PVC Decking Guide: Pros, Cons and Buying Tips
Sam Wood Worker
PVC decking is one of the most moisture-resistant deck-board options available. It does not contain wood fiber, so the boards do not rot, splinter or attract wood-eating insects in the…
Decking
Composite Decking Pros and Cons: Is It Worth the Cost?
Composite decking looks like an easy choice at first. It does not need regular staining. It resists rot and insects. Many products come with long residential warranties. Then you see…
Ipe Deck Guide: Pros, Costs, Care for Brazilian Walnut Decks
Ipe is one of the strongest and most durable woods used for outdoor decks. It has a rich brown color, a fine grain, and impressive resistance to wear. It can…
Deck Stairs: Guide to Layout, Cutting, and Installation
Deck stairs look simple, but small errors can make them uncomfortable or unsafe. One riser that is taller than the others can create a trip hazard. Weak stringer connections can…
Deck Beams Guide: Sizing, Building & Installing Them
Deck beams carry loads from the joists to the posts and footings. They are a major part of the deck’s structural frame, even though fascia or skirting may hide them…
Deck Joists Guide: Sizing, Spacing, Layout Basics
Deck joists are easy to overlook because the decking hides them. Yet they do most of the everyday work. They support the deck boards, carry people and furniture, and move…
Deck Framing Guide: Structure, Layout & Mistakes
Deck boards get most of the attention, but the frame does the important work. It supports people, furniture, stairs, guards, and the decking itself. It also carries wind and movement…
Deck Railings: A Complete Guide
Deck railings do more than finish the look of a deck. They help prevent falls, support people near an open edge and create a safer route along stairs. A railing…
Deck Footings Guide: Depth, Digging & Pouring
Deck footings are easy to ignore because they disappear below the finished structure. Yet every post, beam, joist, railing, stair, person, and piece of furniture eventually sends load toward the…
Deck Building 101: A Homeowner’s Planning Guide
A good deck starts long before the first footing is dug. It starts with simple questions. How will you use the space? How many people should it hold? Where does…