Decks & Patios

If you would like to build a deck onto your home but aren't sure that you have the necessary carpentry skills, there may be help for you. A do-it-yourself deck kit for beginners may be the...

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.

Although there are hundreds of free and commercial plans available online, from mail-order companies and in the book department of your local home center, many do-it-yourselfers prefer the...

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

Do you want instructions on building a deck yourself? Too many articles on deck building has too many words causing your head to hurt? Do you just want an overview? Here it is.

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...

An awning is a device that functions like a patio cover but isn't as structural. Awnings are made from simple posts with canvas or aluminum overhangs. The awnings are attached to house exteriors,...

Patio roofs are important when casually relaxing on your patio. The cover protects you from the heat of the sun or the rain. A patio roof provides shelter and a sense of privacy. If you have ever...

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...

Whether you wanted to increase the value of your property or entertain guests, the deck you added to your mobile home was a wise decision. Attaching the deck to your home can be a good way to...

Adding a porch to your mobile home can give you valuable added square footage, at least during the warm months. Building a porch is a fairly straightforward project for anyone with carpentry...

Anchoring your deck to the house wall is one of the most crucial steps in building your attached deck. The process involves installing what contractors and professional builders call a ledger...

For numerous reasons you may need to know the height of your deck, whether you are replacing the decking material, installing a hot tub or calculating steps to descend from the deck. Figuring the...

A patio canopy can provide you and your family the comfort of the indoors with the natural amenities that the outdoors provides. Canopies provide you protection from the sun and can make your...

If you're attaching a deck to your home, you must measure your deck for a ledger, a piece of 2-by-4 lumber that you attach to the side of your house where the deck connects. It's the beam that...

When deciding to add a deck onto a house, many consumers like the idea of cedar. It is relatively inexpensive and gives a nice look to your home. Certain steps need to be taken to make sure your...

There are a couple of ways to hang deck joists. The easiest and most accurate way is to use metal joist hangers that can be purchased at most hardware, lumber and home improvement stores. If you...

If you're building and attaching a deck to your house, you need to attach a ledger board as well. A ledger board is a board that fastens to the house upon which the deck is built out from. In most...

After you have your deck plans laid out on paper, your first construction step is to attach the ledger board to the house. The ledger board is a piece of dimensional lumber (usually a 2-by-10 or...

Joist hangers, metal fasteners that attach joists to ledger boards, are inexpensive and can save you time when you're building your deck.

After the ledger board and joist hangers are installed you can begin to lay the footing for the posts.

Are you thinking about building out a deck for your house? If you are handy with tools and like to build things yourself, this article will provide you with enough help to finish the project....