The right lumber is key to a successful deck-building project. We’ll walk you through how to select lumber, examine the quality, and more.

Probably the most difficult decision to make when building a wood deck is what type of decking to use. All three choices—5/4 x 6-in. radius-edged cedar, pressure-treated and composite decking ...

Nailing a loose floorboard into the joist below should eliminate the rattle or squeak. But even if it doesn’t, we’ve got you covered.

Thermally modified wood has solidified its place as a leading material for exterior applications. Pairing this ...

Decking comes with trade-offs depending on which brand, material, and species you choose. As a rule, wood tends to resist flexing better than composites. Composites, on the other hand, generally ...

If your wood deck, fence, or furniture was built from pressure-treated lumber made after 2004, you can strap on your safety mask—or N95 mask—to avoid inhaling dust and do the sanding yourself.

Chicago Deck Expert reveals the top five deck remodeling trends for 2025, focusing on sustainability, multi-level designs, ...