ProWood Blog

How to Build a Wood Storage Shed

Posted 20 October 2021 3:00 PM by Jase DeBoer

Cooler months are upon us. Now is the perfect time to plan your fall building projects. A wood storage shed is an easy project to complete and is especially handy if you use a wood stove or fireplace to heat your home. Depending on your storage needs, our project plan is completely customizable and easy to build within a weekend.   How Much Storage Do I Need? Our standard, single-stall storage shed holds roughly a quarter cord of wood, or an amount of wood that fills a space equal to 4 feet...

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Fall Maintenance For Your Deck and Porch

Posted 9 September 2021 1:25 PM by Jase DeBoer

With the arrival of fall, the temperature starts to drop and the air becomes crisper. Leaves change in color to vibrant reds, yellows and oranges. Soon enough, those leaves will start falling, landing in your yard and on your deck. ProWood® is built to last, and we want to share a few fall maintenance tips to keep your deck looking as good as new this season. Keep leaves, seedpods and sticks off your deck by raking, sweeping or leaf blowing on a regular basis. Leaves and other debr...

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How To Keep Your Deck Splinter Free

Posted 26 August 2021 12:59 PM by Jase DeBoer

If you have recently built a wood deck or purchased a home with an existing wooden deck, you’ll want to keep it in tip-top shape. However, a large concern with wooden decks is the potential of deck boards splintering over time. With proper care and maintenance, your deck boards can remain pristine and look like new. Why Do Splinters Occur? Through continuous water absorption and water loss in your wood deck, natural defects may surface. The continual shrinking and swelling of your deck bo...

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Common Pests That Destroy Your Home

Posted 27 July 2021 12:30 PM by Jase DeBoer

A recurring concern homeowners have is how to keep their homes safe from common pests and invaders. Although they may be small, some insects can create serious damage in a short amount of time. Even with a concrete foundation, homes are built with many wood components, such as sill plates, joists, rafters, studs, and more. To help keep these important structural components intact, be on the lookout for these common pests. Termites Most commonly known and feared, termites can make their appearanc...

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Is Treated Lumber Safe for My Garden Bed?

Posted 23 June 2021 1:31 PM by Jase DeBoer

Raised bed gardening is a fun and effective way to grow vegetables and flowers in rural and city environments. Raised garden beds help protect plants from pesky animals and foot traffic while allowing the soil to warm faster in the spring to produce early crops, healthier plants and higher yields with less work. Raised garden beds are also decorative and will add a touch of charm to your vegetable garden or outdoor living area. Whether you are building a raised garden bed to grow vegetables, her...

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How to Remove Gray Discoloration from Lumber

Posted 21 May 2021 1:28 PM by Jase DeBoer

Your wood deck, fence or patio may have looked pristine upon installation, but within a few years, it likely started to change color. We all want our investments to last for decades, and with these few tips you can restore your outdoor wooden structures in a weekend. Why Does Discoloration Occur? Many wood species experience discoloration. With constant exposure to water, sun, dirt and other elements, lumber will naturally fade to a gray tone if not treated and coated with a waterproof sealer. ...

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What is Color-Treated Lumber?

Posted 21 April 2021 5:33 PM by Jase DeBoer

As you plan your building project, you may come across a handful of unfamiliar terms and classifications of lumber. There are many types of lumber, from pressure treated to heat treated. You also may have heard of “color-treated” or “color-infused” lumber. What exactly is color-treated lumber, and how does it differ from other lumber options? A Patented Process The color treatment process occurs as the wood is pressure treated. Our in-solution colorant penetrates the wood...

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Deck Maintenance During The winter Season

Posted 23 January 2020 4:18 PM by Jase DeBoer

For some, winter is a time to stash the outdoor furniture and get ready to watch the snow pile up on the deck until the spring thaw. For others, it’s a time to enjoy the deck in other ways, with outdoor heaters, fire pits, grills that never get stored and holiday décor. As a contractor, your clients can fall into both categories and will come to you with questions on how to properly winterize their deck. It’s important to be prepared for these questions, and ProWood® is he...

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How to Build a Chevron Privacy Panel

Posted 3 October 2019 4:18 PM by Jase DeBoer

If you're looking for ways to incorporate more privacy into your outdoor space, a chevron privacy panel is the perfect way to go. A privacy panel is surprisingly easy to build and can be completed within one Saturday afternoon. With these simple steps, you can create the ideal privacy panel for your backyard. What you'll need:  24 x 1x6x8' Pressure-treated boards  2 x 4x4x8' Pressure-treated posts  3 x 2x4x6' Pressure-treated boards  4 x Stamped brackets ...

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Stair Stringers

Posted 31 August 2019 8:43 PM by Jase DeBoer
Edited 08/31/2019

Building stairs can seem like a daunting task, and the stair stringer is often the most complicated part. While purchasing precut stringers is an option, you can also cut your own stair stringers. Here are some pro tips to ensure success during your project.  Cut Your Own Stringers    Start by using either a 2"x12" or 2"x14" piece of lumber. You should cut the first stringer to your specifications, and then use that stringer as a guide for the rest. Be sure to treat the ends with ...

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