DIY Deck Building, Deck Design, and Patio and Deck Maintenance

How-to Tips on Building and Maintaining Decks and Patios





A deck or patio extends your home’s living space to the outdoors. Deck building begins with a solid deck design. Regular deck maintenance is necessary for keeping your deck looking new.

Building a deck or patio onto your home, or replacing your home’s old deck or patio can provide for some wonderful outdoor home space. However before beginning a deck building project it is important that you first have a solid deck design and consider a few important factors.

Factors to be considered in the deck design include deck size, deck location, and deck building material.

You should also consider the purpose of the deck as this will help in providing answers to the other deck design factors.

Included in the articles below is information on deck building and patio and deck design. Some of the material provides detailed instructions on how to build a deck. In addition we discuss various decking materials, including the use of wood decking, such as mahogany, and composite decking materials.

Also, if you are planning to have a deck installed take a look at our Deck Installation Bid Sheet. It will provide you with all the deck building information you need to help you ask the right questions when finding a decking contractor. It will help ensure you get a high quality constructed deck at an affordable price.

Deck Building and Deck Maintenance Videos 

Building Decks and Maintaining Decks

Patios, Awnings and Umbrellas

Deck Building Material Types

Building Docks

Tools for Building Decks


For help on building a deck, see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Deck Installation Bid Sheet. The Deck Installation Bid Sheet will teach your how to hire the right deck contractor, and help to ensure that your deck project is completed on time and budget.


Additional Deck Building and Design Resources


Get Free Deck Building Price Quotes with No Obligation!

Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote on decks from one of our pre-screened and licensed deck contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you receive your decks price estimate.