Back Deck

[DennisFolsom]

Bench/Rail done

I haven't posted on the deck for a while, so here's an update:

Recently, we stained the ceiling of the screened porch section. We had originally used some sort of clear finish on the beadboards, and it had darkened with age and mildew. I pressure washed it. In order to strip it, I had to hold my 20 degree fan nozzle within 3 inches. At that range, I was taking off the mildew, the old finish and some of the wood! When I got about half done, I realized how much damage I was doing and improved my technique a bit. We used a Navaho White opaque stain, the best grade of Behr stain that Home Depot sells. I did some edging, but Sonia (my wife) rolled most of it. Here's a couple of photos of her in action. She really got into it!

This past weekend, I cut and fit the Western Red Cedar lumber to make the Bench/Rail and Sonia stained it. For the seat and down, I fit and assembled, then disassembled, Sonia did the staining, and I reassembled. On the upper portion, it was a bit of a job to pull the posts into line, so I put in all of the screws. It was getting late on Sunday and Sonia said "I think I can stain that in place." She did that staining today - three coats on the seats and 2 coats on the rest.

It came out quite well. We are both happy with it. The last photo shows Sonia trying it out.

I'm pretty lucky to have a wife that is willing to, and actually likes, finishing wood!

 

[Chooglin]

Re: Bench/Rail done

very nicely done !!! you should enjoy that for many years.

 

[DennisFolsom]

John helped me deliver the grill to the deck

I'm still trying to figure out exactly what materials I will be using for trim, etc. on the "screened porch" portion of my project. I browsed Lowes and Home Depot today, and I'm meeting with my Hammond Lumber rep tomorrow morning.

I had a little time available this afternoon, so I had John help me move my gas grill from the garage to the deck (see first photo). I strapped the grill into the bucket and away we went. I put a scrap of particle board on the deck, so the bucket wouldn't scratch the new composite boards. Worked like a charm!:thumbsup:

Afterward, I put the grill in the nook where it's going to live (when not in use) and put on the new heavy-duty waterproof cover that I bought for it (photo two).

 

[DennisFolsom]

Landing "patio" for steps

I built a mini patio - 5' x 6' for my steps to sit and land on. I'm planning to make freestanding steps. The first photo is the hole partially dug for the gravel base. The second photo is the finished product. The blocks are a formed concrete product from Home Depot, but they look very much like slate.

 

[DennisFolsom]

Steps made

Here is a photo of the frame for the steps. In using composite decking for step treads, you should use a 1 ft spacing for the stair stringers. Therefore, I made 5 of them for the 4 ft wide steps. Cutting and assembling the frame took me most of Monday (Labor Day).

This morning, I installed the decking on the steps. I got it done and the tools picked up before the rain came. The second photo shows the completed steps.

 

[DennisFolsom]

Screen Porch Done

I'm way overdue for an update. Progress has been a bit slow, partly due to my irregular work schedule. With the days getting shorter, on those days that I have worked on the deck, it is too dark to take pictures when I quit.

I used Azek plastic lumber for most of the trim. I cut and fit the pieces, then Sonia painted them before I nailed them in place. I sided the kneewall with vinyl that we had left over from house building.

I went with ScreenTite FastTrack aluminum channels to mount the screening. The channels interlock, such that you snap two of them together to form a column to divide your window space. For mounting, they use plastic "biscuits" that you screw to the opening trim lumber. The channel then snaps over the biscuits. The good news is that the fasteners are hidden that way. The bad news is that, once the channel is snapped on, there is no good way to get it off. If things aren't aligned the way you want them, too bad. It is where it is. Another issue is cutting the channel. I bought a 10 inch abrasive metal cutting blade and mounted it in one of my miter saws. Unlike wood, if you cut just a hair too long, there's no good way to shorten the piece without cutting too much. I wound up using my bench grinder, but grinding aluminum is not a fun way to go. I am somewhat of a perfectionist, so I was quite frustrated by all of this. It looks pretty good, if you don't look too close.

On Thursday this week, I installed the screening in the aluminum channels. I started to hang the screen door, but didn't get it just right before I ran out of time and daylight. On Friday afternoon, I finished hanging the screen door. Now, that it's almost snow season, I finally have my screened porch finished!:laughing: We'll definitely enjoy it next spring, though.

About all I have left to do on the project is to install the rest of the railing. I didn't work on it today as we had a soccer game and a wedding to attend. Tomorrow, if the weather allows, I should get going on the railing. I have a chimney to clean, too. Maybe I should do that first.

Here are some current photos:

 

[smalltown]

Re: Screen Porch Done

Dennis I'd say your project came out quite nice. Congrats!

 

[DennisFolsom]

Re: Screen Porch Done

Dennis I'd say your project came out quite nice. Congrats!

Thanks, smalltown. We should be able to sit out in the evening without being bothered so much by those skeeters and blackflies next spring!