ONE of the most popular gathering places around the house when summer arrives is not
inside the home itself but outside, on the deck or terrace.
And whether that deck or terrace is made of ordinary treated wood, exotic hardwood,
cedar, redwood or one of the new composite materials, it will look better and last longer
with regular maintenance.
“Most decks are severely neglected,” said Danny Lipford, host of the nationally syndicated
home improvement television show “Today’s Homeowner.” “Every deck needs to be cleaned
at least once a year, and now is the time to do it.”read more...

  PDF version      Free download                                   Published: june 19, 2008

THE PLANKS OF wood had turned a shade of beaten-down gray. Dark circular stains stamped where the potted flowers stood. Even a light rain shower left the backyard deck soaked for hours.
We needed no further evidence. Our deck was begging for a face lift.
In the past, my husband has tackled restoring our massive back deck,complete with attached bench, lattice, beams and an overhang.
His know-how and skill were never in question. But that didn't make the work any less time consuming or back-breaking. So, this time, he agreed to turn the job over to a professional. read more...

 PDF version      Free download                                   Published: Aug 25, 2007