money Avoid risk of hitting underground services Build on the fly Environmentally friendly Easier to store Avoid damaging tree roots 1. Save time Building a floating deck can be faster than building a deck with in-ground concrete posts because the process of digging post holes and pouring concrete can be time-consuming. A floating deck is built on top of a flat surface, such as a patio or lawn, and is not anchored into the ground. This means that the construction process does not require digging or pouring concrete, which can save time. Additionally, using deck blocks means you can complete an entire project in a single day as you don’t have to wait for concrete to cure (which can take multiple days). 2. Easier to transport TuffBlocks are extremely easy to transport as they’re both stackable and lightweight. They take up minimal room in your vehicle or trailer, and with minimal weight added. Because they’re so convenient to carry with you, many contractors keep TuffBlocks on hand from site to site. 3. Reduce injury and back strain TuffBlocks are 27x lighter than concrete blocks which greatly reduces the strain on your back. Because they’re lightweight and stackable, you can carry a large number of TuffBlocks in one trip onto site, whereas carrying dozens of concrete blocks requires a lot more effort. Over time this increases the risk of a back injury. Lifting heavy objects repeatedly or improperly can put a lot of stress on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the back, which can lead to strains, sprains, and other types of injuries. It can also cause wear and tear on the spine, leading to conditions such as herniated discs or degenerative disc disease. If for example you’re using 24 deck blocks, it would require 2 trips carrying TuffBlock with minimal effort and weigh only 36 lbs, whereas concrete blocks would require 12 to 24 trips (depending if you carry 2 at a time) and weigh a total of 996lbs. All that extra weight adds up over time. 4. No need for a chisel or saw Concrete blocks typically require a chisel to create a slot for your post to sit upright. TuffBlocks have two post slots precisely designed to fit 3.5 and 4 inch posts with the need for a chisel. Below is a video showing the old method of fitting lumber to your deck blocks. With TuffBlock the highly engineered and smart design means no alterations are needed. 5. Fewer tools & materials required Creating in ground concrete posts requires more tools. This includes concrete mix, a concrete mixer, wheelbarrow, a hoe, a trowel, a forming tube and stirrup. For sites that have limited side access this can mean overcoming the need to transport concrete mix in tricky or cumbersome sites. 6. Achieve ultra-low decks TuffBlocks finally allow for ultra low floating decks with the base sitting only 2 inches from the ground. This is extremely useful when building over and existing slab or pavers where digging isn’t an option. An example of where this might come in handy is matching the height of the deck to an existing doorway. Additionally by not having to dig, you can achieve a low profile deck that removes any step up and mimics a patio. Typically a concrete block would add 6 inches in height in addition to the framing lumber and deck boards. TuffBlock removes any need for digging and is 4 inches low in profile giving you more options for your deck, and eliminating labor. 7. Avoid water wicking into lumber Concrete can absorb water and become saturated, whereas as TuffBlock is made from plastic it doesn’t absorb water. Concrete is porous, which means that water can permeate through the surface and into the concrete. If the concrete is not sealed or if the sealant is damaged, water can continue to penetrate the surface and reach the reinforcement steel inside, causing rust and weakening the structure. Additionally, if the water is not able to drain away, it can cause freezing and thawing cycles that can cause cracking, pitting, and other forms of damage. Also, if the water is able to reach the reinforcement steel, it can cause rust and weakening the structure, which can lead to the concrete's failure over time. Therefore, it is important to properly seal and maintain concrete surfaces to prevent water from penetrating and causing damage. TuffBlock avoids any of these risks and due to it’s ventilation and raised surface, it prevents the build up of moisture. 8. Save money It can be cheaper to build a floating deck compared to a deck built with in-ground concrete posts, as the materials and labor costs for building a floating deck are typically less. A floating deck is built on top of a flat surface, such as a patio or lawn, and is not anchored into the ground. This means that the construction process does not require digging postholes, pouring concrete, and curing time. This can save on materials and labor costs. However, the overall cost will depend on various factors such as the size of the deck, the materials used, the location and the cost of labor in the area. 9. Avoid risk of hitting underground services It is important to check for the location of underground services before starting any excavation work to avoid hitting them and causing damage or injury. Before starting any excavation work, it is important to call your local utility companies to have them mark the location of any underground services such as water, gas, electric and telecommunication lines. This service is typically free and it will ensure that you are aware of the location of these lines and avoid any potential accidents or damage. It's also important to consult with local authorities and ensure you comply with any local building codes and regulations before digging. If you have any doubt and if you're not sure where the lines are, it's best to hire a professional to locate and mark the underground services. Alternatively, when using deck blocks it eliminates this risk entirely (which can be very costly to repair). 10. Build ‘on the fly’ Deck blocks allow you to make amendments and change your plan as you build. Building with in ground concrete on the other hand requires you to have a precise plan before commencing your build. This gives some builders peace of mind knowing they can make adjustments as they build. For a complex project such as Sam’s walkway (below), using TuffBlock allowed him to build quickly and with confidence knowing he could adjust the deck block placement. The sub-structure of the curved walkway was very complex and if he was using in ground concrete posts, it would have required substantially more planning to execute, even for an experienced builder such as Sam. 11. Environmentally friendly This is a benefit for mother earth but one we think is worth noting. TuffBlocks are made from 100% recycle plastics, many of which are single use plastics (such as soda bottles) that are destined for landfill. When plastics are recycled, they are collected, cleaned, and processed into raw materials that can be used to make new products such as TuffBlock. This reduces the need to extract and process new raw materials, which can have a lower environmental impact. Additionally, recycling plastics can also reduce the energy needed to produce new plastic products, as it requires less energy to recycle existing plastic than to produce new plastic from raw materials. On the other hand concrete can negatively affect the environment in several ways: Carbon emissions: The production of cement, which is a key ingredient in concrete, is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions. Cement production accounts for around 5% of global CO2 emissions. Resource consumption: The production of concrete requires large amounts of water and energy. Additionally, the extraction of raw materials such as limestone and sand can lead to habitat destruction and soil erosion. Waste generation: The disposal of concrete waste can lead to a buildup of materials in landfills, which can take up valuable space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as it decomposes. Transportation: The transportation of concrete can also lead to emissions and air pollution. 12. Easier to store & deliver We’ve covered this benefit previously, but it’s worth noting again that TuffBlocks can be stored in your home or vehicle without taking up vast amounts of space. Unlike concrete blocks they’re easy to deliver to any desired location and store, which makes ordering them from your local supplier much easier than concrete blocks. 13. Avoid damaging tree roots Digging holes near trees can damage the roots, which can harm or even kill the tree. By using deck blocks you avoid this risk entirely and maintain the surrounding vegetation on your building site. The roots of a tree are the tree's lifeline, providing the tree with water, nutrients, and stability. Cutting or damaging roots can disrupt this process and cause the tree to become stressed and weakened. The critical root zone (CRZ) is an area around a tree where the roots are particularly sensitive to damage. The size of the CRZ can vary depending on the species of tree, but it typically extends out to the drip line of the tree's canopy, and below the surface for about the same distance as the tree is tall. This means that digging holes within the CRZ can be particularly damaging to the tree. If you need to dig near a tree, it's important to locate the tree's CRZ and take steps to protect the tree's roots. This can include hand digging or using a small hand-held auger instead of a large machine, and also consulting with an arborist before starting any digging. Final thoughts There are many benefits to using TuffBlock deck blocks, but ultimately every project is different and it's up to you to decide if it's suitable for your needs. Floating decks are becoming more popular as a building method because they are relatively easy to construct, do not require a building permit in some areas, and do not require the excavation and foundation work that is needed for a traditional deck. As an alternative to concrete deck blocks we feel that there are several benefits that TuffBlock provides such as ease of use, time saving and versatility with ultra low decks. But there is always a place for traditional in-ground concrete posts, especially when extending a deck from an existing structure like a home. Please check with your local building codes and assess which method works for you.

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Bees are the bane of pool parties, backyard barbecues and summertime soirees outdoors. Even though they're beneficial and necessary for the environment, they can be a major annoyance to just about any outdoor activity. Instead of killing them, get rid of them by using natural repellents or, in worst-case scenarios, calling for professional help. Bee Basics Virtually any type of bee can be an annoyance if it keeps returning to an area where people congregate, such as the pool or patio.

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