This Old House advice on outdoor decks, decking materials, rails, furniture, finishes, and more

Decks: Featured Article

Outdoor Living Room

Create an Outdoor Living Room

Salvaged windows, weathered seating, and rustic garden ornaments turn a small deck into an enchanted 
spot for entertaining. Here’s how to put together a similar space in your yard. … more

Q&A


Q: There are big gaps between the posts and railings on my deck. Please help! By the way, before I was born, my older sisters, who'd been watching This Old House since they were babies, wanted to name me Norm Abram Genet.

—Emily Genet, O'Fallon, MO.

Tips


When installing new pressure-treated decking, butt the ends of the boards tightly together as you fasten them down. The boards will shrink as they dry out, resulting in the appropriate-size gap of 1/4 to 3/8 inches between the boards.

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