Eight Tips for Maintaining Your Mahogany Deck
Mahogany is a great wood for outdoor decks, be it Cambara mahogany from South America or Meranti...
Read MoreSuburban Boston Decks and Porches Blog
RELAXED, INFORMATIVE ARTICLES WRITTEN FOR HOMEOWNERS AND CONTRACTORS
Mahogany is a great wood for outdoor decks, be it Cambara mahogany from South America or Meranti...
Read MoreMust I shovel the snow off my deck? Actually, you don’t….Don’t shovel your deck to avoid collapse….Don’t shovel your deck to protect the wood….Do clear the snow to provide an exit path….If you do shovel your deck, here are some TIPS:
Read MoreSynthetic decking manufacturers promise “Low Maintenance” — but what does “low” mean? Will you have to scrub your deck once a month or just hose it off once a year?…There are 4 threats to your deck…In summary, you have two choices..
Read MoreThat new deck will cost WHAT? Deck costs can surprise you….Five major factors affect the price of a deck….So instead of paying $1,500 for rails, you’re suddenly paying $6,000. Ouch!…But some companies actually do more….What does a deck cost?…the most professional answer is published by….
Read MoreWhat is a “freestanding” deck? Some freestanding decks stand alone in the yard, but many are right next to a house. What makes a deck truly freestanding is that it is self-supporting….But, why would someone want her deck freestanding?…
Read MoreWinter is coming, could your deck collapse from the weight of snow? Are you concerned about the safety of your deck?…Compare the design load of your deck to the actual weight of snow…
Read MoreHow safe is your deck? Every year residential decks fail and collapse, killing or injuring homeowners, their family and friends….Two primary causes of catastrophic deck failure are improper attachment to the house and inadequate footings….you can easily remedy this yourself….But correcting inadequate footing requires a professional….
Read MoreSo, you love wood, real wood, but hate the maintenance. Wood is warm and rich; ….It is strong and natural and authentic. It is not trying desperately to look like something it isn’t….How about wood that needs no maintenance?…
Read MoreBuilding decks with Post and Beam frames have advantages over alternative structures: they are stronger, simpler, more efficient, and offer greater design flexibility. Let me explain….
Read MoreOne deck survived a tree crashing onto it. Another deck collapsed to the ground when hit by a smaller tree. Why?
Read MorePeople ask how hot will their deck get this summer. I measured 63 synthetic deck samples in 16 product groups, with some surprising results….How hot a deck feels is a function of its surface temperature and its thermal conductivity.
Read MoreIf your deck’s frame was built properly, it should last decades. But what about the deck flooring? PT, fir, cedar, mahogany, ipe, and plastic synthetics age differently, and fail differently.
Read MoreIf your deck violates the building code, why has it not fallen down? There are several reasons, let’s look at them….
Read MoreCathedral ceilings need not be limited to churches. Even if you are not religious, you can raise your porch ceiling for the glory of… air and space and light….And cost? That’s the best secret.
Read MoreEarth Day… New EPA regulations take effect today that impact renovation projects on older homes…The dangers are real and serious…
Read MoreThe short answer is “No”. The long answer is also “No”. Really? Yeah,...
Read MoreI like ice, but not on my backyard deck. It can injure my family….Mother Nature builds ice daggers to puncture your deck. What can you do?
Read MoreA “pergola” is a flower? No. It’s the snooty word for a trellis….An elaborate pergola might have layers above the rafters — purlins and maybe laths…It may incorporate curves or other interesting shapes….Even romance.
Read MoreThe trade-off between wood and artificial decking used to be Good Appearance vs. Low Maintenance. Not anymore….Artificial decking is looking better and better….
Read MoreCantilevering deck joists allows you to build larger decks at lower cost. They are safe, but you must follow some special rules.
Read MoreA wave of state and federal regulations forced the paint and stain companies to reformulate their products….How do the new water based stains perform? The results are surprising…
Read MoreCan I convert my back deck to a screened porch? Replace that hot bug magnet with a cool, sheltered outdoor room? Yes, you can — depending on a number of factors.
Read MoreA front porch is your home’s face. It’s what everyone sees as they drive by. Does your home need some make-up? Or a full make-over?… Here are four categories of front porches.
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