Decks & outdoor living4 min read
The Mower Fits Through the Shed Door. Now It Has to Get There.
Door width was only the first measurement. The raised floor would also like to be involved.
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Guides 1-12 of 19 · Page 1 of 2
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Decks & outdoor living4 min read
Can a Fire Pit Go on Your Composite Deck?
Check the fire pit, decking and local burning rules together. Fuel type, downward heat, weight and clearances determine whether the location works.
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Decks & outdoor living4 min read
Planning a Deck Near a Septic Tank or Leaching Bed
Find the septic tank, bed, pipe routes and maintenance access before designing a deck. Utility locates alone do not establish a private septic layout.
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Decks & outdoor living4 min read
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 living3 min read
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.
Read the guideDecks & outdoor living4 min read
Where Should the Barbecue Go on a Small Deck?
Place a barbecue using its actual clearances, lid movement, fuel connection, and walking routes. A protective mat does not make every tight corner suitable.
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Decks & outdoor living4 min read
Building a Deck Around a Tree: Leave Room for the Roots
A tree opening in the deck boards solves only the visible part of the problem. Before choosing the curve around the trunk, draw where the supports, workers and material stacks would go. Roots need space during construction as well as afterwards.
Read the guideDecks & outdoor living4 min read
Can Your Existing Deck Carry a Hot Tub?
Do not put a hot tub on an existing deck just because the framing looks substantial. Obtain the exact filled specification and support footprint, then have the deck assessed for that installation. Water, people and the way the spa base bears all matter.
Read the guideDecks & outdoor living4 min read
Glass or Aluminum Deck Railing? Think Past the View
Compare glass and aluminum pickets from the chair where you will use the deck. Then compare the cleaning route, wind exposure, replacement parts and complete installed scope. A clear panel can preserve the view while creating a surface you cannot safely reach from either side.
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Decks & outdoor living5 min read
A Pergola Is Not Always a Permit Shortcut
Open slats, solid roofs, and adjustable louvres create different deck proposals. Check structure, zoning, and permits before buying a backyard cover.
Read the guideDecks & outdoor living5 min read
Deck Layout: Side or Centre Stairs, Levels, Seating and Lighting
Choose deck stairs with the chairs occupied, the door open and the route to the garden drawn. Then test the levels, seating and lights together. A symmetrical plan is less useful if everybody has to stand up when one person takes a tray outside.
Weigh the optionsDecks & outdoor living5 min read
Deck Safety Check: House Connections, Stairs and Post-Base Gaps
Start from the ground. A deck that has shifted, pulled away from the house or lost support should stay out of use until assessed. For an otherwise stable deck, a careful circuit can help you identify what to show a qualified inspector without climbing under a suspect structure.
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