The first thing you will want to do is to get some referrals from neighbors, family or friends who have had decks built for them.  You can also check the yellow pages or online to find contractors who specialize in deck construction.  You will want to compare several deck contractors before making your final decision to hire a deck contractor.

Next you will want to personally interview each deck contractor from your initial list.  You can do this over the phone or in person.  Make sure the contractor has a business license and any other licenses required by local or state governments.  You will also want to make sure the contractor carries adequate liability and workers compensation insurance.  If there were any damages or injuries on the job and the contractor didn’t carry insurance, you could be held legally liable.

Ask the deck contractor for references from past customers.  Call the references to find out if they were happy with the deck contractor’s work.  If possible try to drive by to see some of the decks the deck contractor has completed.  It is also important that the deck contractor is experienced with the type of deck you want to have constructed.  Take note of the type of projects the deck contractor has completed.

After you have finished your preliminary investigation of the different deck contractors, you will want to get written estimates.  You should get at least three different estimates so you can compare them.  Don’t base your final decision on price alone.  You also want to take into account the contractor’s experience, references, types of projects completed and overall professionalism.

Once you have made a final decision on which deck contractor you would like to have build your deck, make sure to get everything in writing.  This should include a payment schedule, the project start and complete dates, any details concerning the type of materials used, the cost of materials and labor, and arrangements for cleaning up the site.

It really pays to spend some time upfront researching several deck contractors.  If you follow these tips you are sure to find a qualified deck contractor who will build a deck you enjoy for years to come.

Cleaning a composite deck is fairly easy.  You just need to use warm water and either a household detergent or deck wash and a stiff bristle or scrub brush.  Apply your cleaning solution and let it sit for about fifteen minutes to soak into the stains.  Then use your bristle or scrub brush to scrub away the dirt, debris and stains.  Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse the area well with water.  Some people use a power washer instead of a scrub brush to clean their composite deck, but you need to be careful.  A power washer can damage your composite deck.  If you do decide to use one when cleaning your deck you should set it on a very gentle setting.  You should scrub your composite deck in sections and then rinse well rather than trying to clean the whole deck at once.

If you have some stubborn stains that don’t wash out from your general scrubbing, you can try using other household products to get them out.  For grease stains try a household de-greasing agent with hot water.  You can also add bleach to your cleaning solution to help get rid of stubborn stains.  Keeping your composite deck clean will also help to prevent mold from accumulating on your deck.

Composite decks are not maintenance free but they are quite easy to care for.  Taking the time to clean your composite deck on a regular basis is well worth it and not hard to do at all.  Just follow the simple steps outlined above to keep your deck clean and looking good.  You will be able to enjoy your deck for years to come.

Tip 1 Think about how much maintenance you are willing to do

Natural wood will require more maintenance than a composite wood product.  You will need to apply a stain and sealer once a year on a wood deck.  Composite materials are made of wood fiber, plastics and glue and only need to be cleaned on a regular basis, not stained and sealed.

Tip 2 Consider the life expectancy of the decking material you are considering

Wood is more prone to crack and splinter from the weather and can also rot from water damage if not maintained properly.  However, a wood deck can be repaired and re-finished to keep it well maintained and looking good.  Composite decking does not splinter or crack but it can fade or warp.  It also tends to scratch fairly easily and can stain.  The only way you can repair a composite deck is to replace the pieces that are scratched, faded or warped.

Tip 3 Consider how resistant the decking material is to pests and rot

Natural wood is susceptible to both rot and insect damage.  Composite decking is pest resistant but the wood fibers in the composite material can rot.

Tip 4 Consider how important your deck’s appearance is to you

Natural wood decks can be very beautiful and add a lot of enjoyment and value to your home.  There are many stains available which give you a lot of options for color.  You can also re-stain a wood deck if the color fades.  Composite wood products resemble natural wood but have more of a uniform look.  It can fade and once it does it cannot be re-stained.  It will need to be replaced.

Tip 5 Consider the cost of each material

Composite wood products are generally more expensive than natural wood.

Natural wood and composite wood products all have their strengths and weaknesses.  You will need to weight each factor to determine which decking material best suits your budget, time for maintenance and aesthetic requirements before making your final decision.

One thing you can do to protect your redwood deck from water damage is to apply a high quality redwood stain.  The stain will seal the deck and prevent water from soaking through the surface of your deck.  Here is a simple step-by-step plan for how to stain redwood decks.

The first thing you will want to do is to clean the old stain off your redwood deck.  Also spot treat stains or oil and paint spots.  You can use deck stain cleaner or remover to scrub off the spots.

After you complete your spot treatment, wet your redwood deck down with a hose.  Some people use a power washer, but a power washer can cause damage to the wood.  If you do decide to use a power washer, be sure to run it on the gentlest cycle to prevent damaging the wood.  Next use a cleaning solution of deck cleaner mixed with a detergent.  Pour your cleaning solution onto the deck and scrub with a brush.

While you are applying the cleaner, be sure to scrub and wash small areas so that the cleaner does not dry on the wood.  Scrub an area thoroughly and then rinse it off with your hose.  Repeat this process until you have thoroughly scrubbed and rinsed your entire redwood deck.

Let your deck dry completely before applying the redwood stain.  This process can take up to three days.  Make sure your redwood stain is also a sealant.  You don’t need to buy two products.  Apply the redwood stain in cool weather.  Morning is usually a good time to do this.  Make sure you apply plenty of redwood stain to not only make it look great but also protect it from water and weather conditions.

It is a good idea to stain your redwood deck once every few years.  Many of the stains claim to last for as many as five years, but you probably want to stain your deck more frequently than that to keep it well maintained and to prevent water damage.

Step 1 Gather your tools and supplies

First you should gather together the necessary tools and supplies you need to replace deck planks.  You will need a measuring tape, a pencil, carpenter’s square, hammer, chisel, screwdriver, deck screws, safety glasses, dust mask and circular saw.

Step 2 Identify the planks that need to be replaced and take their measurements

Next you need to do is identify which deck planks need to be replaced.  Measure the length, width and thickness of the plank you want to replace.  You will want to replace the deck plank with a new plank that is the same dimensions and made of the same material as the old plank.  If you want to pre-stain the deck plank before you install it, use the same stain that is used on the deck and stain it at least a day before installing it on the deck.

Step 3 Remove the damaged deck planks

Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws from the deck joists.  Once the screws have been loosed remove the damaged deck plank from the deck joists.

Step 4 Install the new deck plank

Use a circular saw to cut a new deck plank that matches the dimensions of the damage plank you removed.  Be sure to wear your safety goggles and dust mask while operating the circular saw.

Next place the new deck plank into the space where you removed the damaged plank.  Attach two screws or three screws at each joist to ensure that the new deck plank is firmly attached to the deck.

Repeat this process for any deck plank that you want to replace.

As you can see from these easy step-by-step instructions, replacing a deck plank on your deck is not a difficult job.  Keeping your deck in top condition is well worth it.  You will be able to enjoy your deck for many years to come.

Option #1 Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan is a good option to consider for financing your home improvement project.  The equity in your house serves as the collateral for the loan.  You can either receive a cash payment or a line of credit.  The advantage to the home equity loan is that the interest rate tends to be lower than other types of home improvement loans and the interest is usually tax deductible.

Option #2 Personal Loan

A personal loan is an unsecured loan, which means there is no collateral to secure the loan.  Personal loans have a higher rate of interest than secured loans.  These are also available as either a cash payment or a line of credit.  The advantage is that you will not need any collateral to secure the loan.  However, you will need to have sufficient income and a good credit history to qualify for the loan.  The disadvantages are the higher interest rate and the interest is not tax deductible.

Option #3 Home Improvement Loan

Some lending intuitions offer loans that are specifically called home improvement loans.  They are usually unsecured loans but sometimes might be secured by your house.  They usually have higher interest rates than home equity loans.

Option #4 Refinance Your Home

Another option to consider for financing your home improvement project is to refinance your home mortgage along with your home improvement costs into a new mortgage.  The advantage is you will only have one loan payment to make.  You will need to check to see whether your existing mortgage has a prepayment penalty and compare the interest rate on your current mortgage versus what the interest rate would be if you refinanced.  You will need to have sufficient equity in your home to cover adding the cost of the home improvement expenses to your mortgage.  The interest will generally be tax deductible, just like most first and second mortgages are.

You have several options to consider when choosing a home improvement loan.  You will need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each home improvement loan type, along with your own personal situation such as the amount of equity you have in your home, your credit rating, and other considerations before you make your final decision on which home improvement loan is best for you.