Photo: fiberondecking.com
For what is meant to be a relaxing outdoor refuge, a deck can sure be a lot of work. Sanding, power-washing, refinishing: The demands are enough to make some homeowners wonder whether having a deck is really worth all that regular maintenance. Has yours become more of a worksite than a pleasure pad? Consider making the switch from wood to composite decking.
Though variations exist, composite decking is generally made from a mix of wood scraps—called wood flour—and plastic particles. Although some manufacturers rely on virgin wood and plastics, others make extensive use of recycled materials. In 2010, Trex reused 3.1 billion plastic grocery bags, while TimberTech says that each year its products incorporate 107 million pounds of post-industrial and post-consumer waste materials.
As part of their manufacture, composite deck boards are treated with preservatives that help ward off rot, mold, and mildew. Planks are dyed in a host of a colors and imprinted with a range of textures, most of which convincingly resemble genuine wood grain. Some composite decking products carry warranties of up to 25 years, but these typically apply only if you install the deck according to the manufacturer’s directions; be clear on what those are prior to construction.
Related: Get Inspired! 12 Sensational Deck Designs
Photo: vizimac.com
PROS OF COMPOSITE DECKING
Low-Maintenance. Because of its plastic content, composite decking neither splinters nor rots, and it resists mold and mildew. Compared with wood, which requires cleaning and regular staining and/or sealing, composite boards make for a “build and chill” project. Hands down, easy care is the biggest plus for this material.
Sustainability. The eco-benefits of composite extend beyond the recycled materials used in the decking’s manufacture. Because the components are virtually maintenance-free, gallons of stain and/or sealant are saved. More durable than wood, composite decking stays out of the landfill longer.
Longer Boards. Whereas wood planks are typically sold only in 16-foot lengths (longer boards can sometimes be specially ordered), composite decking is routinely available in board lengths up to 20 feet. That means you can have fewer seams on your deck, depending on its dimensions.
Hidden Fasteners. Composite decking often goes down the same way as wood, that is, with stainless steel decking screws. But some manufacturers offer products with clip or tongue-and-groove assembly. These easy building systems result in deck surfaces without unsightly rows of visible screw heads.
Cost. According to Popular Mechanics, basic pressure-treated lumber goes for about 80 cents per linear foot, while redwood or cedar runs up to three times that amount. Composite decking materials, on the other hand, sell for $2.50 or $3.50 per linear foot. Even so, when you account for the costs associated with maintaining a wood deck (which has a shorter lifespan to begin with), composite decking emerges as the value choice.
Photo: moistureshield.com
CONS OF COMPOSITE DECKING
Strength and Weight. Though comparatively heavier in weight, composite decking tends to be slightly less strong than its wood cousin, so a deck built from composite components must have additional supports.
It Can Stain. Plastic is largely responsible for many of the positive features that define composite decking, but the material also includes stain-absorbent wood. If you accidentally get grease or another offending substance on a composite board, you cannot simply sand out the stain.
It Can Scratch. Because you cannot sand composite decking, deep scratches are destined to remain in the boards, though over time, they may becomes less and less pronounced.
It Can Fade. Most composites fade a bit in the few months immediately following installation, but in general, this type of decking holds its color for years, never assuming the neutral gray so common to aged lumber. Before choosing a color for your composite decking, ask to see samples of weathered boards, if possible.
AN INTERESTING ALTERNATIVE
If you already own a wood deck, check out Gossen’s Deck ReCover. This product involves U-shaped PVC boards that fit over your existing deck, giving it the benefits of composite for a fraction of what it would cost to demolish a wood deck and build a new one from composite planks.
- Bathroom >
- Bob Vila Radio: Replacing a Medicine Cabinet
Bob Vila Radio: Replacing a Medicine Cabinet
Replacing a recessed medicine cabinet is a fairly straightforward project, one that requires planning and only a little elbow grease.
When you stumble into the bathroom in the morning, does your medicine cabinet look as tired as you feel? Maybe it’s time for an upgrade.
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Listen to BOB VILA ON REPLACING A MEDICINE CABINET or read the text below:
Photo: trendir.com
Fortunately, replacing a recessed medicine cabinet is a fairly simple project, as long as you choose a new cabinet that fits the existing opening. To get an accurate measurement, remove the cabinet door, then unscrew the cabinet from the framing.
Measure the height and width of the cavity, as well as the available depth. If you’d like a cabinet with a larger or different-shaped door, be sure to measure the clearances between the opening and any obstacles, such as your light fixture or soap dish.
New cabinets are often shipped with their doors packaged separately, but if yours is not, try to remove it before you begin the installation. Then fit the new cabinet in the cavity, adjusting and shimming as necessary until it’s level and plumb, with the frame flush to the wallboard.
Drill screws through the holes on the inside of the cabinet to secure it to the framing. If there are gaps between the frame and the wallboard, apply a thin bead of caulk. Let it dry before you reattach the door.
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 75 stations around the country (and growing). You can get your daily dose here, by listening to—or reading—Bob’s 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day.
- Lawn & Garden >
- Weekend Projects: 5 Ways to Prep for a Backyard Bash
Weekend Projects: 5 Ways to Prep for a Backyard Bash
On the heels of a long winter and a stormy spring, take this weekend to revive outdoor living areas before your first soiree of the summer season.
Among the true joys of summer is the opportunity to spend more time outside relaxing, entertaining, and playing. But you’ll have less time for all of these seasonal pleasures if your yard isn’t quite summer-ready. Here are five simple things you can do this weekend to revive outdoor living areas in time for your backyard bash!
1. STAIN THE DECK
Photo: paintsource.net
Before settling comfortably into an Adirondack chair to enjoy your summer soiree, consider giving your deck some TLC. If it has wood construction, sweep the surface clean and see if the boards need sealing or staining, or both. If water beads up on the wood, the sealer is fine. Otherwise, seal the deck now and rest comfortably knowing that your deck is in good shape for the traffic and heat it will see in the months ahead.
2. REPAIR OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Photo: Flickr
You’ll be a poor host—and a regretful neighbor—if you have outdoor furniture that is rusted, covered in mildew, or in need of repair when guests arrive for a backyard bash. You can paint metal and wood furniture easily enough, and tightening screws on wobbly legs takes no time at all. Proper care of outdoor furniture not only improves its appearance, but also promotes its longevity.
3. CONTROL BEES AND WASPS
Photo: stunningbackyard.com
Few things halt summertime festivities like an unexpected swarm. When dealing with outdoor pests, the best defense is a little offense.
4. MAKE GARDEN LUMINARIES
Photo: indulgy.com
Since outdoor entertaining often extends into the evening hours, be sure you have sufficient lighting—for mood and safety. Sure, you can buy and install landscape lighting, but you can also add light and charm with homemade luminaries. Whether hanging from tree limbs or sitting along the length of your deck rail, easy DIY tin can lanterns illuminate outdoor living areas in down-to-earth yet enchanting style.
5. READY THE GRILL
Photo: grassrootsblog.ca
If you’re getting ready to play host for a neighborhood barbecue, apply a critical eye and a caring hand to your grill. Remember, regular maintenance is the key to extending the useful years of your trusty, charbroiling party-pleaser!
Area Rugs Set Fashion Free in the Great Outdoors
Use outdoor rugs to extend comfortable living and gracious entertaining to your deck, patio, or porch.
Photo: potterybarn.com
Thanks to modern advances in fabrication, outdoor rugs have never featured more extensive design options. A favorite accent for extending comfortable living and gracious entertaining to decks, patios, and porches, durable outdoor rugs define space and add color, even as they keep dirt and grime from being tracked inside by feet or paws.
Related: 10 Top-Rated Grills to Fire Up Your Summer
The majority of outdoor rugs are manufactured using polypropylene, but nylon, polyester, and acrylic varieties are also available. “Polypropylene is an extruded, solution-dyed fiber, so it doesn’t absorb any liquid or stains,” explains Jonathan Witt, vice president of Oriental Weavers, one of the largest makers of outdoor rugs. “Our rugs are UV-treated to prevent fading after exposure to sunlight and are constructed of 100% polypropylene, which is naturally stain-resistant, mold-resistant, and mildew-resistant. You can wash them off with a hose and even apply bleach without damaging the color or design.”
Oriental Weavers' Sphinx Caspian Indoor/Outdoor Rug
Indoor/outdoor rugs are offered in a wide range of constructions, including handmade, machine-made, and braided styles:
- Handmade styles, also known as hand-hooked rugs, are the most expensive. Offering the most color and design options, these range from $200 to $1,000 for a 5′ x 7′ size.
- Machine-made rugs are created using power looms that simultaneously weave up to five different colors. A variety of intricate designs are commonly available, with pricing between $40 and $750 for a 5′ x 7′ rug.
- Braided rugs are a traditional construction now made with polypropylene yarns. Rugs of this type are offered in flat-braided, cable-braided, or corded-and-stitched constructions. Prices are similar to those of machine-made rugs.
Most outdoor rugs are constructed with a backing material of either polypropylene or another synthetic fiber. Rugs backed in jute, a natural fiber, will not be as durable or mildew-resistant and will deteriorate over time. Braided rugs typically have no backing and are therefore reversible.
Indoor/outdoor rugs are offered in myriad designs, shapes, and colors. When choosing an area rug, keep in mind that darker colorations create a more intimate environment, while lighter shades make a small area seem more spacious. No matter the design and colors you select, you can certainly count on area rugs to make your outdoor living spaces more stylish!
- Kitchen >
- 8 Tips to Keep You From Hating Your Kitchen Remodel
8 Tips to Keep You From Hating Your Kitchen Remodel
Given the expense and downright hassle of overhauling a kitchen, wouldn't it be unfortunate (to put it mildly) if you didn't love the result of your renovation?
Photo: shutterstock.com
Kitchen remodeling sits at the top of many homeowners’ wish lists, and for good reason: If properly done, a renovation makes the kitchen more attractive, improves its efficiency, and raises the resale price of your home.
Unfortunately, overhauling the kitchen is a complex job. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, and even skilled designers and veteran do-it-yourselfers can miss critical details. Mistakes are not only common, they are inevitable. You can, however, keep them to a minimum if you watch out for the following missteps.
Set a Budget
If you’re planning to renovate your kitchen completely, be prepared to pay about 10% or 15% of your home’s current value. That’s no arbitrary percentage; it’s a budget that ensures that the quality of your improvements stays in line with your home’s worth. Although spending too little is a concern, it’s equally important to avoid overspending. Be sure to allow leeway for surprises. Who knows what plumbing or wiring nightmares lurk in the walls behind those old cabinets?
Size Matters
Are the cooks in your household taller or shorter than average? Careful shopping and strategic design can make their lives much easier without making your kitchen overly specialized. For example, manufacturers recommend installing a hood 30 inches above the cooktop—in other words, right in the face of a six-foot-tall cook. Luckily, there’s a simple solution: Most hoods work just fine if mounted slightly higher. The lesson is that no matter how lovely something looks on the drawing board, you must account for the lifestyle and physical characteristics of the people who will actually be using the kitchen.
Related: 7 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Makeover Tips
Photo: decoist.com
Focus on Lighting
In the hardest-working room of your house, don’t underestimate the benefits of living with neither shadows nor glare. Use a mix of fixtures to layer light of different types—ambient, task, accent, and mood.
Recessed ceiling fixtures provide good overall light, while pendants and chandeliers are versatile choices for islands and dining areas. For kitchen work areas, under-cabinet task lights are popular, but you may wish to offset the reflectiveness of highly polished surfaces, like countertops, by choosing fixtures with diffusers or frosted glass.
Also important are your lighting controls: Install a separate, conveniently located switch for each light source, preferably near the doorway. Dimmers are excellent for modulating the strength of lighting according to the occasion or time of day.
Indulge (Some of) Your Whims
Maybe you’re right on top of the latest trends, or maybe you love bright colors. Remember, materials and colors that look fantastic in a sample-size swatch might very well appear over- or underwhelming in a larger dose. Resist the temptation of going over the top with busy tile patterns or purple appliances. Instead, integrate the design elements you love as accents, not centerpieces. Otherwise, you run the risk of alienating future buyers who don’t happen to share your idiosyncratic style sense.
Base Choices on Reality
Who wouldn’t want a big bay window? The question is whether it would work in your individual kitchen. A bay window shown overlooking a lake may look great in a catalog, but if you live on a busy street, it’s likely you’d regret giving in to your whim. Likewise, oversize professional appliances are swoon-worthy, but they’re simply not practical in a small, cozy kitchen. In short, don’t lie to yourself!
Photo: cultivate.com
Lots of Landing Zones
Include plenty of wide-open countertop space around each of your appliances. You know the feeling of removing a heavy, piping-hot pan from the stove, then finding there’s no convenient place to set it down? Think about how you use appliances like the dishwasher, refrigerator, and microwave, and adjust your kitchen design to suit your day-to-day habits.
Island Style
These days, a kitchen island is practically a must-have. But choose carefully: An oversize or poorly located island blocks both traffic and work flow. Allow sufficient space on all sides of the island, enough so that you can easily open cabinet doors. And as you are making design decisions, remind yourself that the island, being of finite and usually modest size, cannot be a catchall. Adding a sink or cooktop to your island would eat up a lot of the real estate you might like to have on hand for, say, casual dining.
Don’t Forget the Backsplash
Oh, the wonders of a backsplash. It ties together disparate elements even as it creates a focal point. (Plus, it makes cleanup so much easier.) Some complain about the paralyzing, seemingly infinite number of choices, but stick with the selection process and you’ll be amply rewarded. The best advice is to select your backsplash at an early stage of the renovation. Typically, the backsplash is installed shortly before project completion. If you postpone your decision until then, you may have to rush through the decision and end up settling on something you don’t love—which may become something you wind up hating.
Bob Vila Radio: Flag Poles
Not sure about proper flagpole placement and etiquette? Refresh your memory with these tips.
Today is Flag Day, the day we honor the Stars and Stripes. Whatever your politics, this is a good day to fly the flag and remember the “United” part of United States.
Photo: images.wikia.com
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Listen to BOB VILA ON FLAG POLES or read the text below:
You can display a flag flat on a wall, being sure to hang it so the blue field of stars is at top left. But most people want to fly Old Glory from a flagpole. The wall-mounted style is easy to install and usually just involves screwing a metal bracket into the side of your house. Be sure to install it in a place that’s easy to reach, since you’ll need to bring the flag inside overnight unless it’s illuminated, and you’ll want to take it in during inclement weather.
Installing a flagpole in the ground is a bit more ambitious, but it’s a do-it-yourself project if you’re working with a lightweight aluminum flagpole. A typical residential flagpole is 25 feet high and flies a four-by-six-foot flag. Flagpole kits come with instructions on how to embed the base tube into a concrete foundation. The single most important thing is to be sure the base tube is perfectly level and plumb. You don’t want your flagpole to lean! Since you need the concrete to set overnight, this is a weekend project. But if you get started now, you’ll have your flag flying in time for the Fourth of July!
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 75 stations around the country (and growing). You can get your daily dose here, by listening to—or reading—Bob’s 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day.
