Home Improvement Information


Deck Design - Why Firm Foundations Are Essential


Preparing a deck design for your backyard is all the rage as a home improvement project for this summer, however there is great temptation to build a pallet like structure that just sits on the ground outside your back door.

Yes there are many ways to prepare the ground so that an unconnected deck design structure will sit level to the ground, for example by using concrete slabs in four corners... but it's still just a big pallet sitting on the ground and the slightest soil erosion below will result in a rocky deck!.

The only way to make a deck design that you can be proud of, that will stand the test of storms and wind AND that you can build onto as years go by, is to prepare firm LEVEL foundations before you start to build up. A ground level deck design shouldn't just sit flat on the ground, its important to raise the deck frame off the ground to allow for drainage AND to protect the wood, however, keep in mind that the top level of your deck should not be higher than the entrance to your home - so that the rain doesn't run off your deck design and through your back door.

The importance of anchoring your deck design at the very start of your project cannot be over emphasized and are an essential requirement for:

  • Complying with planning permits for your area.
  • Hopefully improving the value of your home.
  • Quality workmanship will improve the usefulness of spaces in and around your home.
  • Adding value to the time you spent doing the work - it's much more worthwhile when the job is done properly.
  • Allowing you to extend your decking later - for example if you want to add an extension for a BBQ area or a step up to encompass your new hot tub with deck surround...

Your First Step in preparing the ground for your deck design foundations will be to find out where any underground pipes extend out into your backyard, you don't want to dig into any electrical or water pipes of any sort.

Your second step, (with the details from step one in your posession) should be to apply for a building permit and benefit from their sound advice regarding deck design in your area. There is no guarantee, but if your deck is going to add any value to your home you must have your paperwork regarding the proper building permits in order.

Once your permit comes through you will have permission to create an anchor ledger at the side of your home to which you can connect your deck design using masonry anchors and you will know where you can dig to place your concrete footings where your post anchors go.

Get all these initial components nice and level and firmly placed and it's plain sailing for the rest of your deck design construction.

Arpad Nyikos has written numerous articles dedicated to home improvement trends to add value to your home or simply add quality to your home life, plus improvement projects and different ways that you can finance them. You can read more about deck design here at home-improvement-and-financing.com A great way to keep ahead with your home improvement project is a FREE subscription to Home Improve E-zine


MORE RESOURCES:

24dash (press release)

Simplified home improvement rules introduced
BBC News
New regulations have come into force to make it easier for Scots to make changes to their homes. The move means many home improvements will be able to go ahead without planning permission. Projects including extensions, sheds and garages will not need ...
Scotland eases planning rules to boost buildersThe Construction Index
Scotland: planning rules eased for home improvements24dash (press release)

all 4 news articles »


PerezHilton.com

'Home Improvement' kid suspected of driving stoned
San Jose Mercury News
(Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images) BURBANK -- The actor who played the youngest brother on "Home Improvement" was arrested Wednesday in Burbank on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, police said. Taran Noah Smith, 27, was arrested ...
"Home Improvement" actor Taran Noah Smith arrested for DUI, reports sayCBS News
Former Home Improvement Child Star Taran Noah Smith Arrested for DUI and Drug ...E! Online
Whoops! Home Improvement's Taran Noah Smith Arrested For Drugs!PerezHilton.com
Huffington Post -The Daily Telegraph
all 28 news articles »


OnTheRedCarpet.com

Home Improvement Star Arrested for DUI, Drug Possession: Report
People Magazine
By Tim Nudd Taran Noah Smith, who played youngest child Mark Taylor on the '90s sitcom Home Improvement for eight years, was arrested early Wednesday for DUI and drug possession, according to a report. Smith, 27, was arrested around 1 am in Los Angeles ...
'Home Improvement' actor arrested on suspicion of DUI in BurbankLos Angeles Times
'Home Improvement' Star Taran Noah Smith Arrested for DUI & Drug PossessionThe Daily Blabber from iVillage
Taran Noah Smith From Home Improvement Gets A DUICinema Blend
OnTheRedCarpet.com -Television Week (blog) -Los Angeles Daily News
all 139 news articles »


The Consumerist

Home Improvement Projects To Warm Up Cold Rooms
The Consumerist
A quick home improvement project can make the room more livable. Family Handyman has several ideas to help you warm things up. Here are a few: * A toe-kick heater. A type of space heater you'll need to wire in to your main electrical panel, ...



NARI Home Improvement Show set for State Fair Park
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The best place might be at the 50th Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show to be held Thursday through Sunday in the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park. The show includes hundreds of exhibitors offering home improvement advice, products and ...



HOME IMPROVEMENT INNOVATI
Quad-Cities Online
Today is Sunday, Feb. 5, the 36th day of 2012. There are 330 days left in the year. 1862 -- 150 years ago: Town collectors are required to return their books to the county treasurer on the 14th. People should pay up, now, as fast as possible, ...

and more »


Home improvement hits wall for homeless shelter
Sussex Countian
By Christine Miller On Jan. 18, officials from the Sussex Community Crisis Housing Services found themselves rejoicing in the Georgetown Planning Commission's decision to approve a request for a conditional use permit that would allow the facility to ...

and more »


Whole-home display planned for Eastern Iowa Home Improvement and Landscaping show
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
WATERLOO --- Nearly 175 exhibitors will showcase the latest project ideas for the home, lawn and garden at the 61st Annual Eastern Iowa Home Improvement and Landscaping Show, Friday through next Sunday. The event takes place at the Five Sullivan ...



Home improvement for your health
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By (ARA) (ARA) - When considering home improvements, people tend to choose projects that will improve the value of their home. While this is important for a healthy bottom line, investing in the health of those living inside the home also is a ...

and more »


O'Fallon has loans available to improve homes
STLtoday.com
With 10 spots available in its home improvement program, the city of O'Fallon is encouraging homeowners to find out if they qualify for help with home repairs. The city has forgivable five-year loans of up to $5000 available for help in addressing code ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2007