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Decks - Page 2 of 57

Decks and patios are coveted spaces in many American homes, providing a comfortable middle ground between indoors and outdoors. Add a roof and you have a porch that can be enjoyed even when it’s raining.

Decks are a blank canvas. Given the same amount of square footage, the choice of materials, how the decking is installed, and details like railings and stairs can produce startlingly different results. Professional deck installers know how to manipulate these elements to produce the effects homeowners are looking for. For ambitious do-it-yourselfers, it may be a process of trial and error — or doing a lot of looking and reading.

Because decks typically take a beating in the weather, and because decks often accommodate a crowd, getting the construction details right is essential to both durability and safety. This includes making accurate load calculations, choosing appropriately sized lumber and fasteners, and following established building practices to put it all together. Patios have their own challenges: what goes under the surface is just as important as the concrete or stone pavers you choose. Pergolas, gazebos, outdoor lighting, fire pits, hot tubs, and other enhancements are ways of turning basic decks or patios into more polished, and useful, spaces.

Where do great ideas for these spaces come from? Firing up Instagram or flipping through coffee table books is a great place to start. Turning those flights of fancy into a dependably built reality is where Fine Homebuilding comes in.

  • Finish a Pergola with Strapping

    Jeremy Kassel installs straps over pergola beams for added visual appeal.

  • Fix for Fast-Drying Paint

    Follow these tips to prevent paint from drying too quickly.

  • No-Downside Decking

    Deckorators Voyage decking, which is mineral-based rather than made of a plastic or wood composite, is lightweight and doesn't expand and contract as much as standard composite decking.

  • Spacer for Deck Boards

    The heel/fence of a speed square can be used as a deck-board spacer.

  • Make Room Behind Trim

    A series of stainless-steel screws on the back side of a fascia board creates a space that promotes drying after a rain.

  • Perfect-Fit Fascia

    Use this technique to create perfect butt joints in fascia without having to square up the first board and measure the second.

  • PT Ain’t What It Used to Be

    Newer pressure treatments don't offer the same rot and decay resistance. Follow these simple strategies to give outdoor lumber its best chance of survival.

  • Installing Risers and Treads on Wraparound Deck Stairs

    Follow Mike Guertin's recommendations for a deck that will stay free of mold and debris.

  • Installing Deck and Border Boards

    In this video, learn how to install decking boards by using spacer blocks to allow for proper water drainage.

  • Building Wraparound Box-Frame Stairs on a Deck

    This framing method is an attractive alternative to cutting stringers.

Page 2 of 57 Previous
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Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

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