Is it Safe to Use a Fire Pit on My Deck?

Posted 15 November 2022 3:09 PM by ProWood

Nothing better than sitting by the fire, surrounded by friends and s’mores. But is your fire pit located in a safe place? If it is on your deck, take the correct precautions so you can enjoy it all year long. Recommended Actions: 1. Check your local codes for residential rules; some counties restrict open flames. Additionally, check your local zoning ordinances to ensure your fire pit is placed a safe distance from your house; at least 20-25 feet away from your house or combustible stru...

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How to Winterize Your Deck the Right Way

Posted 25 October 2022 8:19 PM by ProWood

With winter arriving in the next couple of months, many of us are starting a to-do list for our outdoor entertainment space before the ground freezes. Be prepared with these five essential steps: 1. Store Your Outdoor Furniture The first thing to do is to remove all outdoor furniture from your deck, or you’ll risk the cold weather damaging it, especially the weight of the snow. It’s best to store everything in a dry, dark place. Don’t have an organized place to store i...

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How to Spruce Up Your Outdoor Entertainment Space

Posted 12 August 2022 3:14 PM by ProWood

Backyard parties make up some of the best summer moments and it most likely consists of games, meals, and pool time. So you can be prepared with the essentials, here are three project plans that you should have ready for your next gathering. Cornhole Boards & Bags Yard games are always a hit during the summer. Building your own cornhole boards and bags allow you the opportunity to customize boards with paint or stain. It’s the perfect way to show off your favorite sports team or colle...

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Should I Paint My Wood Deck?

Posted 28 July 2022 3:24 PM by ProWood

Although Pinterest and several DIY influencers show projects that involve painting a wood deck, we never see what it looks like after a few months in Mother Nature. Cracking, peeling, and flaking can occur due to the boards constantly expanding and contracting with the natural pattern of the weather. Eventually, the paint will bubble or chip and need repair.    Why Won’t Paint Last? Painting a deck requires a lot of time and labor, and it demands more to maintain every year....

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How to Take Care of Pressure-Treated Lumber

Posted 6 June 2022 7:29 PM by ProWood

Whether you are building a new deck or fence, or just getting your current one ready for the season, learn how to protect your pressure-treated lumber against natural rot and decay to enjoy it for years to come.

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Bold New Look. Same Trusted Quality.

Posted 3 May 2022 12:35 PM by ProWood

This month, we are officially introducing our new bold, black end tags. ProWood is committed to education, making it easier than ever for you to find the right treated lumber for your project. Each end tag features the ProWood logo as well as a color bar that indicates the treatment type and appropriate application. Build Better Projects Being able to understand the capabilities, and also the limits, of treated lumber can ensure projects and structures are built to last. With these, our fo...

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How ProWood is Prioritizing Sustainability

Posted 4 April 2022 1:06 PM by ProWood

Many of us are diving into the first outdoor project of the season. And with Earth Day approaching this month, we all should take some time to understand the products that are a part of our daily lives and how they impact the world around us. Sustainability is important to us, and we know it’s important to you too. ProWood is SCS certified; our MCA (micronized copper azole) treated lumber has received Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) status and NGBS Green Certification. What does t...

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How to Build a Set of Outdoor Christmas Trees

Posted 16 December 2021 8:36 PM by Jase DeBoer

Need a quick Christmas gift for a loved one? Want some long-lasting December décor that’ll outlive any inflatable? Try building this ProWood® Christmas tree trio! Cuts are simple and the overall build can be completed in an afternoon. Handmade gifts are always appreciated, especially when time and care are spent in the building process.  Make As Many As You’d Like! These are easy to customize and build, which allows you to get creative with your trees and build as m...

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How to Build a Mailbox Snow Plow Shield

Posted 16 December 2021 8:34 PM by Jase DeBoer

If snow is falling,  snow plows are on the roads. Moving at high speeds, these large vehicles can easily take out your mailbox in an instant. Installing a mailbox snow plow shield will protect you from having to replace your broken mailbox in the dead of winter when the ground is frozen and unmanageable.  Why Do I Need a Mailbox Snow Plow Shield? If you live in an area with regular snowfall, or if you simply want a decorative house number display, a snow plow shield can serve multiple...

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Why You Shouldn't Build With Pallets

Posted 10 December 2021 4:05 PM by Jase DeBoer

Pallets are easy to come by at typically little to no cost. Although they’re perfect for transporting large items, they may not be the best building material for that new set of outdoor chairs, table or anything else that requires structural integrity. We’re breaking down why you shouldn’t use pallets for your next project and, more importantly, what you should build with instead. Pallets Are Typically Rough Sawn If your project is any sort of furniture, you’ll likely b...

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How to Build an Outdoor Storage Box

Posted 20 November 2021 12:59 AM by Jase DeBoer

If you’re a homeowner, you may find yourself needing outdoor storage for various needs. Whether that be pool supplies, animal feed, toys or gardening essentials, this box is large enough to fit a 55-gallon storage tub.    Completely Customizable This particular project plan was built with 1” x 6” boards; however, if you wish to build with 2” x 4” or 1'' x 8” boards, that adjustment can be made easily. Whatever board size you choose to use, you can ...

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Build or Buy Your Outdoor Playset

Posted 18 November 2021 1:08 PM by Jase DeBoer

With extended time at home, parents may be considering adding a playset to their backyard as a way to entertain the littles. Many large home centers sell kitted playsets; however, there are many upsides to building your own from scratch. We have a free playset project plan and the resources to get you started. [Download Free Playset Project Plan]   Quality Control While playset kits come with precut lumber, important information regarding treatment type, quality and rating may not be av...

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Choosing the Right Lumber for Your Project

Posted 25 October 2021 12:28 PM by Jase DeBoer

Planning to build your next project can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure what type of lumber you need. There are many types of treatment methods, applications, species and grades — all of which can make choosing the right lumber overwhelming. We’ve outlined the most typical applications and tips on choosing the right lumber for them. Light Duty For small builds, indoors or out, light duty lumber is an ideal choice. Typically rough-sawn and pressure treated, this is ex...

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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 ProWood Staff

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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