Monthly Archives: October 2013

Calculate Wood, Deck Clips, and Other Materials Required to Build Your Deck to Establish a Budget

Leave a reply

Prior to getting started on a new deck project, you need to take the time to sit down and figure out a budget. Just like you have budgets at work for your projects, you need to establish one for your DIY projects at home. Setting a budget ensures you do not spend more than you intend on your project. Further, it helps to guarantee you are able to complete your project and not run out of money. Some people who do not take the time to perform this necessary step end up running out of money long before their deck has been completed. Instead of being able to enjoy their brand new deck, they have to wait until they get more money to complete the project. Continue reading →

A Cedar Wood Deck Project Starts with an Idea

Leave a reply

Most people have a general idea in their mind about how they want their finished cedar wood deck to look once the project is completed. How you get your vision from an idea to a finished project starts with coming up with a plan. First, you need to ask yourself some simple questions, but avoid getting too overly concerned with every little detail at this early stage. For example, are you installing a brand new deck, adding onto an existing one, or making repairs? Continue reading →

Take Time to Prepare and Plan Any Time You Start a New Project Using Ipe Decking

Leave a reply

Take Time to Prepare and Plan Any Time You Start a New Project Using Ipe Decking

Building a new boat dock, deck, or a raised patio using Ipe decking requires taking the time to properly prepare and plan. Initially, you will want to start by measuring out the location where you intend to build. You might want to mark off the area using small wooden garden stakes and garden twine. Using these items helps to ensure you have the proper size and are taking accurate measurements. Once you have your measurements, the next step is to prepare a drawing. Your drawing should include the location of support posts and stairways. Further, if you intend to include railings, or built-in seating, you need to add these to your plan to guarantee you remember to order plenty of decking materials to complete your project. Continue reading →

Epi Wood is One Name Used to Describe Brazilian Walnut

Leave a reply

There are several common terms used to describe Brazilian Walnut wood. You may have heard it called by a different name, such as Ipe, Epi, or Epay. Regardless of the actual name used, what you end up with is a very hard wood that can be used in a variety of places outdoors. You are able to use it to build decks, deck rails, stairways, gazebo bases, boat docks, park benches, and more. The wood is naturally enhanced, so it does not require any preservatives, sealers, or finishers. Continue reading →

Consider Ipe Wood for Your Decks in Place of Traditional Pressure Treated Boards

Leave a reply

Certain types of pressure treated wood decks require annual maintenance to be performed in order to preserve their current condition. This could involve pressure washing the deck; resealing wood with an approved stain, water sealer, or finisher; and replacing any worn, damaged, or rotting boards. It is important you take annual maintenance costs into consideration, the next time you are looking at replacing your existing deck with a new one. Many people overlook this step and end up spending a large amount of money over the life of their deck. When you take the time to put together an estimate of maintenance costs, you are able to add these to the prices of decking materials to get a far more accurate cost to install a new deck. Continue reading →

Select Decking by Obtaining Samples of Ipe, Cumaru, and Garapa Wood

Leave a reply

All types of Brazilian hardwoods make wonderful decks and boat docks. Choosing the one you want to use depends upon how the color and grain will look for your completed project. You should choose the hardwood based upon the color that bests complements your home or other location where it is going to be installed. One way to help you decide is to obtain one of our free sample kits, which include Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, and Garapa, as well as other wood samples. Continue reading →

Using Ipe Hardwood for Your Deck or Dock Includes Several Design Advantages

Leave a reply

Building a deck or boat dock requires choosing materials able to withstand various types of weather conditions, wetness, and insects. There are a variety of woods you could use, including Garapa, Cedar, Cumaru, Massaranduba, Apitong, Cypress, and Ipe hardwood. Evaluating your options includes weighing the various benefits each kind of wood provides. Continue reading →

You Can Use Cedar Boards to Build Your Own Deck

Leave a reply

There are five basic steps in order to complete a do-it-yourself deck building project. Each step is equally important, so you need to allocate the right amount of time, and not skip steps. Skipping steps could result in having to stop your project, backtrack, make corrections, and other delays in getting your brand new deck installed. In addition, there are costs associated with every step, depending upon the materials, equipment and supplies needed. Continue reading →

Epay Wood Is a Quality Hardwood Used to Build Decks

Leave a reply

When you are looking for a nice quality hardwood to use to build a deck on your home, you should consider Brazilian walnut, which is also called Ipe or Epay wood, depending on where you find it. This type of decking is an olive brown to black, often featuring variegated striping. The texture of the decking is fine to medium, while the grain is straight to irregular. It is one of the hardest natural woods available used for outdoor purposes. Continue reading →

Camaru Wood Decking Is a Comparable Alternative to Composite

Leave a reply

You have different options for the materials to use to build a deck. For instance, composite boards are made using a mixture of plastics and wood fibers, in order to provide a durable finished product designed to withstand the exposure of being left outdoors. It often does not require any sort of sealer or protectants, is resistant to rot, decay, and insect infestations. However, the costs to build a composite deck can be quite expensive. There are viable alternatives which have many of the similar features found in composite, such as Camaru decking. Continue reading →