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...
Some of the most beautiful scenery can surround your home when backed up to a riverbed or ravine, but it certainly can present a challenge when trying to design an outdoor living space. While certain precautions need to be taken when engineering a project like this, a...
One of the most visible parts of any deck is its fascia. Fascia is the vertical band of material that borders below the deck surface. The main purpose of fascia on a composite deck is to conceal the outer rim joist and serve as a transition piece from...
I recently read an article that 50% or approximately 20 million decks in the United are unsafe and in danger of collapse. Another study put out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed that in a five-year period, over 224,000 people have been injured in deck...
Does composite decking get too hot? We often get asked what is the coolest decking in our low-maintenance options. With the rise in popularity of composite and capped composite decking which offer a low-maintenance lifestyle, this is something to consider when making...
It used to be that when our outdoor activities ended at dusk because any stairs or obstacles became a trip hazard, and bright floodlights would attract unwanted mosquitos. But those days are now in the past with advancements in deck and landscape lighting. You’ll love...
What is a Gazebo? A gazebo is a roofed structure that offers an open view of the surrounding area and provides shade and protection from the elements. It’s one of the earliest forms of outdoor shelter, predating the tent and acting as a garden fixture in many cultures...
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