Deck Building Archives - AdvantageLumber Blog

Is It Cheaper to Build Your Own Deck?

September 5, 2024 by Advantage Lumber

Building your own deck can be a great way to save money, but it’s important to recognize that it’s only cheaper if you do it the right way. While many DIY enthusiasts might feel confident in tackling such a project, it’s essential to understand that building a deck involves more than just hammering boards together. …

How To Build a Deck Over Concrete

July 6, 2023 by Advantage Lumber

Building a deck over a concrete patio strikes many as a great way to revitalize their backyard. Cover up that old, dirty, cracked concrete slab with the rich, natural beauty of wood; a perfect solution! And it can be…but the reality is that installing a deck over concrete is usually a bad idea. Deck Problems …

Plan During Winter, Build During Spring

January 6, 2017 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Winter can be the best time to plan out that gorgeous decks you’ve been envisioning. There are quite a few factors to consider when planning the perfect deck, like material, size, style, and add-ons. Planning during winter is a great way to save money as you can begin to quote out all the labor and items needed.

Why is Deck Ventilation Important?

March 25, 2015March 24, 2015 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

A lot of people ask how much space they need under their deck, or if extra ground clearance is even necessary. At AdvantageLumber.com, we recommend at least 18 inches of open air under the joists. Anything less is risky. But why?

Building Smarter Decks is Easy with DeckWise™

March 4, 2022May 23, 2011 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

AdvantageLumber.com is proud to announce we are a distributor of DeckWise™ decking products. When the good folks at Ipe Clip® Fastener Company showed us their new brand of decking screws, color-coded gap spacers, and other decking essentials, we knew right away we had to carry them. DeckWise™ offers builders and the do-it-yourself mavens everywhere premium …

Don’t Cover New Decking, EVER! Just don’t, Ok? Really. Don’t.

March 10, 2022May 11, 2011 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Doug looks happy now. But he won’t be in a couple of days. When he takes the cover off his decking, it won’t be long until warps, twists, and cupping start to appear. He didn’t listen to his salesman when he said, “When you receive the decking, set the boards onto some wood blocks and …

How to Interview a Deck Builder – Questions to Ask

June 24, 2010June 23, 2010 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

So, you’re ready to start building a deck. You’ve decided on the decking material, general design, and even the spindles that match your choice of hardwood decking. One problem…

Whenever you open a tool box it’s like reading Latin. It’s dead to you. So, if hiring a deck builder is a no-brainer, how do you find one that will get the job done right?. After all, you could try your hand at this massive home improvement project, but if you’re uncomfortable around table saws, it’s probably best to hire a professional. But what do you look for in a deck builder? What questions must you ask before hiring a deck builder?

Here are the questions you to ask while interviewing local deck builders (Also available as a .pdf download: Deck Builder Interview Checklist):