Here is a list of some of the most common and popular roofing styles, in no particular order.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingle roofs are one of the most popular roofing types in North America due to its longevity, ease of maintenance, and low cost.  An asphalt shingle roof typically comes with a 20-30 year warranty and it is very easy to replace single shingles or sections of the roof in question.  The shingles themselves are typically made of a base of fiberglass and a topping of composite mineral and asphalt.

Standing Seam Metal

Popular in areas with risks of high snowfall or wildfires, standing seam metal roofs are incredibly durable and are recyclable when they have reached the end of their lifespan.  They are made of aluminum or steel panels that meet at raised metal seams.  This type of roofing lasts 30-50 years on average, and is fireproof and capable of dealing with heavy moisture easily.

Metal Shingles

Designed to be a bit more pleasing to the eye than the traditional standing seam metal roofs, metal shingles have been created with all the benefits of standing seam metal without the industrial look.  These metal shingles are stamped in metal and then finished to mimic asphalt roofs, wooden shingles, or even clay tiles.

Wooden Shingles

Wood shingle roofs are one of the more luxury type roofing options as they are typically very attractive looking.  However they can be more expensive to maintain, and aren’t always suited to very damp climates or areas where wildfires pose significant risks.  The shingles are generally made from cedar or redwood, and can be stained or painted.  A well maintained shingle roof can last 50 years in dry climates, but in damp climates it may need replacement after around 20 years.

Clay Tile

Clay tile roofing is a very popular material in salty coastal climates or hot and dry climates, such as Florida and California.  A very durable roofing material, these tile roofs can last a century if maintained.  Cost can vary depending on the type of clay or tile you use.  Clay roofing is often seen in different patterns such as Spanish, Mission, French, and shingle.  Clay tile roofing is also fireproof.

Slate

Slate roofing is probably the most expensive type of roofing you can buy.  This makes it most appropriate for luxury houses where cost is no object.  The trade off, however, is that slate roofing is extremely long-lived, and can last up to 200 years!  Installing slate roofing is a specialized task, so it may be harder to find a roofer who can install it properly.  Another option for slate roofing is rubber slate, which is a convincing doppelganger for actual slate roofing but is much cheaper.  Rubber slate roofing only lasts 50 years.

Rolled Roofing

Rolled roofing is one of the cheapest solutions, and is often used for industrial buildings, flat roofed houses, and sheds/structures where good looks are very far down on the list.  You will often see this on the tops of apartment buildings where the roof is flat and not visible from the ground.

Rolled roofing is applied in strips and a good rolled roofing solution should last about 10 years if it is installed and maintained correctly.

Built Up Roofing (BUR)

Built up roofing is another option for flat roofed or industrial buildings.  It consists of several layers of roofing felt combined with heat applied asphalt.  A well installed built up roofing solution can last almost 20 to 30 years.  It is more costly than rolled roofing but lasts longer.

When choosing a garage door you will have to consider multiple pros and cons of each type of door.  Think about how you want to use your garage for the most part – for vehicles, for storage, as a workshop?  All of the above?  Also consider how tall your vehicles will be, and if you will be putting any sporting equipment on the roof such as surfboards, kayaks, and bikes.

Let’s take a look at the main types of garage doors:

Sectional

Sectional garage doors are divided into horizontal sections that hinge and roll up on tracks.  These are one of the most common types of garage doors when someone wants an automatic garage door opener.  There are a huge range of styles for these doors and they come in a variety of materials, finishes, and decorations such as windows.

Pros:

• Great with automatic openers
• Wide range of styles
• Don’t stick out from the garage when opened
• Generally quiet

Cons:

• Take up space in the garage, on the ceiling.  Can reduce ceiling height when open.

Canopy

There are two types of canopy garage doors.  These are doors made of a single piece (not sectioned).  Protruding canopy garage doors stick out a bit from the garage when opened, and retractable canopy doors fully slide all the way into the garage.  These doors can be operated by hand, or they can have automatic openers.

Pros:

• Wide range of style options without hinges or sections to limit things
• When balanced properly they can be easy to open manually
• Can sometimes be used with automatic openers

Cons:

• Need space to open
• Can take up space on the ceiling area above the door

Side Hinged

Side hinged garage doors are more traditional, opening inwards or outwards on hinges like doors.  There are pros and cons to this design as well.  They have a more classic look and can seem more “rich” in appearance than typical Sectional or Canopy garage doors.  These are also called carriage or carriage house doors.

Pros:

• Can open one without the other being open.  Nice for those who have a workshop in their garage
• Look more “luxurious”
• Very simple mechanism to maintain
• Easy to open and close by hand

Cons:

• Swing inwards or outwards and require space to do so
• Don’t often work well with automatic openers
• Can be less secure vs vertically opening doors

Roller Doors

Roller doors are one of the more space saving garage doors that you can have.  They are made up of very small sections and roll up into a coil above the door.  These doors are typically a bit more industrial and you can lose a bit of styling advantage vs other types of doors.

Pros:

• Saves the most space of all the garage door types
• No swing in or out
• Can be very secure (often used in industrial storage units)
• Can also be used with automatic openers

Cons:

• Industrial looking, less suited for homes
• Can be pricey
• Less design options

Garage Door Materials

There are a few different types of materials that you can use for your garage doors.  However, your options can sometimes be limited to the type of door you select.  For example, you won’t be able to have a wood roller door, as those are generally made of metal.

Wood

Wood is the most basic garage door material.  Most older homes had wooden garage doors.  Luxury homes often have wood garage doors as this is a more luxury option that needs maintenance to look its best.

Vinyl

Vinyl doors are cheap and easy to maintain.  They are also marketed as being difficult to dent and damage, and therefore may be more suitable for families with children that might be apt to end up hitting it with a baseball or other object.

Aluminum

Aluminum doors are lightweight and easier to prevent from developing rust.  However they can be prone to dents.  They are available in a variety of finishes and colors.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are less prone to denting but they can break if hit hard enough.  These types of doors can be in a variety of colors and shapes.  They are often made of two layers and filled with insulation.

Steel

Steel garage doors are sturdy however they can be dented and can sometimes suffer from corrosion in coastal areas or areas with lots of salt in the air.

If you feel you need a little extra boost of brainstorming motivation, try some of these ten outdoor deck tips out for size. See if turning these over in your mind doesn’t cause your imagination to run wild!

Picturing the Layout

The first and most crucial part of creating the perfect outdoor deck design is envisioning it. Allow yourself to forgo the material preparations in the very beginning and instead just take the time to imagine the details of your ideal deck.

This will come in handy later!

Incorporating Entertainment

A perfect outdoor deck should be a fun, exciting, and relaxing place to enjoy with friends, family, and visitors. Try forging some space for entertainment by adding a game table and plenty of areas for physical activity, party games, or even exercise!

If you live a highly active lifestyle, this tip could end up being the feature that perfects your deck.

Seating Room

Of course, what good is entertainment if there’s no room for people to partake in it? Extra seating space can be achieved through a spacious deck and chairs, sofa, and other furniture to comfortably sit.

Play around with different ideas for seating and see what works the best with your personal vision!

Curves

One way to give your deck its own unique vibe is to base it around a curving shape. There are several materials to look through that can allow for this sort of shape and it has the added benefit of easily allowing for a round table setup!

Gardening Opportunities

If you’re a gardening enthusiast, why not reflect that in your outside deck? Consider throwing some flowerpots or other container gardening materials into the mix! You might find yourself pleasantly surprised with how easy it is to merge these two interests.

Lower Height

Those who are looking for a way to give their deck its own flavor could find a shorter layout appealing! This is a great way to allow for a closer and more intimate experience, especially if there is a lot of greenery in your yard.

Utilize Extra Space

There’s no sense in having a cramped deck if there’s space around it to spare, so it could be worth it to adjust the shape or the layout of the deck if can mean more breathing room for guests. Don’t get too fixated on a specific shape if another layout might make more sense!

Personalized Stairs

A simple, easy, and effective way to give your deck its own personality is to get creative with the stairs! Unusual materials for the steps or railing can be a great idea for accomplishing this as well as building the stairs with a curving or bending shape.

Soothing Atmosphere

Mood and atmosphere are often overlooked in home decor, but they are easily one of the most important factors. A cozy, gentle tone can be as easy as using a familiar and inviting color scheme or making great use of soft materials for your chairs and furniture.

Open Air

And finally, you might believe walls just subtract from the whole deck experience. If that’s the case, then why include them at all? Allow the deck to be surrounded by nothing but fresh, open space and bask in the feeling of being in the outdoors!

However, many people find that they can streamline the process and reduce any potential headache by staying with few basic ideas. Here are five ideas to get the ball rolling and create your own perfect greenhouse!

Organize Your Layout

First, you must get your plans in order and keep everything organized properly. A greenhouse without a detailed plan or layout can quickly get incredibly difficult to work with, so you won’t regret taking some time to think things through!

One key concern to keep in mind here is crowding. If you separate the different areas of greenhouse with a steady plan, you should find that you are able to maximize your space and allow all the plants plenty of space in the structure. Shelves can be an additional benefit when it comes to creating and conserving space for the plants.

Surrounding Plant Life

While the whole idea of a greenhouse obviously necessitates plants inside the structure, there’s no reason that you can’t have a few on the outside as well! Indeed, by filling up the space around the greenhouse with plants, you might find that it creates a more natural atmosphere and emphasizes the beauty of the greenhouse itself.

It could also be a very good idea to test out some different combinations of plants and see what works best for the mood and atmosphere of the area. Don’t be afraid to experiment and get inventive with your floral arrangement; if something doesn’t seem right, you can always correct it later in the design phase!

Seating Space

To give yourself, friends, and family an area where they can take some time to appreciate the beauty and soothing nature of the greenhouse, it’s highly recommended that you use part of the structure for seating! Of course, the question then pops up: How do I make sure the seating area blends in?

Luckily, there are a few simple and easy ways to do this. You can use green coloring for the seats to prevent a jarring contrast, for example, or include plant artwork or decorations in the mix. Any idea you can think of to combine seating with the greenhouse atmosphere is worth considering!

Resourceful Use of Space

If you’re working with a smaller or mini greenhouse, there’s no reason to let this deter you from having a great amount of plant life in the mold. By using vertical space, as just one scenario, you can add plant pots and really make effective use of the area you’re dealing with!

A seemingly small space can be deceptive, so it’s important to remember that a smaller design plan doesn’t have to be as limiting as it might look.

Creative Structure

And who says your greenhouse must fit the textbook definition of a greenhouse at all? A garden with a tent or a sunlit corner of can both be wonderful substitutes for a traditional greenhouse.

It’s also more than acceptable to remodel an existing structure such as an old barn or tool shed into a new greenhouse, as there’s no need to make a completely new structure from scratch when you have something that will already do just nicely.

You might find it helpful to look around the yard and see if you have any unused structure that could make a great makeshift greenhouse!

Outdoor lighting is incredibly important for aesthetics, nighttime entertainment, and a sense of home completeness for a holistic approach. And it certainly shouldn’t be glossed over to focus exclusively on the inside lighting.

Here are ten tips to help you out if you’re having difficulty in this area!

Candles

Candlelight is one of the oldest and most effective ways to light your outdoor gatherings and they still, to this day, work like a charm!

Candlesticks can be fantastic for more close, intimate, or romantic nights while using smaller candles might be the best way to get a familiar and comforting atmosphere going on outside.

Using Fences

Fencing in your yard can make for a neat little way to mount rows of lights in a single area. The size of the bulb is up to you, but keep in mind that large bulbs will cut down on the quantity of lighting you’ll need overall!

Glass Covers

Finding a glass cover for bright light sources creates a wonderful glowing effect that adds to a sense of escapism and serenity. Even a minimal use of this technique gives an extra boost to the mood of the nighttime decor and will help guests feel more comfortable.

Tea Lights

Looking for an ocean-like effect of many small lights in the yard? Tea lights are the answer! The dazzling starlight impression fostered by a good collection of tea lights acts as an additional sprinkle of outside design that makes the night a little more fantastical.

Tree Support

If you need a makeshift post on short notice, see if a tree out back won’t do the trick. The trunk of the tree can often make just as good of a support as any post and it cuts down on time and effort; just wrap the lights around it and call it a night!

Chandelier

An air of elegance and grace can be readily accomplished by adding a chandelier! If you have a dining table, consider hanging a chandelier above it or even make your own out of tree branches if you’re feeling a DIY mood overtake you.

Multiple Directions

When the lighting starts to feel monotonous, you might decide to mix it up by experimenting with the direction it aims in. Think outside the box and have the lights point toward interesting or unique places for a sense of diversity and variety!

Pendants

A classic for outdoor lighting, pendants have several time-honored advantages! Many home designers have found that placing a pendant in a certain area outside can give it a soothing atmosphere that guests might want to move to at some point in the night.

Basket Covers

Using baskets for light covers can have a certain charm or friendliness to it that you might want to cultivate at your outdoor gatherings. Try them out by hanging them from railings or tree branches and see if the effect that’s created isn’t exactly the sort of pleasantness you’re looking for!

Artificial Fire

With the use of an artificial flame, you can allow your outdoor lighting to have all the benefits and draws of real fire with none of the downsides. If you prefer to cut down on cost and time, this can be as simple as wrapping small lights around a few logs and placing them in a fire pit!