You can improve your deck by tackling upgrades in three areas: safety, appearance, and function. Even small changes — like new lighting, updated railings, or a fresh stain — can make a deck feel completely different. This article covers the best upgrades to consider,...
Yes, a deck increases your home's value. According to the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, a wood deck addition costs an average of $17,615 and has a resale value of $14,596 — meaning homeowners recoup about 82.9% of their investment. That's a strong return compared to...
The biggest deck building mistakes are skipping permits, bad ledger board attachment, shallow footings, wrong fasteners, and poor drainage. These errors don't just look bad — they can make a deck dangerous or force you to rebuild from scratch. This article walks...
The ledger board. That one part — a long wooden board that connects your deck to your house — is behind 90% of all deck collapses in the United States. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), when a ledger board pulls away...
You can repair split wood on a deck yourself in most cases. The right fix depends on how deep the split is and whether rot is involved. Small cracks take 30 minutes to fix. Splintered or badly cracked boards take a bit longer but are still manageable DIY jobs. This...
You can repair a deck board yourself in most cases — especially if the damage is a crack, split, or a single rotten plank. The fix depends on how bad the damage is. Minor deck crack repair takes an hour or two. A full board swap takes a bit more work but is still a...
The best low maintenance deck material is composite or PVC decking. Both skip the yearly sanding, staining, and sealing that wood demands. This guide breaks down all your options so you can pick the right one for your budget, climate, and style. Why Your Material...
Your deck needs regular cleaning, inspection, and — if it's wood — sealing or staining every one to two years. The good news? Most of it is simple. This guide covers everything you need to know, from weekly sweeps to annual checkups, so your deck stays safe and looks...
The best material for a deck in direct sunlight is PVC decking, followed closely by high-quality capped composite decking. Both resist UV fading, handle heat better than wood, and stay structurally stable through years of sun exposure. Wood is a classic choice but...
