Four Steps to a Five-Star Deck

Provided by Stine Home & Yard

Beautiful decks can be built with a variety of features, but in many ways the hard work is in the steps you take planning your deck from start to finish before the first board is ever cut. Time spent in thinking through your project thoroughly will pay huge dividends in saving time and money. The most experienced DIYer or DIFMer (Do It For Me) will tell you that there are many ways a deck project can go wrong, and when it does it can be very costly. So, take a deep breath and spend a few minutes reviewing these simple suggestions that will make your deck project a complete success. After reviewing these steps, remember that you can always consult with the “Pros Who Know” at Stine. They are experienced folks who can advise you on the right products and proper installation and maintenance best practices.

Here are the four steps that will make your deck project a sensational success.

1. PLANNING - This is arguably the most important step in any construction process. In this phase, you envision your project and answer questions related to budget, materials, contractors and timeline. Being able to get a clear picture up front will help you achieve your desired result.

2. CONSTRUCTION - If you plan to build the deck yourself, there are a lot of details you need to cover, including becoming familiar with current building codes. You’ll need to pull permits when required as well as use quality materials and build in a craftsman-like manner. There are quality materials, including the YellaWood® brand pressure treated products you may want to consider. You may prefer to hire a professional experienced in deck construction. 3. FINISHING TOUCHES - Once the boards have been laid, the real magic starts to happen as you begin customizing based on your own personal style and preferences. The options may almost seem endless when you start to choose a railing system, baluster design, post covers, post caps, lighting, etc. There are a variety of options to consider. Often these deck accessories go overlooked, but they can be the difference between a ho-hum, mediocre deck and one that will never fail to impress. If you can’t decide, there’s no need to get overwhelmed. You may consider bouncing your ideas off an expert. They could recommend the best products to complete your outdoor masterpiece.

4. MAINTENANCE - There are some decking materials that require less maintenance than others, but you want to take care of your deck if you want it looking good year-round. For pressure treated pine, applying a quality water repellent or stain, like YellaWood Protector, on an annual basis is good practice. It’s important to do your initial application shortly after the project’s completion and then once every year or two thereafter. If you want to paint or stain your deck, you need to make sure the wood is dry enough to accept the finish for best adhesion. A simple way to tell is to sprinkle drops of water on the wood. If it beads up and remains that way, then the wood is still too wet to absorb the paint or stain. When the beads of water quickly absorb into the wood and disappear, then the deck boards are dry and are ready to accept the water repellent, paint, or stain. Be sure to reapply to high traffic areas as needed. And remember, simple maintenance like sweeping the leaves off your deck regularly can go a long way to keeping your deck looking its best.