HomeAndBackyard.com 's Blog

Why You Should Care Where Your Products Come From & How They're Made

2011-05-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

So we at HomeandBackyard.com fully understand that in today's economy all of us are looking for ways to pinch pennies. And purchases like outdoor furniture, solar patio lights, fire pits, and outdoor heaters these days are more "nice to haves" than "need to haves." Which is why we have a lot of reduced prices on products throughout our site.

There is something else though that we believe is really important to consider when buying "cheaply". I once heard a proverb that goes something like this "If you buy something that's made cheaply, you'll end up buying it twice - once cheaply and a second time a year later because the cheap one didn't last." While frankly I believe this to be true, there's also another important consideration. Most consumers don't have a clue where their purchased products have come from, who they were made by, what they were made with and how long they can expect them to last. We are a culture of we want it cheap, fast and of quality. I hate to say it, but you can't have all three.

Which is why this post is dedicated to another old proverb, this time from the ancient Greeks:

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

This means that we need to make decisions that aren't just in our own personal interest, but we need to consider the long term implications of our actions, consumption and buying habits. It's hard to say what the human and environmental cost will be to China and the rest of the world from their more than 10% annual GDP growth these past many years. But with the speed at which coal plants are being erected in China, and tropical forests are being cut down in Brazil and SE Asia, it seems safe to say that the cost will be very, very high.

At HomeandBackyard.com, we have put extra effort in finding and selling products that either promote sustainability - solar lighting, for example - or are made from FSC certified wood products - all of our wood furniture is - or is made from recycled plastic - like our CRProducts outdoor patio furniture. While not everything we sell fits into this category of sustainability, we are continuing to look for more products and options that fit this model. And as we do we'll let you know. Visit our Environmentally Friendly Outdoor Products section of the website here: http://www.homeandbackyard.com/prod_gen.cfm?altcat=eco

HomeandBackyard.com now carrying Hatteras Hammocks, Castaway Hammocks & Sawgrass Mills Rugs

2011-05-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again - time to clean up the yard, get out the patio furniture, and begin the outdoor relaxation and entertainment season. There's no better way to relax than reliving childhood memories spending a lazy afternoon reading in a hammock. With the noted exception that today's hammocks are much more comfortable, sophisticated and decorative. Which you can now find the complete collection of Hammock Source hammocks in Home & Backyard Furnishing's online store.

So if you want to create a comfortable atmosphere in your backyard, then Home and Backyard Furnishings is the perfect place to go. We have products that can help you design the best backyard with the most possibilities.

One of the best things you can get for your lounging needs is an outdoor hammock. We are proud of the products we provide and you will find you absolutely love our selection. Our newest line of hammock products come from nationally known Hammock Source and are made with the best quality materials to ensure longevity so they last you for many years to come.

There are many different types of outdoor hammocks you can choose from when you shop online on our site. You might be imagining one that you can hang from two trees while you comfortably take a nap. If you don't have two trees, or a place to hang one, you don't have to write this option off. We're now offering a variety of wood and steel free-standing hammock stands that will allow you to put your hammock anywhere. These types of stands have a sturdy and durable frame which the fabric is connected to. We also offer hammock swings that can be installed on any patio or deck setting with a roof or overhead beams. They allow adults to comfortably lounge and swing. These are much better than the traditional outdoor hammock.

When you are shopping online at with Home & Backyard Furnishings you can find many ways to accentuate your backyard. We also offer the finest outside patio furniture selections for you to choose from. We can provide the perfect solutions to lounge by the poolside or any where in your backyard.

We are now carrying Duracord rope hammocks, polyester hammocks or they're sometimes called polycord hammocks and many other options. Lounging is not only for the daytime, so if you love the fresh air of the outdoors and want to spend time into the evening then you might want to consider a more luxurious Hatteras Hammock or Castaway Hammock quilted hammock and bolster pillows, which will make extended lounging in even more relaxing.

When you shop with Home and Backyard you will be amazed at the different solutions we can provide for you to lounge and enjoy your backyard atmosphere. We are here to help you design the perfect backyard. You might consider an amazing outdoor rope hammock which will allow you to relax or even take a nap if you like. We also carry Hammock Source's Sawgrass Mills outdoor carpets. You won't believe that these carpets are actually water and weather proof. They look like the real thing. We carry a broad and beautiful selection of styles and prints, and each comes with a 1 year warrenty. So if you are shopping for weatherproof rugs, outdoor carpets, outdoor rugs or whatever you'd like to call them, we've got the best selection.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Browse our hammock selections here: http://www.homeandbackyard.com/prod_gen.cfm?catid=1006&subcatid=1039

Outdoor Solar Lighting - Save Energy & Money

2011-05-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a way to cut on your energy costs one of the best things you can do is install outdoor solar lights to the exterior of your home. You can find the widest selection from Home and Backyard. This is the place to go for all of your home exterior needs.

Feeling the economic pinch of today's economy, and looking for ways to reduce your ever increasing electricity? You might often get home late at night and have to leave the bulbs turned on so you can see in the dark on the way into your house. The cost of leaving the bulbs on all night long may not seem that expensive but it does add up. Consider replacing your exterior lights with zero maintenance and zero electricity solar lights at Home and Backyard Furnishings.

If you are thinking about switching to outdoor solar powered lights you are making a good decision. By using less electricity you are doing your part in going green and helping with minimizing global warming.Maybe your entire neighborhood might take part in the endeavor also.Slowing global warming is an effort that requires individual action anda change in consumption. Outdoor solar lights are a great step in that direction.

When you choose an outdoor solar light source you no longer are using your electricity. The great thing is that they are charged throughout the day from the UV rays of the sun. They store the energyfrom the sun and then have enough power to provide a light source that will allow you to see all night long.

You can find an abundance of different styles and types to choose from when you visit our website. This is the best place to shop because there are so many to choose from you are sure to find a set that you absolutely love that will accent your walkway perfectly and just the way you like.

You might feel a little intimidated about the idea of an outdoor solar light source because it might sound like something difficult to install. The truth is that there is no learning curve at all. All you have to do is find the spot you want to put them in the ground and turn them on. That's it.

When you shop at Home and Backyard Furnishings you will find the best lighting for the exterior of your home. There is no reason to go anywhere else because our lighting is easy to install and there are so many different types to choose from. You are also doing an excellent thing by saving money on your energy costs too. Home and Backyard strives to provide all of your exterior home solutions.

Our Solar Lights add decorative glow to any exterior setting, including gardens, decks, paths, walkways, home entrances, landscaping and exterior walls. Each fixture automatically recharges during the day and turns itself on at dusk providing zero maintenance ambient lighting year round. Our advanced solar collector panel converts sunlight into electrical energy and provides a well above industry average of 8 to 10 hours of zero cost light throughout your property. We also use the latest efficient LED Technology, which makes our lights stay lit longer and glow brighter than the industry average. To provide you years of use, all our solar products are made of durable, weather-resistant stainless steel or copper. With no plug-in receptacles or power packs, these high quality, decorative lights cost nothing to operate which makes them the perfect product for your driveway, patio or deck, as well as remote areas of your property where regular power sources are not available. A durable ground spike is also included.

Search through our solar options here: http://www.homeandbackyard.com/prod_cats.cfm?catid=1002

Outdoor Firepits - Get 'em While They're Hot

2011-05-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for an outdoor fire pit, you might consider shopping with Home and Backyard Furnishings. There are many different types which provide the heating source you've been looking for. This might mean warmth for you during the cold months or just serve as a great nighttime accent for your backyard. Whichever your purpose you want to be sure you are getting a top quality product. We offer patio heaters and fire pits that burn wood and charcoal, natural gas and heaters that are powered by electricity.
Outdoor fire pits for your backyard can be a lot of fun as well. One of the more value priced options we offer is a wood or charcoal burning copper or stainless steel fire pit. This type provides heat like a traditional fireplace in a home. Our fire pits can be used for ambience, heating as well as grilling food. The best wood burning and charcoal options can be found at www.homeandbackyard.com.

If you are looking for an outdoor fire pit but don't want to deal with the smoke and the mess, then consider electric powered versions. These
units require only electricity to power them to provide the heat. They are a safe method of heat in the colder months and require no clean up.
You must have an electrical source on the back of the house in order to provide power to these versions.

www.homeandbackyard.com also carries a variety of outdoor gas fire pit. All you need is a simple propane tank and you have clean burning, immediate warmth for your outdoor space. Propane tanks are not included with our outdoor gas fire pits. Many people love these heat sources in the colder months because they are very inexpensive to run and they last for a long time. They are also portable.

Home and Backyard is the best place to go for top quality winter heat sources. We also provide ventless gel fuel fireplaces for indoors and outdoors. Our products are made with the finest materials of 100% recycled copper that is capable of sustaining the hottest heat without warping or discoloration. By using 100% copper or 100% stainless steel, our fire pits will last for a long time.

SPECIAL OFFER! OUR NEW CHIMINEA COMBO IS NOW ONLY $299! THIS IS A ONE TIME DISCOUNTED PURCHASE FROM HOMEANDBACKYARD.COM, SO GET 'EM AT THIS PRICE WHILE THEY LAST.
Our fire pits are all handcrafted from 100% recycled, solid copper or 100% solid stainless steel. These professionally designed and hand-crafted fire pits are beautiful patio decorations that will serve all your aesthetic and functional needs. Each fire pit comes with a wrought iron base and chrome-coated steel grill. As a result, our copper fire pits will provide years of immediate and effortless pleasure. Our solid copper fire pits also offer the deepest bowl in the market, allowing for larger and longer lasting fires using any type of wood or charcoal. Our fire pits are perfect for warming up on a cool evening, and are also great for cooking and easy clean up with its included, non-toxic chrome plated steel cooking grate. Our competitors fire pits and copper products are routinely sold as copper but are most commonly only copper plated. Our use of 100% solid, recycled copper means longer-term durability, greater heat conductivity, and the elimination of tons of additional waste and pollution that would have resulted from the use of virgin copper.

Visit our site now to shop for firepits.

Patio Furniture Sets

2011-05-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

Summary: HomeandBackyard.com is offering great prices on quality patio furniture sets.

HomeandBackyard.com is offering great prices on quality patio furniture sets. This patio furniture sale includes our collection of FSC certified wood patio furniture, selected recycled plastic furniture, and all weather wicker patio furniture sets. Our website specializes in eco-friendly furniture made from materials that are either reclaimed, recycled or harvested in a way that is environmentally friendly. Many consumers are not aware that teak patio furniture and balau patio furniture are made from wood species that are considered threatened or endangered. Our hope is to educate consumers on the importance of purchasing wood patio furniture that has taken the environment into consideration and employed environmentally responsible practices in the manufacturing process.

HomeandBackyard.com also has a few patio sets under 1000, although you will also find many sets for more. It is important to know that the prices on our website are significantly less than most online retailers, when you consider the quality of the products used to make these chair & table sets. We encourage you to browse through our patio furniture clearance options at HomeandBackyard.com. Our site not only has great selections of wood sets, we also provide great outdoor accessories, patio cushions, covers, and many other accessories. If you cannot find exactly what you are looking for, you can contact our customer support at 888-425-2280 for more information and assistance.

If you would like to know more about the differences between teak and balau wood furniture, and our FSC certified wood furniture, just visit our website for more information. The section of our site that relates to outdoor furniture contains a summary of some of the many benefits of buying items made from environmentally friendly materials. A line of furniture that we here at HomeandBackyard.com wished was a more popular seller is our line of recycled plastic furniture. Contrary to what you might think this furniture is actually heavier than wood furniture, and is made from 99% recycled plastic in Canada. We recently sold out of our all weather wicker furniture line from Unique Arts, because we were able to offer it at a considerable discount since we buy direct. However, we do still have other all weather wicker furniture options available for you from other manufacturers.

Another line of products that has been very popular in our online store has been furniture covers. We carry a line of covers from a manufacturer called Classic Accessories. They offer three different lines of furniture covers - an economy line of covers that are at an affordable price point and still carry a reasonably good warrantly. Their middle of the road line of quality furniture covers are made from a more durable nylon and they carry a longer guarantee. All of these furniture covers have drawstrings at the bottom so you can close the bottom of the cover around the furniture legs as well as air vents that will allow for air exchange during wet months so you furniture doesn't get too musty. The top of the line option is our eco-friendly furniture covers are as we like to more simply refer to them as our recycled plastic furniture covers.

HomeandBackyard.com Expanding Its Collection of Blue Rhino & UniFlame Products

2011-04-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Despite what seems to be some pretty extreme weather in the Southern states at the moment, for most of us it is finally time to clean up the yard, get out the patio furniture, and begin the outdoor relaxation and entertainment season. One of the newer trends in outfitting an outdoor patio and dining environment has been fire pits, firebowl tables (or as some people call them fire pit tables) and related outdoor heating products. Which is why the complete collection of fire pits, fire pit tables and outdoor heating products has been expanded in Home & Backyard Furnishing's online store.

So if you want to create a warm and cozy atmosphere in your backyard while nightime temperatures are still a bit low, then Home and Backyard Furnishings is the perfect place to go. We have products that can help you create the best backyard dining and entertaining environment with the most possibilities.

One of the best things you can get for your lounging needs is a firepit table. With a wide variety of style available, our personal favorites have been square and round fire pit tables with inlaid stone and metal accents. We are proud of the products we provide and we believe you will find you absolutely love our selection. Our newest line of fire pit products come from nationally known Blue Rhino / Uniflame and are made with the best quality materials to ensure lthey last you for many years to come.

There are many different types of outdoor fire pits you can choose from when you shop online on our site. You might be imagining one that you can light and leave alone while you comfortably take a nap. In that case there are lp gas fire pits and lp gas fire pit table options that provide a cleaner and easier to leave alone heating option. If you prefer a wood burning fire pit that is more portable, then consider a copper fire pit or stainless steel fire pit which consists of a simple yet beautiful spun bowl with a stand and screen. Able to withstand very high temperatures without warping and scorching, solid copper fire pits and stainless steel fire pits are an excellent choice. We're now offering a variety of firebowls and firepits that will allow you to bring heat and ambience to any setting.

Another option is what is often referred to as a chiminea or outdoor fireplace. This type of product is, in effect, a copper fire pit with a cylindrical screen and a copper top with a vent. People use this type of outdoor fire bowl for larger fires as well as for basic grilling. They can be a beautiful and more majestic focal point for your outdoor patio.

When you are shopping online with Home & Backyard Furnishings you can find many ways to accentuate your backyard. We also offer the finest selection of gel fuel burners and gel fuel fireplaces for you to choose from. We can provide the perfect solutions to lounge by the poolside or any where in your backyard.

With the expansion of our Blue Rhino fire pits and Uniflame Firebowl Tables, Home and Backyard Furnishings anticipates an upsurge in demand. So visit our online store soon to see what our latest deals are and to ensure you will find products still in stock. These are seasonal items, and most of our suppliers do not replenish their stock after the end of the early fall season.

When you shop with Home and Backyard you will be amazed at the different solutions we can provide for you to lounge and enjoy your backyard atmosphere. We are here to help you design the perfect backyard. You might consider a quality made gas fire pit which will allow you to relax or even take a nap if you like. We also have found that our most popular outdoor heating product has been the simple copper fire pit, and each comes with a 1 year warrenty. So if you are shopping for firepits, outdoor heaters, or cleaner gel fuel fire pits, we've got the best selection.

http://www.homeandbackyard.com/prod_gen.cfm?catid=1005&subcatid=1026

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Save Up To 40% On Outdoor Heating Products - Limited Quantities Available

2009-12-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

Very Limited Quantities Available Of Select On Sale Fire Bowls, Patio Heaters & Fire Pits (in some cases only 1 or 2 remaining - see below for details)

Click Here To Shop Our Outdoor Heating

Specific Holiday Deals (anything over $299 ships free):

Stainless Steel Electric Patio Heater only $199 (one remaining at this price)!

Stainless Steel Table Top Electric Patio Heater only $169 (two remaining at this price)!

Newport & Mirabella LP Gas Firebowls - were $419, now only $299 (two of each style remaining at this price)

Tuscany LP Gas Firebowl - was $479, now only $339 (one remaining at this price)!

Havana LP Gas Firebowl - was $459, now only $349 (two remaining at this price)!

Meridian LP Gas Firebowl - was $439, now only $319 (two remaining at this price)!

Tuscany Table Top LP Gas Firebowl - was $95, now only $79 (one remaining at this price)!

Solid Copper Chiminea Combo with Screen - was $299, now only $269 (8 left at this price)!

Artificial Christmas Trees - save up to $100 & free shipping on most types!

SALE PRICES ARE VALID WHILE QUANTITIES LAST

Toll Free: 888-425-2280

Free Shipping From Dec. 4 - 7

2009-12-04T10:52:00.001-08:00

From Friday Dec. 4 - Monday Dec. 7 we are offering free shipping on everything. We are also giving away a free table top torch with every purchase over $99 for purchases made directly on our site.

Visit www.homeandbackyard.com for details.

Select Artificials Holiday Tree & Wreath Products Now Available

2009-10-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

HomeandBackyard.com is excited to announce the addition of select artificial Christmas trees and holiday wreaths to its product line up. Our preferred vendor supplying these products is Select Artificials, who is known for every item in its line being chosen not only for beauty, but also for value. They have a solid reputation in the industry for providing a quality artificial trees and artificial wreaths, competitive prices, quick processing of orders, and outstanding customer service. Which we in turn will pass on to and share with our customers.

Shop our holiday decor selection now by clicking here!

Early Sale On Holiday Products

2009-10-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

As we begin planning for additions to our holiday selection, it's time to move out some of our existing holiday oriented merchandise still hanging around from last year. So, get ready for some great savings on:
Welcome Holiday Coir Doormat
Winter Holiday Coir Doormat
Solar Festival Light
Cattail Stake Torch/Lantern Assortment of 4
Christmas Bulb Stake Lantern Assortment of 4
Christmas Tree Oil Lanterns - Set of 4
Christmas Tree Stake Lanterns - Set of 4

We've Got A New Line of Super Cool Fire Pit Inserts

2009-07-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Have you been thinking about building your own fire pit in your backyard? It's not a simple job, and if you want to have a more turn key solution for a gas fire pit, we've now got the goods. We recently added a series of Crossfire Combustion System Fire Pit Inserts that will generate a lot of heat, and are pretty easy to install.

Our vendor Warming Trends (visit their website by clicking here) has given us a special price (meaning, lower than the prices on their site) for their standard and custom sized fire pit and outdoor fireplace gas burning inserts. You can see these new additions on our site by clicking here.

These aren't a simple, cheap Home Depot-esque type of solution. These inserts are mostly plug & play (you just need to build the stone or concrete surround, or purchase their ready made faux stone fire pit facade, by clicking here) and have a remote controlled, battery operated ignition system.

So, if you are building your own custom fire pit or fire circle in your backyard, this is the gas fire pit insert solution you need.

International Space Station Is Getting A New Veranda - I Wonder If They Need Some Furniture

2009-07-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here's an excerpt from an AP article written by Marcia Dunn:

"CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Endeavour's astronauts inspected their ship for damage Thursday as NASA struggled to understand why a normally benign section of the fuel tank lost so much foam during liftoff.

The slow, tedious work unfolded as the shuttle rocketed toward the international space station for a Friday linkup. It was the first full day in orbit for the seven astronauts, who are delivering a veranda for Japan's enormous lab. It also happened to be the 40th anniversary of the launch of the first manned moon landing."

Seems to me we could be expanding our reach here at HomeandBackyard.com and seeing if the astronauts would like some nice FSC outdoor furniture, or perhaps some solar lighting, or even an outdoor heater (I hear it's pretty cold in space). If anyone reads this, tell them astronauts to take a look at www.homeandbackyard.com

We might have some good options for making their stay in outer space more comfortable.

Wall Fountains On Sale

2009-07-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

Rarely do I have the pleasure of announcing a price drop, especially with the current state of the economy. Due to strategic leveraging and the ever constant efforts of our BluWorld Fountains vendor's R & D team, we are now able to reduce prices on their best selling contemporary Wall Fountains, the Serrano Wall Fountain series. Please take advantage of these cost savings!!!

Horizontal Models
Was $1395.00
Now $995.00

Vertical Model
Was $1195.00
Now $795.00

You can access these fountains via the links below:
http://www.homeandbackyard.com/serrano_horizontal

http://www.homeandbackyard.com/serrano_vertical

FSC Trees Shipped To China For Furniture Conversion

2009-07-10T11:12:00.001-07:00

I found this person's blog post to raise some interesting questions. Assuming his sources are correct, it indicates the following:

North American timber companies that are working under the FSC certification umbrella are shipping FSC trees across the Pacific to China, India and Mexico. There they are trimmed down, dried and converted into furniture in a limited regulatory environment & returned to North American & European markets as a "green" product. While using FSC wood is a great start (and I really mean it - at least the forests here in our backyard are being managed more ecologically), is this process really green? Read his post here http://tinyurl.com/l777qd

The majority of the FSC products sold in our online store are made from FSC woods harvested in SE Asia, converted to furniture in SE Asia and then shipped to the US market. While there are still considerable resources used to ship these products across the Pacific, we've attempted to find products that are made from locally harvested FSC woods in an attempt to reduce the overall carbon footprint from the manufacturing & selling of these products. Our eco-friendly lines of products can be viewed here: http://www.homeandbackyard.com/prod_gen.cfm?altcat=eco

HomeandBackyard.com Is Awarded FSC Retailer Status

2009-07-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

HomeandBackyard.com is excited to announce that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), USA, has officially registered our online business as an FSC products retailer. This recognition is due to the fact that we sell tropical wood furniture that is exclusively made from FSC Certified woods. The vast majority of our outdoor wood dining furniture products are made using FSC Certified Eucalyptus - raised in either SE Asia or Brazil. In these geographical areas, Eucalyptus is considered an invasive, non-native species. Effective forest management in these regions usually involves clearing out Eucalyptus trees and replanting the area with native species.

To review our selection of wood patio furniture, please follow this link:
http://www.homeandbackyard.com/prod_cats.cfm?catid=1006

Why Is Buying FSC Certified Products Important?

2009-07-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

The demand for tropical wood patio furniture is booming. But do you have any idea the environmental cost paid for getting this furniture to your local store?

Driven in part by the failure of an intergovernmental process to agree on a global forest compact at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, and the compelling question - “What is sustainable forestry?”- loggers, foresters, environmentalists, and sociologists came together in the first General Assembly to form the FSC in 1993.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. This impressive goal has in many ways been achieved, yet there is more work to be done. FSC sets forth principles, criteria, and standards that span economic, social, and environmental concerns. The FSC standards represent the world’s strongest system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes. Like the forestry profession itself, the FSC system includes stakeholders with a diverse array of perspectives on what represents a well-managed and sustainable forest. While the discussion continues, the FSC standards for forest management have now been applied in over 57 countries around the world.

The vast majority of the world's tropical hardwood patio furniture is manufactured in China and SouthEast Asia - notably Vietnam. Yet few consumers are aware that a significant portion of this wood comes from clear cut forests in China and Laos, the latter of which has a national moratorium on logging (yet, ironically, it's corrupt government and police officials in Laos that are selling this timber to Vietnamese manufacturers). Additionally, there are FSC wood products that are made in Asia from timber felled in Canada & South America. So while the forests in those countries meet FSC standards, the act of shipping that timber all the way across the Pacific Ocean to be manufactured in Asia, only to be shipped back to North America & Europe, is hardly an eco-friendly process.

Look for products that carry the FSC certification, and ideally are made from FSC woods - like Eucalyptus - harvested in the local economy where the furniture was made.

For more information on the Forest Stewardship Council in the US, please visit http://www.fscus.org/

HomeandBackyard.com is an online retailer that sells primarily FSC Certified tropical wood furniture, as well as hundreds of other eco-friendly products for the patio, backyard and garden.