The layout of your deck sleepers will depend on the layout of your decking. If you want a standard decking design — all the deck boards running one direction — all you need are rows of parallel ...

A friend recently called me and asked for some suggestions for a new deck that he was building at his lake house. Turns out I ...

Before you begin any construction project, understanding your local codes and permitting requirements is essential. Since these vary from town to town, you should ask your township for a detailed list ...

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Traditional wood decking can be beautiful—picture the silvery-gray patina of aged cedar—but one thing is ...

In early 2020, my family and I hired pros to tear off the stone steps, wrapped with a waist-height rock wall, at the back of our house. The steps were nearly 100 years old, and the entire fixture was ...

Q: What’s the ideal spacing to leave between deck boards during installation? I always thought it was the thickness of a 3 ½-inch nail, but I’ve been told to install deck boards tight because they’ll ...

Kelly has over 10 years of experience writing about home design and improvement for many prominent publications. She also spent several years working at a tech startup for an interior design game ...

Ginny Bartolone began writing DIY and home improvement guides nearly 10 years ago, covering everything from energy-efficient appliances to cracked foundations. Whether she's compiling cost information ...