Patio Replacement with Wooden Deck or Composite Decking?

Here are 10 Great Reasons

author: Terry Campbell

. Environmentally Friendly

. Natural looking

. No Need to Remove Old Concrete

. Can Do It Yourself

. No Heavy Equipment Needed

. No Permit Required

. Choice of Materials

. Ease of Design

. Cooler Ventilated Walking Surface

. Stain to Match Environment

> When looking at a Patio Replacement, Wooden Deck or Composite Decking is a good alternative to concrete. It is naturally Environmentally Friendly and can be more ecologically balanced since it comes from renewable sources. Cracked Concrete will be in a Landfill for many years to come unless you are lucky enough to have a concrete recycling plant close by. The manufacturing of concrete can also leave a large carbon foot print.

> Wood and Composite Decking materials are also more Natural looking and can blend with the surroundings and create more of a natural flow. Tell the truth, have you ever seen concrete do this?

>  No Need to Remove Old Concrete. This old concrete can be used as a very stable footing for your new Wood or Composite Decking and therefore you can go right over the top of it. Out of site out of mind. This can also save you the cost of disposal.

>  You Can Do It Yourself if you have basic carpentry skill to read a tape and level, hammer a nail and operate a skill saw. If you choose this route please be sure to take safety precautions when using power tools and remember to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Have you ever tried to bust up cracked concrete and remove it? You had better be very physically fit!

>  No Heavy Equipment Needed. Have you ever tried to remove concrete without Heavy Equipment. It takes skill not to mention the mess that it can make to your yard while using it. You do want to have a nice yard to look at while enjoying your new deck don’t you?

>  No Permit Required. Here in the Dallas Texas metro area the majority of the cities I have worked in do require a building permit when pouring a concrete foundation but when you are installing a deck that is not elevated over a certain height does not require one. You do want to check with your municipality to make sure that it is or isn’t required in your area.

>  Choice of Materials. You have a wide variety when it comes to choice of materials to construct with. For Wooden Decking you have Cedar, Redwood, Pressure Treated Pine and then you have several choices in Tropical Hardwoods. With Composite Decks you also have several choice and styles. It would take 2 more articles to explain the advantages and disadvantages of all these but I would recommend that you do your research so that you get the kind that fits your budget and needs.

> Ease of Design.  Using wood or composite material for you Patio Replacement gives you ease of design. The different types of wood can installed in a variety of designs from mitered angles to using shapes that are cut out with a band saw, jig saw or a laser cutter.  The composite materials are a little more flexible and can be curved and shaped to get really unique designs.

> Cooler Ventilated Walking Surface. A Patio Deck needs to be able to expand and contract with temperatures and moisture. To allow this natural process when installing the top boards you leave a gap of 1/8” to 1/4″ depending on the type of materials used. This also allows for some airflow that will make a cooler ventilated walking surface.

> Stain to Match Environment. There are so many different stains and weather sealants available that it might be hard not to come up with a color Stain to Match Environment. If you really wanted to make your patio replacement unique you can use different colors and your artistic imagination to give it the look and feel to match your environment.

As you can see there are a lot of advantages using Wooden Deck or Composite Decking when you are looking at Patio Replacement. If you are to ever sell your home it also adds to the saleability.

Which ad sounds more enticing “Concrete Patio” or “Beautiful Backyard Deck” ?

In the spring time a backyard deck or patio area can really help you to enjoy the colorful outdoors. In this article, my main focus would be to tell you about some tips that can really make your deck area as elegant as the interior of your house.

1. Consult your local building department

Sometimes before undertaking a construction in your house, it is very vital for you to consult your local building department. Know the laws about their easements or restrictions. After all the initial formalities are completed, get your local utility companies to mark all the necessary underground utilities. If you want you can even hire deck contractors for this task.

2. Think of a unique design

Instead of going for a simple backyard deck, you can create your own unique design to make the deck look more impressive and alluring. Build a great outdoor ambiance where all your family members can enjoy during the leisure time. Try to include a granite bar, outdoor stereo system and an outdoor kitchen with grill and refrigerator. You can even add sofas and comfortable chairs to this living area.

3. Material for the deck

These days composite decking materials are slowing replacing the natural wood because they are environment friendly and you do not have to treat them with wood preservatives. But if you want the traditional look then you can choose cedar, redwood and pinewood as your deck materials.

4. Take the help of online resources or deck constructers

In order to give an exquisite and impressive look to the deck area, you must consult online resources, websites and deck constructors for ideas and tips. Look for a design that would suite your budget and needs. Make a list of all the accessories and furniture that you want to include in your deck area.

5. Additional features

Some additional features can be added to the deck area to give it an exotic look. You can include a fish pond with a waterfall, a gas heater, attractive lights, ceiling fan, a good durable roof, outdoor rug, paintings and art work in the deck.

You can really make your deck area a comfortable and attractive place by following the above mentioned

You will see that these days’ people are adding new features and elements to their houses to make it look more interesting and fascinating. You can add garden fountains, benches, ponds and even modern furniture to give it a stylish look. Backyard decks are very much in fashion these days. You can either hire a professional deck builder for this task or can build your own wooden deck by a little planning a research.

In this article, my main focus would be to tell you about some good tips that you can use to design and construct a good wooden deck for your house.

1. Tools and equipments needed for this work

If you are building your own wooden deck then you will need a wide variety of tools and equipments to complete this task. Some essential things that you would need are shovel, post hole diggers, speed square, carpenters pencil, saw horses, drill and/or maybe a nail gun, hammer, nail set, circular saw, carpenter’s level, wheelbarrow, tape measure, and safety eyewear.

2. Essential materials required for construction

If you are not hiring a professional constructor or contractor then you have to order your own materials. Always order a little overage on the materials so that you can be picky with the deck boards you use and then you can always return what you don’t choose to use.  You will require joist hangers, joist hanger nails, proper deck screws and/or deck connectors (there are also hidden connectors. One brand I like to use is Tiger Claw) and pre-mix concrete for the construction work.

3. Choose a good style and design

It is very essential for you to choose a deck design and style that would look good with the rest of your house. You can find ideas on home improvement websites operating on the internet. You can also take opinions and ideas from your family members and friends. Looking at other wood decks would also give you a good idea of the deck design you are looking for.

4. Plan out the location for your deck

The location of your deck area is something that would greatly affect the whole look of your deck. There are various points that you must consider before selecting a particular area like the direction of sun, wind and other natural elements. Sun can really harm the appearance and color of your wooden deck. A good way through which you can protect your deck from sun and water is to apply a good stain, sealer and UV protectant.

5. Choosing the wood

There are various types of wood available in the market that you can choose for your deck, but always keep in mind that the wood should be durable and long lasting. You can select from cedar, redwood, Trex, Correct Deck, or other composite woods, pressure treated lumber, ipe, garapa, massaranduba, cumaru and other tropical hardwoods

A good location, an attractive design and durable materials can really make your deck area look attractive and enchanting.

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There  are some charming garden structures that can really convert your garden into an inviting oasis.

Eye catching decorative garden structures can really make your garden look impressive and elegant. These days such structures are very much in demand because they can really turn a simple and boring garden into an exotic paradise. Timeless classic garden structures like bridges, pergola, trellis, arbor and gazebos add additional charm and beauty to your backyard garden and lawn.

In this article, I would mainly like to tell you about some attractive structures that can change the whole ambiance of your plain and simple lawn area.

1. Beautify your garden with Trellises

Trellis can be installed near the walkway, next to the entry gate and inside your garden area. You can use metal or wood for the construction of this structure. For making the trellis look luxurious and elegant, paint them with vibrant and natural colors. Besides being an appealing backdrop for your garden, trellises are also used to support vines and flowers like wisteria, ivy, clematis, honeysuckle and morning glories.

2. Arbors are excellent to please your guest

One garden element that can really impress all your guests is the Arbor. These classic structures can be used to decorate the garden during festivals, garden weddings and social gatherings. They act as excellent backdrop for photographs and can also be used for decorating the entryway. Wooden arbors are also used for supporting long-stemmed flowers, vines and climbers.

3. Pergola is an excellent place for entertaining the guests

A pergola is a comfortable, charming and shaded outdoor space just like the patio area. You can arrange various small parties and picnics here for your family and friends. To make this welcoming retreat even more charming you can include a bistro table set, comfortable chairs and vibrant lights here. For constructing your own pergola you have to purchase construction kits which include pre-cut and pre-drilled posts. This comfortable oasis will provide you a cool ambiance even when the sun is blazing outside.

4. Garden bridges

Garden bridges can be used for practical purpose for just as a decorative structure. You can place this alluring fixture over your garden pond or creek. The length and style of the bridge should be chosen according to the requirements of your garden area.

5. Gazebos are perfect for social gatherings

A gazebo is an excellent outdoor structure that can be found in various huge gardens and lawns. They make a perfect place where you can organize spring weddings and parties. This shaded place can even be used for relaxing and playing games.

A long lasting tradition is to go to the backyard for a nice barbeque. Many people take to their backyard and invite friends and family to enjoy the joys of summer together. You may want to consider a screen porch, screen enclosure, screen room or screened deck since there are many insects that can really be a pain in regards to outdoor fun. It is no wonder that more and more people are looking at buying a clever screen  room. These screen enclosures help people get to their festivities without worrying about the nasty insects that can ruin a party or a barbeque with the greatest of ease. It appears that candles, torches and other remedies are not that fool proof after all and people are realizing that in record numbers.

If you are not careful your next party or event could be ruined by nature. There are insects out there that want to ruin your fun. If you confide in homemade or simple remedies, you are going to find out fast that you are not going to win the fight. They seem to multiply faster than ever and they end up causing you to be overly concerned about them. Then you will end up spending more time trying to fight off the insects than enjoying the party. As a host it is important to make sure that you enjoy the greater good of your company, your backyard and more. Patio enclosures are a nice investment  so why not make sure that you are covered against insects and other pesky pests? You can’t possibly lose with this idea. It is environmentally   friendly   unlike pesticides and other harsh answers to this common dilemma.

If you haven’t tried getting a nice screened enclosure, screened deck, patio enclosure or screen room now is the time. If you are into the great outdoors and want to make sure that you are not going to get your latest endeavor ruined by a pest, you need to look into this option. Whether you are putting this thing around the gazebo, or other place, you are going to enjoy the magnitude of protection that is found in this familiar and somewhat orthodox remedy. This will last you for a long time, and even pass through many generations if you keep it nice and neat.

Insects and other pests can really put a damper on your outdoor fun, so why not get a professionally made or even a custom made screened enclosure? You cannot lose if you simply put your money into a solid solution that will have you enjoying friends and family without having to chase down bugs with a swatter or some other painstaking instrument. Not only can a screen enclosure help you with minor pests that will ruin a good time. Protect your patio, deck, and more,  while increasing the value of your home with a nice screen and make sure that the fun never stops.

So you have spent a lot of money, time and frustrations getting your new above ground pool installed.You invested this time, money and frustrations so you can spend quality time with your family and friends . You find yourself floating on your favorite float that has a built in cup holder for your favorite cocktail with your choice of music playing in the background, the smell of the steaks that are cooking on the grill way over there on the patio and think to yourself “Now This Is It”. You look out your backdoor to see the children splashing around in the pool. Ahh the joys of owning a pool !

Fall rolls around. You are still enjoying the pool but not quite as much since the water has cooled down a bit. The leaves start falling from the trees and right in the pool. You have to spend a little time every few days cleaning the leaves out. Winter sets in and unless you can afford the luxury of a pool heater your pool season has ended for a few months. You have a few not so cool days and you want to get outside so you bring out the lawn chairs and set them on the lawn to stare at the metal walls of this big structure and think  “I spent a lot of money, time and frustrations  and This Is It?”

Include an Above Ground Pool Deck.

Well there is a better option.An area that becomes part of that investment in your family and friends that you can enjoy almost endlessly. An Above Ground Pool Deck can greatly ehance your Quality Time with your Family and Friends while extending your time outdoors. The options are numerous . To name a few of them – Steps, built in Benches, Hand Rail, Shade Structure like a Pergola, Wood Deck Skirting, a place to swing a rope hammock to lay back enjoying a good book or laptop surfing the net, floating candles in the pool, Tiki’s, Patio Furniture arranged on this Wood Deck to fit your taste, low voltage lighting, gas fire pit for those cool days, Planters or potted plants, smelling  those steaks on the grill and your choice of music playing in the background. Now look out your backdoor and what do you see?

The only limits here are your budget and your imagination but the benefits and memories are immeasurable.

Composite deck materials or WPC (wood, plastic, composite) are slowly gaining popularity. According to a market study done by : Principia Partners for new, remodled and replacement decks market share of deck boards based on millions of linear feet, from 2004-2009 WPC has gained 14% over pressure treated softwoods or PTS.

While 65% of the decks installed are made with PTS, the consumers are realizing that the initial lower cost  is being offset with the almost yearly maintenance. This coupled with the “Go Green” revolution is giving rise to the increase in popularity with WPC.

The cost of a composite deck can be up to 3 1/2 times higher and will still require some upkeep. There are lots of deck builders that have experience working with WPC so finding a deck contractor for WPC deck construction should be a easy task.

Some of the Advantages and Disadvantages

1- Composite decks can have a higher heat retention but can be offset by purchasing a lighter color.

2- The cost is higher than a wood deck but you have more choices on deck design with your deck ideas.

3- Surface is of composite decking is nonskid vs wood deck with stain applied.

4- No splintering or warping that you get with PTS.

5- No reappling of weather selant/stain every 2-3 years although some of the manufacturers reccomend a light application.

6- WPC has wood fibers with the recyled plastics nad when cut and left exposed are subject to rot and mold unless it has additives such as zinc borate.

7- WPC contains plastic, either polyethylene which is recycled and more malleable plastic and wood fiber, or polypropylene which is virgin plastic which is more rigid.

8- WPC can stain with  oil, rust, wine, chemicals or grease from your BBQ grill but can be minimised with an approved protectant.

9- Some of the WPC’s are softer than others and will scratch easier.

10- You can choose from a variety of colors,  textures and wood grain simulations.

11- They call WPC enviromentally friendly but yet the chemicals that are needed to clean are not quite so envoromentally friendly.

12- If scratched or stained you have to replace and can not refinish like you can with wood.

I have been in deck construction for a long time and have seen products come and go. I like working with the different brands of WPC and have been very pleased with ease of installation as well as the apperance

but only time will tell if it will last as some of the claims made.

If you are considering deck construction with WPC then first do a online search on the composite’s that are available and what some of the pro’s and con’s are so that you can make an informed decision.

Here is a short list of some of the more popular Composite Deck Materials available :

Trex, Timbertech, Correct Deck, Choice Deck, Ultradeck, Veranda Decking and Lattitudes.

Trex Accents Composite Deck

Do it yourself fencing repair can be a challenge for the inexperienced but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing times are tough and as a thirty year veteran I will try to make fencing repair, changing rotted fencing posts and replacing panels in your fence doable for those who like to do it yourself and save money. I will address :

* Do it Yourself Fencing Repair

* Replacing rotted Fence Post

* Cedar fence Fence Post

* Treated Wood Post

* Galvanized Metal Fence post

* Changing a Wood Fence Picket

* Adding or Changing Fence Rail

There are as many How to Wood Fence and Fencing Repair as there are nails in fence pickets. The way that I describe here has worked for me here in the Dallas Texas metro area for many years.

Do it yourself fencing repair  : Is easy if you go about it the right way but is very hard if you go about it the wrong way and can get very frustrating and costly.

Replacing Rotted Fence Post : Replacing posts in Fence is one of the hardest things about fencing repair. I have seen DIYer’s try everything to get broken fence post out of the ground. One of my favorite is what I call the Grand Canyon. This is when a DIY will dig a hole so big around the fence post that they almost need a cement truck to bring in enough concrete to fill it. Have you ever dug a hole fence post ? If so use the concept of digging a 8 inch diameter hole for a fence post against the concrete of the old fence post about 2-2 1/2 feet deep. Then take a sharp shooter shovel to clear a little dirt from each side of the concrete. Use post hole digger to remove the little bit of dirt that you loosened. You now have a hole that is deep enough that with a little effort you can use a rock bar to lever the broken post and concrete into the hole you just dug so that it will be easy to lift out.

Put the new pole in the hole, take the old hard concrete and use as filler in the hole and put as much premixed wet concrete in, plumb the pole with a level. You can then wait 24 hors for the concrete to harden around the new fence post or you can nail the old or new fence panels to it and then use an old fence board to support it.

If you would like the easier way out then you can install a new fence post in next to the existing so that you do not have to dig the wood post out.

Cedar Fence Post : Cedar highly resistant to rot, decay, warping and bugs when used above ground. If it is saturated with moisture when installed in the  with concrete around it and dries out, it will shrink leaving a void that will take on water. This creates a premature rotting process. This can also happen at the ground level if the concrete is not poured to a level that will help repel the water away from the fence post. You can use a good weather treatment to soak the post end prior to installing to extend the like of a cedar fence post. I have used Behr and Olympic with good success.

Treated Wood Post  : Pressure treated wood post have a chemical that is resistant to rot. The tag on the end of the post at most retail chains like (Home Depot or Lowes) will tell you if it is good for ground contact. I have seen a lot of Landscape timbers used for posts in a fence. These usually do not have the proper treatment that will give it the rot protection so unless someone is on a very tight budget I will not recommend this type of wood post for fencing.  Pressure treated pine fence post can warp or check from drying and shrinking (looks like a split) . To minimize warping and twisting make sure that you attach the fence panels with the correct screws or nails. They need to be long enough to penetrate through the rail and the post by 2 1/2 – 3 inches. Also make sure that it is a Hot Dipped Galvanized screw or nail so that the chemicals in the wood do not deteriorate them.

I have seen that pressure treated wood post will last several years but can dry rot at the ground level but you can also minimize this by soaking the part that will come in contact with the ground in a good weather sealant.

Galvanized Metal Fence Post  : Galvanized Metal Fence Post are my choice to use for fencing a backyard or changing out a rotted fence post. When they are installed correctly they can last a lifetime. Diameter of the hole they are to be cemented in to should be 8 – 10 inches and the depth should be a minimum of 30 inches and up to 48 inches. The type of soil and ground condition will dictate this. They will cost a little more but in my opinion are worth the difference. Make sure that you get a heavy gauge like a .095 and put a dome cap on it so that it doesn’t act like a rain gauge. The appearance is not as natural as wood fence post but this can be easily but boxing it with fence board or two.

Changing a Wood Fence Picket  : Changing a Fence Picket is almost self explanatory. In the Dallas Texas metro the choices of fence pickets are starting with the best then to the last are Cedar (3-4 different grades), Composite ( recycled materials like Trex, Correct Deck ), Pressure Treated Yellow Pine, Fir, and White Pine ( These are all in the white wood category}.

Once again make sure that your screws or nails are of the proper length and either hot dipped galvanized or aluminum.

You can attach a fence board  to the top of the pickets or a nylon string to use to keep the top straight as you fasten them to the rails.

Adding or Changing Fence Rail  : I have had the most success changing a fence rail by leaving the fence panel attached to the post. Use a sawzall with a metal cutting blade. Slip the blade in between the rail and the post so you can cut the nails or the screws. Use a Wonder Bar and a hammer so that you can wedge it between the rail and the fence board. Pry the fence board away from the fence rail. Fllow the same procedure with all the fence boards. Take the fence rail out. Cut the new one to the same length. Drive the nails through the fence picket leaving the nail in. Insert the rail. Hammer to nails back into the fence rail. You then can use 3 1/2 inch hot dipped galvanized nail to hammer through the rail into the fence post.

Screen Patio with Composition Deck Cover

Dear Terry,

Once again, you and your crew have done an outstanding job for me. The split fence you put up on my front 2 acres has gotten many, many compliments.

I knew that your company was the only one I had confidence in to add a screened porch to my lake log cabin. You matched the existing structure perfectly and we now have a wonderful, outside protected room to enjoy the evenings at the lake.

I was concerned when I had heard that 90-mile an hour winds were detected at the lake, during construction. Not one roof shingle was missing!

Thanks once again,
Mary Ellen Stout
Sachse, TX

Second Story Wood Deck with Spiral Metal Stairs

Dear Terry,

We just wanted to write you a letter to tell you how happy we are with our deck! It is exactly what we wanted and it is just beautiful. Now we can enjoy panoramic views of the lake from our backyard, something we have always dreamed about.

We want you to know how impressed we have been with the workmanship and quality of the deck. It is not only beautiful, but it is extemely well-made. We are so pleased with the outcome of your work.

We also want to let you know that we asked you to build our deck because of your professionalism from day one of the bid. You have always been here when you promised and you have also been punctual. We also liked how you have communicated with us throughout the building process.

Thanks again for our deck! We will highly recommend you to all of our friends!

Sincerely,
Mark & Miranda