Millions of people have seen and currently watch the do-it-yourself shows on television ranging from dog training to remodeling an entire home. It makes one wonder if it is as easy as the shows make it seem, why aren't more individuals doing it themselves? There are two answers. The first answer is it isn't as easy as the shows make it out to be. The second reason is editing. Most of the hard times and difficult steps are edited out to make a half hour show.
What the audience doesn't see and realize is the number of years experience the work crews have remodeling and crafting something as "simple" as a textured wall. Make no mistake. It is an art creating a perfectly smooth, seamless wall and then going back over and adding a texture such as a stucco finish. The ability to do this type of work halfway decently is not a talent the majority of homeowners have developed or even possess.
Attempting to tackle a more involved do-it-yourself project, such as a covered deck or gazebo, requires much more stamina, patience, strength, and ... The list goes on and on. The average stereotypical family has some tools, equipment, and some skill enough to make minor repairs to the home, however, in a very real sense, adding a covered deck or gazebo is adding another room.
Safety should always be in the forefront of the mind. There is no pleasure in not being able to enjoy an unfinished or finished deck with sustained injuries or having the structure fail while enjoying it. The next major component of adding a covered deck is having an understanding of basic construction techniques of a safe and supportive structure. If the homeowner doesn't have a basic understanding of building techniques, then tragedy is soon to follow. Nothing is worse than completing a deck project just to have a small child being injured or worse due to improper construction. Many of the do-it-yourself programming touch on this, but these programs are never all inclusive to safety and proper techniques.
The next tasks which can be annoying, but necessary are obtaining the correct permits and inspections for a covered deck at the proper stages in order to prevent citations and fines. Many locales or home associations may prevent any construction that is not in keeping with the architectural style of the neighborhood.
If the homeowner possesses all of the proper tools, equipment, materials, and abilities to build a new covered deck, one of the best moves to ensure safety is to have a deck builder or residential contractor draft up blueprints for the construction of the new deck. As long as the homeowner is familiar with knowing how to read blueprints, a do-it-yourself deck building project is that much more of a reality.
For more information and guidance about quality decks, sunrooms, and screened porches, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com.
Paradise Decking specializes in custom-designed room additions, decks and gazebos, etc. and has a great portfolio of pictures with compelling ideas for your outdoor home improvement projects.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
A Sunroom Can Be Paradise...
A sunroom can be paradise if the contractor design incorporates the style with the rest of the home.
Sunrooms are more common in the southern United States than what one would find in the north. The only real problem is that in the south, such as Florida, South Carolina, or even North Carolina, the majority of sunrooms are actually half screened in decks and half screened in patios. Most construction materials used are the typical aluminum or powder coated steel framework that is screwed into the 4 X 4 posts supporting the roof overhang. In reality, these are just inexpensive, cookie cutter covered porches devoid of any character or quality.
A true high quality sunroom doesn't rely on cheap metal framing that can be purchased from any large home improvement store. The average contractor, though, does just that when a customer asks about turning their covered patio into a sunroom. Some contractors will add some extra touches such as basic moldings or somewhat more elaborate cornices. When it all comes down to it though, it is still just a screened in patio.
Sunrooms can be designed in any shape and size, but all should be constructed with one aspect in mind; able to be comfortable and enjoyed all year round. A proper sunroom will have some degree of insulation or be composed of construction techniques and materials that incorporate insulative properties in the design. Even in the south the temperature can reach down to the 20 degree mark. When the colder temperatures do arrive, a sunroom should not be a room too cold to be used, but an extension of the rest of the home.
Most home builders, deck builders, and home remodelers may be able to add a sunroom, however it takes a real artistic touch to incorporate a new sunroom into the overall design and feel of the rest of the home's architecture. That's the difference between the exceptional contractor and the average contractor. Make sure to carefully review past portfolios of the contractor's work and check on any references which the contractor makes available. After reviewing the options, the last one standing will be the best home remodeler to incorporate the new room addition.
For more information and guidance about quality decks, sunrooms, and screened porches, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in custom-designed room additions, decks and gazebos, etc. and has a great portfolio of pictures with compelling ideas for your outdoor home improvement projects.
Sunrooms are more common in the southern United States than what one would find in the north. The only real problem is that in the south, such as Florida, South Carolina, or even North Carolina, the majority of sunrooms are actually half screened in decks and half screened in patios. Most construction materials used are the typical aluminum or powder coated steel framework that is screwed into the 4 X 4 posts supporting the roof overhang. In reality, these are just inexpensive, cookie cutter covered porches devoid of any character or quality.
A true high quality sunroom doesn't rely on cheap metal framing that can be purchased from any large home improvement store. The average contractor, though, does just that when a customer asks about turning their covered patio into a sunroom. Some contractors will add some extra touches such as basic moldings or somewhat more elaborate cornices. When it all comes down to it though, it is still just a screened in patio.
Sunrooms can be designed in any shape and size, but all should be constructed with one aspect in mind; able to be comfortable and enjoyed all year round. A proper sunroom will have some degree of insulation or be composed of construction techniques and materials that incorporate insulative properties in the design. Even in the south the temperature can reach down to the 20 degree mark. When the colder temperatures do arrive, a sunroom should not be a room too cold to be used, but an extension of the rest of the home.
Most home builders, deck builders, and home remodelers may be able to add a sunroom, however it takes a real artistic touch to incorporate a new sunroom into the overall design and feel of the rest of the home's architecture. That's the difference between the exceptional contractor and the average contractor. Make sure to carefully review past portfolios of the contractor's work and check on any references which the contractor makes available. After reviewing the options, the last one standing will be the best home remodeler to incorporate the new room addition.
For more information and guidance about quality decks, sunrooms, and screened porches, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in custom-designed room additions, decks and gazebos, etc. and has a great portfolio of pictures with compelling ideas for your outdoor home improvement projects.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Not Every Deck is Created Equal
Every homeowner appreciates quality construction and seldom thinks about it on a daily basis, unless the homeowner experiences sub standard quality every day in their own residence. What about the landscaping and decking outside the home? Just like the home interior, every deck should be able to be enjoyed all year round and can be provided that it has been well designed and expertly crafted. How does a homeowner determine quality when deciding to add a new deck or sun room to the home?
Unless the homeowner is in the residential construction business themselves, they are very likely unaware of the differing qualities of construction techniques, materials, and designs used in deck construction today. It is not as simple as assembling a platform and laying planks across the top over a weekend or two. Building codes need to be adhered to and inspections need to take place just like the home needed before it was able to be enjoyed by the owner. One must take into consideration the type of drainage the ground beneath has, type of weather the new construction will need to endure, and how much weight the new deck will need to support.
The best way to receive this quality craftsmanship and design is to examine past projects of the decking companies which are being considered for the job. If meticulous work has been taken in the actual design of the deck, then the homeowner can expect and should receive outstanding construction results. Looking through past projects in the companies portfolio is a good sound start, but questions need to be asked.
Some basic questions that should be asked are "What type of woods or synthetic boards are available for the construction of my new deck?" and "What types of fasteners are used or recommended in the assembly of my new deck?" From here the questions should be "Why?" Even though the prospective company will be designing and building the new deck, they should "want" to educate the customer regarding every aspect of their project and include them in every aspect of the decking adventure. If that desire to include and teach the customer about their new deck is not present, then a different company may want to be sought out. The final question a customer should ask is "What do I need to do in order to maintain my new deck?" There are just a few materials that require almost no maintenance at all unlike traditional woods. By maintaining the deck a customer can be assured of years of future outdoor enjoyment and entertaining barbecues.
The only word of caution to be aware of is if the price sounds too good to be true, it will be. Even the simplest design has detailed elements under the surface that require a great deal of time and planning not openly apparent to the customer. These elements are taken into account by the decking company when they provide the price estimate. When a deck design starts to incorporate detailed moldings, angles, and levels the price can climb to surprising heights. What the homeowner dreams and envisions may not be a realistic achievement. This is why it is important to discuss budgetary constraints early on so as not to waste your time as well as the decking company's time. This will ensure a minimum of stress and allow both parties to enjoy the whole project.
For more information and guidance about decks, sun rooms, room additions, and more, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in high quality, upscale decks, porches, sun rooms, and room additions, and the pictures in their gallery can provide you with fantastic ideas for your own home.
Unless the homeowner is in the residential construction business themselves, they are very likely unaware of the differing qualities of construction techniques, materials, and designs used in deck construction today. It is not as simple as assembling a platform and laying planks across the top over a weekend or two. Building codes need to be adhered to and inspections need to take place just like the home needed before it was able to be enjoyed by the owner. One must take into consideration the type of drainage the ground beneath has, type of weather the new construction will need to endure, and how much weight the new deck will need to support.
The best way to receive this quality craftsmanship and design is to examine past projects of the decking companies which are being considered for the job. If meticulous work has been taken in the actual design of the deck, then the homeowner can expect and should receive outstanding construction results. Looking through past projects in the companies portfolio is a good sound start, but questions need to be asked.
Some basic questions that should be asked are "What type of woods or synthetic boards are available for the construction of my new deck?" and "What types of fasteners are used or recommended in the assembly of my new deck?" From here the questions should be "Why?" Even though the prospective company will be designing and building the new deck, they should "want" to educate the customer regarding every aspect of their project and include them in every aspect of the decking adventure. If that desire to include and teach the customer about their new deck is not present, then a different company may want to be sought out. The final question a customer should ask is "What do I need to do in order to maintain my new deck?" There are just a few materials that require almost no maintenance at all unlike traditional woods. By maintaining the deck a customer can be assured of years of future outdoor enjoyment and entertaining barbecues.
The only word of caution to be aware of is if the price sounds too good to be true, it will be. Even the simplest design has detailed elements under the surface that require a great deal of time and planning not openly apparent to the customer. These elements are taken into account by the decking company when they provide the price estimate. When a deck design starts to incorporate detailed moldings, angles, and levels the price can climb to surprising heights. What the homeowner dreams and envisions may not be a realistic achievement. This is why it is important to discuss budgetary constraints early on so as not to waste your time as well as the decking company's time. This will ensure a minimum of stress and allow both parties to enjoy the whole project.
For more information and guidance about decks, sun rooms, room additions, and more, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in high quality, upscale decks, porches, sun rooms, and room additions, and the pictures in their gallery can provide you with fantastic ideas for your own home.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sensible Methods for Choosing a Quality Service from Plumbing to Decking
Qualified service professionals are difficult to come by. Certain industries are frequently guilty for poor quality and lazy work ethics. The home improvement and landscaping industry are two of the worst examples, but there are some top notch exceptions. How do you track down these reliable, reputable, and honest companies? Well, often times it can be like looking for a needle in the haystack. Shortcuts shouldn't be taken though when trying to find qualified professionals to perform any labor on your own personal property.
Much like hunting for a lawyer or doctor, ask for references. Don't settle for just a past customers' first names. If the prospective company is truly dedicated to upholding the best possible standards and delivering quality, then they should have a long list of satisfied customers that would be more than happy to volunteer to verify and recommend their work.
When "interviewing" prospective companies to perform work, be sure to ask lots of questions. The more money involved with a service dictates that more questions should be asked. A question or two that you are sure you 100% know the answer to doesn't hurt either, but don't harass or waste anyone's time by arguing or being confrontational. Professional deck builders or landscapers are just trying to make a living in this uncertain economy.
Pictures and presentation speak volumes. Most companies will have some sort of portfolio. If the company is truly exceptional, then they will probably have a polished website with a plethora of examples of their work along with letters of recommendations. In fact, many service companies, from plumbing to decking that is proud of their quality work, will often times volunteer more information than the customer would think to ask for. This proactive approach to educating the customer and getting the customer involved even at the initial consultation should send up fireworks and a few "eurekas!". This type of company warrants a closer look.
It's not always a clear cut choice when choosing a company to work on your largest investment: your home. If you are on the fence between two companies, be upfront and honest with them. By putting the ball back in their court, you're liable to see just how far a company will go to "wow" you. In the end, finances do play a large role, but the old adage is often true, "You get what you pay for."
For more information and guidance about quality decks, sunrooms, and screened porches, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in custom-designed room additions, decks and gazebos, etc. and has a great portfolio of pictures with compelling ideas for your outdoor home improvement projects.
Much like hunting for a lawyer or doctor, ask for references. Don't settle for just a past customers' first names. If the prospective company is truly dedicated to upholding the best possible standards and delivering quality, then they should have a long list of satisfied customers that would be more than happy to volunteer to verify and recommend their work.
When "interviewing" prospective companies to perform work, be sure to ask lots of questions. The more money involved with a service dictates that more questions should be asked. A question or two that you are sure you 100% know the answer to doesn't hurt either, but don't harass or waste anyone's time by arguing or being confrontational. Professional deck builders or landscapers are just trying to make a living in this uncertain economy.
Pictures and presentation speak volumes. Most companies will have some sort of portfolio. If the company is truly exceptional, then they will probably have a polished website with a plethora of examples of their work along with letters of recommendations. In fact, many service companies, from plumbing to decking that is proud of their quality work, will often times volunteer more information than the customer would think to ask for. This proactive approach to educating the customer and getting the customer involved even at the initial consultation should send up fireworks and a few "eurekas!". This type of company warrants a closer look.
It's not always a clear cut choice when choosing a company to work on your largest investment: your home. If you are on the fence between two companies, be upfront and honest with them. By putting the ball back in their court, you're liable to see just how far a company will go to "wow" you. In the end, finances do play a large role, but the old adage is often true, "You get what you pay for."
For more information and guidance about quality decks, sunrooms, and screened porches, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in custom-designed room additions, decks and gazebos, etc. and has a great portfolio of pictures with compelling ideas for your outdoor home improvement projects.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Advances in Deck Materials have Streamlined Assembly, Saving You Money in Labor
With every home improvement project that is completed, a sense of accomplishment is felt. A job well done can now be enjoyed and shown off. If the home owner isn't quite the handy man then perhaps that enjoyment is few and far between in coming. This doesn't mean that the new decking addition should wait any longer. A top quality deck can be designed and crafted in about half of the time it took 15 years ago. This is because of advances in engineered and composite decking as well as hardware and types of fasteners that have been invented in recent years.
The problems with most decks assembled in the past is that they were vulnerable to rot, expansion and contraction, fading and are now safety hazards. Everyone has seen the decks with split and warped boards. As the temperature changes throughout the seasons, wood expands and contracts. This expansion and contraction acts to loosen the screws or nails holding the deck boards to the joists ever so slightly. This is enough to allow moisture down into the screw holes. After the deck has endured its first winter, the rotting process begins.
To help combat the short life of traditional decks and improve safety, engineered or composite decking was invented. Now the homeowner has a myriad of choices from composites, which are recycled wood and plastics molded together with resins, to full plastic decking lumber. One might think that the plastics would be tacky and flimsy like vinyl siding, but not so. Plastic deck boards are very dense and have been molded to look exactly like regular lumber boards with a variety of color choices. Two of the most prominent advantages of engineered decking is that it greatly helps in the conservation of woodlands and animal habitats and it is much more durable than traditional wood deck boards. Each material, whether wood or engineered, possesses different characteristics which the decking contractor should be able to discuss with the homeowner.
Deck fastening hardware has undergone somewhat of a revolution from the simple days of nailing the deck board to the joist. In the past problems with nails or screws popping up created safety hazards that caused falls and cuts. The only way to correct this problem was to install more unsightly screws in the top securing the board to the joists again. Today hidden deck fasteners have gained in popularity. These hidden fasteners have even been improved upon and now there is a large variety and functionality. Some deck fasteners require that installation be done from underneath the deck joists while others can be installed topside. The most immediate benefit of all of these hidden deck fasteners is that the beauty of the deck itself can be enjoyed without the constant repetition of ugly screw holes.
Although these advances have made the assembly process faster and much more durable, they have not made the actual design of the deck itself easier. Another challenge to do-it-yourself decking is the type of soil and drainage that may cause problems if not addressed correctly. Unless the homeowner possesses basic carpentry skills and some knowledge of foundations or footings, decking is best left to the professionals.
For more information and guidance about decks, patios, and sun rooms, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in high-end, detailed construction and has a great portfolio of photos to illustrate creative ideas and concepts for recreational construction.
The problems with most decks assembled in the past is that they were vulnerable to rot, expansion and contraction, fading and are now safety hazards. Everyone has seen the decks with split and warped boards. As the temperature changes throughout the seasons, wood expands and contracts. This expansion and contraction acts to loosen the screws or nails holding the deck boards to the joists ever so slightly. This is enough to allow moisture down into the screw holes. After the deck has endured its first winter, the rotting process begins.
To help combat the short life of traditional decks and improve safety, engineered or composite decking was invented. Now the homeowner has a myriad of choices from composites, which are recycled wood and plastics molded together with resins, to full plastic decking lumber. One might think that the plastics would be tacky and flimsy like vinyl siding, but not so. Plastic deck boards are very dense and have been molded to look exactly like regular lumber boards with a variety of color choices. Two of the most prominent advantages of engineered decking is that it greatly helps in the conservation of woodlands and animal habitats and it is much more durable than traditional wood deck boards. Each material, whether wood or engineered, possesses different characteristics which the decking contractor should be able to discuss with the homeowner.
Deck fastening hardware has undergone somewhat of a revolution from the simple days of nailing the deck board to the joist. In the past problems with nails or screws popping up created safety hazards that caused falls and cuts. The only way to correct this problem was to install more unsightly screws in the top securing the board to the joists again. Today hidden deck fasteners have gained in popularity. These hidden fasteners have even been improved upon and now there is a large variety and functionality. Some deck fasteners require that installation be done from underneath the deck joists while others can be installed topside. The most immediate benefit of all of these hidden deck fasteners is that the beauty of the deck itself can be enjoyed without the constant repetition of ugly screw holes.
Although these advances have made the assembly process faster and much more durable, they have not made the actual design of the deck itself easier. Another challenge to do-it-yourself decking is the type of soil and drainage that may cause problems if not addressed correctly. Unless the homeowner possesses basic carpentry skills and some knowledge of foundations or footings, decking is best left to the professionals.
For more information and guidance about decks, patios, and sun rooms, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in high-end, detailed construction and has a great portfolio of photos to illustrate creative ideas and concepts for recreational construction.
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