https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:10:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/composite-decking#post-2681062 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 19:47:50 +0000 ShootingStar 2681062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a composite deck and it's awesome. I never noticed it being particularly hot but then I don't go on it barefoot and it gets shade a good portion of the day. </p> <p>The only thing I'd warn about is be careful of staining. Our grill developed a hole and leaked grease that caused a stain. I tried a lot to get it out and it faded, but it's still there. After that I made DH get a grill mat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/composite-decking#post-2681030 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 18:12:07 +0000 SLR 2681030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours is wood but I would do the composite in a heartbeat if we were redoing it. My parents have composite and it does get hot. Water also seems to sit on it more than wood so it could take longer to dry after a rain or need to be squeegeed off. It looks great and the no maintenance factor would be so nice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/composite-decking#post-2681019 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 17:42:58 +0000 SweetCaroline 2681019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just built one and I love it. The railings and the risers are white and the rest is autumn chestnut. It is on the north side of our house and gets minimal sun. I love the fact I will not have to stain/paint it and it is gorgeous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/composite-decking#post-2680988 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:30:40 +0000 Modern Daisy 2680988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I picked out a lighter color because of this but like I said in my comment above we have yet to use the deck so I don't know if it will make a difference or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/composite-decking#post-2680987 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:29:29 +0000 Modern Daisy 2680987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just built a new deck with composite materials. It was finished in mid November so we haven't actually used it yet but so far I really love it. It would have saved us about $6-$8k to go with real wood but I didn't think the savings would be worth it in the long run since we would have to maintain it. none of our neighbors have composite decks, theirs are all wood, and they are all on the older side and need to be restained every year. I can't even imagine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/composite-decking#post-2680982 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:20:53 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2680982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't personally have one, but in projects where clients have used it they've complained that it's hot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/composite-decking#post-2680979 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:17:51 +0000 winter_wonder 2680979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have a deck built out of composite materials? Do you like it? Is it significantly better than wood? Are there any shortcomings that I'm not aware of (besides cost :silly: ). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-brand-of-kids-snow-stuff#post-2327068 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:57:57 +0000 Charm54 2327068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DDs LL Bean stuff from last year has stood up really well. Bonus, it has "grow cuffs" in the arms and legs where the seams can be undone to make them longer, so I don't have to buy her a new suit this year </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-brand-of-kids-snow-stuff#post-2327060 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:52:07 +0000 Greentea 2327060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a hardcore Patagonia person!</p> <p>I also like Obermeyer, LO's jacket from last year will fit for awhile, they have extended wear sleeves that extend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-brand-of-kids-snow-stuff#post-2327034 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:39:22 +0000 winniebee 2327034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had an LLBean snow pants/ jacket ensemble that I loved. MIL just got T a Spyder snowsuit that seems great!</p> <p>I love Marmot split mittens and Dakine boots (the ones that open way up with velcro). </p> <p>For little bro I just got some cheap Target snow pants and he'll wear a patagonia jacket...he'll only be 1 in December and I can't imagine he'll be playing outside for as long as his big brother. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-brand-of-kids-snow-stuff#post-2327030 Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:37:48 +0000 cheert16 2327030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both LO's need snow stuff for this winter! Lookng for snow suits for a 2.5 year old boy (3T so its lasts 2 winters) and for a girl 12 months. Whats your favorite place to buy winter stuff? And your favorite brands? We are in MA so we need stuff for really cold days!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38256 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:32:00 +0000 lavender 38256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have just enough for us where we don't feel overwhelmed with yardwork...0.15 acres, small for some, ideal for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38226 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:10:40 +0000 Rescuemom10 38226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>YES! Outdoor living is VERY important to me. I grew up in the counrty so when DH and I were looking at houses I didnt want anything that has less than 2 acres. We bought our house which is on 2.5 acres. Need room for all our dogs to run and down the road will have a horse/s. I am def not a city girl. I have had to live in "the city" before....just really not happy in the city! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38185 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:06:54 +0000 HabesBabe 38185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a normal sized lot for a suburban neighborhood in OC-- I think our lot is around 7,000 sq ft and our house is 1,500 sq ft. Nice enough for a garden and some grass, without being a pain to mow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38177 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:59:56 +0000 mynoahbear 38177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a balcony that runs the length of our apartment. We can even put a table and chairs out, which is pretty good for tokyo but tiny compared to what everyone in the States is used to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38158 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:42:31 +0000 mrs. wagon 38158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>zero useable outdoor space-- we are in a rental that was SUPPOSED to be temporary but we're going on year 4 here. :( It's a great house but it's on a busy road, so front space is dangerous, and the backyard is not level and very dangerous so totally not useable. Really frustrating and plenty of outdoor space (at LEAST 5,000 sq foot lot and fenced in back yard) is a NON-NEGOTIABLE for the next house we live in / buy.</p> <p>That is the #1 reason I want to move. We don't even have any parks within walking distance so we have to get in the car to get to a play area... might as well live in the city!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38150 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:34:50 +0000 cyndistar3 38150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I could never live without a yard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38145 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:26:16 +0000 yoursilverlining 38145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our current home (condo) doesn’t have any real green space. We have a large balcony, but no grass. There is a park at the end of our street, so that helps. </p> <p>We are looking to buy a larger home with a small yard. We don’t want a big yard as neither of us are outdoorsy types or garden, so just a small yard for a kid and dog to play in. The homes/yards we are looking at are your typical city sized lot (not sure what that measures out to be). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38144 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:25:35 +0000 venice4504 38144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in-city and have a typical 150x50 lot which the house takes the majority up. We have a small backyard though that has pavers which is ample for lounge chairs, bbq and toys when the time comes. We also live across the street from a huge park. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38143 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:24:04 +0000 heffalump 38143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a good sized backyard. It was a must when buying a house because we have a big dog. We also fenced in part of our front yard so we can sit out front and let the dog roam around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38138 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:18:27 +0000 mediagirl 38138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a decent sized lot - 1/4 acre - but we would love more space than that. The type of space where you can't see your closest neighbor. Oh yeah. Anyways, for now, it works. Our front yard is small as our house is placed close to the street. That gives us a very large backyard to play with. We currently only have a 10x10 patio out back but would like to expand it. At some point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38110 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:43:30 +0000 polkadots 38110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have a pretty big back yard... with a woodworking shop for DH </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38107 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:42:43 +0000 808love 38107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm an outdoors person so I say yes. I think if your neighborhood is not 'walkable', then it's even more important. We have parks in our neighborhood but there is such a slope and people who park in their driveway out to the sidewalk that it's a pain to walk around with security of safety. It's definitely not walkable (but it does have a great view from our hillside perch.). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38088 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:28:54 +0000 chopsuey 38088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd love a nice yard so LO can run around and play when she gets older. We have a patio that's about 8x6? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38086 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:27:23 +0000 carrieknitscake 38086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in the city. We have a front deck where our grill is and a back deck. Not far from our street is a church school's playground as well as another about two-three blocks away. Personally, my husband and I would rather move to a bigger house in our neighborhood than move to the burbs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38081 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:24:14 +0000 winniebee 38081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LOL, no. We live in the city and have a back deck, but that's it! </p> <p>Excited to one day move to the burbs and have a backyard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38070 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:18:11 +0000 pelikila 38070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have about a 1/3 of an acre and we are at the end of a cul-de-sac so it is almost all backyard. It is great for the dogs to run but we don't use it the way we should. As my son grows I'm sure we'll be out there a lot more though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38060 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:10:32 +0000 mrsjyw 38060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While our home/lot is fairly large (3000 sq. ft 1/4 acre) compared to other subdivisions near us, most of our yard space is in the front. Our backyard is lined with privacy trees, fence... and then a brick patio and hot tub take up the majority of the space. There's enough space for our 2 small dogs and lil babies/toddlers, but probably not a lot of room for older kids to play comfortably. DH &amp; I definitely want to revisit the home buying process in 10 years.. so we'll make it work until then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-lots-of-outdoor-space#post-38059 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:08:21 +0000 anewme 38059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before DH and I bought our house, we looked at real estate in excess of 2 years on and off, casually. I think we looked at everything from coops, to condos, to multi families to single family each time making a mental drawing of what life would be like living in that space and how we would make it work. </p> <p>I was content on getting a small non-inspiring condo but we ended up finding a fantastic deal on our current house, it was hard to walk away. Growing up in NY all my life, I got used to the cement as our front lawn. But one of the things that attracted me to my current house is actually a small patch of grass we have on our front lawn! It's like unheard of in Brooklyn these days without paying an arm and a leg. We also have 2 balconies that are great for sitting and people watching and a small but functional backyard that I intend to use as an extension of playspace for DD when she gets older!</p> <p>To think I almost went with a place that had none of these extra outdoor living spaces! Do you have any outdoor living in your current home? Do you think it's important? </p>