When you’re ready to install that backyard deck you’ve been wanting, you may be thinking to yourself, “Where do I even begin?” That’s a good question to ask, and most homeowners have asked themselves that same question. From the planning stages to design all the way to installation, ProWood® can help you determine where to begin. After all, we do know a thing or two about decks. Plan A standard deck size is either going to be 10’ x 10’ or 12’ ...

The simple answer is yes, but there are safety precautions to keep in mind before lighting those logs. 1. Clear your deck of leaves and other debris that could possibly spark a fire from flying embers. 2. Check with your local zoning ordinances to make sure your fire pit is a safe distance from your house. While checking local codes, look for rules related to open flames. Some counties have fire restrictions in residential areas. 3. Don’t place your fire pit directly on your deck. The ...

The ghosts and goblins of Halloween have passed and before we know it, winter will be here (and for some of us… that means snow!).  Before you pack it in for the season, here are a few helpful tips to protect your ProWood® deck this winter.    Before snow: If you have read our previous blog about Fall Maintenance, you’re ahead of the game! We shared a few pointers to make sure your deck is safe by checking the deck boards and hand rails, fixing loose screws and mu...

Sparklers, fireworks, red, white, and blue, an ice cold American beer, family and friends – they all sound like a recipe for a great Fourth of July celebration. Nothing beats the laughter and memories made on your ProWood® deck. Whatever size your deck is, you can always use some additional entertainment space. Check out our top 3 project plans that will give you just that! Deck Post Table: Build a table around your deck post. This table gives guests more area to set their drinks or pl...

A thorough safety inspection can give you peace of mind in knowing your deck is safe for entertaining friends and family. ProWood® has you covered with these five safety inspection tips:  Inspect the Fasteners  Check nails, screws or anchors, and replace any rusted or corroded fasteners.  Tighten loose screws, and install fasteners in places where they are missing.  Examine the Wood  Look for any deck boards, support posts, joists and ledger board that...

If you’re planning to build a deck or add to your existing deck, check out these top five deck trends for 2017. 1. Picture Framing Give your deck a finished look with a picture frame design, which got its name from framing a deck like it’s a piece of art. It can be as simple as adding a single board around the perimeter of the deck. Adding two or three single boards takes it to the next level of sophistication and creates a clean, finished look that beautifully conceals the ends of ...

It’s winter! White snow. Warm fires. Family gatherings. It’s a beautiful time of year, no matter where you live.  Maybe your home gets blanketed with snow, or maybe you hang ornaments on palm trees for the holidays. No matter where you are, we have a few decorating ideas for you. First, make sure your  deck is winterized (check out our previous blog on how to prepare your deck for the winter months). Once that’s done,  it’s time to spruce it up for the ho...

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 (if that’s you, we have important information for you below). For some, it’s a time to enjoy the deck in other ways, with outdoor heaters, fire pits, grills that never get stored and holiday décor (if that’s you, we’ll have a lot of info for you in our next few blogs). Either way, it’s important to prepare your deck for your win...

Did you know that May is Deck Safety month? It’s a great time to check your deck to ensure years of carefree enjoyment. According to the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), approximately 50% of residential decks are over 25 years old. That’s 20 million decks! While there is no substitute for a professional deck inspection, there are a few things you can check to ensure the safety of your deck:     Adequate ventilation under deck   &nb...

We're embracing the recent ground contact standard changes set forth by the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) in February of 2016. The new standards released by the AWPA recommend that current above ground treated lumber applications must now adhere to (UC4A) ground contact requirements when they’re: difficult to maintain, repair or replace (such as deck joists or ledger boards) and critical to the performance and safety of the entire system/construction installed less t...