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Decks - Page 3 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.

  • Framing and Flashing a Small Deck

    Mike Guertin details the best way to build a durable deck frame.

  • Post and Beam Layout on a Small Freestanding Deck

    Learn how to build a long-lasting, resilient deck frame starting with post-base connections, posts, and beams.

  • Designing a Small Deck with a Big Role

    Learn how to design a freestanding, three-step landing deck that's prepped for paving.

  • Set a Jack on a Solid Base

    Do this, not that when using a hydraulic or screw jack.

  • FHB Podcast Segment: Should You Replace Rotted Deck Boards or the Entire Deck?

    The crew offers advice for dealing with an old deck in this Fine Homebuilding Podcast Segment.

  • How Far Can Deck Joists Cantilever?

    There is no generic 2-ft. rule. Use the code tables to dial in joist spans and overhangs based on accurate engineering.

  • The Easiest Deck You’ll Ever Install

    The InstaDeck flooring system forms a freestanding base for composite decking for an easily installed patio deck.

  • Uplift Protection for Decks

    Decks must be able to withstand high winds, so choose fasteners that offer the uplift resistance you need for your area.

  • Less-Complicated Cable Rail

    The RDI Elevation Rail offers a simplified installation with pre-strung cables.

  • Safer Deck Stairs

    Many decks are not designed or built to accommodate the additional weight of the stairs. One solution is to add two new footings and posts with a new header to help carry the load.

Page 3 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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