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Decking How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our decking step-by-step tips & ideas.

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Deck Defense: How To Protect Your Outdoor Space

Looking for the best decking treatment? Here's a guide to the cleaners, finishes, and techniques for making your wood deck look new again.
Nathan Gilbert shares how to choose and use cable railing systems with Kevin O'Connor.
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How to Choose and Maintain Cable Railing Systems

In this video, This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert shows host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about installing cable railings and maintaining them over time.
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How to Build a Deck Gate

This sturdy but simple exterior gate is affordable, easy to build, and will make any porch or deck a safer place to hang out. Follow this guide to learn how to build a deck gate yourself.
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How to Refinish Deck Railings

This Old House paint expert Mauro Henrique shows a homeowner how to breathe new life into those old, splintery handrails.
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How to Install Deck Rail Lighting

Ask This Old House master electrician, Heath Eastman, installs undermount, LED deck railing lights for a homeowner whose only deck lighting includes a single, bright spotlight.
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How to Build Storage Under Your Deck

Need more storage? Here’s how to use the area under your deck to create additional storage space for all kinds of items.
Mark Powers restores a weathered deck
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How to Restore a Weathered Deck

Read these techniques for refurbishing an old deck.
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How to Attach a Deck to a House

Install a new deck, or reattach an existing one, that is set up to last.
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How to Fix a Wobbly Deck

Learn more about the two common causes for a wobbly deck and how to stabilize your space.
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Protect a Deck with Pot Feet

This quick fix will keep your deck and your plants happy
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Prepping to Stain Like a Pro

Nick Slavik demonstrates how to prep and clean two very different decks—one old and weathered, and one brand-new pine— in anticipation of restaining and finishing with two very different coatings from Behr.
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How to Repair Rising Deck Boards

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps diagnose a problem with composite decking coming loose
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Add a Drainage System Under Raised Decks

Keep the area dry for storage or added living space
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Build It | Cedar Deck Box Planter

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor build a deck box planter using western red cedar.
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How to Add a Little Mood Lighting to Your Deck

Use energy-efficient LEDs to cast a warm glow on the deck, stairs, and trees, and you can extend the party (safely) into the night
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How to Install Decking

On a new front porch, Tom Silva shows Kevin O'Connor how to install mahogany decking with hidden fasteners and perfectly mitered joints
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How to Install Fiesta String Lights

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner install fiesta string lights to get the party started in Texas
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How to Install a Shade Sail

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor has two simple sun-blocking solutions for keeping a deck and home cool during the summer
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How to Install a Cable Deck Railing

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva installs a cable railing on a deck in Greenwich Village, New York
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How to Revive a Beat-Up Deck

Coat cracked and dried-out boards with sand-impregnated paint to bring them back to life
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All About Hardwood Decking

Ipe is the gold standard, but plenty of other species stack up quite nicely on looks and longevity, often at a lower price
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How to Restore a Deck

Follow the prep instructions carefully and paint on a specialty coating to preserve weathered boards for years to come
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16 Ways to Customize Your Deck

16 upgrades and add-ons to create a more attractive and usable backyard deck
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How to Replace a Deck Post

Shoring up an old deck with new supports with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva
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How to Pour a Concrete Deck Footing

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to dig and pour concrete supports
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DIY Backyard Projects for Summertime

Here are a handful of ways to create a more beautiful and relaxing outdoor space.
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How to Replace Deck Stair Balusters

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares some tricks of the trade for accurately cutting and assembling railing supports
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How to Safely Attach a Deck to a House

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to save a wood deck from a catastrophic collapse
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How to Install a Sliding Glass Door

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to open up a wall for a large glass slider
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How to Build a Durable Backyard Retreat

Composite decking is a beautiful, high performance, and environmentally-friendly way to create the outdoor oasis you've always wanted
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With Deck and Patio, a Backyard Fully Built for Family

Forget grass: For this young family, a handsome wood deck that steps down to a brick patio comprises the ideal chilling, cooking, playing, and entertaining space
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How to Choose a Deck Finish

In this instructional video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor discuss picking the perfect wood-deck finish
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Read This Before You Build Your Deck

Don't lift a finger without our time-tested guidance on making all the right choices for this popular outdoor project