How to Protect Your Deck from the Elements

At some point, your old wooden deck is going to fail or you are going to get sick of stepping on the splinters. Either way, it is relatively easy to replace your decking, especially once you see upgrade options made of longer lasting materials that also require less maintenance.

The Decking is the First to Fail

Most often, the portion of a deck that fails is the decking itself, due to prolonged exposure to the sun and other elements. The deck boards are the most visible part, but not the hardest to install. The frame, ledger, and footing require some skill and expertise to install, but fastening the deck boards is quite easy.

Is Your Composite Decking Accessible to the Disabled in Your Family?

Just because you or your loved one is disabled does not mean your backyard should be declared off limits to them merely by its design. To attain a fully accessible outdoor space, you must pay close attention to your yard’s design. If your plans include the installation of composite decking on your landscape, follow these guidelines to make sure everyone can gain easy access to this outdoor social hub.

Ramps Not Stairs

One of the hardest things for disabled people to navigate are stairs, especially in the case of wheelchairs. If your deck is built above ground level, be sure to incorporate a wheelchair-amenable ramp that also prevents tripping for the disabled not needing a wheelchair. It also reduces the strain of negotiating steps for the elderly who wish to access the deck.

If the egress is available, a ramp gradient of 1.15 is suggested to attain optimum safety for the disabled or physically impaired person. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2ryPXbf

Consider a Contractor when Building a Pergola

Pergolas elegantly enhance any outdoor living space. Besides complementing a landscape with architectural appeal—adding geometry and diversity to your greenery—pergolas provide relief from the summer sun. That said, the best pergolas require a degree of craftsmanship possessed by very few homeowners. Therefore, it is best to hire a pergola contractor for the job.

DIY Kits Short on Panache

Pergolas range from simple structures to ornate edifices with multiple tiers and intricately carved posts. For the most basic designs, homeowners can resort to DIY kits. There is nothing wrong with this if you seek a fairly pedestrian look. If you are seeking to make a statement, hire a pergola-building professional instead.

Ipe Decking: A Beautiful and Durable Deck Option

If you like the feel and tone of natural wood decking, but hate the maintenance real wood requires Ipe decking might be the perfect choice for your next project. Durable and insect resistant, this Brazilian hardwood is becoming a favorite among home improvements specialists around the country.

Ipe Is Insect and Decay Resistant

Ipe is native to South America and contains natural oils which preserve the wood and repel insects. This natural defense against decay makes Ipe decks last years longer than projects made from traditional wood sources. Ipe is also much harder than common lumber. Care must be taken to predrill holes for screws but once installed, Ipe is there to stay.

Deck Contractors Suggest Ipe Decking to Please both Pets and the Eyes

Your pet is naturally one of the most important pals in your life, and you’ll do everything to put their interests first. Therefore, in redesigning an outdoor space, it’s normal to be concerned about how your four-legged companions will handle it.

If your yard’s transformation includes a deck or walkways to and from the deck, try installing ipe decking and heeding the following tips to add appeal and pet functionality to your backyard.

Use the Right Materials

Pets are able to walk safely on certain types of surfaces. Therefore, it’s important to select the right ones for your deck. Although you may like an industrial look, metal decking is never going to be pet friendly. It can easily absorb sunlight and make the surface as hot as a griddle, which can be extremely excruciating to the paws of a pet. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2qffsKv

Patio Contractors Explain How to Easily Enhance Your Outdoor Space

It can often be difficult to know exactly what to do with your outdoor space. Although you want it to be beautiful, it needs to be functional as well if you want to make the most out of this space. There are a few things you can do to design a beautiful space, as an outdoor space contractor explains.

Split into Functional Areas

Firstly, you’ll need to look at your backyard as a whole and then decide what exactly you need your yard to do. Do you want a dining area, a vegetable patch, or a space for your children to play?

Once you’ve decided what your personal needs are, split the available area up into different sections. You can design each one differently to meet your requirements. Consider pulling the look together with a lushly bordered path or a floral trim. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2rz2cV7

Composite Decks: Low Maintenance and Low Impact

Building a deck is one of the best ways a homeowner can add usable square footage to a home without breaking the bank. Decks can be simple areas for entertaining in an otherwise cramped house or expansive multi-tiered platforms with different areas for cooking, lounging, and eating. No matter the size or purpose, building a deck is only the beginning of your project. Staining and maintaining outdoor living spaces can often involve more work than installation, leading many to scrap the idea before they even get started.

Stain or Paint? What a Top Waterproofing Contractor Would Recommend

Imagine this scenario: you’ve just built the house of your dreams, which is complete with an outdoor deck where you and your family can relax under the sun, and then it hits you–the deck and the fence, they are made of wood, completely exposed to the elements. What if it rains? They could swell or shrink or even rot before you even have the chance to enjoy them.

Take a deep breath and banish all those horror images off of your head. Not all is lost! There is a solution to this, and it is called waterproofing. There are two major ways you can waterproof your wooden structures and they come with their own benefits and shortcomings. Read on to find out which one suits you best!

Stains

If you want to enhance the natural beauty of the wood grain, waterproof staining could be a great method. It is obviously waterproof and preserves the natural lines of the wood, but it will also add the desired depth of color to the wood. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2ryLJQT