Published: January 12, 2018 © Tim Carter Just two days ago, January 10, 2018, I was at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida. I visited the AZEK booth and was talking with an AZEK employee about bolts that should be used when installing the AZEK aluminum deck posts. (Full background story on the Builders Show Read More »
I completed a somewhat complex Trex Transcend railing installation the summer of 2016. This railing system is well engineered and a pleasure to work with. This column was SO GOOD that I shared with the 31,000 subscribers who read my June 21, 2020 newsletter. Trex Transcend Railing Installation - #WOOT! It's important to note the Read More »
Composite decking is very attractive but not all composite decking materials are the same. As you start to analyze composite decking prices when you actually touch and feel composite wood decking samples, be sure you ask very pointed questions about what the manufacturer includes in the composite decking to prevent wood rot. Be very careful as some salespeople are armed with the wrong information!
When building a deck and using joist hangers, be sure to use the proper nails. Many joist support systems, or truss hangers, recommend nails or fasteners that are approved for their hangers. If the joist hangers your carpenter used are approved for use with the newer ACQ treated lumber, you should have nothing to worry about.
"Benches are just very wide chairs in my opinion. I don’t like hoping something is going to work so I always look at existing benches and take measurements." Build Deck Bench Seating Checklist A bench is just a series of small walls Copy dimensions from favorite chairs in your home WATCH cheeky building video below Read More »
Below are deck materials for a 12 x 10 foot deck at nearly ground level. These prices listed for the decking materials were taken in August 1996, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Treated Wood Rot DEAR TIM: I’m starting to have some rot issues with my ten-year-old deck. Not only are some of the treated wood decking boards having rot issues, but I’m also noticing that the tops of some of the joists are showing severe rot where the decking screws pass into the tops of the Read More »
Treated Lumber Rotting TIPS Treated lumber does rot - it's a dirty little secret the industry keeps Preservatives might not be formulated correctly Products are available to minimize water infiltration into treated lumber DECK COLLAPSE VIDEOS - watch them below CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: In just a few Read More »
Porch decking needs to be prepared and installed properly to get a lasting porch. Composite porch decking is not always the best porch decking material. Wood can make a great long-lasting front porch decking.
Many deck sealers don't perform as desired. Some deck stains start to fail just a month after applying. As part of an ongoing deck stain test, you can see some of the results after just seven months of sun exposure.
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