Gazebos

Whether choosing a metal gazebo or a soft top option, these sun shelters provide a facelift to any backyard. They can serve as a focal point to a gorgeous garden, or act as a gathering place for family barbecues or game nights. From a quiet getaway to a sun shade for an outdoor picnic, a metal gazebo is an ideal addition and worthy investment for any outdoor space.

What is a Gazebo?

A gazebo is a round or hexagonal open structure with a roof that offers views of the surrounding area. It can be used for entertainment, relaxation, or even a timeless piece of décor that adds a level of sophistication to any backyard. Most of these open structures are built with metal or wood. They can also be screened or enclosed with shades for added privacy.

Gazebos come in multiple sizes and are created with different materials to fit your personal preferences. SOJAG offers hard top gazebo options as well as soft top gazebos. While they are both constructed with strength, durability, and style in mind, some of their unique features may fit better with your climate or outdoor needs.

Are you ready to step up your entertainment game? Nothing says backyard fun quite like an outdoor bar! A patio bar is the perfect gathering place for family and friends and will make your outdoor space the envy of the neighborhood.

Whether you add some accessories to your current patio or you go all-out and create a full free-standing bar, you’re sure to enjoy this upgrade for years to come. Here are a few ideas to inspire you as you make plans to build your own DIY patio bar.

How to Build a Backyard Bar? Start with a Plan!

The first step in building a DIY patio bar is deciding what size is best for your backyard and what style you prefer. Some homeowners like to go all-in, pouring a foundation and installing a freestanding structure. This will give you the widest variety of options and will allow you to create a fully functional bar space. Others prefer to choose portable bars or patio accessories to create a more versatile option that won’t take up as much room.

You’ll also need to decide whether your need a wet bar or a dry bar. A wet bar comes fully equipped with running water, an ice maker, a refrigerator, and, sometimes, beer or wine taps. Obviously, this requires more space and is a larger DIY project. On the other hand, a dry bar is used for storing liquor bottles and other bar implements. So if you entertain a lot, you might want to go all-in and install a wet bar. Otherwise, a dry bar is an economical solution that is fine for small gatherings and less frequent use.

When

Are you looking for a way to add style, character, and shade to your outdoor space? You need a gazebo.

A gazebo can spruce up your backyard or patio, plus increase the appeal and value of your property. But finding the right gazebo size for your backyard might prove difficult. That explains why most customers often ask this question “What size gazebo do I need for my backyard?”.

If you are one of these customers, you have come to the right place. Here we will help you select the right size gazebo for patios and backyards. You will also discover more information about gazebos that will come in handy when installing one. Let’s dive in!

What Is a Gazebo?

A gazebo is an open, freestanding structure with a roof that offers homeowners a sheltered area in their backyard, patio, or garden. The structure might come in a wide of shapes, including hexagonal, rectangular, or octagonal, meaning there is something to suit your backyard design.

Gazebos can be constructed from metal or wood, and the structure usually features built-in seating. People who love privacy can get gazebos with outdoor drapes or curtains, or latticework.

This open structure can serve as a focal point over furniture or hot tub or get installed in an area on your property that offers a beautiful view while sheltering you from the sun and even rain. A gazebo aims to create a private area with shade within your backyard or garden where you can relax and unwind alone or with your friends.

Have you been dreaming of spending your days relaxing outdoors on your backyard patio? You'll be surprised how easy it is to make this dream a reality! While you might expect installing a patio to be a major project, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you can create a beautiful gravel patio in your backyard in as little as a day or two.

This simple, economical project will give you years of enjoyment, so don’t let another summer go by without creating the backyard you've always wanted. Here’s everything you need to know so you can get started on installing your own gravel patio right away.   

Why Build a Gravel Patio?

There are many advantages to choosing gravel for your backyard patio. Not only is it a very inexpensive option, but installing a gravel patio is a beginner-level project that you can easily do without any help.

Pea gravel is an excellent material because of its small size. This allows you to create a variety of unique designs using edging and borders for exciting gravel patio ideas for every outdoor style. The stones also drain naturally and won’t crack during winter freezes and thaws. Many homeowners also prefer the attractive, natural look the stones create.

A gravel patio will make your backyard look beautiful and provide you with a functional space where you and your guests can dine, socialize, and relax. Even better, long-term maintenance is a breeze. This will allow you to enjoy a beautiful backyard patio that looks like new for many years. 

The weather is warming up, making now the perfect time to start thinking about backyard ideas to spruce up your deck and patio. A few simple patio and deck ideas can quickly turn your backyard space into a comfortable and stylish outdoor living area.

Need some inspiration? The following backyard ideas will show you just how easy it is to add a sense of elegance and charm to your backyard patio or deck.  

1. Install Decorative Shade

Adding decorative shade is one of the best ways to keep your deck cool and comfortable. Whether you prefer a contemporary or traditional look, you’re sure to find a source of shade that appeals to you.

A simple sun shade is one of the easiest and least expensive solutions. It’s a great way to add a pop of color to your space while also keeping the sun’s harsh rays away. If you prefer a portable solution, consider a high-quality patio umbrella instead. Not only will this provide you with some extra flexibility, but you'll also be able to adjust it to block out the sun throughout the day. Make sure you anchor your umbrella in a sturdy base so it doesn't blow over. If space is tight, choose a side table that doubles as an umbrella stand and place a chair on either side. 

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, consider adding a gazebo or pergola to your backyard deck. Not only will this create more shade, but it will also change the entire look and feel of

From outdoor kitchen areas to cozy solariums, there are many uses for a permanent gazebo. However, choosing the perfect outdoor gazebo for your backyard can be quite a challenge. It can be a challenge to find the best gazebo, as they come in a wide variety of sizes and a huge range of styles. Finding the right outdoor gazebo for your backyard requires striking the ideal balance between aesthetics, functionality, quality, and price.

If this feels overwhelming, don’t worry! Below you’ll find a comparison of some of the most popular outdoor gazebos on the market. We’ve also provided our expert recommendations, so you can easily choose the best gazebo for your needs.

Best Deck Gazebos

If you're looking for a simple way to add style and shade to your deck, a freestanding deck gazebo is a functional and elegant addition to any backyard space. They offer an easy way to create a sheltered seating area or build a beautiful

There’s a big football game being played on Sunday, and there will be a championship feeling in the air. Whether your favorite team is playing, or you have no rooting interest at all, the best way to celebrate the day is with a small backyard homegate party!

While a tailgate party is an outdoor bash that takes place before a sporting event at the parking lot of a stadium, a homegate party that you hold in your backyard. A tailgate party will include a grill, a tailgate canopy, portable folding chairs, a sturdy but compact camping table, a trusty metal cooler, and plenty of food and drinks.

A homegate party gives you all the benefits of a tailgate without the added stress of gameday traffic, need to prep food the night before, or the need to pack your car or truck with tailgating gear. Additionally, homegating allows you to keep your party as intimate as you’d like. You can make it a family affair, or just invite the neighbors over for a pre-game meal.

While the big game atmosphere can make tailgating a unique experience, you can replicate the feel in your own backyard. In fact, when you’re homegating, you aren’t restricted to one or two parking spaces. You’ll have more room to set up tables and chairs, games like cornhole, and to generally just stretch out. Also, you’ll have the convenience of setting up and breaking down your backyard in your own time frame, and not when the stadium parking lot is open.

It doesn’t matter if you live in the cold Kansas City area, the warmth of the Tampa Bay area, or anywhere else in the United States. Even thought the 54 of the 55 of big championship football games have been played in warmer weather or indoor stadiums, it’s a sport that’s played in just about any weather. Those who tailgate at Kansas City games dress in layers to stay warm. Fans of the team in Tampa know how to stay cool under the blazing sun.

Driving an RV is one of America’s favorite ways to travel. In fact, the United States is the largest market for the RV industry, with over 40 million people who use this method of travel every year. It’s not hard to see why a home on wheels has a strong appeal, either. With America’s vast and diverse landscape, there are thousands of miles and boundless terrain to discover. To see it all, you need a travel method that provides that “home away from home” feeling.

RVs are one of the only modes of travel where you can bring most of your creature comforts. It’s also easy to maintain a familiar environment and get the most privacy compared to other methods. Also, the more home-like accessories that you bring along for the ride, the more comfortable your trip will be.

Many people have found financial freedom in living in their RVs full time. A home on wheels is also a popular temporary living space for families in transition. Living in an RV involves parking the vehicle long-term and living exclusively in an RV park or campground. For this time, having durable, high-quality camping gear and furniture is vital for your daily comfort.

Whether you decide to camp in an RV park or on private land, you can make your new home comfortable with these RV decorating ideas, including canopies, portable tables, foldable chairs, coolers, outdoor storage, and other useful camping accessories. This quick guide will show you how to make your parked RV feel like home no matter how long you decide to stay.

Did you know that a sunroom can drastically increase your home’s resale value? Whether you intend to sell your home or not, a sunroom can add coziness to it.

A sunroom can allow you to enjoy the outdoors during inclement weather, free from insects and protected from the wind. But a sunroom, which is also known as a solarium or a Florida room, is only comfortable until it’s wintertime, and you may end up spending less time using it.

Fortunately, with a relevant heater for a sunroom, you can comfortably heat a sunroom in the winter and enjoy your time there as though you’re still in summer. Want to find out how you can heat your sunroom in the winter? Read on to draw insights!

Install Weather Strips

Weather stripping can shield your sunroom from external moisture or rain, which can penetrate through the windows or doors. A weather stripping can also help you contain your interior air to save you unwanted energy bills while maximizing your winter comfort.

You can choose a V strip tension seal along with your sliding windows or along the sides of your double-hung windows. This V strip can also act as a good seal for your door sides. Also, you can use a felt around your window and door sashes.

Utilize Plastic Window Kits

Plastic window wrap kits can reduce drafts and make a solarium feel warmer during the winter. They are also a relatively inexpensive way to reduce condensation buildup and lower energy bills.

Window wraps are clear plastic sheets that stop cold air from entering through unseen gaps in your window framework. These window kits can be purchased at just about any local hardware or home improvement store.

Installation requires little more than scissors, a utility knife, tape measure, hair dryer, cotton balls, rubbing alcohol and some double-sided tape or magnetic tape.

Every year, when Thanksgiving comes around, most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen getting ready all the dishes that will leave us needing individual wheelbarrows to get us back to our beds at the end of the day. The main draw of the Thanksgiving meal is undoubtedly the turkey. That alone takes plenty of time, starting with picking it out, cooking it, and then stuffing and carving it.

Almost everyone knows what an excellent roasted turkey should taste like. However, there's no reason that you have to repeat the same method of preparation each year. 

Do you want to try something different this Thanksgiving? Don't worry—we aren't talking about Tofurkey. Instead, how about a fried or smoked turkey versus the classic roasted turkey? In this article, we dig into the turkey and the various ways you can safely prepare it for your family.

Ways to Cook a Turkey and How They Differ

Roasting a turkey is the typical way to prepare them for the Thanksgiving season. Roasting is a pretty drawn-out process, particularly if you want to stuff the turkey. You will need to have a stuffed turkey in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes per pound of turkey. For example, when preparing a 12-pound turkey, you need to keep it in the oven for about three hours.

Fried Turkey

However, there are other options when it comes to turkey preparation. For instance, you can fry the turkey. A deep-fried turkey will likely appeal to the younger generation of Thanksgiving attendees. However, the succulent skin you get when you have a fried turkey will appeal to almost anyone.

Pros of a Fried Turkey:

• Frying a turkey is likely one of the fastest ways you can get this bird cooked. That means if you wake up late on the fateful morning, you can still have the turkey deliciously cooked through in no time. Compared to the 15 minutes per pound for a roasted turkey, the cooking time of fried turkey is about three