Category Archives: Outdoor Entertaining

Misting Fans

Misting Fans help beat the heat

Outdoor Misting Fan

Misting Fans help beat the heat and improve your outdoor experience.

One of the most popular spots at the zoo or amusement park on hot summer days is not necessarily one of the main attractions. It’s the misting stations that draw in a consistent crowd eager to feel cool and refreshed before moving onto the next wild animal or wild ride. Creating your own personal misting station is much easier, much more pleasant, and much less expensive than spending hot summer days with the family at a pricey zoo or park. The way to accomplish this is with a misting fan.

Misting fans bring together the refreshing mist of water with the cool breeze generated by a fan. This combination cools more effectively than just mist or just a fan alone. In fact, a misting fan can reduce the surrounding air temperature by as much as 30 degrees, making it possible to feel comfortable on your back patio or deck even on the hottest days. Better quality misting fans are able to cool an area 200 square feet or more in size, which makes the misting fan ideal not only for home use, but also for commercial and industrial use. Outdoor cafes, construction sites, and sporting events are just a few of the places where misting fans would be welcomed and appreciated.

When shopping for a misting fan for your home or workplace, there are a couple of features you will want to insist upon having. Most misting fans are mounted on top of a water reservoir, many of which can hold anywhere from 5 to 10 gallons of water. Better misting fans, no matter what the capacity, should be able to run, when starting with a full reservoir, up to 4 or 5 hours long without needing a refill. Additionally, be sure to choose a misting fan that comes with attached, locking wheels or a convenient cart so that it is easy to move and store away.

Optional features are available that can enhance the quality of your misting fan experience. For example, some misting fans have variable speeds, allowing you more control. Another particularly handy feature in a misting fan is a telescoping post that allows the fan to be adjusted easily for height. Also, some fans oscillate to more efficiently distribute the cooling mist in the surrounding area.

No matter what features you choose, having your own misting fan at home or work can significantly improve your level of comfort, even on the hottest of days. Because they provide so much relief from the heat, misting fans at home can help you enjoy your patio or deck more fully, and at work, misting fans can increase your productivity and make working outdoors much more pleasant.

Poolside Furniture

Poolside Furniture Patio Furniture

Eucalyptus Poolside Furniture

Eucalyptus Poolside Furniture: The Affordable and Sustainable Choice

Eucalyptus Patio Furniture is growing in popularity as the wood of choice for outdoor patio furniture. In the past, teak reigned supreme over most other choices of wood because of its strength, beauty, and durability, but teak furniture is generally very expensive. Many homeowners are unable or unwilling to spend large sums of money on their outdoor furniture. Eucalyptus furniture offers homeowners a much more affordable alternative that rivals the strength and durability of teak.

Why Choose Eucalyptus?

Eucalyptus trees originated in Australia, but they were first introduced to other parts of the world by the Cook expedition of 1770. In some places, these trees have become an invasive species, but when grown sustainably on plantations, eucalyptus trees can be effectively managed. The desire for environmentally sustainable wood products has made the growing of eucalyptus trees beneficial for many local economies around the world. In the US, eucalyptus trees grow particularly well in the Pacific Northwest, specifically in Oregon, Washington, and portions of British Columbia.

Eucalyptus Patio Furniture is a fast-growing wood with a variety of beautiful grains and colors, depending on the species. Wood patio furniture, as well as other products, constructed from eucalyptus make a rich and warm addition to any surroundings. Additionally, these trees produce an oil with insecticidal properties, making them naturally insect resistant — an ideal quality for any wood product used outside. As a result, treatment of outdoor furniture for this purpose is generally not necessary. Like teak, eucalyptus is extremely durable, easy to care for, and beautiful in appearance. The only significant difference is that eucalyptus furniture is budget-friendly, while teak is not.

Make a Sustainable Choice

Consumers who are looking for eucalyptus patio furniture, or any kind of wood patio furniture, should strongly consider choosing furniture certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is “an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.” When consumers buy wood products certified by the FSC, they can feel confident that the wood used to make these products was grown in an environmentally and economically sustainable way that respects the rights of workers, local inhabitants, and local species. Choosing products that are certified by the FSC helps to support the continuing effort to improve forest management around the world.

Bringing the natural beauty of wood patio furniture to outdoor living spaces in an affordable and ethical way is possible. With fast-growing, highly durable wood sources like eucalyptus, consumers don’t have to bear the burden of spending a good deal of money to buy superior quality outdoor furniture. And, by consciously choosing wood patio furniture certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, consumers can opt out of supporting poorly managed forests and unsustainable practices. Enjoying the best of both worlds — affordability and sustainability — is truly a reality.

 

Fun Pool Floats for Adults

Couch Cooler Float
We have a unique assortment of pool floats designed to help adults have more fun in the pool! Our oversized cooler couch keeps your favorite beverage right at hand by storing them in the cooler in the base of the float. Our Port-O-Pong floating pong table has built in cup holders for a floating game of beverage pong that will create a party in your pool. The Cabana Islander is like having a floating cabana in your pool. It includes a center swim porthole, a boarding platform, and a floating 16 quart cooler. We have multi-person floats for your whole crowd to enjoy. With our large selection of grown-up pool toys, you will be entertained all summer long.

Put Your Pool to Work for Outdoor Gatherings

The next time you plan a romantic dinner or cozy gathering on the patio or at poolside, put your swimming pool to work.  Pool fountains create a dramatic backdrop for any outdoor event, and they provide an easy and tasteful way to dress up your outdoor areas.

Some pool fountains spray in multi-leveled tiers and provide an elegant effect:

Other pool fountains feature spinning parts that create beautiful arcs and patterns of falling water:

Raindance Spinning Fountain

For a more subtle visual effect, there are also pool fountains that recreate the naturally soothing sounds of waterfalls:

Kutstone Cubic Scupper Pool Fountain

Using any kind of pool fountain allows you to turn your swimming pool into a key contributor to the ambiance and style of your outdoor gathering.   Whether dramatic or subtle, your pool fountain will certainly impress your guests.

Make Your Own Backyard Water Park

Crowded Water Park

Indoor and outdoor water parks seem to be in every town these days, and their numbers continue to grow.  Savvy parents know that these “vacation destinations” are rarely worth the expensive admission fee.  Additionally, indoor and outdoor water parks use an excessive amount of chemicals in their water to keep bacteria and germs from hundreds of visitors at bay, which leads to irritated eyes and skin.  Kids love these places, though, so how do parents entice their young ones to stay home and enjoy the swimming pool in their own backyards?

One easy way to make the backyard pool more exciting for kids is to add a pool slide for action packed fun.  Pool slides made for backyard swimming pools don’t reach the dizzying heights of those at the local water park, but there are no lines to wait in, no crowds to wade through, and kids can slide to their heart’s content.  Add a couple of friends to the mix, and families can enjoy full days of free fun at home.

Turbo Twister Pool Slide  G-Force 360 Degree Pool Slide  Rocket Ride Pool Slide