April 2010

For the last decade, Americans have been enthusiastically bringing the indoors outside and transforming their patios, decks and parts of their yards into full-fledged — and often lavish — living rooms, dining areas and kitchens.

Click here for a free online estimate

Outdoor Living Trends

• Just in time for warm weather, elective projects are beginning to pick up steam and decks are the first outdoor lifestyle feature to make an official comeback.
• People are traveling less and giving up second homes due to the economy. This is an alternative that is actually a version of scaling back, especially because they can recover some of the costs when they sell if it’s done tastefully.
• Features that incorporate fire and decks clad in concrete or stone pavers are also very popular right now. The fire features are getting more elaborate and usually incorporate pit-style or built-in seating areas and gas, because people don’t want to deal with wood.
• The trend in patios and decks is toward concrete or stone pavers and away from wood. Pavers don’t rot, bend, warp, twist and are easier to use for interesting designs and shapes.

If available, please click the link above to read full article.

Sun, wind, rain, snow, rot, and below-ground frost subject wood fences, sheds & decks to a terrific beating. Wood is vulnerable to nature’s punishments, especially rotting.

Tips To Avoid Wood Rot On Your Fences, Sheds & Decks

• Always repair outdoor wood items with the most rot-resistant lumber you can afford.
• Pressure-treated lumber has been saturated with preservatives and lasts almost indefinitely, even with wood that has been buried in the ground, but can be very costly.
• Exterior paints and stains work well above ground but are almost useless below or on wood that has frequent contact with water.
• Carefully inspect all outdoor wood items at least once a year, paying particular attention to posts that are set in the ground, as vegetation will rub against them and trap water, causing wood rot. Posts that weren’t properly treated or set in concrete typically rot away at ground level.
• When you find a problem, contact ANDY OnCall to correct it before the damage spreads. One weak post, for example, could pull down an entire fence, shed or deck.

Schedule A Free Estimate

If available, please click the link above to read full article.