May-June 2016 Table of Contents

Featured
Railing Manufacturers Want Your Business Railing Manufacturers Want Your Business

In a market dominated by site-built wood railings, makers of manufactured components are looking for an edge Read more

LETTERS Inspecting Decks

An experienced deck contractor is probably better qualified than a design pro to inspect a deck for possible problems Read more

LETTERS High-End Deck Failures

High-end decks are just as likely to have construction defects as low-end decks Read more

Deck Tension Tie Products Deck Tension Tie

The new adjustable USP ADTT-TZ from MiTek is designed to resist lateral loads Read more

Joist Flashing Tape Products Joist Flashing Tape

Add a layer of protection to the tops of deck joists and beams Read more

Concealed Beam Tie Products Concealed Beam Tie

Simpson's CBTZ connects a beam with a post without a lot of metal showing Read more

Outdoor Entertainment Centers Products Outdoor Entertainment Centers

Continuing the trend of bringing the indoors out, Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens has introduced a line of entertainment centers for the backyard Read more

Rice-Husk Composite Products Rice-Husk Composite

Unlike plastic-composite products made with wood in the mix, TruGrain decking and porch flooring are made from a composite material including rice husks Read more

Inside-Look Deck Finish Products Inside-Look Deck Finish

Applied in two coats, Cabot Gold finish is designed to make a wood deck look more like an interior floor Read more

Structural Vinyl Columns Products Structural Vinyl Columns

The LandMarke Builder's Vinyl Column from Fairway can be cut on site to the desired height Read more

Accent Light for Posts Products Accent Light for Posts

The new powder-coated LED fixture from Feeney matches company's DesignRail aluminum railing Read more

Installing a Composite Rail Kit Installing a Composite Rail Kit

Prefabricated components take the guesswork out of building good-looking railings for decks and porches. Read more

Midwest Deck Makeover EYE FOR DESIGN Midwest Deck Makeover

Lighted garden columns and a matching lighted corner post add a Craftsman aesthetic to this Detroit deck. Read more

Playing With Fire Day's End Playing With Fire

A waterfall built into a privacy wall dances in the firelight at night. Read more

How Neat Do Joist Hangers Need To Be? How Neat Do Joist Hangers Need To Be?

Why shims probably aren't the best solution when there's a gap between the bottom of a deck joist and the seat of the joist hanger. Read more

Pier Protection Reader Tips Pier Protection

Using contractor trash bags as drop cloths around footings makes cleanup fast and easy Read more

Letters Do You Know Where Your Deck Photos Are?

A deck builder recalls his surprise at seeing a photo of one of his ipe decks being used in promotional materials for bamboo Read more

Down on the Boardwalk Down on the Boardwalk

Built over wetlands, this handicap-accessible boardwalk was built on helical piles rather than conventional concrete piers to minimize its environmental impact. Read more

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