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Deck Installation Tips
When adding a deck to your home there are a number of factors that have to be
taken into consideration:
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The climate you live will play a huge part in determining the materials that
you need for your deck. The deck will be exposed to the elements and must be
built and prepared as such. The deck will need to be able to handle the sun,
wind, rain, snow, and will become discolored over time due to exposure in
the sun. Find out what materials will best suit your climate.
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The expectations for the deck need to be part of the preliminary plans. Is
the deck going to be a place where you do a lot of hosting? If so the
appropriate materials need to be considered, as well as where you plan to
put the deck, and its layout.
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Make sure that you have looked into any local building codes and
regulations. Things like sunshades may need approval, property lines and
location of your septic tank might influence where it can go, just as it may
not be allowed under power lines. Find this information out!
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When hiring a contractor to install your deck be sure to check out some of
their past work, and be sure that the contractor is familiar with the
products and materials that you want to use.
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Keep in mind a time frame, as decks can be elaborate and take a bit of time.
Decks are an aspect of your home that as a homeowner you can really get creative
with, providing that you have taken the proper steps. The more information that
you have the more options you will have in creating your deck and in dealing
with the deck installer.
Deck building contractors may also provide the following services:
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Carpentry
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General Contractor
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Stairs
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Fencing
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Patios
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Framing
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Deck Building Materials
By Thomas Morva
In building homes, it is always a good idea to use high quality building materials, which can ensure that the house would be able to stand the test of time. With regard to building home extensions or add-ons such as decks, the same principle applies. Such extensions should also be built using materials that will ensure a life span as long as the house itself. Using the best home building materials may involve using some of the most durable lumber such as oak or maple. However, a homeowner should not only buy the best materials but also find the right way of storing these materials during the construction of the extension of his home. Below are some tips on how this can be done.
Proper storage
The proper storage of building materials starts with the transport of the materials from the shop to your workshop or your garage. In doing so, you must ensure that the materials are securely strapped to your vehicle using durable materials such as very strong rope. However, if the load is too much for your car, you should just have them delivered to your home.
One of the most important steps you need to take in the proper storage of building materials is that they should be kept in a cool, dry place because moisture can alter the shape of lumber and can render laminated plywood and drywalls useless. Another important step is to make sure that as much as possible, sheets of wood should be stored flat, however, if you do not have the space for this, you should try to keep them as vertical as you can so that it would not bend.
If you can, you should also try to build a storage rack, wherein you can store different building materials and tools properly. Storage racks are also designed to give you easy access to your materials and tools, which can make the job of building that deck more efficient.
Apart from making sure that additional structures to homes like decks are made using the best building materials, homeowners should make sure that building materials are stored properly so that they can maximize the benefits of using these materials. Fortunately, doing so is a fairly simple process, which involves taking the necessary steps in keeping the materials as dry as possible and making sure that they are stored in positions that do not distort their shape.
Building Materials provides detailed information on Building Materials, Building Material Manufacturers, Recycled Building Materials, Deck Building Materials and more. Building Materials is affiliated with Home Buildings.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
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Mahogany's Beauty and Durability Makes it Ideal for Deck Construction
By Mark Donovan
A couple of years ago I had the chance to tour several newly constructed Adirondack homes. One of the areas that particularly stood out for me while touring these homes were the decks. All used Mahogany lumber for both the decking and the railing systems. The red color and the general beauty of the Mahogany wood was unique to anything I had ever seen before in decking material.
After completing my home tours I went out and researched Mahogany further. First, there are several species and colors of Mahogany, supplied by various countries around the world. Not all are the same, however. It is the species known as American Mahogany that has the rich red color that I had observed. American Mahogany comes from the West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America. It is generally viewed as a harder wood that is extremely durable and resistance to moisture and insects. Also, because it is a hard wood it has a tendancy to not split, twist or check. So be sure to ask about the species, prior to buying Mahogany. Note however, Mahogany is a little more expensive than pressure treated decking and railing systems, however it is well worth it in terms of quality, looks and durabilty.
Since discovering and researching Mahogany, I have built two deck systems using this material. As I had indicated earlier, it is a hard material that as a result, requires a little more effort in its installation.
Fastening the Material
First, use stainless steel nails or screws on both the decking and railing systems, as other types will not penetrate this material very well. My preference was the stainless steel nails, however pre-drilling holes is mandatory if not using a nail gun. Even with stainless steel nails, they will bend trying to simply nail them into the wood. I found that with the stainless steel hex head screws that they chewed the wood going in and left somewhat of a ragged finish on the surface of the wood.
Second, when installing the decking material, I found it aesthetically most attractive to create a frame on the outside perimeter of the deck surface using long Mahogany boards. Once the outer frame is installed, the main Mahogany decking boards can be simply installed within this outer framework. The result is a cleaner line when viewed from a distance or standing on the deck itself.
Regarding the Railing system, screws and bolts should be used exclusively as the material use in this part of the deck is typically thicker and requires more rigidity.
Painting, Staining or Sealing
Mahogany takes paint and stain well, however I have preferred to apply a clear sealer. The clear sealer enables the natural red color of the Mahogany to shine through, while still providing a layer of protection from the environement. Typically I re-apply the clear sealer every year to continue to preserve the color. If you do not, the Mahogany will bleach out.
Me_Donovan@comcast.net
http://www.homeadditionplus.com
http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com
Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. Mr. Donovan's formal education and profession have been as an Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Donovan