Decks, Patios and Porches

Decks are a great way to add defined space to an otherwise-empty yard â and you can entertain in high style. Here is the building plan.

Mark Clement says, I am a big fan of anything that saves me time and increases quality. The first backyard decks and front porches I laid out were the standard affair of strings pulled from the foundation, tied to stakes, and criss-crossed all over the place so I could locate and dig post holes before setting them and framing the deck on top. Now I do it reverse order. I make more money and have much more dependable control points for framing.

Decks are some of the most popular homeowner projects. They can be a small extension off a family room, bedroom or dining area; or they can be a spacious outdoor room large enough for a party. Decks can be single level or multi-level; they can be some of the simplest first projects for a beginner, or elaborate examples of sophisticated craftsmanship.

Ahhhh, the romance of a screened porch lemonade and cool comfort for those hot summer days and a hammock or chaise lounge for slumbering those warm nights away. And it is all outside where you can still enjoy Mother Nature without the hassle of insects...

It is the ultimate do-it-yourself job because building a 12 ft X 12 ft one-level deck or patio can be achieved in one weekend by just following a simple set of instructions.

Build a free standing deck anywhere in your yrd by following these step-by-step instructions.

This is an ideal method of how to lay decking boards straight and is most suitable for extra long decks. It involves pinging a chalkline where every third decking board is to go, giving a perfectly straight line of where to fix that decking board to.

If you have a tree in your backyard right where you plan to build your deck then perhaps you will need to build a deck around the tree. Here is how...

Build your new deck around an existing tree. Here is how...

This is an in-depth step-by-step to guide you through the deck framing process.

The easiest privacy structure to build is a lattice screen. Lattice blocks the view but is open enough to keep you from feeling closed in.

Follow these instruction to build an access ramp for your deck.

How to build and add a seat to an existing deck.

If you want permanent seating on your deck, consider these built in benches.