September-October 2013 Table of Contents

A friend introduced me to Heatcon’s thermal blanket system, and I’ve been using it ever since to bend composite and PVC boards. Read more

Flexible synthetic lumber makes it easier to add curved details to decks Read more

Always seal cut ends of lumber, even when it's pressure treated Read more

The price is right, but is freeware actually useful to deck builders? Read more

In addition to supporting deck loads, these critical joints must be designed to resist uplift, beam rotation, and lateral loads. Read more

Compact and lightweight, these guns are easy to maneuver in tight spaces overhead. Read more

This new polymer coating promises high corrosion resistance Read more

Brackets from Sage Bracket Solutions elevate the patio roof for more headroom and better ventilation Read more

Douglas fir glulams for exterior use Read more

Vinyl panels keep the area under the deck dry Read more

At 3,700 square feet, this project by Paradise Decking in North Carolina dwarfs many an indoor-living space Read more

Contractors are required to follow permitting rules that should be black and white but are often gray Read more

Have an effective safety program, properly classify your employees, and make sure your subs carry their own workers’ comp coverage Read more

When heat-forming curves with synthetic decking, Azek and other cellular PVC products produce the most reliable results Read more

Columns assembled from four 2x6s can be substituted for 6x6 deck posts, as long as the assembly is engineered and meets the requirements of your building inspector Read more

Landings or platforms that are large enough to accommodate a couple of chairs probably now need to have an electrical outlet too Read more