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Decks - Page 2 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.

  • Changes Proposed for the 2024 IRC

    A rundown of popular topics and proposals under consideration for the next edition of the International Residential Code.

  • Durable Softwood for Decking and Cladding

    Kebony’s wood-modfication method makes softwood a viable alternative to hardwood for exterior surfaces.

  • Coastal Home That Mimics Nature

    Located in the Pacific Northwest, this home was designed to withstand the climate while also celebrating it.

  • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs

    Preassembled baluster sections speed construction of this deck-stair guardrail.

  • Pull Posts into Position

    If you don't have clamps on hand, use a turnbuckle to pull posts together.

  • Trimming Deck Stairs

    When it comes to trimming deck stairs, emphasis on quality materials and installation methods yields a high-quality and attractive finish.

  • Grab Your Seat: Build a Custom Deck Start-To-Finish

    Join professional builder Justin Fink for this three-week course on the complete process of building a quality deck. The course begins on May 30th.

  • Dial In Your Deck Details

    Watch this educational seminar on how to get decking design and construction details right.

  • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing

    A simple solution to framing new stairs to an out-of-level, 100-year-old patio.

  • Sponsored Content
    A Precision Laser Leveling System

    Watch how Stabila's rotary laser, the LAR 160 G, was used at FHB House CT to help frame a grade-level deck plumb, level, and square.

Page 2 of 52 Previous
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