Decks & Patios

Before you commence any building project, you need to define its scope and cost. If your goal is a new deck, an estimate checklist is relatively easy to develop. However; your first task should be...

Outside decking is typically installed once the initial frame of a deck has been completed. The deck boards that have been measured and cut to length are placed on top and then secured to the...

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...

An important item required for assembling a deck is the fasteners used to hold the decking down. This is even more important when using Trex decking because it requires particular screws which are...

Building a deck can be straightforward when the wall it is attached to is straight. What do you do if you want to attach the deck a bay shaped wall? Here’s how to build a deck attached to a bay wall.

Home improvement projects can go smoothly if you spend enough time planning. Building a deck onto your home is a big project. But, you can avoid mistakes and save yourself time and money by...

A deck is an investment that, if done properly, will last a very long time. Take the time to choose the best deck boards for the best looking, and longest lasting, deck for your house. If you have...

A floating deck is a type of deck that sits on top of the ground. You do not have to dig large holes, pour concrete footings, sink posts or fasten beams. Wooden joists sit directly on concrete...

What kind of decking lasts 25 years, never has splinters, resists rot, keeps its original finish and is workable with ordinary tools? The answer is composite decking, and Trex is the brand that...

Decks are wonderful outdoor living spaces. Building one around your home can make spending time with your family more enjoyable and increase your property value. When building a deck, preparation...

If your pool has outlived its usefulness and it would cost more to repair than you can afford, you can cover it. Building a deck over a pool presents a challenge similar to any raised deck, so be...

Building a deck on an above-ground pool gives you a place to lie in the sun or have a pool party. Pool decks are similar to other decks but are free-standing and curve around the pool. Many...

Building a patio deck is a great way to get the family outdoors together and add a functional room to your overall living space. There are many ways to go about doing the job. Here are some...

Do-it-yourself decks are among the most popular of home improvement projects. One of the primary concerns when a homeowner considers undertaking a project is cost, and to figure that one needs to...

Backyard decks make for a functional and attractive outdoor living space, and building them requires only basic carpentry skills. This makes them a popular project among do-it-yourself homeowners....

After you have added beams to your deck, you can begin to frame the deck. Here's how.

Trex is an attractive and low-maintenance composite decking product. It is made from reclaimed and recycled items such as sawdust, pallets and recycled grocery bags. The combination of these...

If you enjoy working around the house and enjoy doing things yourself to save money then we have alot in common. I will teach you step by step on how to install a wood patio deck. You will learn...

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...

An outdoor deck that is detached from your home can add functionality to an outdoor area that may otherwise be underutilized. Outdoor decks can be used for entertaining friends, cooking outdoors...

One of the first considerations for a homeowner when deciding whether or not to build a deck is cost. You probably have a vision for your deck, but may have no idea how much it will cost to make...

A ground level deck provides a custom look that looks impressive and fits nicely into the surroundings. Almost anyone with basic carpentry skills can build a deck. Plan your deck, secure the...

Framing a deck is a lengthy but uncomplicated task. The work is well worth your time, because a new deck adds additional outdoor living space both to enjoy yourself and to entertain company.

Living areas lose a lot of heat through the floor to the basement, leaving the room cold and uncomfortable to live in. By installing proper basement header insulation, you can reduce the heat lost...

When building a deck, laying the wooden deck flooring is the middle main step in the whole process that comes after framing the deck and before installing the stairs and the hand rail system. Up...

You may need to remove a deck board for any number of reasons like, warping, staining, or cracking. Fortunately it isn't to hard to remove a deck board and avoid damaging the surrounding surface.

A backyard deck can be a great place to cook out; get some sun or relax while reading a book. While it may look hard to do, building a deck just takes a little patience and some skill. The work...

Building a ground level deck using treated lumber beams is a good alternative to using concrete. While treated lumber lasts quite a long time, it doesn't last as long as concrete, but it is quite...

A basic wooden deck makes a valuable addition to any home with a back yard. While building one is a challenging project, anyone with a confident attitude and some patience can undertake it. Most...

A timber deck makes a nice addition to any back yard. Although building one makes for a challenging project, anyone with an intrepid do-it-yourself" attitude and enough patience can tackle it....

The post spacing is decided by observing the deck layout. Factors to consider include the outer corners of the deck (the angle of the corners determines how the railing is aligned), the deck...

Patios have become increasingly popular as a place to dine, entertain or just to set up a couple of comfy chairs to relax on. Basic square patio designs can be found virtually anywhere -- they are...

A patio will be your special place to relax, have a barbecue or have an intimate social gathering or birthday party. Building one may seem complicated. However, with a little know-how and time,...

A deck can be a wonderful place to relax and grill out on, or it can be the focal point for an intimate social gathering. Although decks may seem complicated to build, they really are quite easy,...

Building a deck on the cheap generally means not using a treated wood, and then to compensate for this, using a wood preservative instead. Some concessions can be made by doing this, as well as...

A wood deck can make your home more attractive and valuable. There are plenty of types and designs to choose from. Selecting the location, size and style of your deck are the first steps toward...

A wood patio deck extends the living space of the home to the outdoors, providing a homeowner with an attractive area to entertain, relax and enjoy outdoor living. While the construction of a wood...

Desk drainage systems essentially work as a system of gutters underneath a deck. They work to channel water so that the area under an elevated deck remains dry during all types of weather....

Adding a deck to your hot tub can help make the tub more accessible and an even better place for people to hang out. If you have a hot tub six feet in diameter, a deck 16 feet long by 12 feet wide...

A backyard deck, whether attached to the house or free standing, provides a place to keep patio furniture and maybe a barbecue grill. It adds character and aesthetic appeal to your home. If you...

The indoors can be stuffy at times and may not allow much room for really large parties. One solution is to create a covered deck in the backyard for easy entertaining. There are a number of...

For those who enjoy the fresh air, but don't want to stray too far from the house, adding a deck to your home is a great option. In many cases, the type of deck will serve you best is a raised...

Learn how to build a 10' x 12' deck on the back of your house using these simple steps. The size of the deck can be modified easily, but extending the length of the deck beyond 10' will require...

You've always dreamed about entertaining friends and family on your new deck. Now it's time to finish the last step: connecting your deck to your house. This not only impacts the beauty of your...

After the last frost has left and the sun starts to shine longer and longer many people start to feel closed into their homes and look for ways to spend more time in the yard. One of the most...

Decks are exposed to the environment all year long, so it's no surprise that they can become damaged after battles with rain, snow, ice and drought. Occasionally, you'll have to replace one or...

The spacing between deck joists is commonly referred to as joist span in professional lingo. It doesn't matter what you call it--it's still a critical calculation when it comes to building your...

The joists on your deck are clearly one of the most crucial elements to the entire deck-building process. Since the joist is the key to holding up the flooring, without the proper dimensions on...

A deck can beautify any home and increase the home's value. Like a house, a deck that isn't on a solid foundation is a dangerous thing. Be sure to build a solid deck by correctly installing the...