By Bonnie Phelps, WIR Contributor Since the dawn of time, homes built off the ground have fascinated mankind. How many of us have watched the movie “Swiss Family Robinson” and thought how cool is that! Whether the appeal was to escape four-legged or two-legged predators, keep food from being stolen, avoid being ravaged by flood, […]
by Mark Clement, WIR Contributor Let’s find a new way to be happy. Food writer Michael Pollan says in his book Cooked that Americans spend more time watching TV shows about cooking food than actually cooking food. I have no way to prove this, but I’d guess the same is true for home improvement and […]
When it comes to enhancing your outdoor living experience, the first thing you want to do is assess your decking situation. A beautiful deck, after all, is really the foundation for great summer spaces. Once you’ve got a solid structure in place, you can build out from there with other projects. Keep in mind though, […]
“From developer Hines and designed by Michael Green Architecture and DLR Group, this new office building’s seven stories and 220,000 square feet of mixed retail and office space will have a strong draw on local investors and the tech and creative tenant due to the warmth of wood and the embrace of green construction techniques […]
“Building a new deck is a great way to increase usable living space that the whole family can enjoy, without breaking the bank. Compared to building an addition or converting an attic, constructing a deck costs a lot less, but provides one of the top ROI’s of all remodel projects.” Source: www.remodelingcalculator.org When building a […]
When you are getting ready to hire a contractor to build your deck you should thoroughly research their building history, get at least three estimates, and always ask them questions. This will help make sure that you are being dealt with fairly and that you will hire a contractor that you will be comfortable with […]
“…seeking to really know and care about what our client/customer wants,” says Collin Christensen, partner at the custom woodworking shop just outside of Atlanta, GA. Started in 2010, Woodology focuses on custom projects ranging from countertops to storage to furniture. While the two-man shop works with reclaimed wood and other wood species, they also like to […]
Southern Yellow Pine — or SYP when you’re texting — is the best possible lumber for your DIY projects. It’s attractive, abundant and affordable, but it’s also ideal for outdoor use. When you choose pressure treated SYP, you get plenty of peace of mind that your project will last for years through all kinds of […]
When you think about Southern Yellow Pine, you almost certainly picture rows of straight, clean dimensional lumber at the lumberyard or home improvement store, all lined up for your next project. Most of us think only as far as building a deck or swing set — or maybe framing a shed if you’re feeling extra […]
What a great gift idea. For $10 (including the bottle opener) and an hour or two of work, you’ve got yourself this awesome DIY beer tote. Or soda. Or Water. Show it off to friends, family, coworkers, at your next gathering. Cheers. Click the link below for the super simple beer tote building plans. Source: […]
Don’t let a wobbly, sagging deck put a damper on your summer fun! The secret to a sturdy and long-lasting deck lies in its substructure. Whether you’re building a new deck or just replacing the decking, following best practices for the substructure can save you time, money, and headaches down the road. But before you […]
We present to you the third and final video in the how-to-build-a-deck series we worked on with Mark of My Fix It Up Life. First, he showed tips, tricks, and techniques for building a deck. Then he tackled installing joists, hardware, and posts. And now, he’s wrapping it all up and finishing up this project. […]
“This is a dual purpose picnic table. Not only is this picnic table great for outdoor eating, but it easily converts into two cute garden benches. The picnic table’s top folds down to create the back of the bench, for a relaxing seat.” Source: www.buildsomething.com Here’s a project that can serve so many purposes, especially […]
By Robert Wyatt, WIR Contributor What started out as a sketch on a legal pad and some footing holes in your backyard is starting to resemble something to enjoy for years to come. I want to talk a little about beam span and joist support. Things are about to get real, y’all. Image via WoodMagazine.com If […]