There’s nothing quite like stepping out onto a well-crafted deck, coffee in hand, and soaking up the morning sun. As more homeowners seek to extend their living spaces outdoors, the popularity of deck building has surged. However, before you start dreaming of...
Building or renovating a deck is an exciting journey that can transform your outdoor space, enhancing both its look and functionality. A frequent question among homeowners is whether you can lay composite decking over an existing wood deck instead of replacing the...
When creating your dream outdoor living space, an important factor to consider is the size of your deck. Selecting the perfect size for your deck can be an exciting task, with many options to explore. However, it can also be overwhelming and confusing, especially if...
Wooden decks are much more than just an extension of your home; they’re a space where memories are made. From summer barbecues to quiet mornings with a cup of coffee, decks play a vital role in enhancing the outdoor experience. But how do you know when...
Creating a deck is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects you can undertake. Not only does it provide a beautiful outdoor space for relaxation and entertainment, but it also enhances the overall aesthetics and value of your home. However, a common...
Creating the perfect outdoor space is like painting a canvas where every stroke adds beauty and function. The deck is often the centerpiece of this masterpiece. When it comes to choosing decking materials, the options are diverse, and each brings its unique flair and...
If you have furniture on your deck, now is the time to store it for the winter. We recommend removing it off the deck and storing it elsewhere. If that is not feasible, leaving it on the deck is another option, just tarp it off to save the furniture from the elements....
When I visit with clients I get asked all the time about building a curved deck or creating a design that has curves on some of it sides. There is something magical about curves on deck that breaks up the hard straight lines that are usually required. Unlike a patio,...
These are questions we get asked all the time when we meet with clients and for good reasons. There are hundreds choices of alternative decking products and on top of that most manufacturers have several product lines so which one is right for me? When we add to this...
A few weeks ago we exhibited at the Great Big Home and Garden Show in Cleveland at the IX Center. With the show over and our display all packed up, one particular feature that we displayed received a lot of interest; a stainless-steel cable-rail system. For those of...
As we approach closer to Memorial Day, customers often express their desire for their deck project to be completed in time for the holiday. This is completely understandable because who wouldn’t want to use their new investment for the first “outdoor” holiday of the...
Pergolas have been around for centuries and their early roots can be traced back to Latin times. Originally, they were used more for walkways and garden-types of uses, like growing grapes and vines. A pergola is a backyard feature forming a shaded walkway, passageway,...
As I write this blog we are in dead of summer in Northeast Ohio. As a deck builder we often get asked about the temperature of decks. This used to not be as much of a concern because when I started out in the deck business we were primarily using pressure-treated...
Why wait ’till spring? Fall is the perfect time to build a deck. There’s a common misconception that decks should only be built in the spring or summer, but autumn is actually an ideal time to begin building your deck. One of the primary concerns our...
Skirting a deck A beautifully built deck can be enhanced by a single feature that will add appeal and function by enclosing the underside of a deck with decking material or custom screening. This particular detail is called skirting. While many homeowners prefer...
When southern pine is treated, it undergoes a process in which it is soaked with a liquid solution of copper azole preservative. This “wet” board is then either shipped out to consumers, or it undergoes a drying process called KDAT, or Kiln Dried After Treatment. KDAT...
With so many products being constantly introduced in our market, it’s hard to keep up with everything. I wanted to do a quick rundown of the new products for this spring. At the Great Big Home and Garden Show in February, our cable rail received a ton of attention...
With a mix of warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, wood decking just doesn’t seem to last very long in Northeast Ohio. While many factors can contribute to the lifespan of a deck – shade, moisture, traffic, or even the specific type of treated wood used...
One of the challenges that we often face with higher walk-out decks is placement of the long staircase. When a deck is 7’ to 9’ above grade the staircase can be 16’ or longer, so we must be careful to place it in a location that is most useful without negatively...
As I visit clients’ homes and prepare designs and estimates, I often find that to consumers, the deck building process can be a bit confusing. There are a lot of decisions to make and the amount of choices can seem overwhelming at first. We have created a Deck Design...
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