Home Repair and Paint Guide

... Choosing the right lumber is a critical part of building a deck. ... Maintenance is a big consideration, and using the right materials will make this task easier. ... Spills (especially grease from foods) will cause stains that are difficult to remove if sealer is not applied. ... Some projects require you to calculate the amount of lumber needed in board feet. ... I usually create a materials list and hand it to the person at the projects counter for a quote. If you need to calculate the board foot requirement when ordering materials, see our post at Lumber Size and Calculating Board Feet. ... It’s generally stronger and supports more weight than cedar, redwood, or other woods and will last for many years. ... Higher numbers mean greater protection against fungi and insect attack. ... The three common ratings are as follows: Above ground (.15 or .25). ... Posts, beams, or other items that will come into contact with the ground, but will never be buried.  Below-grade (.60). ... Heartwood contains the natural oils that give these woods their resistance to decay and insect attack. ... If you’re going to use redwood, look for lumber labeled “heartwood common” ...

... Composite decks are advertised as maintenance free and able to withstand weather extremes. ... Some are made from recycled materials, and the strength can vary widely between types and brands. ... There are several in my neighborhood that look very rough. ... The fibers look more like old newspaper and are just awful. ... Definitely not something I want on my house. ... Weather extremes have to be taken into consideration. ... What if you buy one of these products and the manufacturer goes out of business? You can purchase enough excess material to make repairs, but your warranty will be worthless if the company goes belly-up. ... The plastic is the binder, while the wood fiber provides strength. ... Also, the ratio of plastic to wood has an impact on strength and longevity. ... If you start out with something that’s not up to the task, you will be very sorry several years after the project is complete. ... This allows the plastic binder to be completely absorbed. ... Many of the composite materials end up with exposed wood fibers at the surface ...

... Decks are a great way to add character to a home. ... If built correctly using high grade materials, they will last many years. ... A lot of decks are made of pressure treated pine, which can last for 30 years or more. ... This is the reason most people schedule a regular cycle of maintenance. ... To ensure that a new deck is adequately protected, it should be sealed after waiting a few weeks once construction is completed. ... Be sure to purchase a high quality sealer. ... The staining process begins with clearing the deck of all movable items. ... Deck stain can kill plants and grass, so be careful during application. ... Check carefully for loose boards and nails that stick up. ... Replace the loose ones with deck screws. ... Let them dry for a couple of weeks before staining. ... For your safety, wear eye protection and waterproof gloves. ... Make sure children and pets cannot enter the area. ... Care must be taken to limit the amount that gets on nearby plants and grass. ... Many solutions contain bleach and they will create spots on clothing ...