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...
Imagine sitting under a pergola on a hot summer day, or enjoying an early cup of joe in a pavilion. When it comes to outdoor living spaces, both pergolas and pavilions can be great additions to a deck or patio. But how do you determine which one is best for your...
TimberTech vs Trex Our customers often ask about the difference between TimberTech vs Trex. Here’s some basic info to help you decide whether a Trex composite deck or TimberTech composite deck is right for your outdoor living space. A Brief History of Trex Trex...
I recently met with a customer who called us to look at a deck project that her husband started months earlier. He had torn out much of the old deck, but that was as far as he got. We were looking at a huge pile of old decking and a bare structure attached to the back...
But it’s difficult to establish a budget when you don’t know all the parameters to consider including labor costs to build a deck. The following information will be helpful in calculating the cost of a new deck so that you can develop a realistic budget and move...
You’ve made the decision to build a new deck or replace an existing deck. Now what? The next decision most people grapple with is “Should I build it myself, or should I find a deck builder?” I’m a big advocate of DIY home improvement. It can save you a lot of money...
We are all aware of today’s challenges & concerns about doing business. We also understand that our homes and yards will play a big role in weathering the conditions we are faced with. To begin to workout how to improve your space, we offer a deck...
“April, dressed in all his trim, Hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” -William Shakespeare Last Saturday morning, my 15-year-old daughter came and asked me, “When are we going to open up the deck for the year? Let’s pressure wash it and pull out all...
Embracing outdoor living begins on your deck. One of the most pleasant times of the day to spend on your deck outside is evening time. After leaving your workplace and coming home, the stresses of the demands you face all day fade away. Dinner is served outside on...
Trex vs. AZEK: Which Is the Best Composite Decking? With so many choices of low-maintenance decking out there, which one is best — Trex vs. AZEK? It’s a question we get asked all the time. But I would rephrase the question to say instead: “With so many great...
Azek versus TimberTech, which is the better composite decking? Azek decking and TimberTech decking are becoming more and more common as the demand for low-maintenance decking increases. Homeowners are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of composite decking....
Wood vs Composite Decking: Which Is Better? Not sure which is better, wood vs. composite decking? After this, you’ll be a composite decking fan. Sure, I can build you a wooden deck, and it will look amazing when it’s done. There’s a certain nostalgia to wood, after...
Can My Deck Support a Hot Tub? Unless your deck was specifically built to support a hot tub, probably not. How do you know for sure whether your deck was built to support a hot tub? The only way to be sure is if you are the original home owner, and you made it a...
How to Choose the Right Composite Decking So you have decided to do a deck project and now you wonder how to choose the right composite decking. It’s time to pick the perfect decking and railing that will finish your deck and turn it into a space that you can enjoy...
When we begin brainstorming a deck project, most of us tend to think of structural soundness, finding the right deck builder, choosing the right color of decking, staying within a certain budget, getting the style right, etc. However, sometimes the last bit of thought...
What Is an Ipe Deck? (Pssst, It’s Pronounced Ee-pay) Ipe decks are made of wood from trees of the Handroanthus genus — a group of about 30 tree species found in Central and South America. Also called Brazilian walnut because it’s found in the Amazon rainforest,...
Vinyl decking was a fairly successful competitor to traditional wood decks and composite decking boards a couple of decades ago. Made of 100% PVC (chemically known as polyvinyl chloride) vinyl decking boards were hollow with a ribbed internal support structure to give...
Redwood decks were super popular back in the 70’s and 80’s; it used to be the standard decking product for most builders. It is absolutely gorgeous, with deep reddish and tan tones, and it’s also resilient to decay. In addition, redwood naturally contains oils or...
3 Types of Above-Ground Pool Decks that Make Your Pool Fun Again A typical above-ground pool is elevated above grade at three feet or so. To allow you to climb into that pool, most will come with the standard clumsy ladder. It does get you into the pool … but not much...
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