Safe and Beautiful Decks and Patios

Whether you have a deck already installed or you are starting from scratch, you will need to put extra care into building your wooden deck. There are a few things that you can do to fix the current problems or prevent them from happening to you. Some of these are as simple as staining or as complex as adding supports or new boards. Either way, these steps are much better than your friends or family being hurt by your patio falling on them.

The first thing that you will need to do is periodically check your deck and patio for weak spots. You can do this by checking each of the boards for warping and loose hardware. You can do this by using a visual and physical inspection. Start by stepping on or wiggling each board. You need to do this on the handrails as well as the flooring. You will be looking for squeaking, loose, or misshapen boards. These can all degrade the security and integrity of your deck. Discoloration can also be a sign of water damage. This can also degrade your deck. Greyed or discolored boards should be replaced. You will also want to visually inspect all the hardware. Make sure it is all there and fitting snugly. There should be no gaps between the nail or screw heads and the lumber. If you are using bolts, you will need to ensure that the washers are present and that the nuts are secure. The last thing that you will need to check on the hardware is the surrounding lumber. You will need to check it for cracks or splitting. If any of these things have been found, they will need immediate attention. Even in the case of hardware, replacement is often the best thing to do. Reusing old hardware or hardware that has come loose will only prolong or compound the problem.

When it comes to installing your deck there are several things that you can do to prevent most of these things and to have a safe deck for years to come. Ensuring that there are enough supports to keep your deck up is one of the most important things you can do. This is especially important if your deck is not on the ground. It is also very important for your side rails as well. It is inevitable that people will sit on them, so you will need to plan accordingly. Adding enough boards that are capable of handling the pressure is critical in planning your deck. Using 4x4's instead of the usual 2x4 can improve your deck's safety exponentially. While in the planning phase, you will want to allow for brackets to connect the framework and handrails of your deck. This will increase the support and decrease the likelihood that the hardware will come loose. This will also prevent the wood from cracking and splintering. Using screws instead of nails and bolts instead of screws, where you can, will also improve the safety of your patio.

Wood selection can be a very important factor as well as the way that you prepare it for use. There are several softwoods out there that may look attractive, but will not hold up for nearly as long or under the same conditions as some of the hardwoods. Cherry, oak, and hard pines can add the support and strength that you need, while using stains can give you the appearance of any wood that you like. Using hardwoods is much safer and will also last much longer. No matter which wood you use, you will need to seal out the elements. These decks will be exposed to all the different weather patterns you experience. Whether it is rain, sleet, or snow, these will be very harmful to untreated wood. Stains, lacquers, and finishes are a must when it comes to wood. These can also help to add color and bring out the natural beauty of your deck. When applying these finishes, you want to be sure that you treat each board after it has been cut and prior to putting the deck together. This will make sure that every inch of the wood is covered and it is much easier to get into all the nooks and crannies. You will want to apply a couple coats over the finished product as well to ensure that all the hardware and any scuffs are sealed as well.

By taking some minor precautions, you can save yourself a lot of headache and sorrow. These steps can help to give you a beautiful deck that you can be proud of. They will also help that deck last for years to come, without worrying about hurting anyone.