Porches & Decks

Tigerwood is one of the vast varieties of wood used for flooring. We have researched the qualities, pros, and cons of using the material to give you an informed choice for your home. Tigerwood is a durable and long-lasting type of wood though a bit expensive. Nonetheless, it is still suitable for decking and flooring …

Summer’s hot temperatures get people thinking about finding comfortable places in their homes. It would be good to go somewhere where it is cool, such as the deck. However, there is a tendency for the deck to be hot as well. We have consulted some construction experts to know how hot a wood deck gets …

Sanding is an important finishing step to ensure a smooth surface for your deck. Sandpaper is available in a wide variety of grits to do the job. But what grit sandpaper should you use for the deck? And which should you use for railings? We researched these questions and have answers to share. Use 60- …

Keeping your wood deck in tip-top condition is a must because it endures exposure to the weather, dirt, dust, UV rays, and more. It’s a beautiful addition to your home and a safe place for you and your family to enjoy outdoor activities and meals. So, protect your wood deck and coat it with a …

Applying a protective coating over your outdoor deck is a common DIY project that a lot of homeowners do. The problem, though, is that simple mistakes can happen for a rookie, leading to a terrible outcome. So, we asked professionals why a deck becomes sticky and tacky, and here’s the answer. According to professional deck …

There’s no better way to rinse away years of dirt buildup than through power washing. It can make any surface look as good as new! One surface that could use power washing is a wooden deck. However, should you use this method of cleaning? Let’s find out! Power washing is one way to clean a …

The amount of time your wooden deck will last is an important consideration when beginning to construct this addition to your home. Knowing the useful life of the deck will help you plan out when you need to budget for its replacement. If you are wondering how long these recreation areas last, we can help …

When choosing a decking design, the first steps involve choosing the boards, materials, and layout you would like. Once you have this information, getting an accurate estimate and drawing up plans is much easier. Thus, you are looking for a solid list of decking boards, materials, and layouts. In this post, we provide 12 options …

Nothing beats the ambiance that the flame of a fire pit adds to your outdoor living space. Spending time with loved ones around an outdoor fire is a great way to create memories.  Fire pits are both decorative and functional. They can provide heat for your outdoor nighttime get-together but also add a warm decorative …

From family barbeques in the heat of the summer to a nice cool morning with a cup of coffee, everyone loves spending time out on a wooden deck. What people don’t love, however, is sharing this sacred space with wasps. But how exactly should you go about getting rid of them? For your convenience, we …

You want a place for outdoor activities. You often picture yourself outside alone or with your family and friends doing various things. You have two choices in mind a concrete patio and a wood deck. Which is better? Which is more suitable and beneficial for you? How about its pros and cons? We went over …

Outdoor living spaces have become hugely popular and can be used as an extension of your existing home. The structural decor that a deck adds to your home is unmatched for spending time with friends and loved ones outdoors.   Shades of white and gray are popular colors in all aspects of home decor, including outdoor …

Various family outdoor activities are hosted on the deck during the warmer months. It’s undeniable that drawing on the deck with chalk is one of the favorite pastimes of kids in your family. If you are curious about how to eliminate chalk off your wood deck, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve done complete …

Deck spaces are a great way to gather your family and friends for a get-together. However, uninvited guests like wood roaches might ruin the fun. Don’t worry! You can stop stressing because we have researched how you can eliminate them. Through the pests experts we found, we will present to you the right way to …

The most important rule in staining wood is never to stain it while wet. But how long should you wait for your wood deck to dry after being soaked in the rain or power washing it? How about after you have stained or painted it? We searched for answers regarding this, and here is what …

A small detail that makes a big difference to your home is the way you build your wood deck. If you are building it from scratch, you might be unsure whether it should have a slope. Look no further, as we have done the research for you in this post! A wood deck should have …

Want to know the deck joist dimensions? You are on the right page! We’ve researched this topic to help you address all of your questions. Your deck joists’ dimensions are determined by the International Residential Code (IRC). The most popular deck joists are 2×6, 2×8, and 2×10-inch treated lumber with a span of 9 ½, …

A deck is a great addition to your yard for entertaining or relaxing. Often, decks are attached and become an extension of your home. But if you’re wondering if a deck has to attach to your home, we’ve researched the topic thoroughly to provide an answer for you. Decks do not have to attach to …

Every deck project uses screws to fasten pieces of wood. While it is true that screws are very essential to the sturdiness of a deck, they can also leave obvious holes that can make your deck look unpleasant. If you are determining whether those holes should be filled or not, then you are on the …

If you have ever woken up in the middle of the night due to loud popping noises outside of your home, then know that you are not alone. This sort of thing happens frequently during cold weather. And if you’re wondering why is that, we already asked the experts to answer that question for you. …

Over the years, your deck may start splintering without prolonged no maintenance. Good thing you can repair them to be smooth again. We looked into how can that be done. Here is what we found about it: Repairing a splintered wood deck requires a few stages to accomplish. These include a thorough cleaning, repairing, sanding, …

Choosing the proper deck board spacing is a crucial part of the building process if you want to construct a deck that will withstand the elements. You may be wondering what the proper spacing is between deck boards. We’ve done in-depth research on this question and have answers for you. Providing space between deck boards …

Nothing compares to deck boards and balusters that add elegance to your home. But how many screws do you need per deck board? How many screws for a deck baluster? Don’t worry! We’ve researched comprehensive answers to these questions. Generally, there are 350 screws in every 100 square feet of a deck board. This means …

Building a deck on your own requires more than just the know-how and lumber. Understanding multiple code requirements is essential to getting this job done correctly. If you are building a deck and are wondering what height will require a railing, we can help. We researched building codes in various states so that you’ll know …

If you’re planning outdoor area modifications, consider the color of your deck. Also, your house’s color is essential to determining a suitable deck color. Do you wonder what deck colors complement a brown house? We’ve researched the best colors to breathe new life into your home. Choosing specific colors might give your deck the appearance …

If you are preparing to build a deck for the first time, you will probably have a lot of questions about its construction. One area where there might be some uncertainty is whether or not it’s ok for there to be any gapping between the deck and the house. We researched this construction question in …

Snow is a nuisance in most instances. It’s a headache to clean up, and it can worsen the condition of many materials. One area that snow raises concern in is the deck. Should you shovel it off of there? If that’s your concern, let’s go over the details.  In most cases, it doesn’t matter if …

Starting a new house can be challenging, and it’s worth considering whether to paint or stain your wood, especially your deck area. A house made of wood looks great, but before staining, you must consider the pros and cons of doing so. Costs make a big difference when it comes to staining or painting, so …

Before placing a deck post, your major concern may be where to place it, so it is secured better. Should you set it on grass, gravel, or concrete? We have consulted hardscaping experts to give you adequate information on everything you need to know.  Yes, you can set the deck post on concrete, but it …

Decks are the perfect addition to any outdoor living space, but you don’t want to overspend on your decking, do you? We gathered all the best online sources to help you decide the proper spacing between your deck joists, and to make sure you get the most value out of your investment. Standard spacing between …

Decks are an extension of the home. Although they are often confused with patios, they virtually have the same function—to help people relax, and appreciate the scenery outside while cooking and dining. If you have a yellow house exterior, you must be wondering what deck colors to choose, so we have gathered ideas for you.  …

Personalizing an outdoor space is often easier said than done. You have to consider your personal style while also thinking about things like the weather and your landscaping. With that in mind, what color should you paint your pool deck? You can paint your pool deck white, blue, beige, pink, or vibrant shades. You can …

A classic red brick house needs a deck that complements its style. With so many options, what color deck should you choose? In this post, we compiled some ideas to make your decision easier. If you were at a loss about what color deck matches your red brick house, keep reading! For red brick houses, …

You can create beautiful outdoor spaces such as patios from an all-round mixture of sand and cement. This concrete compound varies in thickness, so you might wonder what is essential for a patio. In this in-depth research, we will share the thickness recommended for concrete to make a marvelous patio. Concrete patios are always the …

Are you considering painting your porch ceiling but unsure what color to use? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve done the research to put together this guide, providing you with the best color options for your porch ceiling. The best color to paint a porch ceiling include: Light blue White Light green Light …

Outdoor living spaces have recently become hugely popular as an extension of your home space. Just as the interior decor in your home, your patio should represent your family’s style and appeal to your personal taste.  Decorating your patio will give your outdoor space a personalized touch that will create an alluring area to hang …

Even the most careful homeowners can end up with a few unsightly stains on their deck. From spilled food and drink to tracked-in mud, there are countless ways for decks to become stained. Luckily, we’ve compiled different ideas on how you can prevent and fix footprints remaining on the stained deck. Any homeowner with a …

Whether your home has a porch, veranda, or stoop, it’s the perfect spot to add extra curb appeal. And one of the easiest ways to do that is by installing some creative skirting around the base. Skirting can help to give your porch a finished look and can also help to protect against the elements. …

A deck is an additional space that you can use to add aesthetic appeal, entertain guests, rest, or add value to your home. After some time, due to the weather elements, it will look dull, tired, and even worn out. The solution is to make it look new again. However, can rain interfere with or …

So, you find yourself with a porch swing that keeps hitting the house. This is either while you are swinging in the swing or perhaps due to periodic gusts of wind. Whatever the cause, you would like to stop the swing from hitting the house. In this article, we gather and present several tried-and-true techniques …