Time to Build that Deck You've Always Wanted?
By D. David Dugan

Outdoor patios and decks are great summer projects. Imagine being able to come home from work, get a nice tall glass of something cold, and sit out on your deck or patio and enjoy the view. It isn’t as difficult as you might think, and probably less expensive than you anticipated.

With all of the things that cloud our life these days, computers, electronic gadgets, television, and cellphones, to name a few, it’s nice to create a place where quiet and beauty are the focus. It adds an escape that adds tranquility to an otherwise hectic lifestyle. You won’t know how you ever did without one once yours’ is built.

In this article, I will help you explore a few different options for this type of home improvement. Decks and patios add value to your home, so besides the enjoyment you will get from this add-on, you will also reap the benefits of adding monetary value to your property.

Before you tackle this project, you need to plan it well. Don’t take the simple square deck approach. When most people think of a deck, they think of a flat, square platform on stilts. Today’s decks are much more than that. There are so many options, the planning stage will not only be the most important part of the project, but it will also be the most enjoyable.

Think of all of the activities your deck can be used for first. Sunbathing, cookouts and barbecues, entertaining guests, parties, and just relaxing and enjoying the view are some things that immediately come to mind. How much space will be required for you to get the full enjoyment out of your deck?

Are you going to place a hot tub out there? A barbecue grill? Patio furniture? Tables? An area for your favorite games and activities? An area closed off for your children? You will save a lot of money in the long run if you plan your deck for all the things you might use it for before you begin building it.

You can always add on to your deck later if your budget won’t allow you to build your dream deck all at one time. But if you have the option, do it right the first time. So make a list of what activities you want to have on your new deck. Draw out a rough sketch on paper that outlines the different areas you will be considering.

Consider the different possible shapes that would accommodate your different areas and that would enhance the beauty of both your deck and your home. Keep in mind, special shapes do require more work and possibly more expense. However, it might just be worth it so you have exactly the deck you want.

Once you have decided all of that, you will now need to attend to some details. First, of course is, will you be building it or will you be hiring a contractor? Next, what permits do you need from your city or county to build a deck attached to your home? What requirements come with those permits. Termite protection is one of the requirements in most places, for example.

If you are going to hire a contractor, they can most likely help you obtain all the necessary permits and they should already know what requirements will come into the process. If your contractor advises you not to go to the expense of obtaining a permit, tell them you won’t be needing their services. The headaches you will have down the road due to not having obtained the proper permits for building your deck are not worth the money you might save now.

Now you, or you and your contractor are going to have to decide on the materials your deck will be made of. Some are made of just treated lumber, others are made of redwood, still others are made of cedar or a variety of other woods.

The region you live in and your climate will probably have a lot to do with your choices. You want something that will last. If you choose the cheapest lumber, you have a cheap deck. You get what you pay for, so choosing the type of wood your deck will be built from is an important choice.

If you are going to build your deck yourself, you will still need permits and there are a lot of how to guides out there that can help you with each stage of the process.

Building it yourself will give you an enormous sense of pride and even more enjoyment knowing you built it. However, it requires skills you may not have. I don’t advise you to build your own deck if you are not familiar with building and carpentry in general.

I hope this article has helped you learn at least the basics of getting your deck project going. A beautiful deck is one of the greatest additions you will ever have for your home. Enjoy your new deck!

D. David Dugan has a website, http://homeimprovement.divinfo.com to help homeowners find all the information they need about remodeling, home repair, building decks and carports, room additions, and more. He also actively participates in an article directory at http://www.articlemotron.com that has current and up to date information on many topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D._David_Dugan

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Deck Building Materials
By Thomas Morva

In building homes, it is always a good idea to use high quality building materials, which can ensure that the house would be able to stand the test of time. With regard to building home extensions or add-ons such as decks, the same principle applies. Such extensions should also be built using materials that will ensure a life span as long as the house itself. Using the best home building materials may involve using some of the most durable lumber such as oak or maple. However, a homeowner should not only buy the best materials but also find the right way of storing these materials during the construction of the extension of his home. Below are some tips on how this can be done.

Proper storage

The proper storage of building materials starts with the transport of the materials from the shop to your workshop or your garage. In doing so, you must ensure that the materials are securely strapped to your vehicle using durable materials such as very strong rope. However, if the load is too much for your car, you should just have them delivered to your home.

One of the most important steps you need to take in the proper storage of building materials is that they should be kept in a cool, dry place because moisture can alter the shape of lumber and can render laminated plywood and drywalls useless. Another important step is to make sure that as much as possible, sheets of wood should be stored flat, however, if you do not have the space for this, you should try to keep them as vertical as you can so that it would not bend.

If you can, you should also try to build a storage rack, wherein you can store different building materials and tools properly. Storage racks are also designed to give you easy access to your materials and tools, which can make the job of building that deck more efficient.

Apart from making sure that additional structures to homes like decks are made using the best building materials, homeowners should make sure that building materials are stored properly so that they can maximize the benefits of using these materials. Fortunately, doing so is a fairly simple process, which involves taking the necessary steps in keeping the materials as dry as possible and making sure that they are stored in positions that do not distort their shape.

Building Materials provides detailed information on Building Materials, Building Material Manufacturers, Recycled Building Materials, Deck Building Materials and more. Building Materials is affiliated with Home Buildings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva

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Mahogany's Beauty and Durability Makes it Ideal for Deck Construction
By Mark Donovan

A couple of years ago I had the chance to tour several newly constructed Adirondack homes. One of the areas that particularly stood out for me while touring these homes were the decks. All used Mahogany lumber for both the decking and the railing systems. The red color and the general beauty of the Mahogany wood was unique to anything I had ever seen before in decking material.

After completing my home tours I went out and researched Mahogany further. First, there are several species and colors of Mahogany, supplied by various countries around the world. Not all are the same, however. It is the species known as American Mahogany that has the rich red color that I had observed. American Mahogany comes from the West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America. It is generally viewed as a harder wood that is extremely durable and resistance to moisture and insects. Also, because it is a hard wood it has a tendancy to not split, twist or check. So be sure to ask about the species, prior to buying Mahogany. Note however, Mahogany is a little more expensive than pressure treated decking and railing systems, however it is well worth it in terms of quality, looks and durabilty.

Since discovering and researching Mahogany, I have built two deck systems using this material. As I had indicated earlier, it is a hard material that as a result, requires a little more effort in its installation.

Fastening the Material

First, use stainless steel nails or screws on both the decking and railing systems, as other types will not penetrate this material very well. My preference was the stainless steel nails, however pre-drilling holes is mandatory if not using a nail gun. Even with stainless steel nails, they will bend trying to simply nail them into the wood. I found that with the stainless steel hex head screws that they chewed the wood going in and left somewhat of a ragged finish on the surface of the wood.

Second, when installing the decking material, I found it aesthetically most attractive to create a frame on the outside perimeter of the deck surface using long Mahogany boards. Once the outer frame is installed, the main Mahogany decking boards can be simply installed within this outer framework. The result is a cleaner line when viewed from a distance or standing on the deck itself.

Regarding the Railing system, screws and bolts should be used exclusively as the material use in this part of the deck is typically thicker and requires more rigidity.

Painting, Staining or Sealing

Mahogany takes paint and stain well, however I have preferred to apply a clear sealer. The clear sealer enables the natural red color of the Mahogany to shine through, while still providing a layer of protection from the environement. Typically I re-apply the clear sealer every year to continue to preserve the color. If you do not, the Mahogany will bleach out.

Me_Donovan@comcast.net
http://www.homeadditionplus.com
http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. Mr. Donovan's formal education and profession have been as an Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Donovan

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Deck Installation Tips

When adding a deck to your home there are a number of factors that have to be taken into consideration:

1. The climate you live will play a huge part in determining the materials that you need for your deck. The deck will be exposed to the elements and must be built and prepared as such. The deck will need to be able to handle the sun, wind, rain, snow, and will become discolored over time due to exposure in the sun. Find out what materials will best suit your climate.
   
   
2. The expectations for the deck need to be part of the preliminary plans. Is the deck going to be a place where you do a lot of hosting? If so the appropriate materials need to be considered, as well as where you plan to put the deck, and its layout.
   
   
3. Make sure that you have looked into any local building codes and regulations. Things like sunshades may need approval, property lines and location of your septic tank might influence where it can go, just as it may not be allowed under power lines. Find this information out!
   
   
4. When hiring a contractor to install your deck be sure to check out some of their past work, and be sure that the contractor is familiar with the products and materials that you want to use.
   
   
5. Keep in mind a time frame, as decks can be elaborate and take a bit of time.
   
   

Decks are an aspect of your home that as a homeowner you can really get creative with, providing that you have taken the proper steps. The more information that you have the more options you will have in creating your deck and in dealing with the deck installer.

Deck building contractors may also provide the following services:

• Carpentry
• General Contractor
• Stairs
• Fencing
• Patios
• Framing

 

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