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2012年7月24日 星期二

Interlocking Deck Tiles - A Great DIY Project For Beautiful Deck, Patio And Porch Flooring


Many people have to replace their porch flooring, decks, or patios every year due to normal wear and tear. Treated lumber degrades over time, boards crack and splinter, and staining it another year isn't going to help much. Concrete patios crack, just no way to get around that. You can live with the small cracks but after a while those cracks can look like the Grand Canyon. You can replace all the deck boards or remove the concrete and pour another one.

Here's another option - interlocking deck tiles. The great thing about interlocking deck tiles is that they can be placed right over your porch flooring, decking, or patio. They are specifically made so that anyone can do it; you don't need to hire a contractor (saving you significant money right from the start).  As long as your existing flooring is in good shape, the interlocking deck tiles hide unsightly boards and cracked concrete. And because they are an engineered product they'll last a long time.

Another feature that's sure to make you take notice is the variety of materials, styles, colors, and patterns that are available. You can mix and match to create your own unique design. You can use one style as a border for your porch or patio and use another to cover the rest. You are only limited by your imagination. Not only that but you can choose from a variety of woods, porcelain, slate, granite, and even composites. They make great flooring for screened porches, 3-season porches, and four season porches as well.

Most people can install them over a medium size area in a few hours so you can enjoy the beauty of them right away. The only thing you won't want to do is install them on steps or stairways as they are not specifically designed for that. However, you can also use them around your pool, hot tub, walkways, and garden areas. Because the tiles are not directly fastened to your subfloor, you can even take them with you if you move, making them a great investment.

Interlocking deck tiles may be just the answer to that worn out porch, deck, or patio floor. Install them in the morning and have your friends over to enjoy your new look in the afternoon!




To learn much more about front porch flooring and to be inspired by many front porch pictures, please visit http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/interlocking-deck-tiles.html.

Dave R. Morris is a co-creator and co-founder of http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/front-porch-designs.html, your portal for front porch ideas and designs.

Dave is a retired Air Force officer, teacher, logistics analyst, woodworker, remodeler, and niche e-business developer. A grandfather and lover of the outdoors, Dave lives in Nashville, TN. Take a break and enjoy your porch!





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2012年7月22日 星期日

Beautiful Deck and Porch Railing Plans-Hints and Ideas


Ideas abound for creating the perfect deck design for your needs. Homeowners find an outside deck is an oasis of peace and

calm. They are perfect if you want to lounge around by yourself, or if you want to entertain a group of friends in the

evening. Because of all of the use you will get out of it, you want to make sure you choose the right kind of railing for your deck. The railing is the most important feature of the deck, since it is the most visible. The deck railing is viewable

from outside the house, inside the house and, of course, from the deck itself. Make sure you have your deck railing plan

already figured out before you start to build your deck, because you will most likely have to tie the railings to the posts

of the deck. Even though you do not have to match the post material to the railing material, you do not want to have them

completely clash with one another. Most likely you will use a composite material for the decking material because of durability,

but you would not want that mateial for your railings. You will most likely want the materials of the different components of

your deck to match each other, and also to match the materials of your home.

Design ideas to choose from when picking your deck railings include stainless steel cable railings. This is an interesting

design in that it uses cables instead of balusters. The top rail is solid stainless. The advantage of this type of railing

is the added security, as well as the better visibility, since the cables do not create a sold block. Another idea that is different is glass balusters. This is another solution to gaining visibility, and they are also elegant looking. You mayalso consider ornamental metal, such as iron, to design your deck railing in. A metal such as this offers your deck beauty plus durability. You have to make sure to take care of metal railings, however, because they can rust if they are not finished and maintained properly.

A final feature that will add a unique touch to your deck railing design is to put some ornaments or features on it. You can

add flower boxes to bring nature right to your home. You may also consider centerpieces for the balusters. These add a

unique customized touch to your railing and they are available in a number of designs. Adding post caps and finials into the

post can further top off your railings for a beautiful look.

With all these different ideas for designing a deck railing, you may have too much of a choice in finding the perfect one.




Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of many resources published at http://www.deck-porch-railings.com A website with tips on deck railings at porch railing plan





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2012年7月3日 星期二

Building A Deck Or Porch? Here Are A Few Things You Should Know


First of all, building a deck or porch is a wise decision, not only for the enjoyment you'll receive from it, but financially as well. According to Remodeling Online, decks offer one of the highest returns of any home upgrade - on average 104% of the cost. So you'll actually make money while enjoying your new deck!

Find the right contractor

As far as contracting jobs go, building a deck is often a fairly standard job. Indeed, many homeowners with the time, skill, tools and desire tackle the project on their own. So when you're hiring a contractor to build your deck, your decision may come down to the contractor's experience, how comfortable you feel with the contractor - and price. You may also base your decisions on how helpful the contractor is when making recommendations for your project.

Of course, always check references to see if the contractor is reliable, make sure they are insured in case of accidents or property damage, and look at their previous work. rFollow the hiring tips on http://www.Contractors.com when hiring any contractor, and get references or check out reviews from homeowners who have used the services.

Do you need a permit?

In many municipalities you will require a building permit to build a deck or porch. Ask your contractor if you will need a permit, and what the specific requirements are, as they may vary from city to city and between states. In some cities, a rough sketch is enough to obtain a permit, but in others you may need a drawing approved by an engineer.

In any case, your plans will need to meet local zoning codes, which may restrict the height and size of your deck, as well as how close your deck can come to your side and rear property lines. Local building codes may affect things like railing and stair requirements, footing depth, and structural specifications.

Get a permit (if required)

The fee for a building permit is around $50, which includes a pre-construction review of your plan to ensure that your deck will be structurally sound and meet local codes. This minimal fee could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run, by preventing problems during construction and avoiding future damage and repairs. It can also save you from purchasing unnecessary materials.

If a building permit is required in your municipality, be advised that not obtaining a permit could mean having to tear down the deck and start all over once a permit is obtained. That cost would well overshadow the fine (around $200) that could be levied against you. Also, your homeowner's insurance policy may not cover accidents if the construction doesn't meet local codes.

Call before you dig

Before the project begins, you will need to check with your local utility companies to determine the location of buried electric, telephone, gas, water and sewer lines. Also, be aware that once your project is underway, field inspections may be necessary to ensure that your contractor is building according to the plan and local code.

Your contractor should know which inspections are required and when to call for one. For example, if an inspection of footing depth is required, your contractor will need to arrange for an inspection at that stage, before the concrete is poured and the holes filled. The fees for these inspections are usually covered by the cost of the building permit.

Planning your deck

Consult your contractor when planning the size and shape of your deck or patio, as well as the decking materials to be used. Your contractor is a professional who has built many decks, and may have helpful suggestions that you'd never think of.

When planning your deck or porch, don't forget to consider the character of your home and yard, and where you have the best views and private spaces. To test potential deck dimensions, try laying out a length of garden hose in various configurations. This will give you a sense of how the deck will affect the rest of the yard. Add some deck furniture and try different layouts - and don't forget to allow room for seating, traffic paths, and plants or planters.

Other considerations

There are many other considerations for your deck which will largely depend on your personal taste, your budget and even the local climate. Things like the type of wood to be used - or whether to use synthetic materials or composites - type of footing, whether the deck will be freestanding or attached to the house, and the type of fasteners to be used.

In general, screws are more dependable and stronger than nails, and aren't prone to loosening and popping up. If it's not stated in your contract, your contractor will likely use nails because they'll get the job done faster. Whether you choose screws or nails, they should be electroplated, galvanized, and stainless steel or ceramic-coated to prevent rust stains. Then again, you might want to go with hidden-fastener systems... It's best to discuss all these options with your contractor. Good luck!




Stu Silverman is a home improvement advice columnist and freelance writer. You can find more of his work at http://www.Contractors.com.





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