Deck Safety

Deck Inspection: Posts and Footings are the Foundation of Your Deck

by
Inspecting deck posts and footings.
This is one of the most important elements of your deck. Make sure it’s installed correctly.

Deck posts are an extremely important part of your deck. So, it should be obvious that ensuring they stay in good condition and a part of any routine deck inspection is critical.

A deck is built for load to be evenly distributed throughout the entire surface area. This suggests the ledger board and posts will have an equal load. This assumption is wrong in most cases. If you plan to entertain on your deck, your guests will have a tendency to hang out at the end of the deck where the railings are; thereby increasing the load on the posts and not the ledger board.

Read more

Deck Inspections: Facts

by
deck inspection tips
Getting your deck inspected can prevent larger headaches in the future.

Did you know that roughly 40% of all the decks in America are deemed safe? When you add in the fact there are an estimated 40 million decks that are over 20 years old and you quickly realize becoming a statistic is a real possibility for many homes.

Just like every aspect of your home needs to be solidly and correctly built, so does your deck. Even though decks appear to be simple and straightforward structures, you should consider them to be a rooms without walls or a roof. It’s an outdoor space that needs to be planted in strong foundations.

Read more

A Safer, Longer-Lasting Deck in 5 Easy Steps

by

It is important to build your deck to code and to maintain it after installation to ensure that it stays structurally sound and safe for you and guests. Here are some quick tips to ensure a secure surface to entertain the ones you love! 1. Monitor Your Deck Exposure to the elements, improper maintenance and …

Read more

Is Hardwood Railing a Safe Choice for Your Family’s Deck?

by

When your deck railings get old and worn, they start to become weak and dangerous. That is, if you’re your railings are made of anything but hardwood. And I’m willing to bet that when it comes to your family, you want safety. This means that in order to ensure your family and guests stay safe …

Read more

The Slip Resistance of Advantage Ipe Helps Disabled Veterans

by

The Buggs Island Universally Accessible Launch in Roanoke, Virginia is a kayak launch specifically made for disabled veterans. The purpose of this project was to give disabled veterans and residents a chance for some recreational therapy as well as a good time outdoors. They chose Advantage Ipe™ because of its natural slip resistance. They also …

Read more

Deck Restoration Products – Saving Grace, or Lipstick on a Pig?

by
If your car looked like this, would you just paint it or purchase a new one?
If your car looked like this, would you just paint it or purchase a new one?

Every so often new decking products come on the market. These products always claim to be the “perfect solution,” and the last item you’ll ever need. While some products really do live up the hype, there are still plenty that fall short of their claims.

Over the years there has been an increasing number of homeowners using deck coating products to salvage their rickety old pressure treated decks.  Here’s some interesting things to consider before you decide to paint your deck with these new coating products.

Read more