For most flat Massachusetts yards, a paver patio is the better value in the deck vs patio decision. It costs about half as much per square foot, lasts 20 to 30 years, and handles snow and salt well. A deck wins when your back door sits high above the ground or the yard slopes. Many…
The roof decides it. A pergola has an open slatted roof that filters sun but not rain. A gazebo has a solid roof and a compact, usually octagonal footprint — a destination you walk to. A pavilion has a solid roof over a wide open rectangle — an outdoor room you live in. In Massachusetts,…
A fire pit is the cheapest way to add months to your outdoor season. But the best backyard fire pit ideas aren't really about the pit itself. They're about where it sits and what surrounds it. They're also about how the smoke behaves on a cold October night. Get those right and the space gets…