Decks & outdoor living
Workshop Notes3 min
A Wobbly Deck Rail Needs More Than a New Screw
The top rail moved. The problem was hiding considerably lower down.
Read the postThe Workshop / 59 useful reads
Decks & outdoor living.
Plan an Ontario deck from the ground up: permits, supports, materials, stairs, and the details that keep an outdoor room comfortable.
A useful place to start
01
Planning a new deck? Start with the site and approvals.
Planning a Deck in Oakville? Do These 7 Things First ↗
02Keeping an existing deck? Start with its condition.
Is Your Deck Ready for Company? A Ground-Level Safety Check ↗
03Ready for materials? Compare the upkeep as well as the look.
Cedar vs Composite vs Pressure-Treated Decking in Ontario ↗
Find your next question
1–12 of 59
Decks & outdoor living
Field Guide4 min
Building a Deck Around a Heat Pump? Leave More Than a Gap
A screen can tidy the view and still obstruct the equipment. Plan the outdoor unit, deck, stairs, and winter drainage together.
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Decks & outdoor living
Workshop Notes3 min
Can a Deck Attach to That Bump-Out on the House?
The wall was exactly where the deck wanted to go. The foundation was not.
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Decks & outdoor living
Field Guide3 min
Can a Frost-Free Outdoor Tap Still Freeze?
The protection depends on how the tap is built and installed. A connected hose can defeat the drainage of an ordinary frost-free faucet.
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Decks & outdoor living
Workshop Notes3 min
Rain Washed Soil Away From a Deck Footing. Now What?
The concrete had not grown. The ground around it had gone somewhere.
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Everyday Renovations3 min
That Deck Planter Gets Much Heavier After You Water It
The garden-centre pot was easy to lift. Add soil, water, and a small tree, and the deck has a different question for you.
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Decks & outdoor living
Workshop Notes3 min
The Leaves Between Your Deck Boards Are Worth Five Minutes
The top looked swept. Between the boards, autumn had signed a long-term lease.
Read the postDecks & outdoor living
Everyday Renovations3 min
You Cut the Deck Board. Does the Fresh End Need Treatment?
The board was pressure-treated before it met your saw. That pale new end deserves a little attention of its own.
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Decks & outdoor living
Workshop Notes3 min
Your New Deck Has Bigger Gaps. Did Something Go Wrong?
The missing pencil was under the deck. The more interesting question was why it now fitted through.
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Decks & outdoor living
Project Guide2 min
A Window Reflection Can Damage Decking
An unusually hot strip or distorted board may be caused by concentrated window reflections. Investigate the heat source before replacing the same decking twice.
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Project Guide2 min
Black Streaks Around Cedar Screws: Is It Mould?
Dark marks on cedar can come from iron reacting with the wood. Check the pattern and fastener material before treating every black patch as mould.
Read the postDecks & outdoor living
Project Guide2 min
Can You Pressure-Wash an Older Composite Deck?
Cleaning advice for new composite decking may damage an older board. Identify the product generation before choosing pressure, cleaners, or a restoration plan.
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