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Decks & Porches

Boat Dock

Boat Dock Basics

When the summer sun heats things up, it’s time to find temporary relief. But when you get tired of the pool and the kid’s are bored by the sprinkler, it’s time to hit the local lake. And after sitting on a fish-infested shore or a rocky beach, it may be time to buy a boat….

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Wooden Deck in the Snow

Deck Maintenance Checklist

Building a deck is one of the most popular home improvement projects in the country. Decks are great places to entertain, cook out, or just relax by yourself; in some areas, building a deck is a project that will not only enhance your home, but will actually increase your property value enough to cover the…

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Porch Swing

Relax in Your Front Porch Swing

A front porch swing is one of the most undervalued items in a home. They just exude relaxation. Nobody has ever walked by a house and seen people sitting on the front porch in a swing having a bad time. It just doesn’t happen. Swings are fun, but with all of these sleeping porches, screen-in…

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Fabric Awning

Awning Fabric: What Material Measures Up?

Awnings over windows and doors give a home’s exterior an extra touch of color and can also make it more energy efficient. On a deck, porch, or patio, an awning creates a perfect place to enjoy a summer afternoon by providing shade. Of the awning fabrics on the market, each has its good and bad…

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close-up of wood deck with steps and patio furniture

Going Green with Decks, Patios, and Porches

Outdoor living areas are one of the greenest additions you can make when it comes to remodeling your home. After all, what’s greener than creating a space that allows you to spend more time outdoors appreciating and enjoying nature? Furthermore, from a green remodeling standpoint, outdoor living areas are prime candidates for green building practices,…

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Roof Deck in San Francisco

Rooftop Decks: Building a Deck with a View

A lot of decks are essentially raised patios. Other than the convenience of walking out of the second floor of your home out onto your deck, one of the best reasons to build a deck is the view. You don’t get any better views than the ones from your roof. Whether it’s city skylines or…

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Dry Rotted Wood

Protecting Your Deck from Dry Rot

Dry rot is a tricky foe to fight. Even its name is deceiving since it’s not dried at all but, in fact, occurs due to excess moisture. But what exactly is it? Actually, it is a fungus which can cause mildew, mold, staining, or decay in wood. Micro-organisms remove cellulose from the timber, leaving it…

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Wood Deck

Checklist: Interview Your Deck Builder

Considering adding a deck to your home? Ask your candidate the following questions to ensure you hire the right pro for the job: Questions about the builder: ☐ How long have you been building decks? Make sure your pro has experience constructing decks similar to yours. Smaller, single-level decks don’t require a master builder. But…

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Getting rid of mold under your deck

Deck Mold and Mildew

Deck mold is never a good sign. The appearance of mold anywhere on, around, or under your deck, is cause for concern and necessitates that you take action. Where the mold appears, and how severe the problem is, however, can require drastically different solutions. Mold and Mildew Below the Deck Mold that appears on the…

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composite-deck

Composite Decking

Composite decking is a decking material that is composed of several different recycled materials, though mainly hard plastic and wood. This type of product came about to extinguish the problems of typical wood decking. Wood fades, molds, cracks, splinters, and needs to be treated and sealed regularly for the deck to maintain its original look…

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