The Ultimate Deck Blog

Staining your deck is not just about boosting its appearance; it's also a vital part of deck maintenance that exten...

Embarking on a patio project can often seem daunting, especially when trying to balance cost with aesthetics and du...

Maintaining a deck isn't just about keeping it looking good; ensuring its structural integrity and safety over the ...

When we step into our backyards, we often envision a host of possibilities for creating beautiful and functional sp...

  Are you considering adding a deck to your home? With our expertise in deck supplies and services, we're here to g...

  Designing a deck for a small yard presents unique challenges that require smart planning and innovative design so...

  Building a deck in your backyard can dramatically enhance your home's outdoor living space. However, understandin...

  Building a weather-resistant patio deck can transform your backyard into a beautiful and functional outdoor livin...

In the world of home design, patios hold a special place as personal retreats where we relax, entertain, and unwind...

Designing a family-friendly patio doesn't need to break the bank. By being smart about layout, materials, and decor...

Choosing the right colours for your deck can transform the outdoor space from a mere extension of your home into a ...

Building your own garden fence can be a rewarding project that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your lands...

Are you looking to revamp your outdoor space, or perhaps you're finally ready to install that dream railing that co...

Embracing the beauty of our backyards doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. When it comes to decorating our ...

Building a fence doesn't have to drain your wallet. Whether you're looking to enhance privacy, secure your property...

Ensuring your deck and patio are in tip-top shape doesn’t need to drain your wallet. We often confront issues like ...

The pursuit of building the ultimate deck, complete with stunning railings, is a quest that many homeowners embark ...

Table of Contents 1. Beat the Rush 2. More Time for Planning and Permits 3. Better Scheduling Flexibility 4. Earl...

Table of Contents Introduction 1. Sustainable Materials 2. Integrated Technology 3. Multi-Purpose Spaces 4. Outdo...

Introduction When a Permit is Required When a Permit is Not Required Why You Should Get a Permit Steps for Applyin...

Table of Contents Introduction When a Permit is Required When a Permit is Not Required Why You Should Get a Permi...

Decking Glossary Explore 'The Ultimate Glossary of Deck Building Terms' - your comprehensive guide to deck constru...

10 Common Myths About the Decking Industry Table of Contents: Introduction Myth 1: All Composite Decking is the Sa...

Table of Contents Introduction to Composite Decking Factors Influencing Composite Decking Prices Comparative Cos...

What is Composite Decking? A Complete Guide   Table of Contents Introduction to Composite Decking What is Composit...

  Picture this: a tranquil evening, a gentle breeze, and the soft glow of lights illuminating your outdoor deck. No...

You’ve had a new deck on your mind for a while now, you have a general vision of what you want your finished project to look like.  You’ve also been imagining what it will look and feel like when you and your friends and family can enjoy using your deck. Now all that’s left is to start planning and executing, but where do you start? 

How do you take that vision and make it a reality? 

You have been dreaming of your ultimate backyard experience for a while now. You might even be daydreaming about it right now. But before you get into the down and dirty business of having to pick out all the colors, materials and other fun stuff it's time to make a big decision.  Who is going to build my deck?

Planning your deck before going to the store gives you a huge head start and can save you money, time and mental stress. It will give you a chance to figure out what you really want on, in and around your deck. Remember your deck is essentially an extension of your house and becomes a seasonal room for you and your family to use. That is why proper planning before the entire building process is essential. It will help the rest of the process go smoothly with as few interruptions as possible.

We have all heard “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” so it may seem like no matter how much we try to plan our season we are at the whim of many unknown circumstances. One could argue this is even more of a reason to put a plan together. If it is commonly accepted that plans will fall apart, imagine how chaotic your building season will be if you do not try to plan. I think the most important part here is to set a plan or a schedule and build in some days that allow for these unforeseen circumstances. Part of planning is also realizing some of the ugly truths about yourself and your abilities.

Decks are a big investment, but oh...so...worth it.  Absolutely NOTHING beats hanging out in the backyard grilling, entertaining, and enjoying the sun in the summer on your deck.  But is your deck as good as it COULD be?  Here are 18 "low to no" cost tips for getting the most out of your outdoor space.

Wood? Steel? When it comes time to frame your deck, making the decision on what material to choose is hard.  Let us help you make the right choice.  Here are 8 reasons why you should choose steel framing in your next decking project.

Over the course of building a deck you will likely have to work with multiple trades. It might be as simple as having the piles installed or maybe some electrical work done for your new hot tub, outdoor kitchen or you may hire someone to do the entire supply and build, “turn-key” deck for you. I want to give you an outline of how most trades people think and operate, in an attempt to help you while working with them.

"But wait Shane, you said FALL was the best time to build a deck!?"

Yes. Yes I did. But just because Fall is almost over, that doesn't mean you need to give up on getting that deck built. I completely understand that 0.01% of Do-It-Yourself deck builders are thinking building a deck in the snow is something they want to do with their winter weekends. But if you're planning on hiring a contractor for your project anyway, then winter is still in play to get ready for 'deck beers' in the spring.

If you polled 100 people, my guess is 78 of them would say "spring" is the best time to build a deck.  And while spring deck building has many advantages, I truly believe, from the homeowners perspective, that fall is actually the best time to build a deck.  Here's 5 REALLY solid reasons why...

Homeowner: "We're going to build a new deck!"

Friend: "Nice! Building it yourself, or hiring a contractor?"

Homeowner: "I get slivers from toothpicks. We'll be hiring a contractor."

Every year the season draws to an end and contractors have so much opportunity. How do you use it? Do you get your ...

Each year the season draws to an end and there is such an opportunity to make the next year better. I think as soon as the last piece of railing is installed you should consider working hard for a few more weeks. Get the business in order and then next season you will be in the best position possible.

If you're familiar with just one brand of composite decking, it's Trex. In fact, you might even think "Trex" is synonymous with "composite". But beyond the name, what do you need to know? We have it for you, right here:

Fiberon has been in the composite decking game a long time, and has a history of innovation: the first multi-chromatic capped composite decking, the first stain and fade warranty on capped composites, and the first molded and embossed wood-plastic composite decking. All of those things would go on to become industry standards. Read on to find out why Fiberon is one of the best in the game.

Deckorators has gone from relatively unknown to the biggest up and coming brand in composite decking in only a few short years. Their proprietary process for manufacturing composite decking has caught the industry by storm and has contractors jumping on board every day.

It depends.  I think the best way to decide if you should be in a Homeshow this spring is to decide what you want out of it...then you will have your answer.

There are two ways to approach each Homeshow. You can do a hybrid of these but its usually better to stick to just one. We will go through both in detail.

It's not the fun part, nor the pretty part, of your new deck - but it's absolutely the most important part: the foundation. Nothing else matters on your deck if the deck is not supported safely and strongly.

There are a lot of options for deck railing on the market. Different types, looks, brands, price points, and more. But one of leading brands out there is Regal Ideas. Here are 5 reasons why we think Regal Ideas rail is a great choice.

If you know us, you know we LOVE what lighting does for an outdoor space. We always suggest leaving a little room in the budget for some accent lighting. There are a lot of options out there, but here is why we love In-Lite.

You may not have heard of it, but once you put your eyes on Wolf Serenity decking, you won't forget it. Arguably one of the best looking maintenance free decking options on the market, Wolf packs a big punch in the value game.