Deck Redo
The deck is a good feature, and well-made. I’d like to update the surface materials. I’ve already given the composite deck boards a coat of paint, which helped the fade-to-pink problem, but because the boards are installed too close together, the paint has now sealed off the little drainage there had been. This deck needs new (not pink) boards, placed with wider gaps, and I’d like to do an invisible screw system since i’m tired of my snow shovel catching on popped-out nail heads.
Here’s the original deck, with brick landing that has since been removed, too-close bards that have faded, cracked and warped.
Updated look, with couch, plush dog bed, umbrella, and tropical rug.
Colors
I’m still noodling around what color decking I want. The natural pine siding is golden brown that fades to a pale tan/grey. I’ll be ordering a few samples so I can hold them against the siding and see how it looks in person.
Here is the siding, followed by some options off the Trex website:
Fasteners and Patterns
Most boards will need to be grooved, for the hidden spacer/fastener installation that will give me a surface without nails and screws poking through it. I’m also going to want to install picture-frame edging, so I don’t have to look at the cut ends of the boards… I’ll need just enough non-grooved boards to make that look good, and then the gadget that routers a groove in one side of the square board.
Grooved-edge boards install with the Hidden Fastening System beneath the deck surface, leaving a tidy finish free of screw holes.
Rails
So, while i’m ripping off the top of the deck, I might as well also get rid of the ivory colored vinyl rails. They stick out like a sore thumb, and require annual pressure washing to keep from turning green. I much prefer the powder-coated black aluminum I chose for my fence. But instead of continuing the heavy vertical lines of the house and fence, I’m looking at doing horizontal cable lines, meant to offer safety and easy maintenance without blocking the view.
Image from DeckAndRailSupply.com
Image from CableRailingDirect.com
Image from CableBullet.com
There are some
Flooring
I love the idea of scraped floors. These floors are installed at my aunt & uncle’s old house in Sequim, Washington… they’re cut from lumber from the property on which the house is built. The scrapes are REAL SCRAPES… not the factory-perfect texture you see on manufactured hardwoods. Gaps between the boards trap dirt and dog hair for safe keeping until the next vacuum day. Kinda perfect for my way of life.
If I can find reclaimed materials, that would be awesome. If not, here are some other samples that I love.
Mockup: Kitchen
Kitchen
Move the door to put a cabinet to the left of the stove, and add a floor-to-ceiling appliance garage in the corner. Change the swing of the door to open to the back of the carport.
Basement Drop Ceiling
My basement ceiling is truly horrible… the rectangular tiles are floppy and dirty and torn. But because I have utilities that I’ve had to service more than once in the last five years, I really like being able to pop out the ceiling tiles and get to whatever’s up there… electricity, gas pipes, cable, etc.
So, I’ll get the ceiling re-done someday. For example, the Boulanger EMB80WHB Embassy Ceiling System (shown below, right) is simple and clean. I’ll also swap out the big fluorescent tube lights for recessed LEDs.
Glider
Country Cottage Furniture
717 NH Rt 104
New Hampton NH 03256
https://countrycottagefurniture.com/outdoor-furniture-made-recycled-poly-new-hampton-new-hampshire/poly-benches-and-settees-made-recycle
Green, Burgundy, Weatherwood, Cedar, Chocolate, Black, Gray, White, Turquoise, Red, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Patriot Blue, and Purple.