Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Patio and Outdoor Gardens

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Have you built a putting green with I/O carpet and sand?
   I've seen articles using the green indoor /outdoor carpteting from a home improvement center and sweeping in some sand to keep the tufts/blades standing up straight. The sand holds the turf down. I'm not expecting PGA quality.

   • ANSWER:
     My uncle who is on PGA Tour has 4 greens... 3 outdoor and 1 indoor. He had two made out of the carpeting and sand and he hated them. They were horrible to putt on and they didn't last. I just was talking him about them last night and he said that you see all the articles about them because they are having a horrible time selling. He had some neighbors put them in after he did and they all ended up taking them up and putting in new greens. If you are interested in putting in a real.. green, its not PGA quality but its nice and if you keep it maintained then it will be really nice. Then e-mail me and I will tell you how we did ours and how my uncle has his. He has two real and two synthetic now. We have a real one in our house in South Carolina and a synthetic one here in Kansas City. I can explain both ways.. just let me know.
     Good Luck!

2. QUESTION:
   What Color Carpet should I get?
   I have lime green walls and my room is in the basement, but my room floods every time it storms and so I need indoor/outdoor carpet...what color should I get?

   • ANSWER:
     if your floor floods often...stay clear of any kind of carpet!

     Even outdoor carpet can harbor mold--and you dont wanna breathe that nasty stuff in!

     They have awesome concrete paints if that is what you are working with. You could always grab a rug and be sure to remove it from the area when it looks like rain

     maybe...black?

3. QUESTION:
   How do you attache wood to concrete?
   I am removing indoor outdoor(old green) carpet from concrete steps. I guess I just scrape off and use glue remover? We were brainstorming a replacement, and my wife wants to attache treated lumber to those steps and pedestal going to the entrance. How do I put that on there? Liquid nails? She wants it to be like a mini faux deck. Any Suggestions. Thanks

   • ANSWER:
     Scrape off what you can of the green carpet crap, and use a chemical stripper for the rest - make VERY sure to wear a respirator / mask while doing it.

     You can use an adhesive to help hold the wood down, but your best bet would be to use expanding concrete bolts. Maybe anchors instead, depending on what tools you have. If you have access to it, try using a pneumatic nail gun, it will have the power needed to get into the cement.

4. QUESTION:
   Any carpenters or handymen?
   I have a new apartment that we're fixing up. Well the people that owned it before we did made the bathroom floor out of that indooroutdoor carpet(that green plastic stuff.) They glued it to the cement and I don't know how to get it off so I can put tile down. If you know how will you please let me know....thanks!

   • ANSWER:
     Flat blade shovel perhaps,,,but with care. A good quality, sharp blade scraper, and elbow grease.

     You actually have an easier task than if the floor was wood or any type of tile. Any adhesive residue can be sanded or ground off, and then clean well, and do what you intend after.

     Rev. Steven

5. QUESTION:
   I am looking for ideas for screen porch decorating. It is 10 X 22. Looking for a color scheme.?
   I have two wicker chairs and a table and chairs for six that is iron with a tile top. It has a cement floor with indoor/outdoor carpet. I need to replace the carpet. My budget is small. I need a color scheme. I have been using reds,greens, yellows, but looking for a change. ideas? thanks

   • ANSWER:
     Use earth tones..Browns, Dark Yellows, Black, Tans, Taupe, Dark Reds..Etc. That will go good with iron furniture

6. QUESTION:
   would this be an acceptable iguana habitat?
   http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i94/Solsticefaerie/iguanahabitat.jpg

   the walls and floor would be made of plywood but the floor will be covered in linoleum(sp?) tiles for easy clean-up. the black areas are all going to be covered with indoor/outdoor carpeting and the green areas will be where I can put some fake foliage or those 'vines' they sell for reptiles at pet stores. The front will be two wood-framed doors covered in hail screen so I can see in and vice versa. the purple spots are where I'd put hook and eye latches. (there are three because some iguanas like to try and escape. ) the top of the habitat would be hail screen as well. the top shelf is where I was going to make his basking spot and in the bottom left will be his water.
   is there anything else I'm missing?
   other suggestions please?
   Thanks so much! My goal is to build a habitat thats iguana safe. It doesn't matter what it's aesthetic appeal is since...well he's a lizard and I don't really care.
   (I don't have an iguana yet, I want to get everything set-up properly before I get one)
   what type of socket will I need for this UVB bulb?
   http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3039688

   • ANSWER:
     Nice drawing and plans ... The only thing that you mentioned ... The UVB that you are going to be using is actually a crappy UVB ... Those don't produce the UVB that your iguana needs and some of the compact can actually cause eye damage.
     http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm ... the first box ( NEW: Special Report : A problem with some of the new high UVB fluorescent compact lamps and tubes ) read ... It will also list the good UVB long tubes
     UVB: (12 hrs on during day - 12 hrs off during night no light)
     US: ReptiSun 10.0 distance 8-10 inches from your igs body
     Repti Glo 8.0 distance 6-8 inches from your igs body
     ReptiSun 5.0 distance 6-8 inches from your igs body
     UK: Arkadia distance 6-8 inches from your igs body
     - You will need to adjust the distance as your ig grows
     - Using a shop light from a home improvement store works the best, get one that has 2 tube plugs and using 2 UVB tubes
     - The UVB listed are in tube form, using the 36-48inch tubes are the best more length for your ig
     - Surface under the UVB tube lights need to be a flat surface if at an angle your igs body will not get the proper UVB threw out
     - There are UVB's out there on the market now that can cause eye damange to your ig
     - W/out UVB your ig may end up w/ MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease)
     ... I personally like the ReptiSun 10.0's ( http://www.reptiledirect.com/reptisun100uvb1.aspx ... remember longer the better ... one store you can buy online )

     Having 2-3 locks is recommended ... trust me you'll need them ... might not be able to open the door til maybe around a year of age, but best to be safe.

     The bottom lower right side ... you have a like open space??? What's that for? Hiding spot??? Some igs hide some igs could care less too ... my girl has never been a hider so I never worried about a hiding spot. Plus when they have a hiding spot they might use it too much and then of course they aren't getting the UVB or heat that he/she needs, and w/ it being on the floor of course the floor will be a lot cooler.

     Somethings for you to think about
     * Basking bulb/House bulb for just heat ... Think of putting it on top of the top ... cut a hole put a screen between the light for safety reasons ... Those dome things can get extremely hot which if your iguana manages to some how climb up to them it could cause a bad burn. Not sure if the hail screen would hold up w/ heat ... the dome's do have dome covers that you can use instead of screen/mesh/wiring ... The UVB tubes will be okay inside the enclosure, just make sure that the distance is correct of whichever UVB tube you are using
     * Humidity rises so if you have a screen top then you'll be losing humidity but you want to make sure that you have air flow ... Sometimes when you have a humidifier/vaporizer inside the enclosure iguanas can sometimes get stupid and depending on if you have a warm or cool humidifier/vaporizer your iguana can sit on it ... even if you put a screen around it ... Think of a way to pipe it in from the outside ... plus if it's outside if its night time you can fill it up w/out disturbing your iguana
     * The closet shelves make good climbing and shelves ... So another option if you want to think about using those ... you can put the carpet on the shelves ... plus less wood you'll need to stain
     * Anything that is wood you want to make sure that you use a good wood stainer sealer and give time to air/fume out ... http://www.iguanaden.org/housing/cagematerials.htm
     * Where are you going to place your iguanas food? You don't want it in it's basking area ... The shelf below the highest might be an ok area if he/she is young ... After he/she is a 1/2 yrs of age you might want to move it down to the lower shelf
     * Air flow ... you have none ... you might want to have a screen on the left side where air can flow in/out ... I have seen some pictures where ppl have used air vent screen covers ... you can use mesh/screen
     * If you end up w/ a female iguana ... think about where you are going to be placing the nesting box
     * Think about putting your enclosure on wheels ... Yeah I know you might never need to move your iguanas enclosure but if you do wheels will help ... if you have an old bed frame around maybe use that ... I used old bed frame and has worked perfect

     I'm sure I'm not thinking of every possibility but a good start on things to think about ... It looks like you have great plans ... but to accomplish it you may need to make the width longer then 3ft

     * ADDED: make sure that the basking shelf or any shelf isn't above you ... it will give your iguana dominance over you ... make the basking shelf like mid chest ... ok think that is it

     Sites for you to read:
     http://www.greenigsociety.org/ - http://www.iguanaden.org/ - http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/index.html
     A great book to read and have on hand:
     Iguanas for Dummies by Melissa Kaplan
     Yahoo has some great sites for Iguana owners... these groups helped me and still help w/ questions .. if you'd like to join:
     http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/BabyIguana/ - http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/IguanaDen/

7. QUESTION:
   Repainting a concrete floor-help?
   I want to re-do our porch floor and need some advice.
   Here is some info.
   The porch is fully enclosed with windows around three sides.
   The previous owners had that green plasticy indoor/outdoor turf like carpet on the floors. We removed the carpet and now there is paint (I guess they painted it originally and then added carpet later) and black adhesive bits here and there all over the porch floor.
   I think that they used a house paint rather than a cement/ concrete garage type paint because the paint is near the same color that the house was.
   So is there a product or method to use that will remove the paint and adhesive all at once?
   Also, should we sand it off and what type of sander?
   Or use a chemical to remove it?
   I plan to use a standard grey garage floor paint after removing the old stuff.

   • ANSWER:
     I just finished painting my porch last weekend. i just got a flat shovel and began scraping. the actually make a scraper for doing such a task then i scrubbed the floor with bleach, water and a drop of laundry soap then moped a couple times with clean water. let dry. then just rolled on a gallon of battleship grey cement paint from walmart saved a little bit for a couple ares that need a second coat. luv it ! 1 galon 250 sq feet ( use all tools and rollers with long handles)

8. QUESTION:
   I need ideas for wedding bouquets, colors Truffle and a lighter green!?
   Getting married September 12, 2009 and trying to tie up loose ends. Having trouble deciding on flowers! Favors, etc! Pictures of the dresses are attached!!! Ceremony is in a church! Reception is following in the woods (behind my mothers house!), she has walk out decks over a huge ravine/creek, and opens into a wooded area! The dj has an additional deck out back. We are covering the ground in indoor/outdoor grassy carpet (so my dress won't get ruined) and there will be two archways, round tables, tons of white lights, etc. I need ideas for favors and the centerpieces. Mostly I need help with the flowers!! my colors are shown..I had to photoshop the white dress because it actually comes with a truffle sash!! My wedding dress will have a truffle sash also!
   http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h277/LMRictor1981/Bridesmaid1.gif
   http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h277/LMRictor1981/MaidofHonor.gif
   Truffle is a chocolate color. I'm not changing my colors, and we want to do the flowers ourselves..I just am not sure what goes or looks right together!

   • ANSWER:
     Hi and congratulations!

     Here are my suggestions. OK, remember that when it comes to flowers, you don't want to be "matchy-matchy" (at least in my opinion)....you DO want to have a bit of a contrast.

     I take it yours is the first dress. OK, since you are the bride, I would still go with some white (or cream) colored flowers and some "greens," which would definitely match your color scheme and go with the nature that will be around you. You don't say whether you are doing silks or real flowers, but in any case...that is what I would go with. Not something over-the-top, since your dress is more casual/understated. Something like this would look nice:

     http://pics.gallery.weddingbee.com/2516.4454_860422688995_12400872_48214174_74.jpg.resize
     http://www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com/images/white_and_green_bouquet.jpg
     http://www.creativefusionpublishing.com/hanukkah-delight.JPG

     The above are only pictures. Go to Google images. You can always "cut down" anything you see on Google images to suit your taste and your budget. For September, WHITE mums would look really nice and maybe green hydrangeas. Both of these are available in silks.

     For the girls....DON"T try to get a truffle colored flower. That will blend into the dress and NOT stand out at all. If you go with white mums and a green hydrangea for you....then you could go with strictly green hydrangeas for the bridesmaids and mix in some darker pink? That would look nice.

     http://photos.weddingbycolor.com/p/000/003/378/m/11937/p/thumbnail/34992.jpg
     http://www.flowerduet.com/large_flower_pictures/hydrangea-pink-white-roses-bouquet_lg.jpg

     For the centerpieces. Keep it simple. You will already have a nice "backdrop" with the ravine/creek and wooded area. I would go with a fall/"wooded" theme. Look at these votives with twigs around them.
     http://www.beau-coup.com/twig_votive.htm

     YOU could do this yourself! Buy some votives at a dollar store or a craft store (Michael's, Hobby Lobby). They sell the votives AND holders together in a package of 12. Then, go out in the woods and collect small twigs...cut them and hot glue them on! Set them out on the table with some fall leaves (you can purchase silk fall leaves at craft stores and online.)
     http://www.save-on-crafts.com/autumnleaves.html

     Favors? Hmmmm....I'm not a big fan of favors UNLESS it's something edible! Wrap up some Hershey Kisses (use the "fall colored" foiled ones) in a chocolate colored tulle circle and tie it with a ribbon.

9. QUESTION:
   Has anyone seen a better Starbucks than the one opened by my house?
   indoor outdoor fireplace
   drive through
   art inside and outside
   giant green umbrullas outside covering the tables
   carpeted and painted with a homey touch
   new architect?

   • ANSWER:
     Starbuck's goal is to make their stores a home away from home. So the more comfortable and welcoming they make them the better. They're probably starting to make them even nicer now since they're going to be increasing prices on Oct. 3rd. You have to like the place if you're willing to pay for the coffee.

10. QUESTION:
    Help! My dog won't stop pooping in the house!?
    We have this awesome little 20-lb terrier mix that we've had for about 6 months. We found him as a stray, but vet checked and got him neutered and no problems there. For the last few months we've had him as an indoor/outdoor dog. We work 12-hour days and since it was nice out we put him outside when we weren't home or when we were sleeping. Now that it's colder we have started keeping him inside all the time. When we are home he has the run of the house and we let him out every few hours. When we are away he stays in the bathroom. He won't poop in the bathroom at all, but over the last 2 weeks he's developed a disgusting habit of pooping on my living room carpet. Always in the same general area (about 5'x5' area). We've tried pottying him more often, but he still does it. Tonight we got home from dinner, let him out and he pooped and peed but 30 minutes later we found poop on the carpet. Help! My husband and I are at our wits end and I'm getting sick of cleaning carpets daily with the little green machine. We've tried scolding and putting his nose in it, to no avail. I don't want to have to make him an outdoor dog in the freezing cold weather. A doggie door is a possible option, but he loves to play in the mud and dig in the dirt and I'm afraid he would get all filthy and come in the house and wreck my furniture and carpet. Any ideas?

    • ANSWER:
      If you keep putting his nose in it and scolding him you'll find out in very short time that he will poop and pee behind or under furniture where he hopes you won't find it.

      The only thing you are teaching him is that pooping and peeing is disgusting and a bad thing and if he does it he will be punished.

      This dog has not been house trained. He's been living most of his life outside. All day and most of the night. That's why he's doing what he's doing.

      House train him and your problems will be over. However I would not expect a dog to be able to hold it for 12 hours every day without it causing bowel, bladder and kidney problems which will eventually cost you hefty vet fees. You should pay a pet sitter to come in at least once a day to take the dog outside to relieve itself.

      Try holding it yourself for 12 hours every day and see how you go.

      ADD: Sarah you are showing your lack of dog knowledge and training. Most of us don't abuse our dogs nor do we promote animal abuse to people who are new to dog training.

      Dogs are easy to train without abuse when you know what you're doing. Maybe you should educate yourself about humane methods of training. The information is out there.

11. QUESTION:
    anyone know much about painting and decor? looking a the new whites that are pastels?
    inside face lift. would like to know the rules on a few looks.
    ceiling: what affect when painting it light color or darker color or same as walls.
    Walls: affect when painting 1 wall dark and the others lighter or white or putting a pattern on 1 wall to match ceiling or other walls
    give me some ideas. the rooms are good size, narrow about 20 ft wide but long 36 feet, and the 3 rms are open but about 20 ft long wall that divides them. want to look big. the ceilings are low also. the rooms comsist of kitchen living room and multipurpose room.
    just wanting something different. the carpet is multicolor brown berber, kitchen is just is the indoor outdoor kind. (can't think of the name of it.
    i like blues derrell my husband likes green.
    right now it is hunter green, navy blue and burgandy

    • ANSWER:
      cool colors are nice,,,,,light blue like the ocean,,,,white ceiling like the sky.....dont use too many colors,,,,otherwise you look like me in church.

12. QUESTION:
    What's wrong with my cat?
    I have an almost two year old, black and white tuxedo male. He's and indoor/outdoor cat. The past week he has been having severe accidents outside of the litter box (on the carpet or tile). He's vomited twice, and has had diarrhea every time he's gone to the bathroom, I think. His stool is completely watery, and I think he's been eating grass or a plant of some sort because his vomit is green. Is this just a natural, upset kitty stomach that will pass? Or do I need to take him to see the vet? I'm hesitant to take him to the vet because if nothing is wrong with him it would be very costly. He had a pooping outside of the litterbox problem before that was corrected by adding a second litter box (I have two cats) and changing to a softer litter.

    • ANSWER:
      Take him to the vet. It's possible that he got into something that is making him sick, or that he had contact with another sick animal. It might be costly to take him to the vet, but at least you'll hopefully still have a cat afterwards! If he keeps on going like he is, you probably won't if you don't get him to the vet.

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