Decks & Patios

Decking can come in two types of materials that include treated wood or composite wood decking. The benefit of using composite wood decking is that it is not affected by weather and is...

Building any deck requires planning--both in the design phase as well as estimating the cost of the project. The size of the deck, its location and your personal preferences will dictate your...

Composite decks are composed of mostly plastic and cellulose fiber materials. Some are made of recycled materials. The decks don't rot as much as 100 percent wood decks, but they do rot if you...

Ripping a composite board, which is a plastic material made to resemble wood, with a circular saw can be a daunting chore if you are not equipped with the right tools. A ripping fence can be used...

A multimillion dollar industry with more than 100 manufacturers, decking is here to stay. From its humble roots in the redwood decks of the past to the advent of plastic manufactured wood...

Composite decking materials are a combination of plastic and wood, with the benefits of each. It offers the aesthetically-pleasing appearance of wood and the durability of plastic. Unlike wood...

Patio covers provide shade and make the patio a more comfortable place to hang out. Patio covers also add architectural interest to a home. The trend toward decorating patios as outdoor rooms...

A deck is a wonderful addition to any living space. Whether topped with a pergola, flanking an above ground pool or located in an ordinary backyard, decks are natural venues for entertaining or...

While Trex composite decking offers a relatively maintenance-free deck surface, there are a few issues that Trex deck owners should be aware of. Trex decking is a composite wood/plastic product...

Wood fibers are combined with plastic to create composite decking boards. Composite decking has a longer lifespan and requires less maintenance than wood. The product is easy to care for and comes...

Railings put the finishing touch on any new or existing home deck. They breathe new life into an old deck and give added character to a well-constructed design. Although not always required by...

A great way to compliment a swimming pool is to add extra outdoor living space around it with a deck. There are many different styles and designs to choose from in terms of materials, size and...

Composite porches are made from different recycled materials, mainly wood and hard plastic. Composite decking was created to eliminate the problems of wood decking, which must be treated and...

When building a new deck, you can either use traditional wood decking or purchase one of the newer composite materials. Composite decks are more expensive, but require far less maintenance and can...

If you are building a new deck for your home, you must first decide whether to use composite decking or wood. A deck made from composite will be heavier than wood and needs more support beams to...

Deciding between composite decking and traditional wood decking can be difficult for many homeowners. Each type of material has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Most of these factors...

An important feature of any swimming pool is the additional living and recreational space that you create around it. Adding a pool deck around the perimeter of the swimming pool creates a social...

A backyard deck adds beauty and value to a home, and provides a place to picnic, sunbathe or party with family and friends. While deck railings in the past were often basic wooden balusters tacked...

Consider building a new deck or resurfacing your old one with decking products and materials made from wood, plastic and aluminum. Select the right decking material for your project based on the...

Decks add outdoor living space and are considered semi-permanent structures. Decks are primarily built using pressure-treated lumber for the framing and other materials for the decking, rails,...

An integral part of any swimming pool is the space that surrounds it. To maximize the full benefit a pool can provide, you should incorporate a pool deck that adds space for entertaining, dining,...

Many home owners are considering making the change from traditional wood decking to newer composite materials. Among the appealing characteristics of the composite decking are its low maintenance...

Staining your composite deck not only protects it from the elements, it can also change the color of the composite's surface to make it look more attractive. Before you stain your deck, check the...

TimberTech is a company that manufactures composite decking, railings and fences. They have the look of real wood, with significantly less maintenance. TimberTech products do not need to be...

While composite decking is made from recycled materials, is generally resistant to insects and requires less maintenance than traditional wood decks, there are some problems that you should be...

Ultradeck composite decks are made from recycled materials and wood fiber. The deck planks are created to look like wood while requiring less cleaning and general maintenance than wood decks....

There are many materials you can build a deck with.

Outdoor decks are a homeowner favorite, valued for their ability to extend the living area of the house in the spring and summer. Decks can require significant seasonal maintenance, however. The...

More homeowners are choosing to replace their worn deck material with composite decking. Composite decking is a blend of plastic and wood that is said to last longer than conventional wood...

Composite, or engineered, wood is a building material made of wood or other cellulosic materials mixed with a binding agent to create a material that is stronger, denser and heavier than wood...

Imagine having a gorgeous ground level deck where you can spend time outside and enjoy the weather. Now imagine that you did it all by yourself. Building a deck can be an intimidating project but...

You're ready to build your dream deck and have a clear image in your head of what you want it to look like. You may have heard that composite (man-made) wood is stronger and less likely to warp in...