Deck Tips

Instant weathering: If you are replacing an old board of your deck, you can give it an instant weathered look by applying a solution of 1 gallon of water to 1 cup baking soda. Let it dry, and rinse. After is has dried again, apply a water sealer.
Avoid cupping of wood: If you are using wood for your deck material, an easy way to avoid cupping of the wood in the future is to lay it with the bark side up. You can tell the bark side easily by checking the annual growth rings on the end side of the board. The convex side is the bark side.
Always use galvanized nails or screws to prevent rusting and eventually staining your deck.
Board lengths are not always accurate. Always measure to make sure your boards are the same length and square on each end. Use a carpenter’s square to trim the ends. Measure twice, cut once.
It is recommended that treated pine be left untouched for a few months unless it is marked KDAT (Kiln dried after treatment). New treated pine may not be dry enough to accept stain or sealer.
Deck screws. We recommend screws instead of nails. It is more work, but nails tend to loosen with time.
If you go with composite decking, they have special screws to use with their product. These screws have a square tip, but the company includes the tip in the box of screws that will fit your drill.