What a deck actually returns at resale (it's not what Remodeling says)
The honest numbers on deck ROI, which builds pay back, which don't, and why composite hurts resale on paper.
The DeckCalc blog
Notes from the joist. Opinionated, specific, occasionally dusty.
Putting a hot tub on a deck without killing anyone
Load math, footing upgrades, and the Simpson Strong-Tie hardware you need when you add 5,000 pounds of water over your joists.
Wood deck maintenance over 10 years, the real cost
Stain, seal, board replacement, and the failure mode nobody warns you about in year 8. Full TCO on pressure-treated.
The one detail that causes deck collapses: ledger board attachment
Why nails fail, why bolts work, and the Z-flashing step half of DIYers skip. With the Simpson Strong-Tie hardware list.
Trex vs TimberTech vs Azek, the honest composite comparison
Three premium decking brands, real per-sqft pricing, warranty read-through, and what the sales rep won't tell you.
When you need a deck permit (and when you truly don't)
A plain-English guide to IRC permit triggers, HOA overlap, and the three-inch height difference that decides everything.
Hidden fasteners explained: CAMO, Cortex, and when to splurge
Face-screws vs hidden clip systems vs plug kits. Cost, install time, and which wood and composite combos each system loves.
Deck railing cost guide, wood to cable, $30 to $180 per foot
Why railings are the line item that blows the budget. Real per-foot math for wood, composite, aluminum, glass, and cable.
A realistic DIY deck weekend, hour-by-hour for 280 sqft
What actually happens across three weekends when two people build a ground-level PT deck. Schedule, snags, tools, real costs.
Composite vs wood deck, a 25-year total cost breakdown
Wood is cheaper up front. Composite is cheaper over a decade-and-a-half. Here's the math, year by year.
Need a cost estimate first? Head to the deck calculator. Got a post idea? Send it over.