Quick Answer: An Ipe deck is a hardwood deck built from Brazilian walnut, one of the hardest and most durable woods you can put outside. It can last 40 to 75 years, laughs at bugs and rot, and costs more…
Stairs are one of the trickiest parts of any deck build, and I have cut my share of stringers, good and bad, over the years. Quick answer: Deck stairs are made of stringers, treads, and risers that carry people safely…
I have built small beams for little platforms, and big triple-ply beams for large multi-level decks that carry a lot of weight. Quick answer: Deck beams are the heavy horizontal members that sit on top of your posts. They collect…
I have installed hundreds of joists, and I have replaced just as many that were done wrong the first time. Quick answer: Deck joists are the horizontal boards that hold up your decking. They run between the ledger board and…
I have built decks for over the years. I have framed small decks and big decks. I have also fixed a lot of bad frames built by other people. Quick answer: Deck framing is the wood skeleton under your decking…
I have installed simple wood railings and fancy cable railings, and I have fixed more than a few wobbly posts that were never blocked correctly in the first place. Quick answer: Deck railings are the guardrail system around the edge…
I have dug footings in soft sandy soil, hard clay, and half-frozen ground, and I have fixed decks that heaved and shifted because the footings were never done right in the first place. Quick answer: Deck footings are the concrete…
I’ve spent many years building decks for homeowners across the country — everything from small 10×12 platforms off a kitchen door to sprawling multi-level decks with built-in benches and pergolas. I’ve poured footings in July heat and set posts in…
The Quick Verdict Should you build your own deck or hire a pro? If you have good DIY skills, a free month of weekends, and basic tools, DIY can save you real money. If you have a busy life, no…
The Quick Answer Before you hire any decking contractor, check these 5 things first: Now let me tell you why these five things matter so much. I learned some of this the hard way. My Big Mistake A few years…
