On the Wire - Decked Out
Every summer season, decks become the living and entertaining space of choice for many homeowners. However, before you pull out that table and umbrella, you should consider how to restore your deck with a fresh coat of paint or stain. According to Debbie Zimmer, color and paint expert with the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, “Not only will this step enhance this often-used exterior “room”, but it can also protect the actual wood surface allowing the deck last longer.”
Zimmer says that while browns and grey continue to be favorite color selections when painting or staining a deck, homeowners are increasingly choosing combinations that suit their home or decorating style. “If you’re not quite ready to add multiple hues to the entire space, add a punch of color by incorporating complementary colors onto planter boxes, built-in benches or even deck trellises,” she says.
When it comes to painting your deck, you have plenty of options to harmonize or complement your outdoor surroundings:
- A coat of semi-transparent stain can be a great way to spruce up a wooden deck. It lets you add some color to the wood without hiding its grain or texture.
- If viewing the wood grain is not a high priority, an opaque deck stain can be a better choice. These products, which can be oil based or latex, are more like paints in their pigmentation and so typically hold up longer than a semi transparent stain.
- If you don’t want to show either the grain or the texture of the wood, a quality porch and deck paint or enamel may be the way to go. It will last longer than any type of stain although you may need to use a primer for best results.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Deck vs. Patio
What adds more value to a home a wooden deck or a patio of pavers? We are making some improvements to our home over the next year and want to sell it once the market gets better. Can you compare and contrast the two options as far as cost, labor, D-I-Yability?
Building an outdoor room, the idea that you can create a living space beyond the four walls of your home, is gaining ground as one of the most popular home improvement projects around. Return on investment is also very strong. According to the 2006 Cost vs. Value Report produced by Remodeling Online, installing a deck will give you a 76.8% return on investment when it comes time to sell your home. Patios are not rated, although we would expect the results to be similar.
As for the degree of difficulty, anyone with basic construction knowledge could install either. The exception might be building a concrete patio, which involves some specialized skills to handle the concrete. However, building a brick patio isn’t nearly as difficult and could be a DIY project. In either case, be sure to get a building permit. If you are planning to sell the home, your local zoning or code enforcement inspector may be contacted for an inspection and you want to be sure that you have done everything properly.
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - Closet Care
Are your closets serving you well? Can everyone in your household reach every part of them? This week on the radio show, learn how to make the most of the “lost” areas in your closet. Reclaim that wasted space and use it to its full potential. Click here to download our free Podcast, listen online or find out where we broadcast in your area.
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Dot Common Sense - Don't Forget Dad
Shop www.moneypit.com for great Father’s Day gift ideas. We’ve got dozens of product recommendations, advice and info. Plus you can shop Money Pit gear. Don’t forget Dad, and visit our website today!
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Fun Fact - Get Mosquitoes to Buzz Off
Mosquitoes can take a bite out of your backyard fun, but a few simple steps can help you reclaim your yard - and your summer pleasure. Mosquitoes only need a few days in free standing water to lay their eggs and wreak havoc in your backyard. To prevent this, eliminate all standing water, including clogged gutter pools, flower pots, birdbaths, even children’s play toys.
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Short Cuts - Outdoor Furniture Care
Cleaning outdoor furniture is easy to do and will help maintain the appearance and longevity of your outdoor décor.
If your outdoor furniture is plastic, you can freshen it up with a mixture of dish soap, borax, ½ cup peroxide and a gallon of water. It’s always a good idea to test a small area first. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes and scrub with a nylon brush before rinsing well.
For wood furniture, oil surfaces with a sealant or preservative that is made for the type of wood you have. After sealing, clean the surface at least once every two weeks, with a mix of soapy water and wood cleaner. Use a damp rag and then wipe away extra moisture with a dry cloth.
If your furniture is metal, you can clean it with soapy water and some elbow grease. If you notice any rust, remove the spots and stains with sand paper to get a smooth rust free surface and then either repaint the entire piece with a metal rust prohibiting paint or, if you only need to cover the area that was rusty, you can coat the area with a metal varnish.
It is so important to maintain your outdoor furniture so you can use it for many summers to come. Get in the habit of wiping all of it down after use, remove any bird droppings or pollen that may have gathered and protect them with waterproof covers if you are not going to be using them for some time.
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Copyright 2007 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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