question:
What is the square foot cost for decks made with treks ?
what is the cost differance between the new type deck material and treated wood, what is the average square foot cost for each.
I am in the Chicago land area.
answer:
http://www.trex.com/faqs/
Certainly the base cost for materials is higher than treated lumber, and many might advise a different trade name. TREX was first and still evolving. Above is there official site, that will offer pricing in a general sense perhaps, but factors such as where it's purchased should be considered.
Any Lowes or HD, given a materials list and measurements can price the cost at their contractor desk. That would not include labor to install.
Steven Wolf
AKA: The Deck Doc
Just my 2 "sense"
question:
I want to put a hot tube on my deck and I need to know what size beam and posts to use?
The hot tub is 7'6" x 7.5' square and has a filled weight of 4000 lbs. I figure I would add another 1000 lbs. for people weight for a total of 5000 lbs. live load. 5000 / (7.5 7.5) = 88.9 lbs. per square foot. Plus dead load of 15 psf, and I end up with a total of 104 psf which I need to support.
The deck joists will be pressure treated 2x6 place on 16" centers and the top decking material will be 2x6's placed flat on the joists and screwed down with 3" deck screws.
What I need to find out is what size beams should I use and how far should I space out my post holes. I want to use pressure treated 4x4 for my posts, placed on concrete pier blocks that will be cemented into my post holes.. I think I have everything covered except how to calculate my beam size, spans and spacing.
answer:
Just went thru the same thing and to cover that weight, btw mine came in at 4124 lbs I followed Lowes Deck building guide..you are on the right track
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/BldDck.html&rn=RightNavFiles/rightNavHowTo
Also keep in mind that you will need a 60 Amp gfci circuit to the hot tub w/3 wire #6 THHN...that will be three wires plus a ground....good luck to you..its a fun project
question:
how can i get better prices on building materials or home improvement materials?
Home depot and lowes seem over-priced. How can I get decking materials, faucet fixtures, ect. at lower prices?
answer:
Check online, go to mexico or buy in bulk.
question:
how much a square foot is trex decking?
im trying to find out how much to charge for a 90 square foot floor deck 5 quarter by 6. im going to need to know how much the deck material is inorder to know what to charge for the job. Iam just going over the existing flooring after i resecure it and then lay my decking right over the old one ;was thinking 10 per square foot labor and material i think the decking goes for like 5 per square foot?
answer:
Hi Tommy,
Call Lowes or Home Depot - they sell it. They don't sell it by the square foot. They sell it by the linear foot but you can calculate it. I think you are low but they will let you know.
Take care,
PS: Considering what Doc said (I don't think Doc realized you were quoting it with materials): I think that the Trex alone will cost you close to sq.ft. and since you are including materials in the price you may very well do this job for nothing if you're not careful. I'm not even going to comment on the merits of putting it over an existing deck. I will assume that is what the owner wants and leave it at that.
question:
Can I use bleach to clean composite (ChoiceDek) deck?
We built a deck from grey composite material sold by Lowes through ChoiceDek brand name. I see a lot of advice about cleaning decks with bleach. Is it safe for composite? If not, please suggest alternatives. ChoiceDek is supposed to be maintenance free, but our deck receives a lot of abuse from trees around it - lots of stains from sap, leaves, mold, etc. Help? Thanks!
answer:
Yes it's safe. I have about 2000 sf of the same decking and have used bleach. There are a couple products out that will help as the multiple issues you have explained won't be handled by just one.
Start with TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) available at Lowes. It will clean up most of the issues. It's a powder you mix in a bucket with water. Put it on with a mop and get any tough spots with a broom.
Clean up any sap with mineral spirits thinner (not paint or lacquer thinner). Mineral spirits won't hurt your deck and is also available at lowes.
If you still have any mold or mildew left bleach and water or "60 Seconds" which is a more powerful bleach available at Lowes. Make sure you rinse well after the TSP before using the bleach products as they don't mix well.
That should take care of most any dirt, mold, or sap problems you have.
All of the above is tried and tested on my own deck with no ill effects. It's a beautiful as the day we installed it.
question:
How much should it cost to have an 800 sf composite deck installed?
Preferred material is Trex Brasilia
One staircase, one platform.
Looking for cost estimates with rails and all support structure included.
answer:
This is pretty cool. Go to the Lowes web site and find the link for the project center build your deck then you can print it out. Then you can get quotes. www.lowes.com
question:
Where can I find a hardwood flooring material that isn't a cheap laminate?
I understand there is a product available that combines hardwood and plastic. But it looks like it's only for decks. I want something for my great room that is durable and able to be refinished in the future as needed.
answer:
Lowes, Home Depot, and other home improvement stores.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_238666-972-CM733_4294856493+4294838444_4294937087_?productId=3027177&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl_Solid_4294856493%2B4294838444_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&facetInfo=Solid
question:
What is the price per square foot of composite decking?
How does it compare to the price per square foot of treated lumber decking? Is the composite decking worth the cost difference? Thank You!
answer:
Your best bet is to call your local lumber distributer, i.e. Lowe's, Home Depot, 84 Lumber, etc. and ask them their prices. You can tell them the dimensions of the deck you're wanting to build and they'll tell you the total cost of materials to build it. Ask them the pros and cons of both products. I worked at Lowe's from 2005-2006. In my opinion, the composite decking will last a lot longer than the pressure treated lumber. The composite is a little more expensive since it holds up longer, but I would recommend it. And you won't have to worry about splinters!
question:
What type of cleaner can I use on my deck furniture umbrella?
Just opened up my umbrella for my deck furniture and noticed all kinds of mold and mildew. The material is a dark tan so I can't bleach it but want to get rid of the dirt and mold and green moss. It would be hard to scrub the fabric so maybe something that I can spray and then hose down?
Thanks!
answer:
I use the DampRid Mold and Mildew cleaner and protector for fabrics available in the cleaning aisle at the Lowes. I've used Krud Kutter before and it works to clean off the mildew and algae green stuff, but it does not protect the fabric from having more mildew grow (like if you put the umbrellas down during rain and high wind). The DampRid kills the root of the mold and mildew, then leaves a residue that keeps it from growing again. I have 4 umbrellas out there and treat them at the beginning and end of each season, now I don't open them up to grossness any more.
question:
What material should i use for my outdoor mini ramp?
ok, so me and my dad are thinking of building a mini ramp for skateboarding, and i was wondering what material/paint would be be for layering it. We live in connecticut, so it would be exposed to rain/snow, though it would probably be covered in tarp in winter. What material and paint should i use to protect it, how much should be used, where can i buy it and how much will it cost?
answer:
You can coat the sides and decks with any weather resistant type of deck protector, but for the skating surface, I wouldn't paint it or coat it. Try to find 4x8 sheets of stuff called "skatelite" or "ramp-armor". Those work the best. Definitely don't use regular masonite sheets on an outdoor ramp unless they are weather treated or you don't mind replacing them on a regular basis. You can ask at Home Depot or Lowe's or a local wood supplier about weather treated masonite, and they can help you hopefully.
Oh and don't forget to use weather resistant or decking screws.
Good luck!!
question:
How much is a linear foot of trex decking?
I would like to add a small deck in backyard. It would probably be 8X12 nothing fancy, My father will be doing the work but I am curious of how much the material alone would be for this project. I don't know if it's makes a difference but I am looking to get the white color.
I live in Boston,MA if that helps with an estimated price.
answer:
Go to your local Lowes web site and you'll get their price. $/lineal foot won't help you much as you need a width value. From Lowes Trex 1 x 6 x 16 Accents Saddle Composite Decking .
question:
Is it possible to build a fence out of composite materials?
They make decks out of composite boards, but have they come out with composite fence boards? And I am not talking about the white plastic fencing that Lowes and Home Depot sell. Anyone know?
The reason I asked about the material for fence boards is that I wasn't sure deck boards would be suitable for a fence. Wouldn't deck planks be a lot thicker for a fence than normal wooden fence planks? Don, I heard about Trex today, but I always thought composite decks were really strong. I'm shocked to hear they aren't.
answer:
I built a fence using Trex brand materials. The rails need to be very well supported because this material does not have the stiffness of real wood.
question:
Best material to use on a roof for our deck?
We our covering our deck with a roof. We were wondering if anyone has any suggestions on which material to use out of the three. Metal, PVC, or Fiberglass? We are afraid that the metal will be too hot and make our deck a sauna, is this true? And what about the wear and tear on PVC and Fiberglass, does it crack easily after a few years in direct sun and snow?
answer:
I had the fiberglass for about 20 yrs but got alot of mildew because of it being so porous, have had the PVC panels now for about 10 yrs with the translucent color and it's bright and airy. I live in the northeast and it took the snow very well, my joist's are 2 ft apart and 10 ft long spanning an area that's 10x25 feet. I purchased mine at Lowes because home depot didn't meet my expectations in the quality. It still looks like day one and if you'd like to see a picture feel free to e-mail me, good luck Les the painter
question:
What is a resonable price for a 10x19 Screen Porch?
Porch would have decking for flooring and a tongue and groove ceiling. Three electrical outlets and pre-wired for a ceiling fan. Also a storm screen door rather then a wooden screen door. Need to know what a good price would be for adding a porch to my home.
answer:
Although you have provided more information than most people who post this type of question, there still is insufficient information to provide a good answer. Someone might hazard a guess as to a price based on square footage, but it would still be a guess at best and will almost certainly be way off base.
Structurally, you describe building a room with a traditional roof and overhang that should match your house. You have not mentioned the pitch of the existing roof of your house ... the porch roof should match. Screen panels between roof support posts replace a framed solid wall. You do not indicate whether the screen area will fun from floor to ceiling or if there will be a knee wall around the perimeter. I assume that the deck that makes up the floor would be built in a manner that accomodates the load of the roof above. You have not indicated the height of the deck off of the ground. You have specified an exit door, but without the height off the ground, it is impossible to estimate the price of a landing and flight of stairs. And on ... and on ... and on. You get the picture.
The best advice I can give you is to hire someone to design your room, provide a set of drawings, and write you a set of specifications. For a project of this type, you should be able to get this done for 0.00 or less. It will be the best money you spend on your project.
Once you are satisfied with your plans and specifications, it is time to let them out for bid. Choose three or four reputable contractors in your area and have them submit bids to build your project based on your plans and specs. Your buying decision will be simplified because they are all bidding on exactly the same project.
If you intend to make this a "do-it-yourself" project, take your plans and specifications to the Contractors Desk at your local Lowe's, Home Depot, or neighborhood lumber company and they should give you a free itemized list of materials and pricing. This is what they do on a daily basis so don't be afraid to ask. You can purchase from one source or buy the components from the entity with the cheapest price for each.
Keep in mind that you are building a structural addition to your house and will almost certainly need a building permit. The permit application will require that you submit a set of plans and specifications. This is just one more reason to nail down the plans and specs on the front end of your project.
I hope this information helps. Good luck with your project.
question:
What kind of window screen will stop my cats from breaking the screen out?
I'd been having to replace my window screens every few weeks for a long time now. Bought nylon screen by the roll. My three cats keep breaking through. The bottoms of the windows are just about two feet off the level of the deck, and when we open our windows one of our cats will break out a screen, and if we close that window they break out another. I was duct-taping one screen closed and one of our cats blew through the room at full speed and cannonballed through the screen.
Is there anything we can put on the windows that will hold against the charge of a very determined feline?
answer:
Shortly after our first Ocicat joined us (surprise Christmas gift from our daughters a few years ago), the first day that was warm enough to open some of the windows she was clawing at the one in our bathroom. Sensing a possibly serious problem, we found a product called Pet Screen, and had it installed in the windows she has access to. It is supposed to be seven times as strong as normal screens, but I can't verify this because after we got the new screens, she never attacked one again! Guess there is something to the descriptions we found of Ocis that claim they are good at learning rules and following them.
I think the three links below are all the same material we got, and I think Lowe's also carries it.
For charging cats, I am guessing you might have to install some kind of perforated metal screening at least on the lower parts of your doors and windows.
You can see why we are so thankful for our very well behaved Ocicats (we adopted a second last year)!
question:
What material can I use to cover Ramp besides carpeting? Ramp is 18 feet long and is used to enter mobile.?
I live in Arizona in the mountains where it snows in the winter. I currently have outdoor carpeting which has rotted and needs to be removed. It is only 3 years old and already is ruined. Is there any other product I can use that will last longer? The carpeting was a pain and took a lot of work. The ramp is 18 feet long and at the top is 3 feet off the ground which leads to a deck and into a mobile. I need something to put on the wood so it will not be slippery besides carpeting. Is there a product out there that will do this?
answer:
Most of your big lumber yards such as Lowes, Home Depot etc carry a non slip paint. These types of paint have little pieces of rubber in them so you will not slip while walking on it. They are not that expensive and it should only take 1 to 1 1/2 gallons to do the area you described.
question:
How much to build a second story deck?
Our home has a wrap around deck, finished in front and one side. It needs to be finished on the back, second story part of the home (its a raised ranch). The dimensions would be 8' by 48'. Just wondering around what it would cost for something basic, nothing fancy for labor and materials. We are in the midwest if that makes a difference in lumber prices.
Thanks.
answer:
Go to Home depot, Menard's or Lowe's and talk to the folks at the contractors desk they will help you with all of the specs and give you a complete material list and cost data sheet for the diy type guy. Then call out contractors and have them bid the design for install. This will ensure everyone is on the same page and bidding the same thing. Each contractor will pick up on different things that will improve the job. Without seeing the job sight I would have to say you are looking in the neighborhood of 8-10k
question:
How much would it cost to build?
How much would it cost to tear down and rebuild a deck. The measurements would be 25 X 14 X 5. This would be an L shaped porch, around the front to the side of the house, 25 feet long, by 14 feet long, to 5 feet out. What is the cost of this work going to be, with lumber and labor?
Serious answers please! Thanks
answer:
Your total cost depends on many things including the going rate for pretreated wood in your area. Another factor is the charge from the builder.
I am in a carpentry program at the Technical College and I'd suggest going to the instructor and talking with him. You may be able to hire some of the students at less than someone who is in the business. I know that at my class we have a very high standard and do things right, but I would be certain that if hiring a student you feel confident that he/she knows what she is doing.
You can make the best decision by educating yourself first. There are now more materials than wood to do so and you may decided that you want to use them. There are a number of sites on-line that give detailed information. Put in a search "how to build a deck".
I would also check with the local Lowe's or Home Depot for excellent advice, and don't forget the library.
Good luck.
question:
How much would it cost to build a deck?
Approx. how much would it cost to build a 10' x 15' deck with treated lumber? Need materials only price. (Arkansas location.) Thanks!
answer:
If you intend on building this yourself go into Lowes and visit the commercial sales desk. One of the associates will ask you some questions and design a deck on the spot using a deck design and estimating program they have on their computer. It'll put out the design, some 3D views, the engineering specs for the building department/permit, and the materials cost for you at your location in Arkansas in minutes.
Mike Lonergan
TradesProfessional, Inc.
question:
Where is a good website that instructs you how to put up a wood panel fencing with posts?
I would prefer pictures as well. We went to lowes and they calculated how many panels, posts, deck screws and cement.
Is there any other things that we may need?
answer:
I don't have any pics or links and rarely offer them anyway. What I do have is experience and an installation history of miles of fencing.
You've already passed one major hurdle; knowing what you need. The rest is labor.
To do the job properly should involve 2 or more people.
You should know your exact lot lines, line them off and perhaps six inches in from that, dig post holes. I'll assume the stockade is 6 ft. high. That would equate to 8 ft. posts dug in 2 ft. Certainly that may need adjustments.
What if any are the grades/slopes/hills/ or depressions along the fence line? Any should be addressed.
I often sink 2 posts at opposing corners, usually 2 ft deep, and add concrete after placing the post. I allow that it must be plumb and to keep it at a proper height I might screw in a cross brace to the depth of the hole. That allows that I not only don't have to be precise within millimeters, but also allows I don't have to hold the post as the concrete sets. I usually allow for at least 4 inches of soil that will be back filled into the hole, eventually.
Once the two posts are set I run lines, not only for a straight line of the fence, but hang a line level on the cord, to maintain consistency during the install. Obviously any level issues with regard to the ground have to be accounted for.
I then measure off the balance of the posts causing that they all end up 8 ft. on center, and use the same procedure as with the inital 2.
Within 48 hrs or so the posts should be Ok to begin hanging fence sections. Some stockade has extended cross braces. They should be measured. If they are 8 ft, then the design was to allow a filler plank to cover the area of attachment to each post.
I usually use a 2x4 under each section that is level to keep the fence material off ground level. I used galvanized deck/fence screws, 3 inches long. monitor the level, and the straight line as you proceed, until finished.
With a 3 party crew I can do a 40 section fence in 3 days, including dry/set time for the concrete. I'm happy enough with that, and so have been my customers.
It may certainly be that your fence runs do not equal 8 ft x the number of sections; in which case you'll need to adjust at least one fence panel to fit, as well as the post adjacent to the corner/final post in the run.
Steven Wolf
question:
I want to learn carpentry. I work full-time and don't have time during the day. Are there night schools/class?
skills include tile, drywall, light framing for decks/canopy, cabinets, trim, plumbing, light electrical, etc......
answer:
Our community colleges offer night and weekend classes in these areas. We also have low and no cost classes offered by our city's recreational department. Some do have fees for materials but most of the classes I've taken cost around and material fees do not exceed . These classes teach skills and give you the opportunity to put them to practice.
Also, there are "contractors" schools that have classes on basic construction skills for the purpose of taking the contractor's licensing test. The classes they offer include everything from painting, drywall, electrical and plumbing, finish carpentry, to name a few. I'm not certain whether these are hands-on classes, however. I suggest you call some in your area to determine whether their classes will meet your needs. The contractor's schools in our area offer "flexible class schedules", so maybe yours do too.
Finally, both our Home Depot and Lowes offer Saturday classes where I've learned project specific skills like "installing a ceiling fan, laying ceramic tile, faux finishing, framing and installation of a patio cover, building a BBQ island, basic woodworking, molding, trim and finish carpentry". These are basic classes, but they even let you use power tools and they are hands-on. Good luck!
question:
Does anyone know how to easily remove and replace deck boards? Is there a special tool to remove them?
Seems like the difficult part is the beginnning when you try to remove the nails?
answer:
It would depend on how the boards are fastened to the deck. If they are screwed in I would recommend a cordless drill driver with a hex bit that fits the fastener. I would caution you that in doing it this way that you want to exercise care and keep the pressure firm and gently squeezing the trigger so as not to strip the fastener.
If on the other hand they are nailed in, you simply need to get a pry bar/crow bar under the boards and pry them up and away from the framing of the deck......
And the most special tool of them all might come in handy: which is simply a claw hammer......or a persuader as it is sometimes referred to..........
replacement is Simply a matter of getting the correct size lumber and reattaching it....Chances are good that the boards you are replacing are treated....Pick out the driest that you can find, it will prevent warping to a large extent.....Also when nailing/screwing back in ensure the fasteners are spaced far enough apart to further prevent warping...
Which if warping is the problem you are trying to correct you might just want to remove the warped boards and turn them over and reattach them........
It is easy no matter the procedure........If you have a non- home depot/Lowe's source for material I would recommend purchasing there as it is often impossible to get good advice at the "Giants"....Basically they suck.......
question:
What is the best material to use for decking in Orange County, New York?
pressure treated wood, pvc, Trex or Geodeck?
answer:
we used the new composite decking. not the trek brand but similar. we found it a grossmans bargain outlet. i don't know if you have those in ny, but they have them in southern new england. it was around half the price of what they had at home depot and lowes. we did use pressure treated for the base and railing though. all together we spent around 0 for a 12x20 deck. we installed it ourselves. we chose the composite because there are no splinters and it never needs painting or staining. good luck.
question:
Best way to do stringers for a step?
The stringers at Lowe's (DIY store in the US) are not up to code in my area (require at least 9 inch tread, max rise of 8.25 inches, the stringers are 12 and 5). Any places on the web that has good instructions on doing steps for a deck? I am going from deck height of 48 inches to the lower deck yet to be built (8 inches high).
answer:
This really isn't that hard but you'll need to build the lower deck first to get the exact difference between deck heights to calculate your risers. According to your post, you would end up with 40" from top of deck to top of deck (48" from top of deck to ground, minus 8" for deck yet to be built), then you just divide that difference by the number of approximate steps, in this case 5 steps with risers of 8" would give you exactly 40". Most codes dont allow such a high riser, so in that case you would want to divide 40" by 6 steps, which gives you a riser height of about 6 5/8. Of course, after you build the bottom deck, you'll have an exact measurement to work with (I doubt it will be exactly 40").
A couple of things to keep in mind is that whether you go with 5 steps or 6, the top deck counts as the last step, so if you go with 5 steps, your stringer will only have 4 treads, 6 steps-5 treads. Also, whatever your riser turns out to be, the first riser should be shorter to accomodate the height of the step material, for example: 5 steps with 8" risers and using 2x6 for the steps, the first riser would be 6 1/2", the rest, 8". You should cut the treads 10" deep, this will give more step support without too much lip that can crack.
If none of this makes any sense, feel free to email me with the exact height difference after you build the bottom deck, and I'll help you calculate the stringers.
question:
How Can I Stop Birds From Tearing Up My Coco Liners?
Every year I get coco liners for my planters that hang off my deck and the birds just destroy them, I guess using for their nest, any suggestions? Thank You In Advance For Your Help
answer:
Perhaps if you covered the outside of your planters with something such as screen wire, which would be too small for bird beaks to get through, yet has holes enough for air and water to pass. (just wrap and bend it's ends over top of your planter frame. You'll need wire snips.) Maybe nylon screen would be enough--softer to work with too, though it would need to be secured at top of planter, not just bent around it, as with metal screen. You should check your local lowe's or home depot for screening material. That's what I'd do.
However, may I suggest hanging a wicker basket full of snips of yarn just for your bird friends to pick thru for their nesting material, since they're coming to your deck anyway. That way you can walk around and look for spots of colored yarn in nests.
question:
What should I expect to pay for a 12' x 10' deck with railings and made with pressured treated lumber?
answer:
My cousin just bought all the materials to build his 16 x 16 deck....00. Dont buy your wood at Home Depot or Lowes!
question:
What about the flooring material on a pontoon boat?
We just sold our last one in April because the wooden deck caused the carpet to always be mildewed no matter what we put on it to inhibit it. We had it covered and it was still horrible.We spent most of our time cleaning it.The man that sold it for me said there are other kinds of flooring. Does anyone know about that? thanks
answer:
The solution for this is to use synthetic deck material. This is available at home depot or lowes in the lumber department. It looks and functions just like wood, but is made of a high strength plastic composite that is weather and mold and mildew resistant. Than just cover it with marine carpet, Which will have to be replaced every few years no matter what.
question:
what are typical lengths of these materials I would find at a lumber yard?
Building a deck and trying to decide on dimensions, but I need to know what lengths wood, metal, etc comes in. I just need to know what lenght(s) these come in:
4x4
2x6
2x4
and metal or fiberglass(?) roofing
answer:
They come in 4',6',8',10',12',16,20'. The most common are 8',10',and 12'. The price per board foot will vary with the length and grade of lumber. Also with a outdoor deck you will need treated lumber.
Look at plans for our deck at places like Lowe's hardware. Most plans will make the most use out of the lumber with little scrap leftover.
Check out some of the video's on this subject on YouTube to help get you started.
question:
How can I refinish a weatherbeaten deck made of redwood? What materials do I need and how do I go about it?
answer:
Whatever you do...Please Do Not use a Pressure washer on your redwood. I have seen hundreds of decks , siding and other wood ruined by these high pressure termites. Not only do they inject water into places it was never meant to be ,it literally tears wood fibers to bits and basically turns wood to mush.
I would first Scrub the deck with a bleach water solution and allow to dry. Then I would get in touch with a high quality paint company and have a salesmen design a "System" for the rejuvenation and coating of my deck that will be tailored to my location.
Do not confuse Home Depot or Lowes with a High Quality paint company.I am talking about Glidden or Sherwin Williams etc. People who have been selling Paint and Coatings for 100 years plus and salesmen who have been selling coatings and Solving coating challenges for years. Not like the Box Stores where the employees were selling shoes last month and now Pushing paint. Good luck
question:
We have holes in the floor of my trailer?
It's an old house, so the flooring has softened up a bit in places, and there are even a few holes.
Is it an easy fix (in other words, could we do it?), or should we hire someone to do it? Do we have to replace the whole floor? How much might it cost either way?
Well, I know that noone can give me an estimate without seeing what's up first, but I though maybe a general idea.
*thought
Meh, typos.
answer:
This is an old mobile home -- that means you've more than likely got partical board, which has deteriorated (usually because it got wet at some point, for an extended period of time).
Your best option is to cut out the damaged sections and replace them. This IS something you can do yourself, if you're willing to put in the elbow grease. Yes, it will take you longer than someone like myself, who's done it for a living, hehe, but that's ok.
You can use a circular saw to cut around the perimeter of an area, just set it to the approximate depth of the flooring, which is usually 5/8" or 3/4". If you plan on matching the new floor up against some old... then you should use the same thickness of material with the new. By the way, I'd recommend AdvanTech (found at Lowe's) for this type of project. It costs less than plywood, but is more durable than untreated partical board, or OSB. If you're going to do the whole home, just start at one end, replacing each room's floor as you go. Don't tear everything up at once. You'll have fun removing the old staples - get a good prybar and pair of long handled pliers. When you go to put down the new floor - use wood or decking screws NOT drywall screws. The drywall screws will snap their heads off under torque.
You may even find some floor joists that will need to be replaced, or some insulation that should be added, etc. Also, keep your eye open for any holes in the underbelly, which need to be patched.
If you want to contract this out, I would suggest that you find someone who has worked on older mobile homes. You might find such a contractor by talking to your local mobile home dealers, to see if they have someone like that they deal with, or that their manufacturers send out to do warranty work.
Typical soft spots that I've found over the years, are the bathrooms, around the HVAC unit, and under some windows. If the home has been flooded, or a pipe burst, the whole thing could be wavy/soft.
Good Luck
question:
What are the best products to use to clean and refinish your deck?
answer:
use a mix of half house bleach and water in a buket 5 gal with a little tide or palmolive for smell keep a hose handey and wet the surface and then scrub the bleach in and do that all over the deck keeping the material wet all the time allows the bleach to keep working so mist the wood as you go then let it dry after you let the bleach mixture dry rinse then two day dry latter mix the cheap water treatment buy 2 gals of the least exspensive then add 2 oz of boiled linseed oil to the sprayer with agallon of the cheap waterproofer enterprize is cheap at lowes but thompsons is cheap too now spray the deak and keep a cardboad piece to catch the over spray and a brush to soak the joints if the spay doesnt get in there ,,ive painted for 27 years ,,and im good at it thats better than most treatment because the secret ingrediant in paints is the oil linseed that is its the real water proofer now then the best thing is glidden ici stain its got a color that fights UV light but clear is good and the spayer and the stuff to do it are like 50. 00 and ahour of time ps let the thing dry a day or so because the oil will make it slick for a few days until it drys in to the wood good luck
question:
When remodeling an entire house is home depot the best/cheapest?
We need to buy new everything and i can't decide wether it is worh my time to run around to all of the different stores to price match or if generally home depot is cheaper or equal? We need all new flooring, doors, windows, paint, cabinets, vanity for the bathrooms mirrors, etc...i mean we need everything. so should i go to sherwin williams, and a window supply store and flooring store... any experience would be appreciated. thanks in advance
answer:
We have done lots of home remodeling and generally prefer Lowes over Home Depot. I am not saying it is better, but they do have a larger selection of things, like vanities, lighting, fixtures or other things that HD simply did not carry. We also found the "help" to be very knowledgable, but that will depend on each store itself. But for some things, it might be worth checking out a few other places, like outlet places for tile. We found that both Lowes and HD has lots of broken tiles in thier boxes. If you need big ticket itmes like windows, it wouln't be a bad idea to call around for pricing, if you plan to have those delivered and installed by the seller. But if you are doing all of the work yourself (like us), it is handy to shop at one store. For a big project like a deck, Lowes also will help you select all your materials and give you a printout. If you pay for a large bundel like this (look for thier finace specials), you can just pick up the stuff as you need it and they will take it off your list. This saved us from hauling stuff home that we did not end up needing and they credited our account. You might want to go to each large store in your area and see which one has the stuff you like and will need. As for paint, we like the Lowes Valspar much better than HD Behr. Yes, some stuff at Lowes may have been a few pennies higher, but not enough to make a difference and it was worth it to get what we wanted.
question:
question about power tools for home projects?
Can anyone recommend a good saw and drill for weekend projects like building decks, a treehouse, or similar tasks?
answer:
Hello Jean P,
There are many brands of saws and drills on the market, and if you are just looking for tools for week end projects, then you do not have to spend big bucks.
Costco has a great kawasaki drill it is 21.5 volts has two batteries and a one hour charger, and sells for just
Home Depot and Lowes have many saws. Personally I like the Dewalt saws, they are more expensive than Ryobi and other makes, but I believe the extra expenditure is worth it.
I am a contractor, and have purchased many brands over the years, and find the dewalt range suits my needs very well.
If you plan on building decks, you should look to purchase a saw that has a 12inch blade, although the 10inch craftsman from sears is a good saw, it's not large enough to cut wide boards.
If I had to give you a list in order of best to worst, these would be my choice
Dewalt, ridgid, craftsman, skill,ryobi,black and decker.
There are other makes available but I have never bought them.
I trust this information shall be of benefit to you, and good luck with you projects.
Costco sometimes has the dewalt saws for sale, and they are slightly less than Home Depot or Lowes.
I guess it really depends on your budget, if you decide to purchase a cheaper saw, it's worth buying a good quality blade. The cheap blades that come with the cheaper saws, do not stay sharp for very long, especially if you are cutting thick material.
Paul M
question:
What does it cost per square foot to replace cedar decking?
answer:
Lowes has 2x6x12' @ .37
So your price would depend on deck size and waste generated.
Homedepot will likely be competetive on price and either would be your best bet, but at that price you should look into composite decking made by Trex, which is sold at Lowes.
I built a deck for an eye surgeon, which was entirely decked with Trex 5/4x6 in the Brasilia smooth finish. His deck was 480 sq ft and we used 000 in materials, but it was very, very intricate, having four levels and only 12" joist spacing, and the decking was screwed entirely from underneath, and one level was built along the contour of a red granite boulder. So it was not your normal deck and do not be scared by my price of materials!
Lifetime warranty, and looks great! Is also a pleasure to work with!
question:
Where can I buy plastic (or vinyl) concrete expansion joints?
Replacing a portion of pool deck. Concrete is a slightly tan color and the old expansion joints are a tan, plastic material. One or two may be reusable, but I need more. Home Depot doesn't seem to know about them.
answer:
Home Depot does have them. Call them up and ask if they have SKU# 582318 in stock.
Lowes and Menards also carry this item.
If you are not having any luck at the big box stores then find a construction supply store or a big hardware store that caters to a construction savvy clientele. Where I live that store is called "Construction Supply."
good luck
Worst case you can always order expansion joints online.
question:
how can i find a gazebo design wth building plans?
material to be used is wood on concrete slab
answer:
most home building stores such as menards,lowes,home depot etc have small computer kiosks that give you different building plans and options the vague ones are free and sometimes they will give you a comprehensive one free if your buying materials from them. they also sell little blueprint packages with building options and material lists. they sell them for gazebos,decks storage sheds, garages.houses, garden items etc.
question:
How do you make a platform bed that is move able?
i move alot. So i need a bed that i can take apart and put together easily
i want to build one something like this..
http://www.bedroom-furniture-direct.com/asp/show_image.asp?pr=0&sku=FB2265
answer:
You could build that exact bed, but it would take specialized tools and materials you won't find at a Lowes/HomeDepot. But by tweaking the design you can build a look-alike with some basic tools.
Take a look at this bed-- http://www.simplyplatformbeds.com/platform-beds/white/valentinaplatformbed.cfm
You'd do the same idea - but the support structure under the bed would be a 1/3 of that size. And with the low height of the bed frame, someone would have to get down on their hands and knees to see that it's not a regular bed frame.
For minimum weight and easy moving, the center support will be plywood cut to interlock. Take to index cards, and holding them together, in the middle of the long edge, make a cut halfway into the cards. Holding cards at right angles, slip the cuts together, and the pieces interlock, forming a rigid (for paper) structure. That's what you'll do for the center support for the bed. - makes for super easy break-down and moving. Size the center support so it's 3-4' narrower, and 2' shorter than the bed. For a queen bed, a 1'x4' structure would do. On top of the center structure goes a plywood deck 2-3" longer and wider than your mattress. Use two pieces of plywood with the split running side to side (vs. head to foot).
For the bed frame, you can use plywood or hardwood. The nice thing about (good) plywood is it's more "stable" than solid wood -- that is, it doesn't warp or bow. For the bed rails, working with what's available at Lowes/HomeDepot, use either 3/4" Baltic Birch. plywood1x6 (which is actually 3/4" by 5-1/2") Poplar. If you want to give the rails more visual mass, you can cap them with 1x2" strips of hardwood, making them look like they're made from 2" thick stock.
HD/Lowes doesn't have thick hardwood, so you'll have to glue up several pieces for the legs. The pic looks like they're about 3" square, so I'd rip a piece of 1" (really 3/4") Popular into 3" wide strips, and glue 4 pieces together, creating a 3x3 inch leg. To attach the bed rails to the legs - if you have access to a router, I'd rabet the inside corner of the leg so the rails meet inside the leg. If you don't have a router, you can use a handsaw to cut a rabet, or "step" on the two outside faces of the leg, so the outside face each rail is flush with the outside face of the leg.
On the inside face of each bed rail, attach a 1x1-1/2" "cleat" (strip of wood) with glue and screws. The cleat supports the outer edge of the bed deck, and must be at the same height as the center support. From an aesthetic standpoint, you can adjust the position of the cleat (and the height of the center structure) depending on how much of the mattress you want hidden by the bed rails. When you assemble the frame, pre-drill holes through the deck and into the cleats for screws - one every 12" should do. Screwing the deck to the cleats will tie everything together, making it into a solid structure.
Knock off (slightly round) all the sharp edges with sandpaper or a router and round over bit, sand all the flat surfaces, paint, and you've got a bed
Tools-
-table saw, or circular saw and means to make long, straight rips
-saber saw (optional - easier than the circular saw for cutting the interlocking "notches" in the center support)
-drill
-sander (optional, but it will save you a couple hours)
-router - for rabetting the inside of the legs
-or-
-handsaw - for rabetting the outside of the legs
Materials for a Queen sized bed-
-1 sheet of 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood (furniture grade maple plywood will work too)
-4 4' pieces of 1x4 poplar or other hardwood
-glue, screws, sandpaper and paint
all in, about
question:
this summer me and some friends are going to build a fort but I have a few questions?
one: roughly what is the cost of 2x4 lumber boards, or 2x3 lumber boards?
two:I want the fort/ playhouse to be about 78" high, so what exactly do I need
three: what is approximately the total price, I do not want to spend too much
four:what store is the best to get lumber?
answer:
One - depends on where you live.... and 2x3 is not a standard size. You could get a larger board and rip it down on a table saw tho. In our area, a 2x4 stud runs about .25 each
Two - What are you building this on? Do you intend to make a floor of some kind? What kind of roof do you want? Can't be 'exact' without more information.
Three - depends on the answers given in One and Two, hehehe. Lumber is not cheap, I'll give you that. How do you intend to surface the walls? What kind of exterior?, etc.....
Four -- most building supply stores run about the same prices, but I can safely recommend Lowes...I purchase a lot from them.
Here is what I would suggest..... sit down and draw a few sketches of just what it is you want. With some rough measurements.
Some things to consider -- surface exterior, foundation, floor, roof, windows and door? There are a LOT of options. You need to narrow down what you want before starting to ask for prices.
Once you have a good idea, then take your sketches to the supply store, and ask them for a quote. Quite often, they have a 'help desk' where someone will help you figure out how many studs, plywood, etc your project will need, and will give you a price on the materials.
I would also suggest that you check around with any local builders, to see if they have any scraps left over, that you could scavenge with an adult. FreeCycle.org is another good place to check, as well as Habitat for Humanity stores, GoodWill, etc.
The bigger this is, and the more features you want, will tend to make it cost more. You might explore some fundraising options, hehehe.
Typically, plywood costs more than OSB of the same thickness, and in most cases, OSB works just as well as plywood. Plywood works better as a painted exterior tho, as it holds up to the weather better. Go with at least 5/8" thick material for any roof decking, and it should be pitched, to help the water/snow run off. You'll need some sort of roofing material, shingle, metal, fiber, etc. The store can give you prices on that too. To help cut costs, you could build without a roof to begin with.. and string a tarp. Angle the tarp, like you would the roof, to help keep the water running off.
IF any wood is going to be in contact with the ground, or left exposed to the weather, then you may want to use treated lumber, tho it tends to be more expensive.
Have Fun
question:
Can anyone recommend a deck builder in NJ? I need an old deck removed and a new one designed and constructed.
Northern NJ if possible.
answer:
Check with Home Despot or Lowe's or some such building material chain. They usually have people that can help with those types of problems as well as any other building problems that you need fixed.
question:
Whats the easiest way to build a deck around an above ground pool?
answer:
If you want easy, hire a contractor. You can go to www.lowes.com and design your own deck. It will ask you for several measurements, like how high off the ground, how long, how wide etc. IT will give you a complete materials list, and plans.
question:
Need help finding the following materials for garden project?
I need the following:
-2x8 cedar boards
-3 1/2-inch deck screws
-2-inch deck screws
-2-foot wood stakes
If you could pleasde find these exact items on a site like Home Depot or Lowes or something I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks }:-)
answer:
ALL of those materials are available at Lowes and Home depot. The stakes just buy a 4' furring strip and cut it in 4 pieces and you will have 4 2' stakes.
question:
how can I make a deck on my back porch area ?
I am not familiar with building anything and what material are the ones to get. I am not sure if I like all pressure treated wood and paint them all over or if I should use a more expensive vinyl material ? if I used wood, I know it will rot or need to repair or paint over ??
Here is what I got to work with, please help.
http://postimage.org/image/d026wy5pj/
answer:
go to
Menard,s
home depot,
Lowe's
and look at deck kits,
there are all kinds of material to use,
natural and man made
question:
I want to build my yound daughter a swing off the underside of my deck, any hardware, materials suggestions?
answer:
lowes sells a swing kit, for about got all need.
i use 6 inch nut and bolts, per drilled, and use the best you can afford ,
question:
Tools to carve a wooden sword?
So I am doing a school medieval project and I want to carve a really great wooden sword. I've done some research and got the basic concept but I still need to gather tools and such. So I need suggestions on types of carving materials such as wood or tools in general and places to get them (ie: home depot, small hardware stores, lowes). So any ways any tips and thoughts will be greatly appreciated :) thanks!
answer:
the wood depends on you, or on size and type or thickness of sword design,
medieval swords
http://www.darksword-armory.com/medievalswords1/
metal swords would be heavy and thin, compared to wood versions,
the more dense the wood the finer you can carve, but more difficult to cut,
> wood density
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wood-density-d_40.html
maple for hard, poplar for medium, balsa for light,
you may want actual log or lumber 4x4" by 3' feet long.
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Outdoor-Projects/Decks/Deck-Materials/how-to-buy-deck-lumber/Step-By-Step
generic carving tools could be hunting knife, saws or wood saws, drills and sanders or sand paper,
smaller carving kits could be at Home Depot, or try Hobby shop,
hobby lobby > wood carving tools
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/wood-carving-tools-162834/
Handmade Paring, Carving, & Steak Knives
http://www.knives.net/prices.htm
if knives are fold out, make sure they have locking mechanism so not to fold shut while using,
types of hand saws
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-hand-saws.html
..
question:
Looking for a very simple and very easy to use program for drawing small projects like decks, storage cabinet.?
Nothing fancy, just basics. If it would compute a materials list that would be ok. Again... Simple
answer:
You can go online and use "sketch up" or go to a home store, Lowes, Home depot, and get low cost programs there.
question:
Counter top work. In over my head?
I have never done any countertop work. A business is authorizing me to get a countertop which is formica/particle wood and to install it perpendicular to the existing one in their mailroom. The 4' extension will be against the existing one and against a wall so that they will have a continuing work area (countertop) along two walls. The new countertop will not be installed with any storage area below. They just want it to extend from the existing one. I am planning to cleat the back end against the wall, support the two counter surfaces meeting with a board and screws and I will support the other end of it with a bookcase unit. I do not know if I can order this unit to exact needed dimensions or if I can cut it to those dimensions otherwise. Should I just dish this off to a countertop company?
answer:
Sounds like you have most of this figured out-you can do it! When i have projects like this i simply measure and make a sketch of my new counter with dimesions. Home Depot or Lowes, etc can make a formica countertop at a very reasonable cost to just about any dimension.
There are four measurements needed (dont forget any overhang you may want on the bookcase-maybe duplicate the overhang of the existing counter/cabinets, etc.): first, the overall length, in this case 4' ; next, the depth or width 25" or whatever; third, the height or thickness of the counter to match the existing, and; finally a diagonal measurement from the intersecting point of the two new counters to the point on the wall 4' from the existing counter. This measurement will tell the maker to account for any out of square walls.
When the counter arrives have a tube of clear silicone or PAINTABLE siliconized (if you plan to use this tube along the wall as well) caulk or white if the counters are white. Once your cleats are in place along with the bookcase, spread a bead of the silicone along the end where the new counter will meet the old. Use enough so that it will slightly ooze out the top when the counter is set in place. This will help keep dirt out of the joint later on...and if possible pre-drill some pilot holes and run a couple of long wood screws where the two counters join. Another method may be to use a flat steel mending plate or angle bracket (that can act as a cleat as well) to hold the two together...you get the idea. These brackets are found with the deck/framing materials.
The only problem i foresee is the counter sagging in the middle from lack of support underneath. Plan on fastening a piece of 1"x3" or 1"x4" piece of oak standing on edge, a 2"x3" stud lumber, or heavy metal angle/box tubing, etc directly to the existing cabinet and bookcase. This will give the front side some support like the back.
Hope this helps you out, Good luck!
question:
How much per square foot should I pay for a wood deck?
answer:
I would start with figuring out how much you are willing to spend, then what size you want. There are so many variables when building a deck. If you can afford it, composite materials are certainly very nice. You can also go to Lowes.com and they have a deck designer and planner. It is free you just have to sign up. At the end of your design it prints out a materials list and everything.
question:
I just tore the rug off of my stairway ..... and the stairs either needs to be painted or refinished. Is there
an easy way to refinish the treads and make em natural .... is there a preferred paint to use on the steps ?
answer:
The first answer is not a correct answer..To restain you have to first "strip" the old finish off..not just sand it and restain..stain will not penetrate the old finish..it will simply lay on top of it and be blotchy, plus will not dry for 3 days..then it will..more than likely peel after a couple months use(if not sooner) stain is a penetrative material and needs to soak into the grain to adhere properly, so the old finish must be stripped to allow this..and stripping is a hard messy project to do...To paint You need to sand it down then dust off..apply an oil based primer to seal the old stuff out..then finish it with porch and deck enamel..preferably a water based polyurethane deck enamel..do not buy the cheap floor enamel/epoxy at home depot,lowes etc..go to a regular paint store and get the good stuff..Sherwin Williams has a good product line here for this but not cheap..the stairway doing the treads only will take a gallon or less ...
question:
how would you build a deck where you want a 4' fence, and what material would you use?
I need to replace old steps, that currently do not have a landing. I want to build a wood landing, stairs with four steps, and a low deck. This will be between my house and garage there is an old chain link fence I want to remove it an add a wood or vinyl fence, but it will parallel the deck fencing. I am trying to figure out the best way to combine the railing/stairs and fence???
answer:
if you have the time - search the net - 1000's of sites . lowes, menards, home depot, have deck kits that do include instructions. Notes: any deck where it freezes, needs to be built to prevent the heaves. rails need to be extra strong attached. steps need to be built with an 8" step and reinforced at least each 3' and should be a minimum 3' wide. the deck itself is quite simple to build as long as it is built rite.
very best materials are #1 is metal and , man made products - wood is the poorest and may not last. : )
question:
How do I waterproof (and preserve) our wooden deck?
could you please recommend which products i need to use (and the method) of waterproofing my wooden deck?
If you have the names of brand name products i would appreciate it, hard to slog through the products at home depot.
thanks
answer:
I bought some clear preservative from a lumber company.....it was not a hardware store, Lowes or any places like that. It was a small local place that does nothing but wood, and they had a shop with various treatment materials such as stains and waterproofers and so on, but no paint.
The material I got lasted about 3 to 4 years, but I don't have name off hand (sorry).
Before applying the material I hosed off the deck really well, then power-washed it on a light setting. Then I scrubbed it on my hands and knees with a brush, a bucket of water, very light soap and bleach. I rinsed it very well and allowed it to dry for 2 days.
Prior to putting the material on I tried it on a small place on the deck to see how it would look. Satisfied I used a brush and roller to apply it. I put down 2 coats. It went on nicely and I could have probably put on another coat, but chose not to since it was a brand new deck. It soaked up the material quite readily.
It's ready for another treatment now.....so this is what I did for mine. Maybe it's overkill, but I wanted to make sure the work I put in would be time worth spent doing it.
hth
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