What tradesman or trade area should I look to to dig the footers for my wood deck? [more inside]
posted by blackjack514 on Sep 25, 2009 - 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... [more inside]
posted by colemanm on Aug 4, 2009 - 9 answers

Thinking of building a platform-style deck in our backyard using the Dek-Block system. Looking for experiences from others who have used it. [more inside]
posted by anderjen on Jul 20, 2009 - 4 answers

How do I keep my 1st floor patio clean/dry while being able to spray clean an overhead balcony? [more inside]
posted by wongcorgi on Apr 20, 2009 - 6 answers

How can I enjoy my deck without being swarmed by bugs? [more inside]
posted by Fleebnork on Apr 19, 2009 - 19 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? [more inside]
posted by Rosie M. Banks on Jan 9, 2008 - 12 answers

I'll be replacing a cedar deck soon, and would like recommendations on composite decking material. [more inside]
posted by Slacker Manager on Dec 24, 2007 - 18 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? [more inside]
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? [more inside]
posted by staggernation on Apr 10, 2007 - 16 answers

Where can I find guidelines or software that will help me design a rectangular, free-standing deck with cantilevers? [more inside]
posted by Could it be, El Guapo ... on Feb 4, 2007 - 1 answer

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). [more inside]
posted by jaimev on Nov 17, 2006 - 27 answers

What kind of wood is my deck made of? [more inside]
posted by designbot on Oct 27, 2006 - 13 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? [more inside]
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)? [more inside]
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

Sanding a Deck: How little can I get away with? [more inside]
posted by HK10036 on Apr 24, 2006 - 8 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? [more inside]
posted by agropyron on Sep 10, 2005 - 10 answers

How can I tell if my deck needs to be treated? [more inside]
posted by sacre_bleu on Aug 3, 2005 - 11 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. [more inside]
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