Tips on Choosing the Best Deck Materials

Decks are significant components of outdoor living. An outdoor is an ideal place to entertain visitors for meals, a few drinks or outdoor parties. Outdoor also provide a quiet environment to have a conversation, to study or to sit and relax. A deck is a great spot to imbibe hot drinks on cool nights or cold drinks when the weather is very hot.

An outdoor has many uses. Its varies in different designs and styles. When you are planning to build your own deck, you have to decide on different variables. The are many types of decks such as pool, low backyard, high, spa and rectangular decks as well as octagonal, splash pool and wooden deck. There are also roofed decks, decks with sub umbrellas or a gazebo, decks with structures on them like arbors, cabin and other item to make your deck a beautiful one for a quiet relaxation.

Rectangular decks are the most usual systems. It is also the easiest to build. There are numerous applications for rectangular such as tiered, sundecks and patios systems. The octagonal decks are a perfect addition to several outdoor spaces. This is great for hot tub, beach and barbeque decks areas. Splash pool plans are a great addition for many above-the-ground pools. This is an inexpensive way to turn your garden into a family reception.

There are several ways to construct a deck. Some start with the posts cemented onto the ground. If your deck is not high off the ground, you can dry pack the posts combined to the wall. Keep the hole larger than the post and pour the blend into the hole. Then, pack the post down as hard as you can. It will blend with the moisture in the ground and provide the concrete the exact blend it needs. Another recommendation of experts is to use deck screws instead of nails because it does not back out from the heat.

When throwing a neighborhood party or entertaining friends and family, decks are one of the most adaptable places for this. Seats around the borders of the deck allow space for plenty of visitors. If there are numerous levels of your deck, you can essentially have two functions going on at the same time.

Steps on choosing the best deck materials:

The first step is to look for different materials. Woods are the most common and popular. However, each type has their pros and cons. Wood does not require regular maintenance but it is more susceptible to splintering, warping and rotting.

There are many different types of wood deck materials to choose from. Each has its own aesthetic quality. Hence, composite deck materials are a combination of waste wood products and plastic. It will not splinter or rot as well. It is also not prone to paints or stains. These composite deck materials are significant to install according to the manufacturer instructions.

The second step is to analyze your budget because all your options in deck materials come in wide range of costs. Classic options like pressure-treated lumber are deemed as the cheapest of various types of deck materials. Other woods like redwood and cedar are essentially resistant to rot but they are higher in price. Plastic and composite deck materials are more expensive, with the cost ranging from one to three US dollars per linear foot.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann

Why Ipe Wood Decking? – Get The Best In Tropical Hardwood

Ipe wood decking brings you the best tropical hardwood you can have for a beautiful long lasting deck. This is the best wood for decking that you will find anywhere in the world and is one of the reasons that most homeowners in California prefer to use it when building decks. The dense wood that Ipe uses in its decking has excellent durability properties and performs well in all environments, regardless of extremes of weather. Once you see the selections of Ipe wood decking, you will be automatically sold on the product and nothing else will do.

Ipe decking is rated very highly for being resistant to rot and decay. Ipe wood decking has also been rigorously tested and has a high fire resistance rating without needing any additional treatment. With Ipe decking, California residents enjoy the look and feel of real wood on the decks of their homes and the lasting natural beauty that it brings. You can get the Ipe boards in lengths of 6 feet to 20 feet, although if you need planks longer than that for your decking, you can place a special order for them.

With Ipe wood decking, you get the magnificent look of tropical hardwood. There are natural variations of color throughout the wood of Ipe decking and very few knots. You can stain this wood, but when they install Ipe decking, California residents like to leave it natural. Under the California sunshine, Ipe wood turns a beautiful silver color when you let it age naturally. The same thing applies to the aging process of the wood in any location.

Just as with composite decking, when you install Ipe wood decking, you will have little or no maintenance. The tropical wood of Ipe decking will not splinter and is resistant to shrinkage, cupping and twisting. In order to fasten the Ipe decking, California experts recommend using stainless steel screws. This is because when the Ipe wood is screwed to the frame, the screws will not work loose or pop up. Since the stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, you will never have to worry about rust developing around the heads of the screws on the decking.

Ipe wood decking is one of the strongest materials you can choose as your decking material. It is able to withstand heavy loads and will keep its natural beauty year after year. At various times of the year, Ipe retailers have sales events in California and other locations. You can also get great prices on Ipe wood decking when you check online. In addition to having an elegant deck, you can realize exceptional savings.

To find out more about Decking visit Peter's Website The Decking Guide and find out about IPE Decking and more, including Wood Decking, Composite Decking, Trex Decking and Pool Decking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Leigh

Building a Patio or Deck

This time of year with the changing of seasons it is one of the best times to build an outdoor patio or add a deck to your home. Spring is the perfect weather for being outside with a major project at hand. You won't have to worry about being too hot or too cold. You can just enjoy the work and make a nice outdoor living space to relax on during the summer when months are too hot to do much of any thing. You can just enjoy the outdoors with a comfortable hammock or a beautiful set of Teak outdoor furnishings what ever you prefer.

Measuring the space available for the patio should be one the first things that you do. You will want to make sure you purchase enough materials the first time so that you do not have to run back to the store every five minutes for one more piece of wood or one extra patio paver.

Measure twice before you began to purchase your material. If you are using patio pavers you want to know the measurements of one that you plan to use because they come in so many different sizes and styles.

Once you have all the materials, you will want to mark out the measurements of the patio. You want to make sure the spot you have chosen is completely level. You do not want any wobbly stones to create any safety hazards. I like to place black paper down if I am going to use the patio pavers. This will prevent any grass from growing up through the pavers causing a problem with weeds. If you are planning to build a deck there is a lot more work to be done. You will have to set your post in cement or on cement blocks making sure the heights of all you poles match up to create a level platform. While you are building the frame you will want to continue to check to make sure that everything is still correctly positioned before you add the final deck boards.

The size of the patio or deck you will be building will help you decide on what kind of furniture you wish to purchase. You will want to allow for plenty of room for moving around the furniture so that you are not constantly dealing with moving pieces around. There are many different pieces of outdoor furniture that can accommodate just about any deck or patio. You might just want enough room for a small set or enough to have room for the entire family. There is something to please everyone.

Whether you are seeking a nice set of outdoor garden furniture or some new bedroom furniture you should come see us at FarAway Furniture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Travis_Tracy

Designer Tips on Decking Construction

Decking has become a popular solution to maximizing outdoor living space. With constant exposure to the environment, decking needs to be able to withstand all external conditions including fire hazards, insect damage, the sun, rain and windy conditions. When designing a deck you must factor in all of the local conditions in your area and select decking materials that will provide superior strength, longevity and dimensional stability.

There are a number of different materials that can be used for a deck's frame and covering.

Lets start with the Frame...

Primarily there are two choices for decking frames - steel of timber. Most steel frames comprise of colorbond steel bearers, joints and reinforced steel posts. Steel frame decking is quick to install and ideal for using in fire hazard areas. Timber frames can include timber for bearers, joists and posts or a combination of timber frame with steel posts. If selecting a timber frame for your deck then there is a choice of either hardwood or softwood such as treated pine.

Decking Materials

With the deck covering you can use a number of different hardwoods such as Merbau, Tallow wood, Ironbark and more. Hardwood is naturally more durable and resistant to insect damage and is the strongest choice in timber decking. Treated pine can also be used as decking material. The most common sizes of timber boards used for decking construction are 70mm, 90mm and 140mm.

An alternative to timber decking is 'compressed fibro sheeting' which then gets tiled over. The compressed fibro sheeting with tiles is one of my favorites because the finished product looks like a concrete slab but without the high costs. This method works best with steel frames and posts as they allow much less movement than timber. A compressed fibro deck if built correctly will last for over 30 years.

Handrails

There are many styles of handrails to complement your deck including tubular (pool fence type), stainless steel wires, glass or timber. The most popular style tends to be tubular because it is cost effective, looks great and is maintenance free.

Stairs

If your deck is elevated or requires stair access then just like deck construction, there are a number of different materials available for stairs. Including a steel welded stringer with timber treads, or a full set of hardwood or treated pine stairs.

Timber decking is ideal for sloping blocks, to cover old concrete patios or as an alternative to paving. Timber decking can be built at the same level as your existing floors to facilitate a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors. When designing a timber or steel frame deck remember that north facing decks are the best positioned to receive the winter sun and summer shade.

Tip Don't forget to protect timber decks with a quality timber finish such as decking oil or timber stain.

Greg Jacobs is a leading designer of pergolas, patios and outdoor entertaining structures and is the founding director of Pergola Land a successful Pergola Company based in Sydney, Australia. Greg and his team at Pergola Land (www.pergolaland.com.au) have been designing and constructing top quality pergolas, patios and carports for Australian customers for the past 10 years. Pergola Land specialize in customized pergolas, patios, carports, sail shades, opening roofs, privacy screens, awnings and decking.

Simple Deck Designs

There are several different styles and shapes to a deck design that can easily be incorporated to add a great deal of enjoyment to the outdoor living area. The simplest type of deck design that can be built is a concrete deck or patio design that leads off the back off the house or from a set of deck stairs and steps. Concrete decks are best suited for those houses which are level with the ground as you walk out to the backyard. Of course the only problem with a concrete deck is that it does not offer a great appeal to the eye and does not add much to the look of the backyard landscaping design.

Instead, many home landscaping owners who would really like a deck that adds value and character to their home, spend time and money investing in a wooden deck. Depending on how far your house is set above or below the ground, a concrete slab can be placed there to bring the deck up to level or deck stairs and steps can be added to bring the deck down to the house level. Wooden decks also offer the opportunity for expansion later on, if you or a future homeowner should decide to make the deck wrap around to another part of the house, or to extend further out into the yard.

Before you get started with big landscaping plans for your wooden deck, it is best to check with your city or county zoning laws. Most counties will have rules and regulations regarding how large of a deck you can create, what the dimensions need to be and if there are any other regulations such as attaching the deck to the house or having a freestanding deck. Keep in mind that you will most likely have to require a building permit for your deck, which will result in additional charges before you can get started building your dream deck or even add on a small deck railing.

Of course the easiest solution to building a wooden deck would be to hire someone to do the work for you. Unfortunately prices for building a deck can start out at $500-$1000 for a small deck design but can escalate to a few thousand dollars or more for an elaborate deck with multiple seating areas and a deck railing or deck stairs and steps. Keep in mind that hiring a professional to do the job usually means getting quality work and having the deck finished in a matter of days. On the other hand, if you have at least an entry level knowledge of carpentry, have extra time available during the spring and summer months and would like to take on the project yourself, there are many knowledgeable sources available that can help you through your successful landscaping ideas. One of the first decisions you need to make before starting a do-it-yourself deck project is to determine whether or not you will add a freestanding or attached deck. Often those who choose to do it yourself will choose a freestanding deck because they do not want to deal with the matter of attaching the deck to the vinyl siding or the brick sides of the house, although an attached deck offers easier access from the house.

Another important decision will be talking to hardware stores to determine what type of wood will work well outdoors and be able to withstand possible rain, snow, sleet, or even windy conditions throughout the years. Of course, no matter what deck design you select, you will need to varnish, stain and put a finish on the wood to protect it from the outdoor elements, but there are some types of wood that will do better outdoors than others. Along with determining what type of wood to use, you will also want to research landscaping software programs, landscape articles or deck design books to have an actual plan or design in mind before you begin cutting and nailing boards together. This will help you to visualize the project before you get started and will give you something to help keep you on track as you go through the summer working on your deck project.

For more landscaping advice, tips, and information visit http://www.greatlandscapingideas.com/

Basic Deck Building

If you want to learn basic deck building, there are three steps you need to know. They are plan, build, and trim. I will explain these concepts in this article and show you how to build that deck you always wanted.

The first step in basic deck building is to plan. Determine where the deck is to be located and what the finished product will look like. Take measurements to determine the exact size you want, where the steps are going to be, if there are any doors to consider and where you want the railing to go. Now decide where and how everything will fit together.

Draw a plan showing dimensions, including the details such as the direction the deck boards will run. Is the new deck to be attached to the existing house or not? It is much easier if it is not attached. There will be fewer problems in the future.

Now plan the foundation, including supports. If you have any questions about how to size the support beams, someone at your local lumberyard with access to span tables can assist with the answers. ALWAYS make the beams large enough to support the load you anticipate.

The second step in basic deck building is to build the deck. Dig the holes for the support posts. Be sure to measure carefully as the posts are difficult to move after the concrete has set. Place the header joist at the ends and connect the joist to them either with joist hangers or by nailing through the header joist.

Make sure everything is square and level. Nail the deck boards to the joist, keeping them 1/8 inch apart. Start at the outside edge and work toward the house. Always get the first deck board straight and fit all other deck boards to it.

Nail every deck board with two nails at every joist to help keep things straight and keep the boards from cupping and warping. Cut the ends of the deck boards even with each other by using a chalk line to determine a straight line. The floor now is complete.

To make the railing, take the support post and trim them to a height of 35 inches or whatever the local requirements are in your area. Cut two supports to fit horizontally between the posts. Now cut balusters to fit from top to bottom. Nail the balusters into the previously cut support pieces 3 ½ inches apart. Stand them up and toe nail into the post.

Cap off with a clean (no knots) deck board on top of the post. Cut the corners at a 45 degree angle for a finished look. The third and final step in basic deck building is to trim. Put some lattice around the bottom to keep critters and children out. Stain or wood sealer should be applied after the deck has cured.

If you follow these basic instructions of plan, build, and trim, you should be able to build a wood deck at your home. Check to determine if permits are required. If they are required, the building inspector will make sure you are in compliance with local building codes.

For more in depth instructions on basic deck building, including diagrams, please visit http://www.single-family-home-remodeling.com/deck-building.html today.

Building Decks: Essential Elements That You Should Know

For many homeowners, extending the living space is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and at the same take advantage of an extra space for entertaining friends and family members. Decks are among the popular choices these days, as it effectively gives the home exterior a more interesting and welcoming dimension, and allow homeowners to simply laze around and spend the day in comfortable leisure, especially during spring and summer seasons.

However, before you make plans on building decks, there are a handful of considerations that you need to carefully take into account. To help you in making the necessary decisions, there are the important factors in building decks:

Location – ask yourself, where should your decks be constructed? One common characteristic of a sound is when the design is stylishly blended with the rest of the backyard environment, all without being overly visible and obtrusive. If you are lucky enough to have a wonderful view in your yard, then make sure to take advantage of this and showcase its beauty through the strategic placement of your decks. If you have some privacy issues with your neighbors, or want to avoid the traffic noise, then make sure to take all these factors in consideration of your location to eliminate possible problems in the future.

Construction - another important aspect that you need to deliberate on is to whether to have the deck directly connected to your home or not. To help you decide, you need to consider the possible amount of traffic in the said area. This is especially critical when decks are directly connected with the living, as people who walk in an out may disrupt people in the living room, or soil the flooring systems. Some people prefer connecting decks to the kitchen for easier access and enhanced convenience. You can also consider making two connecting doors that will lead to different rooms in the house for a more efficient solution in managing house traffic.

Usage - ask yourself what is the primary reason for building a deck. If you have a rather limited space or if are not really fond of throwing large parties, then a smaller sized deck would be a more practical option for you. Build a deck that would best suit your needs, in consideration to the size of your family, house dimension, as well as the land area of your property.

So now that you know the important elements to consider in building decks, you can now go ahead and make all the necessary plans in stylishly extending your living space.

Get more information about Patio Decks and Home Improvement at ArticleZone.com.