Do-it-Yourself - Home Remodeling - Wisely Choosing Colors for Deck Staining

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Wisely Choosing Colors for Deck Staining

Choosing colors for deck staining can be a bit confusing until you understand the terminology. When you decide to stain a deck, you begin by deciding if you want to bring out the natural grain of the wood or use a color that hides the wood. Generally, the better the grade of wood the less color you will use. In the end though, the decision is strictly one of personal preference.

There are hundreds of deck stain colors you can choose among when it’s time to refresh your deck. There are also many different brands of stain, but in most cases, the stain can be categorized in several different ways. The categories are based on how well the stain color hides the actual wood.

Choosing Colors for Deck Staining

The first kind of deck stain is called transparent. The transparent stain is
exactly what it sounds like – transparent. It’s ideal for use on decks you want to protect from weathering without changing the color of the wood or hiding any of the grain. Semi-transparent stains have color pigment that is noticeable, but it’s not enough to hide the grain of the wood. This type of stain is used to add color but actually enhances the appearance of the wood.

Semi-solid stains will almost hide the grain, but not completely. It’s as close as you can get to a solid stain without complete cover-up. The solid stains are the most practical in that they can be used on any deck because they cover any stain previously applied.

Choosing colors for deck staining is dependent upon the type of stain you use. As you move from transparent stain which has no color to solid stain which is full color, you have more color choices. The easiest way to start narrowing your color choices is to determine the shades or hues that will fit best with your house color scheme. For example, you want your deck color to blend with the other colors in your house and landscaping so the deck doesn’t look out of place. You can look at the color of your house or house trim, or of you fence for example.

Even after choosing colors for deck staining, the next step is to test several colors on a piece of wood so you can see how it looks after it dries. You can use an unobtrusive spot on your deck. You want to apply it over your existing color so you can see how it will really look. By the way, you can also consider using more than one stain color on your deck. You can stain the deck one color and use a trim stain color on the railing for example.

Building Front Porch Deck Additions

There comes a point in the owning of any home when you simply want to change the overall look and style. And while you might consider moving, there are many other less expensive ways to achieve this dream. Building front porch deck additions is one such way. By renovating the front of your home, you not only change the curb appeal and the value, but also the way you perceive the home's interior. When people walk into your home after building front porch deck additions, they will have a different view of your personal style and tastes.

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Staining Deck Railings – Making It Last

The more solid the stain color, the longer it will last. Therefore, the solid stains are best for areas like railings that are more difficult to stain than decking. Staining deck railings is not difficult, but it does take more care than simply staining the flat deck. So you want to use a color that will last as long as possible. Read More

Tricks of the Trade Cutting Deck Stairs

Cutting deck stairs really doesn’t take a lot of time, but it can get complicated in the sense that you have to calculate the rise and run, or the slope of the stairs. Deck stairs are usually built for outdoor decks, porches and gazebos. There are construction calculators to make calculating the measurements easier, but many people prefer to use old fashioned paper and pencil. The basic ingredients of deck stairs are few, but the cutting and assembly must be fairly precise.

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Fancy Deck Stairs Create Backyard Style

There's no reason to keep your deck stairs looking uninspired when you can design and construct fancy deck stairs. More elaborate, or just more elegant, deck stair styling can enhance the appearance of the entire deck. The deck is usually used like another room of the house so it only makes sense to make your deck as beautiful as the rest of your home.

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Benefits of a Sunroom Addition
A sunroom addition is one of the newer trends to hit the homeowner market. Not only is it an easy way to add more usable space to your home, but it also offers you a chance to sit in the outdoors, no matter what season it is. Many sunrooms are now well-insulated and completely accessible for use during all seasons. Adding a sunroom also creates a new space for entertaining guests or just relaxing.

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Why You Should Consider a Free Standing Solarium
For the average gardener, there is nothing better than getting out in the hot sun and feeling the dirt between your fingers. And for those who are growing daisies and snapdragons, all you really need is a plot of dirt and a trowel. But for those green-thumbed plant people who are interested in growing more delicate flowers and plants, a free standing solarium may be the answer to a gardener's prayer.

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