Lots of things you can do. We have a small feral colony that we've fed and sheltered for a while now. We have a Shed In The Box, with interior smaller shelters inside there..and a five feet by 8 feet kennel that is tarped off for winter that has shelters up off the ground...however, when our ferals got caught a few weeks ago in our first very deep winter storm, they all ran scared and frightened up onto our back porch. So, we prayed and asked the Lord for his Guidance and Wisdom and he helped us. We got tarps and heavy duty shower curtains and heavy duty tension rods and paneled off the back porch...then, we put vinyl and rubber mats along the floor of the back porch. Then, we added cat igloos, and made other shelters out of Sterlite plastic chests...and made an interior tent over those shelters with a camoflauged tarp. When the temps dropped below freezing, we cracked the back door from the kitchen to let heat go out into the now enclosed back porch area...made a tremendous difference. Right now, it's sleeting and we are letting them come into the kitchen to get extra warmth, and we have litter boxes and fresh water in a corner of the porch as well. As someone has already mentioned, shoeboxes, cardboard boxes, cutout coolers with straw in them....cat igloos...we put yoga mats covered with soft cardboard in ours. The main things, give them a break from the wind, give them warm shelter, food, water, and a feeling of security...you're good to go. The more love you put into it, the better your results, you know. Good luck and God Bless. FYI, we also do trap n release and we are seniors in our late sixties, so if "we" can do it, so can anyone else, you know.

Hey thanks for the responses. I've decided to install a small concrete pad next to the deck and build a platform (the elevation of the deck at this point is under 24 inches and won't impede airflow under the deck) to permanently house the smoker and grill. It'll be kind of like an outdoor kitchen. Thanks again, Bryan

SIGNIFICANT WATER POOLING ACROSS NEW DECK SURFACE We recently had a deck built with TimberTech Azek and it looks great. The product was recommended by our contractor and Big Creek Lumber. It is not cheap, nor was the installation ($40,000+). We had realistic expectations, but now we have problems. PROBLEMS: We have significant water pooling/cupping from a couple rains and some heavy mist. (I've also noticed dried dirt marks left behind when it finally dries, but that's a secondary issue.) CUSTOMER SERVICE: I reached out via phone to a representative from the website. He assured me that some "beading" was natural and over time this would stop. When it didn't stop, I reached out to my contractor because this is not "beading"; this is pooling. I waited a few more weeks and after more pooling from heavy mist and fog, I reached out to my contractor. My conscientious contractor said he has used this material before and has not seen or heard of the issue from any of his clients. He promptly gave me his rep's name and number. The rep said she's had no issues over the past 2 years and she would check—with someone—at the company. She emailed saying that "beading" was normal at first. I sent her deck photos of: Pooling/cupping from rain comparing my neighbor's dry, non-cupping, deck (with another composite-type product). So side by side, at the same time of day, with same weather conditions and sun exposure, my neighbor's deck was dry while mine was significantly pooling with standing water along the entire surface. I also sent a photo of significant pooling/cupping from heavy mist. I have asked the rep for a timeline of when this should stop or resolve itself. I haven't heard back yet and am concerned. A site search brought me to this page with the following: TimberTech's stated superiority over wood decking cupping. Product promotion that helps prevent cupping. Suggestions to dry your deck with a squeegee or mop when there is standing water. Dangers of "standing water," becoming slick (falling danger) and damage to the wood substructure. In summary, the site does not come out and admit pooling/cupping, but it talks about dangers and care of standing water. WHERE TO GO FROM HERE: I'll be calling the rep and asking for a site visit asap, unless anyone else has a suggestion.

Black will almost inevitably fade to gray anyway so you could choose the darkest gray available for the fascia. Alternately, if you choose a light or medium color for your siding, you could choose the darkest shade of that color for your fascia. Would NOT want white exterior walls. Would consider a shade of gray or, since your home seems to be on a lot with/beside woods, consider a shade of green -- perhaps even a dark bold one or a muted sage. Would NOT want a white deck; in fact, with the ipe/wood soffit (had to look that up) https://www.google.com/search?q=ipe+soffit&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiYqL3SgevmAhVsUN8KHWqFBboQ7Al6BAgKEDc&biw=1366&bih=628#imgrc=3FL0UqITSkTBVM:&spf=1578177595765 Would stay with a clear or semi clear wood sealing product (such as CWF) or a darker wood stain. Remember that those trees near your deck will be shedding stuff onto your deck with each gust of wind in that direction. And you'll be walking on your deck. (Note: If I could redo my solid color stain choice for my deck, I would. Every leaf or maple seed pod, etc., that lands on my wet deck or gets wet after it lands wants to leave a "tea" stain.)