Timber Deck and Pergola Close to a Pine Tree Dilemma
Nicole Palmer
16 days ago
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
16 days agoKate Cowers
16 days agoRelated Discussions
Need opinion: Stone or Deck (for steps) out to a Paver Patio?
Comments (13)I would also consider a 2-level approach or something similar that lets you make the transition to ground seem more gradual. There is also the idea that you may find you want to do a good deal of grilling the food outside, then eat inside, because well, it is just so convenient and you can grill under less ideal circumstances than required for outdoor dining. The utilitarian steps down to patio just to get to the grill will be a barrier to that. The problem with same level is that you have to use decking, then it does tend to force you to a large deck, then a large area underneath it plus lattice or whatever, plus maintenance--though new deck materials as you suggest make that less of an issue. So I do not want to discourage you from thinking about having a "stone" patio that is part of the yard. I think over time that area could be very nice and will feel more permanent--properly landscaped. So the deck idea gives a more immediate sense of its being just an extension of your kitchen and feeling like a "room", but the patio has the ability to feel "in the yard", as noted above. The problem with bi-level structures is you have to design carefully so that neither part is too small to be useful or it breaks up your party in the wrong way. So, for example, if you envision 6 guys or gals yakking around the grill, you want room for that in your design. I think the deck landing as shown in your picture has that dreaded ubiquitous tacked-on landing look that just gets you up and down, and if you do actually make just steps, I would try to put more into their design to make a more graceful descent to the yard--whether that is broader, curved, or something. Of course that might be too expensive, so part of the fun of the forum is that we can brainstorm about how you might spend your $$! Really, just giving you things to think about. Broad steps or more gradual transition type structures can also often be used as seating/dining (for kids) as long as is wide enough. You don't show anything about the exposure of the back of the house, sun patterns, etc, so any design needs to think ahead to whether you will plant trees for shade, use umbrellas, arbor, or what--meaning, leave space in yard, or plan layout of space....See MoreTrees in Containers II
Comments (150)Ugh, this seems to complicated for me :( Well, i'm a quick learner! Good thing all my container plants are in 4in pots or smaller xD. Well, except for a large rosemary (too large) that i cannot bring my self to prune, or get rid of...i did just repot it a week ago. Al if you aren't going to make a video...can you write a book? You just have so much information to share, and this tiny website can never seem to hold it all. You could put it up for how ever much money (or free, even) on amazon.com without having to worry about getting it published or anything (which it should be) Sir Andrew of the Lemon, Recalcitrant Teenager, Newb Extraordinaire, Slayer of Gnats, Pruner of Trees, Broke as All-Get-Out, and Stabbed by Thorns...See MorePergola Beam Span 18'
Comments (47)The original poster used 6x12x24' to span the 18' span, so I think I will do the same. However, instead of 8' on the other side, I have 16'. I *could* add two more posts to break this up, and have 3 6x12 beams span the 18' distance between each pair of posts: 1------2 : : : : 3------4 1->2 distance = 18' 1->3 distance = 16' In my case posts between 1&2 and 3&4 are out of the question due to sight lines from the house (big window). I could add 2 posts shown by *, although I'd rather not, since the deck extends beyond on both sides: 1---#---2 : # : * # * : # : 3---#---4 So, I am thinking 6x12x24' between 1&2 and 3&4, then 4x8 (or 3x10) 18-20' length between 1&3 and 2&4, but also at the mid point of the two 6x12 beams (where the # are above). My concern is the weight of that mid span beam on the two 6x12s. But based on the two examples I've seen here, it looks like the 6x12s will do fine. I do like the idea of splitting the top rafter lengths in two, like Bemis' example, so I can use 12' 2x6s instead of 20' (or longer). However, that would require two mid span beams front to back resting on the 6x12s, like this: 1==#=#==2 # # # # # # # # # # # # 3==#=#==4 = are the 6x12x24' beams # are the 4x8x20' beams then 2x6x12' running from 1->2 across the top in two sections split in the middle, much like Bemis'...See Morebest deck preservative???
Comments (78)Greetings folks. I have a ritual but I'm getting too old and tired to continue it. Every year I strip off the discolored top layer of my Brazilian Cherry (Massaranduba) hardwood deck and refinish it. I had the misguided notion that it would last forever and be low maintenance. It may last forever but it is far from low maintenance. I have come to view it as a very expensive mistake. I have tried many different coatings but always with the same result. The beautiful cherry color soon turns to a drab brown and stays that way until I get the time and energy to start the process again. The unshaded northern exposure in the northeastern U.S invariably takes its toll. Currently I power wash the deck at pressures that would tear up a pine deck and apply a different coating in the hope that this year will be different. I have tried CWF, that was bad. For a few years I was using Penofin Marine Wood Oil. In my desperation I confess that I smuggled it into my state. Then for a few years I mixed my own; a concoction of Boiled Linseed Oil, Turpentine and Paraffin or Varnish. All because I wanted to try preserve the appearance of the natural wood. Now I am starting to consider what was previously unthinkable: a solid stain. There I said it. I know this is a very 1st world problem and you would within your rights to laugh at my perceived problem but if you have a opinion of what I should do, I'd like to hear it. Solid stain or something that I haven't tried? Thank you....See MoreBeverlyFLADeziner
16 days agojackowskib
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16 days agoKate Cowers
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16 days agoNicole Palmer
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16 days agoKate Cowers
15 days agoJennz9b
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