This deck needs help (
See here!) This deck was very neglected for a long while, and there are some boards rotting away or bending up, etc. The top boards all need to be replaced, that is a no brainer. The real question is about the frame. A few friends have suggested to just replace the top boards, and then sand/weatherproof the existing frame part of it. My first thought when I saw it was just to get rid of the whole thing.
Is the frame salvageable, or am I better off scrapping it all and starting anew?
posted by Mr.X
on Jul 2, 2012 -
7 answers
I have $150 to spend on my patio/deck garden in Seattle. What should I plant and how should I do it?
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posted by lunasol
on Jun 18, 2012 -
9 answers
New semi-transparent stain on deck is ugly. Can I put solid stain right over it?
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posted by HotToddy
on May 2, 2012 -
8 answers
My new apartment has an accessible roof with an awesome view, and this summer I would like it to be an Awesome Party Spot. At the moment it is completely bare. What makes YOUR roof great?
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posted by showbiz_liz
on Feb 10, 2012 -
18 answers
The house I'm renting has very little storage space inside but has a huge deck. How much damage would I do to my stored items to keep them in plastic Rubbermaid containers on the deck? It doesn't snow here but it gets quite rainy.
posted by Pomo
on Dec 16, 2011 -
9 answers
I have a 7' x 10' concrete slab patio. It currently has wooden deck tiles on top, but they are falling apart and need replacing. What is the best, inexpensive replacement option?
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posted by roaring beast
on Oct 25, 2011 -
8 answers
Lumber / Carpentry Filter - Should I use cedar on this fence project? Is my carpenter right about the design?
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posted by Mid
on May 30, 2011 -
18 answers
I have 6 year old cedar deck by the ocean that is aging quicker than expected, I have power washed and coated it twice with Benjamin Moore transparent deck stain. It's decaying, and the stain is not penetrating and peeling. Any ideas?
posted by daveo'h
on May 21, 2011 -
8 answers
I might be about to buy a house with a large octagonal deck. 6 of the 8 sides are open to the elements. What kind of large windows could I put on it so that I could make it a cosy space in the cold months, but be able to open it up to the maximum extent possible in the warm months? (frost free almost subtropical location for what it's worth).
posted by singingfish
on Mar 8, 2011 -
3 answers
How the heck do I catproof a deck? (Second-story, somewhat sketchy DIY deck made out of wood with picket-fence railings. Kitten wants to commit suicide.)
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posted by kataclysm
on Aug 26, 2010 -
19 answers
Residential patio heaters, fall and spring in New England or similar climate: your experiences please.
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posted by acanthous
on Aug 17, 2010 -
3 answers
What can I plant on a hot, windy roof garden? My New York City apartment boasts a private roof deck. The problem: It gets constant sun all day long, and is the tallest building around, so it can get quite windy. Nearly everything I've planted has shriveled and died. What will work?
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posted by eduke
on Jul 7, 2010 -
15 answers
What mistakes are we likely to make when laying our new decking? What are the best practices for getting this done nicely enough that we don't regret it when we look at it a few years down the road?
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posted by charmedimsure
on Jun 8, 2010 -
18 answers
Spring is right around the corner, and we're starting to plan our Backyard Project™. Is there an Apartment Therapy-like website for backyard inspiration? Looking for lots of photos and write-ups about things like brick patios, decks, gardens, water features, etc.
posted by wordsmith
on Feb 22, 2010 -
6 answers
I'm going to build a deck or patio in my backyard, but I'm trying to make the final decision between poured/stamped concrete, stone pavers, or a standard wood deck...
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posted by colemanm
on Aug 4, 2009 -
9 answers
How do I keep my 1st floor patio clean/dry while being able to spray clean an overhead balcony?
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posted by wongcorgi
on Apr 20, 2009 -
6 answers
I'd love to grow some vegetables this year. However, I don't have much in the way of outdoor space OR sunlight. What are my best bets?
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posted by Rosie M. Banks
on Jan 9, 2008 -
12 answers
Anyone have a roof deck or build roof decks? I'd like to invest in one - what should I do, and what am I missing?
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posted by waterbottle
on May 12, 2007 -
9 answers
Stairs (wood) lead from backyard up to outdoor deck (wood). Dog can run up. Want to install something to keep dog in yard, with stairs remaining usable, without hiring expensive contractor. Thoughts?
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posted by staggernation
on Apr 10, 2007 -
16 answers
A regular deck of 52 cards is shuffled and turned face up one by one. What are the odds of going through the whole deck and finding at least one set of two consecutive cards which have the same value? (ie, a pair).
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posted by jaimev
on Nov 17, 2006 -
27 answers
Questions about 2nd coats. 1) DECK: Just stained deck two days ago with a semi-transparent latex deck stain ("Weatherbeater" brand). Unfortunately it dried a little unevenly, showing brush marks, so there are lighter and darker patches. Can I apply a second coat, or will that peal once the rain comes? 2) TUB: re-caulked around tub yesterday. Aesthetically it might look better if I could apply another layer of caulk to smooth out edges and make a little thicker (used white silicone bathroom stuff), but will the fresh caulk adhere properly to the 24-hour cured caulk? I had to scrape the bejesus out of the gap to get the old caulk out, and I don't want to risk the new caulk job failing.
posted by _sirmissalot_
on Oct 2, 2006 -
3 answers
What can I put down on my balcony as "flooring" which will fill in the gaps, keep stuff from falling through on my downstairs neighbor and maybe prevent her smoke from drifting up?
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posted by amanda
on Aug 15, 2006 -
13 answers
I have been searching in vain for a way to make my outdoor space more private. Can you all help me find a specific type of screen (if it exists)?
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posted by ninjew
on Jul 26, 2006 -
7 answers
The deck / patio on my mother's house is completely exposed to the sun and umbrellas haven't been working as shade providers. The wind breaks them. Or they provide insufficient shading. Besides building a roof over the deck, what else can we try to turn her deck into a nicely shaded space?
posted by Aghast.
on May 28, 2006 -
18 answers
I bought my house in the Los Angeles hills about two years ago. A week ago, I was approached, out of nowhere, by a City Inspector regarding two decks off the back of my house.
The decks were built by the previous owners and were very likely unpermitted - which is not uncommon in the hills where I live. The larger of the two decks did have a permit applied for by the previous owner, but they seemingly didn't follow through on the permit and built the deck anyhow. The deck was very professionally done - complete with casons and concrete poured - but may not be up to code.
My question is: as the current owner, am I responsible for a deck built by the previous owner that may be unpermitted? Can this inspector, who didn't come on my property but merely espied it from the street below, demand that we allow them to inspect the decks - built a few years ago?
I have heard conflicting opinions from people - some who've said it's my responsibility now, some who've said I should tell the inspector I don't know anything about the permits but the decks "came with the house".
posted by bocksheesh
on Apr 3, 2006 -
15 answers
I have a deck with a patio underneath. I have created a guttering system between the deck joists that keeps the patio dry, but it isn't much to look at. I would like to install a "ceiling" attached to the underside of the joists. One major challenge is that the joists are 24" centers, so sagging is a major concern.
Ideally, this material would:
-Provide a reasonably finished look
-Be available in white
-Not add tremendous weight to the overall structure
-Be water resistant in case my guttering springs a leak
-Be in the neighborhood of $1-3/sq foot.
My only idea so far is the soffit treatment they use in vinyl siding applications. Any other ideas are most welcome!
posted by jbradley
on Apr 3, 2006 -
8 answers
We have an enormous [pine|spruce] tree dripping sap all over our deck. What's the best way to get the sap off?
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posted by agropyron
on Sep 10, 2005 -
10 answers
The front porch of my 1926 non-historic house needs to be refinished. It has peeling paint over stain, is developing 3-4mm wide cracks and when I make it down to wood, the boards seem to be damp. Small ants come spilling out when I turn off my orbital sander.
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posted by QIbHom
on May 21, 2005 -
14 answers
I would like to build a deck in the space between my home and garage. A buddy of mine is a rough carpenter who could do all of the physical labor, but he's really poor at design and organization. How should I go about getting a set of plans/drawings/materials list for him to follow? Are their architects that do this sort of thing? Any idea on cost?
posted by sharksandwich
on Jul 21, 2004 -
12 answers
I want to add some plants to my deck and I'm looking for planters, or rather looking for industrial materials which might make good planters that can be bought for cheap. I spent hours on my Tandy looking through Google and Froogle, but can't seen to find anything appropriate. What I'm dreaming about would be any sort of tub or industrial looking trough or whatever which could be adapted to hold various plants. Metal and wood are the desired materials. If anyone has advice about where to go, how to look, or on specific materials that might make good planters, please post!
posted by chaz
on Jul 14, 2004 -
9 answers
