Decks & Porches
Brick veneer and rigid exterior foam raise questions about deck ledger connections. We provide some answers.
Free online software to simplify and speed up the design process
Six takeaways from the world’s largest tile show

Not wanting to obscure any of the view with vertical balusters, Rych used ½-inch tempered glass underneath the 1x6 deck railings. The view of the neighbor’s house, however, was purposely obscured to extend the illusion of a backyard oasis. The 4-by-7-foot cultured stone wall, angled at 45 degrees on the northeast corner of the deck, gives the chef and his guests their desired privacy.
A Chicagoland remodeler turns his bland backyard into an outdoor oasis
This double-grooved decking system uses neoprene gaskets that serve as hidden fasteners and prevent water from draining between boards
Products from AGS Stainless, Deckorators, Fiberon Symmetry Decking, Cali Bamboo, and CPG Building Products
Professional Remodeler’s annual roundup of the top 100 products as chosen by you, our readers
The abundance of products available can confuse—or energize—potential clients
Tightening this complex intersection of framing materials

Restored ironwork and a return to French doors in the façade keep the focus of The New American Home on the original home’s core as something that remained true to its period design while also transcending the traditional architecture of its old Orlando neighborhood. The side additions and connecting stone-and-brick terraces project a timeless estate feel that fits Florida, but would be equally at home in the Northeast or Midwest.
Carefully chosen and finely detailed products define the 2018 New American Remodel
The goal: sell a deck today and install it tomorrow. A year after launch, this remodeler’s sale-to-install cycle is down to seven days and counting.
This inspiring modernization of an 80-year-old historical structure holds lessons any remodeler can put to work
How deck builders weigh potential liability against the needs of budget-conscious homeowners who just want a repair
Railings provide safety but also define the overall look of a deck. Contractor views differ on what works, what doesn’t, and who decides.
The fastest deck fastener we’ve seen yet
This extrusion does double duty as both a hidden fastener and a deck drainage system
The second part of our two-part story focuses on the project’s finishes and strategic solutions to real-world construction challenges
Products from MiTek, Azek, Color Guard Railing Systems, and AERT
Deck builders balance potential liability against the budget-conscious homeowner’s desire for just a repair
There are plenty of wrong ways to install stucco on a wall with a deck ledger. Here’s how to do it the right way.