DIY Outdoor Projects That Are Built to Last with Sara Bendrick

We partnered with DIYer and landscape contractor Sara Bendrick to share fresh inspiration for spring projects that bring both function and style to your outdoor space. Known for her creative and practical builds, Sara shows how approachable DIY can be with the right plan and materials. From compact side yard upgrades to larger backyard features, her projects are designed to help you build something that fits your space, reflects your style and holds up over time.

Sara Bendrick
Read More
Tet Celebrations at SST VN

Celebrating the Lunar New Year with Simpson Strong-Tie Viet Nam

Lunar New Year has passed, but its meaning continues to guide our work at Simpson Strong-Tie Viet Nam. Tet is a time of renewal, gratitude and connection. Each year, our Viet Nam branch honors this tradition together in the office, reinforcing shared purpose and commitment. Established in 2012, Simpson Strong-Tie Viet Nam plays a key role in delivering No-Equal® engineering services and global support in areas including structural engineering, mechanical engineering, graphic design and software solutions. Hear how this year’s celebration kicked off another year of anticipation and camaraderie.

DIY a Multipurpose Grilling Cart with Rogue Engineer

DIY a Multipurpose Grilling Cart with Rogue Engineer

No backyard is complete without a versatile entertaining space. We teamed up with Jamison Rantz, also known as Rogue Engineer, to build a multifunction dining table for the backyard. This is part of his yard improvement series, where he upgrades the backyard space one DIY at a time. His latest project works as an outdoor table and grill prep space, making it one of his most practical builds yet. Designed to save space and add versatility, this cart became a key piece of his friend’s backyard grilling area. Here’s how he brought it all to life.

Latest Articles

Building a Sturdy Firewood Shed and Pizza Oven Station

Building a Sturdy Firewood Shed and Pizza Oven Station with Rogue Engineer

Jamison Rantz, aka Rogue Engineer, continues his backyard improvement series with a project focused on practical storage. After using Simpson Strong-Tie® fasteners and connectors to build an Adirondack-style chair, a rolling grill prep table and a pergola for the space, he decided they needed a custom firewood shed. Designed to hold stacked wood, a pizza oven, heat deflector, outpost grill and firepit lid, the shed helps keep everything in it organized and protected from the elements.

An Affordable DIY Ergonomical Adirondack Chair with Rogue Engineer

An Affordable DIY Ergonomical Adirondack Chair with Rogue Engineer

Over the years, we’ve teamed up with Jamison Rantz, also known as Rogue Engineer, on a wide variety of DIY builds. From chicken coops to privacy fences to pergolas and more, Jamison continues to demonstrate his creativity and his ability to make DIY projects approachable for anyone. His latest project in his backyard improvement series is a comfortable and affordable Adirondack-style outdoor chair, assembled using Simpson Strong-Tie DSV wood screws. See how Jamison continues to upgrade his outdoor space one DIY project at a time.

Smart DIY: Building a Sage System™ Pergola Alone and on Budget

Rogue Engineer’s Smart DIY: Building a Sage System™ Pergola Alone and on Budget

When it comes to tackling DIY projects that turn outdoor spaces into something special, Jamison Rantz, aka Rogue Engineer, knows how to blend creativity, craftsmanship and smart design. Over the years, he’s partnered with Simpson Strong-Tie on several backyard builds that combine function and style from using Simpson Strong-Tie® E-Z Spike™ fence post spike to create a quick and sturdy DIY privacy fence to building a backyard fence with APRTR connectors. Most recently he began a backyard improvement series designing a full outdoor entertainment area complete with a new pergola, a rolling prep and dining table, and a firewood rack

Stay Connected

Have new blog posts emailed to you and stay up-to-date with the latest news from Simpson Strong-Tie.

Outdoor Living

Meeting Industry Need with the HTTH6.5: The Next Evolution in Holdown Solutions

Joe Polder, Senior Territory Sales Manager at Simpson Strong-Tie, introduces the HTTH6.5 heavy tension tie, our latest innovation. Recognizing the need for a holdown with load strengths intermediate between our HTT5 and HDU8 products, we developed a cost-effective solution to bridge that gap. Join Joe as he delves into the features and benefits of the HTTH6.5 and how it addresses the needs of the construction field.

Building Out: Deck Planning and Career Planning at Simpson Strong-Tie

Building Out: Deck Planning and Career Planning at Simpson Strong-Tie

Lacy Patino, our CRM Strategy Manager, is focused on using Salesforce to help grow our business. Alongside her role, she has given her family cabin a facelift with a brand-new deck. She used our Deck Planner Software to plan, design, and print out plans for her contractor, making the deck-building process easy and efficient. Learn more about her experience in her role and how she's enjoying her deck.

Stylish and sturdy swing by Berman Construction Group

Elevate Your Outdoor Space with DIY Projects Using Outdoor Accents® Hardware

Summer is the perfect time to unlock the potential of your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your garden or enhance the functionality of your backyard, DIY projects using Outdoor Accents hardware from Simpson Strong-Tie offer endless possibilities. Check out projects from our partners and Simpson Strong-Tie employees to get inspired.

Shereen of Pretty and Functional

Creating a Pretty and Functional Backyard Pergola with DIYer Shereen

Build the pergola of your dreams with the help of Simpson Strong-Tie's Pergola Planner and Outdoor Accents decorative hardware. For this project, we partnered with DIYer Shereen of Pretty and Functional to upgrade her backyard space just in time for summer fun!

DIY

Get Inspired: Backyard Projects Made Simple with the Project Pro™ Screw Driving Tool from Simpson Strong-Tie

Get Inspired: Backyard Projects Made Simple with the Project Pro™ Screw Driving Tool from Simpson Strong-Tie

Thinking about building something in your backyard or ready to take on a late-summer project? Get inspired by these creative DIYers who recently completed fun and functional backyard builds — from a cornhole game set to a storage shed and a firewood rack.

DIYing an Outdoor Dream Space: Our Summer Pergola Build

DIYing an Outdoor Dream Space: Our Summer Pergola Build

When it comes to creating inviting spaces for gathering, relaxing and enjoying time outdoors, Dena from Fletcher Creek Cottage has a true gift. We recently teamed up with her once again — this time to bring her latest backyard vision to life using our new Sage System™ DIY pergola kit. With help from her family, Dena built a beautiful and functional pergola that now anchors their outdoor kitchen and dining area, creating the perfect space to enjoy meals, make memories and soak up summer in style.

How Simpson Strong-Tie Hardware Helped Bring This Dream Pergola to Life

How Simpson Strong-Tie Hardware Helped Bring This Dream Pergola to Life

Steve Arnold, owner of Arnold Handyman Services , brought over 30 years of experience to a custom pergola pavilion build for his sister-in-law in New Braunfels, Texas. Designed for both beauty and strength, the project featured Simpson Strong-Tie® Outdoor Accents® hardware — chosen for its structural integrity and decorative appeal. Built in just two days (despite heavy rain), the pavilion is a testament to Steve’s craftsmanship and careful planning, creating a space the family will enjoy for years to come.

DIY Storage Shelving Unit — Strong, Stylish and Simple with Simpson Strong-Tie

We teamed up with Shereen Wahba of Pretty and Functional to build a budget-friendly DIY storage shelving unit that’s durable, beautiful and beginner-friendly. Shereen used Simpson Strong-Tie® Outdoor Accents® connectors to create a custom solution that turned her cluttered patio into a neatly organized space. She’ll walk through every step — from cutting and painting to final assembly — making it easy for any DIYer to follow. If you’re looking to build something strong and stylish, this project is the perfect place to start.

Videos

Introducing the Quik Drive Project Pro Screw Driving Tool

Enjoy Your Backyard with the Outdoor Accents DIY Pergola Hardware Kit

Manufacture Strong, Durable Crates with a Total Solution from Simpson Strong-Tie

See More Videos

Strong Conversations

Welcome to Strong Conversations hosted by Simpson Strong-Tie where we bring partners, colleagues, innovators and leaders together for insightful conversations. We dive into the subjects and issues that we all face — forging stronger connections and relationships along the way.

See More Episodes

Simpson Strong-Tie Featuring Jen Woodhouse

We’ve been working with Jen Woodhouse for nearly a decade. Over those years she’s built projects as small as this modern dog house to others as large as a floating deck. In the last two years, she’s built a backyard Pergola, DIY’d a workbench in under two hours and even designed and built a fence with our free Fence Planner Software. Jen is a fantastic DIYer who is a dream to work with and who isn’t afraid to tackle even the largest projects that can bring a backyard to life.

Learn More