Deck Design & Build Blog

Composite decks are great. They last longer than wood decks, are water resistant, and look fantastic but they do need a little TLC every now and then. Even if composite decks require much less maintenance than real wood decks, they require some cleaning and care to keep the material in tip-top shape. Below are some tips on how to care for composite decks.

Every couple of years deck owners must add the task of staining the deck to their project list. Usually, this only takes a couple of hours to do and is quite a simple task, but there are tons of questions out there when it comes to this project. You probably have heard to do it in cloudy, cool weather, thicker coats last longer, and your new deck needs to sit for a couple of months before applying the stain. Are these true? Or myths that have been shared among others for years? Below you’ll find the most common questions we are asked and what the answers are to each one.

Now that you can enjoy your new deck you may start to wonder what would happen if it got damaged, it did cost you a good amount of money anyways. A common question we get a lot is if your deck is covered under homeowners insurance. The answer varies from policy to policy but a good insurance policy typically has similarities. Let’s see if you’d be covered in the worst-case scenario situation.

When it’s time to build a deck, you need to decide on the design, the material list, permits, your budget, and a few other things. This alone can take a couple of days or weeks depending on the season and how ornate your project is. The next question that pops into most future deck owners' heads is how long will this take to build. The answer is - It depends. Yes, I know it's not the answer many of us want to hear but it’s true. Let’s find out why some decks take a week to build and others months.

Before I started the project of cleaning my deck this weekend, a question popped into my head. After doing some landscaping in my backyard I was concerned the deck cleaning product could kill my grass and freshly planted flowers. I did a quick Google search but it was hard to find an answer so I decided to write this blog post so others with the same question can get a clear answer. I also wanted to add some amazing and easy-to-make all-natural cleaning products that I ran across during my research.

The Deck Store is based in Minnesota and we experience harsh winters 4 months out of the year and tons of our customers wait until summer to start building their new decks. Typically this is too late to start as by the time you have drawn up your plans, made your material lists, received all your materials, and then built your deck, it is almost fall. Now, many DIY builders think that it is simply not possible to build a deck during the winter months but contrary to popular belief there are several reasons why it is best to build during the cold. The best part about building in the winter? You can enjoy your deck in the spring and summer!

When it comes to deck fire pits, there are a lot of options on the market. But which one is right for your backyard deck? Here at The Deck Store, we've created a list of the best fire pit we carry for your deck, based on our customer reviews and feedback.

DEKOR Lighting is a leading provider of high-quality, innovative lighting solutions for both indoor and outdoor applications. DEKOR's extensive product line includes landscape lights, dock lights, hardscape lights, interior lights, colored lighting, and much more. DEKOR also offers a wide variety of deck lights, including led outdoor lights, that serve to highlight your outdoor living space, provide a warm feel, and keep your deck bright at night to help with safety.

Trex Enhance composite decking is the latest offering from Trex. This deck board offers homeowners a high-performance yet low-maintenance option that comes is affordable for any deck project.

You finally have your dream deck constructed now you want or need to add a railing to finish your project. With the many options out there you may be overwhelmed with what to choose. Sure Trex, Fortress, and Regal are all great options but let's talk about one of the most popular railing kits we carry, Westbury Tuscany aluminum railing.