Thursday, March 29, 2012

Spring Deck Redo


NOTE: I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE DECK RESTORE PRODUCT WE USED.  AS TIME PASSED, IT DESTROYED OUR DECK.  PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE!  

I was really hesitant to write this post... there are so many yards out there that are amazing and we still have so much work to do.  But with that being said, it's hard not to share since all of our efforts have been going to our home's exterior.  The past couple years, since moving, we haven't been able to devote any time to outdoor renovations, but this spring we have been putting all of our extra time (and house repair budgeting) to the outside of our home.

BEFORE:


First on our mile long list was renovating our back deck.  Above is a picture of how our deck previously looked.  (Sad, but true.)   The first thing we did this month was remove the old lattice, move the railroad ties, and pull up miscellaneous bushes and weeds (not to mention some very icky weed fabric and trash under the deck from the previous owners).


 Next Justus ripped out the old rotting steps and built these larger ones.  He centered it on the porch, which works so much better.  I can't tell you how much time we spend just sitting on the stairs of our back deck when the weather is nice. 


 Fortunately, the wood on the deck itself was still good, but the stain was wearing and there were splinters everywhere.  Justus found a product specifically for this type of problem.  It's called Deck Restore.  (PLEASE NOTE: I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT.)  We bought it at Lowe's and it revives and protects wood surfaces.  You can purchase it in a variety of colors, but we chose Cape Cod Gray because we felt it matched our house best.


The paint covers up to 1/4" cracks and eliminates any splinters, but you have to spread it on thick.  Unfortunately we didn't realize until we brought the first couple gallons of paint home that one gallon only covers 50 sq. feet.  So although this is more cost efficient than replacing all of the wood, it was still costly... we had to purchase 7 gallons total.  Despite that, it was totally worth it.  Regular paint would not have hid imperfections.  


We only painted the stair treads with the Deck Restore to save some money.  Since the stairs are new, we didn't need to fill in any cracks or hide any imperfections.  I painted the sides of the stairs and the side of the porch where the lattice is with regular latex paint tinted to match the Deck Restore.

You can see in the picture above that we also put up new vinyl lattice. 



I visited our local nursery over the weekend and purchased two Annabelle hydrangea bushes to plant on either side of the stairs.  I love hydrangeas and I thought white blossoms would be so pretty here.

BEFORE:


 The only thing we did prior to this month was replace our back door.  This screen door was very outdated but I realized quickly when we went door shopping why it was still there.  Because the back of our house was originally a porch (before there was such a thing as indoor plumbing and kitchens), the door height is smaller than what you find now in stock.

AFTER:


Fortunately Justus is super handy and he was able to take the above door and customize it by taking it apart and rebuilding.  We also replaced the light fixture with this affordable beauty from Lowe's.   


 I took one of our rockers from the front porch, gave it a coat of fresh paint and put it on the back deck. 


 What you can't see in the picture above is that we also have a wooden patio table that needs refinishing,but we hope to get to that soon!  Once we do, I know we'll be eating many meals out here in the evenings. 


 We still have so many improvements to make outside, but it sure felt good to cross out this deck on our list!  

This week we rototilled our garden (can't wait to start planting) and moved some dirt in preparation for moving our driveway.  The gravel should be delivered Friday so we hope to have that completed this weekend!

What are you working on outside? I'd love to hear!

49 comments:

  1. Love the updates to your deck! The new door looks great and as summer arrives you will really enjoy the hydrangeas. I'm working to get our garden in S.C. ready to plant. I'm planning to get my seeds in this weekend.

    Gretchen

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  2. it looks awesome!! great job!!

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  3. I love your new screen door! I want to run out and replace all of my old grotty ones with ones like yours... seriously, I'm looking them up right now.

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  4. What an awesome space! And great job cleaning it up--it looks great. I was just outside prepping one of our raised beds and was hoping to get some seeds planted, but it's so windy here today. Hopefully this weekend I too can cross some things off my list;)

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  5. Wow what a face lift...and YES perfect place for evening dinners.
    We will soon be getting our garden ready too. Love fresh vegetables in the summer, so YUMMY!

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  6. This is stunning. Your screen door is a dream, and I love the crisp white porch. This should be in Country Living--it's awesome!

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  7. What a fabulous job - that screen door looks amazing!! And the cute little boot bench - adorable.

    Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers - last year, I planted a dozen bushes! They are perfect for cutting too - great choice.

    I haven't done much outside - yet! Enjoying the blooming tulips that my daughter planted last year.
    Kelly

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  8. so glad i came across your post~ i am getting ready to buy the Deck Restore but was a bit hesitant. Now that im seeing yours and know that you liked it , well i guess i have my weekend planned out for me! thanks your deck looks fabulous!!!

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  9. So glad I found your blog today! Am a new follower :-) I love your deck transformation - it seems to fit the feel of your house so nicely now. I've read back through some of your posts this morning, but can't wait to be able to sit down and soak it all in. Loving what I've seen so far!

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  10. what a great doable makeover! its amazing what soem sweat, paint and hard work will do! great job :)

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  11. It looks fabulous and your helper is a doll! :)

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  12. Glad I found you through Funky Junk. I took a peak around your blog and want to see more of your projects, so am following now. Nice job on the deck and that's a real cutie twirling there! ~ Maureen

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  13. Your deck is beautiful, I'm a new follower, your style is awesome!
    Susan
    Homeroad

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  14. beautiful deck! And that screen door is just icing on the cake! Oh I want one!!! :)

    Donna

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  15. I am back. :) I just had to share your post on FJI Facebook and on Pinterest for SNS 127. :)

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150740954781141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater

    Donna

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  16. What a nice improvement. Please put down a weed barrier cloth around your new plants. This will keep the weeds away and with a simple border of old rock or brick and mulch over the weed cloth, it will look very nice and easy to keep up.

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  17. Your deck is beautiful, you did a great job. Your screen door is what drew me in!! I found you at Funky Junk :) I've been looking at Home Depot for an outdoor light to use in my son's room but this one you guys found is just what I want and for a GREAT price! I think I'll be driving a little farther to get to a Lowe's soon :)

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  18. It looks so nice! Great job, I love the new screen door too!

    Tania

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  19. what a great transformation!!! :) chris

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  20. Visiting from Funky Junk Interiors! I love your screen door. I've actually been on the hunt for one. I was wondering where you got yours. If you have a moment to shoot me a quick email, I'd really, really appreciate it! Thanks!

    Michael
    www.isnpiredbycharm.com

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  21. Thanks for all of the great tips and sources you shared with us today! I adore that screen door. Did you get that at Lowes', too? And that light is just perfect for your new farmhouse porch! I've never heard of Deck Restore, but will certainly check it out! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  22. Wow what a change! You did a great job updating that deck girl, shout it from the rooftops! The new door is so charming and looks perfect with the new deck color. Beautiful inspiration for me, thank you!

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  23. Amazing what a little bit of paint and effort can do for you!
    I love the small changes to your deck...so glad you can get out there and enjoy it now. I just found your blog via FJI- SNS...I'm off to have a look around!

    so nice to meet you, ~Pat

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  24. I it gorgeou!!! So glad you shared with us, thank you! Enjoy your new beautiful outdoor space!
    XO
    Kristin

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  25. Love it! It looks like a brand new deck...and the screen door amazing!

    Maggie
    www.thehellonheelshousewife.blogspot.com

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  26. I love the changes you made to your deck. We stained ours last summer and it needs to be done all over again. I love your screen door and your cute shoe shelf too.

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  27. Wow, what a difference. So crisp and clean, ready for enjoying the outdoors!
    I'm a new follower and hope you'll stop by.
    Mary Alice

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  28. The newly painted deck looks new to me and very fresh. We planted 35 plus day lilies and three wee oak leaf hydrangeas gifted to me by a dear lady. I garden way too much and the inside of my house suffers.

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  29. So glad you decided to share because it looks like such a lovely and inviting space!

    And that screen door is to die for! Huge giant kudos to your husband and his amazing carpentry skills ...

    :)

    Linda

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  30. Your deck is amazing. You guys did a fabulous job. I absolutely love it! Thank you for this wonderful post! I would love it if you would share this at our What’s It Wednesday blog party. Hope to see you there.

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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  31. You should be very proud of your make-over. I would love to sit on your deck and enjoy the sunset, or an evening meal with the family.

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  32. I am so happy for you!

    This is an amazing transformation!

    I think you both are clever, hardworking and frugal - well done!

    As for that pretty princess............I think she REALLY likes her new deck, too!

    Blessings be yours.

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  33. Everything looks so pretty. Great money saver also.
    Last year we paid mega bucks to have an all vinyl deck , rails and roof.
    Should last forever and no maintance. Just clean with soap and water.

    Pamela
    Ohio

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  34. Your deck came out great! The cutie decorating it makes it even better.
    Debbie

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  35. Your deck and backdoor look almost exactly like mine! I stained the deck last summer in a gray color. I bought a more expensive brand, but am very unhappy with the results. After one winter (not even a year) it is already worn through. I may have to look into this product. We also put in a screen door almost like yours. I love the way it sounds :)

    Have a great Easter weekend!
    Deborah

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  36. Fun to see this again from The Rooster & The Hen party - loved it the first time and even more now!

    That deck paint is amazing - didn't realize there was something that could help with splintered old decks like that.
    Kelly

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  37. Beautiful deck! Love the space for shoes!

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  38. Wow! Beautiful job! I had no idea about that paint. Thanks so much for sharing! The deck looks gorgeous! I'm going to include a link back in this week's highlights! ;)

    Have a great weekend!
    Roeshel

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  39. I really like your site and am going through your older stories here and there when I get the chance.

    This one might have helped me alot.

    I will check into this product ( for the railings of my back porch / maybe it will work better than typical outdoor paint )

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  40. Your deck looks a lot better now. I like that you chose Cape Cod Gray. It definitely matches your house. Plus, it’s fresh and clean to look at. Have you thought of putting a railing around your deck? I think it will look beautiful there. Also, you did great in painting the deck. The wood looks new, and you can’t see any sign of the imperfections it had before.

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  41. I agree with Angelina. The deck looks great! The paint complemented your deck nicely, and though it cost you a few extra bucks, I think the whole thing was a success. Consider it an investment that your kids will also be able to enjoy, since you’ve added some more service life to your deck.


    - Christian Renwick

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  42. I agree with Christian! A deck is a good investment and it’s worth spending for! Anyway, white looks good! Good choice!

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  43. Hey,

    It looks awesome. I did like to use the Composite decking material. I have already used into my garden which I have ordered from the Futurewood.

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  44. I have been considering using Deck Restore, but have been hesitant because of the texture. The sample at the store looks almost like a door mat or brillo pad. What do you think of the texture now that you've lived with it for a year?

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  45. Looks great! Good work! Please please have your hubby share how he re-did the screen door. It is so gorgeous and we have one on the front of our house exactly like your "before" screen door. I want to re-do it. Did he use wood to do the bars on it? Did he just paint the metal? Please share.

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  46. It looks great! Please please share how your husband re-did the door. We have one exactly like your "before" picture and I'd like one like your "after" picture. What parts did he buy new and what parts did he paint or reuse? It's beautiful.

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