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Decks - Page 4 of 52

Decks and patios are coveted spaces in many American homes, providing a comfortable middle ground between indoors and outdoors. Add a roof and you have a porch that can be enjoyed even when it’s raining.

Decks are a blank canvas. Given the same amount of square footage, the choice of materials, how the decking is installed, and details like railings and stairs can produce startlingly different results. Professional deck installers know how to manipulate these elements to produce the effects homeowners are looking for. For ambitious do-it-yourselfers, it may be a process of trial and error — or doing a lot of looking and reading.

Because decks typically take a beating in the weather, and because decks often accommodate a crowd, getting the construction details right is essential to both durability and safety. This includes making accurate load calculations, choosing appropriately sized lumber and fasteners, and following established building practices to put it all together. Patios have their own challenges: what goes under the surface is just as important as the concrete or stone pavers you choose. Pergolas, gazebos, outdoor lighting, fire pits, hot tubs, and other enhancements are ways of turning basic decks or patios into more polished, and useful, spaces.

Where do great ideas for these spaces come from? Firing up Instagram or flipping through coffee table books is a great place to start. Turning those flights of fancy into a dependably built reality is where Fine Homebuilding comes in.

  • A Deck-Build That Will Last

    This list includes 10 of our top articles and videos to help you answer the question: How do I build a great deck?

  • Refinishing a Hardwood Deck

    The process involves removing the old coating, washing, sanding, and staining.

  • Building a Deck Without Treated Lumber

    Straighter, lighter, and usually stronger than wood, light-gauge steel is a good alternative to pressure-treated lumber for shed or deck framing.

  • Designing Outdoor Spaces: How To Get More From Your Home By Extending It Outside

    Architect Tina Govan shares strategies for fully inhabiting your lot by creating inviting decks, porches, and other outdoor spaces that seamlessly connect your house to its surroundings.

  • Flashing a Deck the Hard Way

    Adding flashing between the deck ledger and the house means safely removing and replacing rows of decking and siding.

  • Oil-Canning Deck Fascia

    When fascia boards are set flush to the deck boards, debris and moisture can get caught in the joint and warp the composite material.

  • Easy Hidden Fasteners

    Plastic collating strips save time and make it easier to match fastener patterns to decking.

  • Make Deck Framing Last

    This acrylic flashing tape is the best defense against water intrusion and rotting joists and ledgers.

  • High-Quality Deck Lighting

    One often-overlooked piece of a deck project is lighting—specifically, low-voltage LED lighting that will stand the test of time.

  • Rock-Solid Guard-Post Connections

    Tested and approved installation details to help you build safer deck railings.

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