Outdoor

Bubbling paint is the last thing that you want to see on a deck that you worked hard to paint it, giving it the level of personality and creativity that reflects what you and your family appreciate.  The problem is, paint has trouble bonding to surfaces that aren’t prepped accordingly, and yes, that includes paints […]

One of the major selling points for pressure-treated lumber is the fact that it’s not supposed to shrink or should maintain its size and shape for a period of 40 years. That’s a heck of a boast and, for all intents and purposes, it’s true. However, there’s no such thing as perfect either.  The fact […]

No homeowner wants to spend anymore the unnecessary on a deck project. Even when we are talking about buying a couple of gallons of paint! Thankfully, though, estimating just how much deck paint you need is lot easier today than ever before. As a general rule of thumb a single gallon of paint is going […]

Anyone that’s ever worked on a deck has had to deal with this dilemma – do you need to pull a building permit for this work or not? Whether or not you need a permit really depends on the kind of deck work you are doing. Small repairs, cosmetic work, and even something as time […]

Today’s wooden decks (especially those built quality pressure-treated materials) can last 10, 20, 30 years or more before key parts have to be replaced. That usually means you’re going to have to re-stain the deck at least once or twice. The good news is you don’t have to worry about what kind of stain was […]

Keeping your deck looking brand-new (while protecting it from wind and weather) involves a whole lot more than regular cleaning and maintenance. You’re going to want to stay on top of staining and sealing your deck, too. You don’t need special tools to spray your deck stain. The job can done with a run-of-the-mill garden […]

Few things are as frustrating as putting a fresh new stain on your brand-new deck only to come out a day or two later and see your beautiful finish marred with milky streaks. On the one hand, sometimes these milky streaks in a deck stain are signs that the stain hasn’t yet “cured”. Those kinds […]

When you first built your deck stairs a couple of years ago they were rock solid. Now, though, they start to get a little janky – what gives? Like anything else man-made, it’s not unusual for deck stairs to get a little wobbly over time. Luckily, though, with a bit of construction adhesive, some heavy […]

Though decks can be made from all different kinds of materials, the overwhelming majority of decks – in America, anyway – are still made from pressure-treated wood. Strong, durable, and reliable (not to mention affordable inconsistent), pressure-treated materials are beloved for their longevity. It isn’t at all uncommon for deck posts (and other PT components […]

A core part of building a quality deck that often goes overlooked are the railings that get attached to the deck stairs. According to the International Residential Code (IRC) deck builders need to install handrails on any set of stairs and railings need to be built if there are four or more risers. Whether or […]