by: Dean Novosat
Part of the fun of a new deck is the planning! When you plan your deck, you can let your imagination run wild and add all kinds of fun features. As your planning process moves forward, you can whittle down your design to a more practical (and buildable) plan. Planning a new deck can be as simple as a few sketches, or as complete as a blueprint. You can have an architect or designer create plans for you, or you can do it yourself. Also, there are many new software programs available to make planning easier.
Before you start planning your deck, you may want to browse through some magazines for ideas. You can also search the Internet for photos of existing decks to give you some better ideas. There are also entire books written specifically for decks and deck building. They usually have hundreds of full-color photos to help you decide what features you want to add to your deck.
So the first place to start, is to measure the area you have available for your new deck. This is sometimes easier if you have a long tape measure; a 50 foot long tape measure is usually best for a project like this. Using wooden stakes, hammer them into the ground at the corners of your deck. This will help you visualize where your new deck will be. It's a lot easier to move wooden stakes around, then to change the layout
while building your deck.
As you stake out your new deck, take into consideration any changes in elevation. You may want to consider a multi-level deck, areas for steps, or special task areas on your deck. Task areas may include things like a wet bar, a place for a grill, or even a private sitting area. These special task areas are what will make your new deck unique.
Once you have your deck staked out in its final position, you will want to draw some final plans. You can take these plans to your local home center or building supply store, and they can create a materials list for you. You will also need a set of plans if you need a building permit for your deck. Most townships or municipalities require building permits for a new deck. They will want to have one or two sets of plans submitted with the building fee. The more professional your plans look, the easier it will be for you to get approval to build your new deck.
Once you have your final building permit and your plans all finished, it's time to start building your deck. The next series of articles will cover building your deck from start to finish.
About The Author
Dean Novosat is an avid do-it-yourselfer and remodeler. He writes for http://build-decks-patios.com, http://ww.the-bathroom-designer.com and http://www.the-kitchen-designer.com.
|
UK Consumers Start Clawing Their Way Out Of The Financial Debt Pit
by: Michael Hanna
Another year ended, and another round of UK debt statistics.
CreditAction has just announced the latest summing up of the personal debt situation in the UK.
Their figures show that the end of 2005 has seen the total level of personal debt rise to an astounding ?1,158bn, an increase of ?100bn compared with the same time last year, and this debt is increasing at a rate of ?1m every 4 minutes.
These levels of debt affect everyone in the country, and have become a way of life.
The average household debt is ?46,863 including mortgages or ?7,786 including overdrafts, finance deals, credit cards and unsecured loans, but excluding mortgages.
To break this down further; CreditAction report that the average UK adult owes ?4,125 excluding secured loans, or ?24,833 including mortgage loans.
The Financial Services...
UK Consumers Start Clawing Their Way Out Of The Financial Debt Pit
Planning For Moving House
by: Joseph Kenny
If you have just bought or are considering buying a new home, then you will also need to plan the process of moving home. While there are many things that you have to remember, planning them in advance will make the whole move easier and less traumatic. So it is a good idea that, as soon as you know the completion date for your move, that you start planning.
There are certain things that take quite a bit of time and should be arranged at least a month in advance. You will want to inform your landlord or any flatmates, if you have any, of the date that you are leaving. This can mean the difference between getting your deposit back or not, if you are renting, so it?s a good idea to let everyone know your plans as soon as you know them yourself.
You should probably also inform the gas and electricity companies of your knew property that you are the new owner. By doing this, it can avoid mix-ups...
Planning For Moving House
4 Ways To Save Money On Gas
4 Ways To Save Money On Gas
by: Chad Klingensmith
Can anybody remember the good old days when we could buy gas for less than a buck?
Back in roaring 90's we could drive around in our SUVs at little expense. Heck back then I could fill up my 20 gallon tank for less than twenty bucks if I knew where to get cheap gas. It seemed that naive the OPEC and economic recession could help drive you fuel costs $2.00 a gallon. A few years later a war in the Middle...
cooper tires Financial planning
Saving Money on a Cruise
Saving Money on a Cruise
by: Keith V. Hoyng
For many people, a cruise ship can be the ultimate budget travel destination. A cruise provides a great, one price, vacation, and one of the main attractions to booking a cruise is that just about everything is included in the price. As a matter of fact, in some cases the daily cost of a cruise can be less than the daily cost of a decent hotel room. When you consider that the price of the cruise includes not only...
cruise Financial planning
voip Financial planning Planning For a New Deck 
Financial planning perfume Planning For a New Deck 
Supporting a Friend With Mental Health Difficulties
Supporting a Friend With Mental Health Difficulties
by: Arthur Buchanan
Someone who is experiencing mental health difficulties is usually able to live a successful full life, particuarly if they are receiving help to manage their illness. However, it is not uncommon for stigma to be attached to experiencing mental health difficulties. This often causes people to feel embarrassed.
Often people with mental health difficulties worry that people will tease...
health insurance Supporting a Friend With Mental Health Difficulties Financial planning