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Show For anyone desiring more living space, decks offer an easy, attractive and cost-effective cost-effective solution. They connect indoor space to the outdoors, integrate home and landscape, land-scape, make use of damp or rough terrain and even add an element of class and craftsmanship craftsman-ship to the home. A ground level deck may be the simplest way to expand outdoors. Attached to the house or freestanding, decks remain one of the fastest ways to create usable space. Shallow pools, tubs and planters work well when set into a deck, or it may be a good place to drop in that hot tub or attach a gazebo. Like any expansion project, decks require careful planning. Think about its intended use, environment and style when deciding placement, size and design. The novice do-it-yourselfer, with a little expert assistance, a solid plan and a helping hand, is more than qualified for the job. Measuring carefully and having a little patience will ensure the job gets done right the first time. Choosing materials Start by evaluating quality decking material that suits your tastes. There is a wide range of choices, but perhaps the most popular natural material is western red cedar - and for good reason, according to the experts. "Natural qualities qual-ities of western red make it an excellent choice," said Peter Lang, general manager of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. "It's stable, yet resilient, lightweight and naturally natu-rally durable without the need for chemical treatment. Better yet, it stays cool on hot summer sum-mer days, unlike some plastic or wood compos ite products." Lang said the natural compounds in the wood specifically resist rot and mildew, and release the fragrance unique to western red cedar. Building basics Let's assume the choice is western red cedar. It comes in a range of patterns pat-terns and sizes and can be selected to suit personal per-sonal tastes and durability needs. As for color, western red cedar boards range from light amber to deep honey brown. Now, it's time to remember a few basic tips that can make or literally break the project. Space deck boards apart to allow proper water drainage, because decks that dry quickly will last longer. Moisture and debris may collect where joints occur over joists, so make sure to leave a drainage space - about 18 inch -between the ends of boards. Hot-dipped galvanized, galva-nized, aluminum and stainless steel nails are all corrosion-resistant and make good fasteners. fasten-ers. Double hot-dipped galvanized screws can also be used. Electro-plated nails are not recommended, rec-ommended, and avoid stainless steel screws. Blind fastening systems create a fastener-free deck surface. In all cases, the fasteners should be long enough to penetrate support and structural components by about 1 12 inches. Protecting the deck Before the summer barbecue begins, there remains one last critical step. Apply a protective protec-tive finish soon after deck construction to prevent pre-vent surface degradation. Water-repellent preservatives and semi-transparent stains are the best choices to capture and retain the beau ty of the wood. Choose from a broad spectrum of colors. "Western red is quite versatile and accepts a variety of stains and coatings to create cre-ate the particular look the homeowner wants," said Lang. For the best results, be sure to select a finish that contains water-repellent fungicide and mildewcide, and protection against ultraviolet light. Each type of finish will come with specific instructions, so always follow the guidelines from the finish manufacturer. In general, apply a finish when the moisture content has stabilized at the level that will prevail pre-vail during the life of the wood. Lightly scuff smooth cedar with sandpaper prior to applying the finish. Easy maintenance Proper maintenance practices for cedar decks include allowing proper water drainage; sweeping the surface to remove loose dirt, leaves, pine-needles and other debris; and moving mov-ing planters, benches and other deck accessories acces-sories from time to time to permit the deck to dry thoroughly. Depending on the finish used and the climate, a deck may need cleaning and refinishing every two to five years. Decks provide beauty and increased value to any home - not to mention an ideal space for entertaining and relaxing. For more information informa-tion about deck construction and maintenance, talk with an expert at a home improvement store or visit the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association Web site at www.realcedar.org. 'Courtesy ofARA Content. 11 5 '.J . 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