Ozco Builders Blog - Page 5 of 7 - OZCO Building Products

20OctOctober 20, 2017

Tips for Selecting the Right Gazebo Truss Brackets

Gazebo truss brackets not only need to hold up to the outdoor environment, they need to look good as well. Recently, one of my friends invited me to a barbecue. My response was to be instantly wary. As someone who’s worked in construction for over a decade, my friends and family are always inviting me over and then sneakily asking me if I’d mind giving them a quick hand with something. But my buddy assured me he just wanted to put the new gazebo he’d just built to use. Predictably, once he’d thrown the burgers on the grill he pointed...

13OctOctober 13, 2017

Attaching a Pergola to a House to Create a Wall-Leaning Structure

A wall-leaning pergola offers lots of flexibility and versatility when it comes to size and location. I had a friend who wanted to build a pergola but didn’t quite have the room for a four-post structure. His entryway was pretty narrow and pergolas tend to be kind of wide. But that was ok. As I told him, the beauty of pergolas is in their flexibility. I suggested a two-post structure, with his house acting as the support for the post-less side. Attaching a pergola to a house can save a bit of space while providing the support the structure needs....

06OctOctober 6, 2017

How to Build a Square Gazebo Roof: The Basic Roof Components You’ll Need

A square gazebo can make a perfect covering for a patio or centerpiece for a garden. I had a friend whose backyard garden was his pride and joy. He had quite the green thumb and a little bit of everything growing back there. But he had a problem. He had a lot of plants that couldn’t handle constant sunlight and needed shade. He decided that he wanted to build a small garden gazebo to hold them. That’s where he ran into problems, because try as he might, he couldn’t quite nail building a square gazebo roof. If he hadn’t already made...

29SepSeptember 29, 2017

Half Circle Pergola Designs: Curved Pergolas Offer a Variety of Unique Looks

Some half and quarter circle pergola designs use rafters of different lengths to create the curved look. I have a good friend who recently moved into a new house which already had a half circle, curved pergola in the backyard, and it is not exaggerating too much to say that she is obsessed with this pergola. It makes the yard look more elegant, and it creates an outdoor space which is perfect for sitting with a cocktail or a beer. If you want a unique structure in your yard or entryway, you may want to think outside the box–literally. While...

22SepSeptember 22, 2017

Multi-level Pergola Designs That Offer Easy Installation With a Complex Style

14SepSeptember 14, 2017

Pergola Ideas for the Front of the House Make the Most of Limited Space

A pergola doesn’t have to be large, and can be the perfect solution to a small space that needs livening up. The front of my house used to be very plain. While I did a lot of work in the back, I let the front slide because I didn’t have a lot of room to work with. I kept it neat, of course, but it still wasn’t very eye catching. But a friend helped me realize that just because you don’t have a lot of space doesn’t mean you can’t have an attractive entryway. We decided adding a small pergola...

07SepSeptember 7, 2017

Raised Garden Bed Hardware: Choose the Right Type for a Long-Lasting, Attractive Bed

Powder coated ornamental hardware will keep your project sturdy and beautiful without leaching chemicals into the soil. I have an aunt who used to follow a yearly tradition. Every spring, she’d spend a few days planting an herb garden in her backyard. Then, over the weeks that followed, she’d watch every last one of those plants wither. That’s not an unusual occurrence for gardeners. There’s no guarantee that your backyard is going to have soil that’s good enough to nurture young plants. In fact, I’ve been hearing that in places like Brooklyn, the soil is actually contaminated with lead...

01SepSeptember 1, 2017

How to Build a Pergola on an Existing Deck That Will Stay Strong and Beautiful for Years

A pergola is a great addition to an existing deck, but you’ll need to keep a few things in mind so that your pergola stays safe and sturdy. When I first put in my deck, I couldn’t help but feel like it was missing something. I wasn’t sure what it was at first, but one sunny Saturday morning, as I was trying to enjoy the outdoors but getting sunburned, it occurred to me: I needed a covering. I decided that the best way to manage this would be to build a pergola over my deck. Turns out, it was actually...

25AugAugust 25, 2017

Gazebo Ideas for Hot Tubs: Add Privacy and Create a Spa-Like Space to Get Away

A gazebo or pergola over a hot tub can make it a private, relaxing place to spend time. Awhile back, I was floating around in a friend’s outdoor hot tub, and I saw that he and his wife had a problem. The wind was heavy, leaves kept falling into the water and they were worried the debris would wind up clogging their filter. It turns out they had been brainstorming gazebo ideas for hot tubs that would help solve this problem by giving their tub a bit more protection and them a bit more privacy. And I can understand this–hot...

17AugAugust 17, 2017

A Backyard Pavilion with a Fireplace Serves As a Multi-Purpose Outdoor Living Space

A backyard pavilion with a fireplace is a functional and cozy addition that will increase the time you’ll want to spend outdoors in your yard. One thing I love about pavilions is their flexibility. You can start out simple, with just a platform and a roof. Or you can go complex and add electricity to provide lighting, run ceiling fans, or even add an outdoor range. With a few simple tweaks, a pavilion can become an outdoor living space that you can enjoy year-round. At least that’s what I was thinking when I added a fireplace to mine. A backyard pavilion...