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...

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. ...

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...

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...

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 ...

Summer is right around the corner. Warm weather, long days by the pool and cookouts call for a celebration. If you need to get your outdoor space in tip-top shape for the summer months ahead, we’ve got you covered with quick tips and weekend flips. Quick Tips: Sun Exposure Sunshine is great but too much sun can make it uncomfortable to enjoy your outdoor space. When building a deck or other outdoor structure, pay attention to the orientation of the sun. For example, if you build a pergol...

Pressure-treated lumber can be used in many ways to optimize your outdoor living space. You can use it to add a deck, pergola, outdoor seating or even landscaping elements such as lattice. No matter what stage you’re at in the building process, we’re sharing four design tips you can use when adding new outdoor structure or updating existing structures. Deck Patterns If you’re at the very beginning stages of planning your deck build, consider the many pattern possibilities avai...

Say “No” to notching pressure-treated deck posts. We want you to build an outdoor railing system that you, your family and guests can enjoy without worrying about safety issues. In order to do so, you need to know this building shortcut is not advisable, and we recommend avoiding it at all costs. When you notch your railing posts, creating a lip that extends over the deck or porch boards, the outward thrust is significantly reduced. Unfortunately, notching railing posts is a practice...

Let’s face it: Homeownership comes with an array of projects. Some of these projects can be small, and some can become quite large. Depending on what you have on your to-do list, determining if you should take on a project or reach out to a contractor is an important decision. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before getting started: Is it more cost-effective if I do the job? Do I have the right equipment for this project? If no, then I need to consider those cost...

Lattice be your go-to guide for all your treated lumber tips, tricks and trends! See what we did there? On a more serious note, we’re taking a look at lattice and sharing our top uses for this timeless product. Lattice not only looks great as a piecrust, but it can also be a delightful addition as décor inside your home or as an outdoor solution. ProWood® offers a variety of lattice styles and sizes to complement your next project. 1. Privacy We all need it. We all want some p...