Blogs

How much does it cost to build a deck? If you ordered us to give you an answer that was as simple as possible, we’d tell you most homeowners pay $30 to $60 per square foot, according to Angi’s 2026...

Your deck is designed, the permit’s filed, and the framing is set. You take this glorious moment to relax. Suddenly, you’re confronted with a whole new set of decisions, this time surrounding railings for your new deck. Height. Material. Style....

Paint is a beautiful thing, literally. Whether it's minimalist white, shocking pink, or something soothingly in between, fresh paint is a straightforward way to change the look and feel of a home. Plenty of people tackle smaller jobs themselves, a...

Considering a new deck this year? If so, you've probably asked the big question already: Do you need a permit to build a deck? For homeowners in Frederick County, the answer is almost always yes. Attached decks, elevated decks, and...

Whether you're looking for privacy from the neighbors, a safe space for your kids and pets, or just a way to define your property line, a new fence is one of the most rewarding home improvements you can invest in....

Winter is hard on everything, but especially on those things that don’t have the ability to seek shelter when the worst of it rolls through. Perhaps your garden. Maybe your car. Definitely your deck. After months of freezing temperatures, ice,...

We’ve come a long way, baby. Decks used to be built of wood, period. Wood is fantastic. It’s a classic material, of course, though it does have its drawbacks: number one of which is the large amount of upkeep it...

Even in our über-connected world, which makes us all consumers in the global marketplace, there’s still a lot to be said for buying local. Sure, that wheel of Yorkshire cheddar, shipped all the way from the U.K., is probably really...

After millennia of human beings experimenting with color, particularly how it can be applied to everything from clothing to walls and even to themselves, one might assume there’s nothing under the sun left to discover as far as color goes;...

When the cold weather looms on the horizon, we can simply walk inside and set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. Our decks and fences can’t, though. They may be designed to withstand a certain degree of weather-related assaults, but...

What if we told you that painting your house this fall is a smart choice… from a maintenance perspective? Sure, that fresh coat will make your house look great! But there’s more to it than that. Just as stain protects...

Don’t have enough privacy in your backyard? Does the dog keep trying to run away? Whatever the reason, a wood fence installation is a great solution to your predicament. In addition to giving you the privacy and security you’re looking...

Think of a knight from your favorite fantasy movie or show. One of their defining aspects is their armor. Not only does it protect them from harm, but it looks cool as heck. In a way, the same line of...

This post was updated on August 14, 2025, to give you the most current information. Squirrels are common to see in many people’s yards, and these little guys can be pretty active. Sometimes, they can cause problems, though, and one...

This post was updated on August 1, 2025, to give you the most current information. If you’re going to get exterior painting done for your house, you’ll have to take the weather into account. How your paint job will look...

This post was updated on July 25, 2025 to give you the most current information. For anyone doing a painting project, there are many tools that can be used to help with the job. However, even though there are tools...

We spend a lot of time in the bathroom. We use it to brush our teeth, wash our face, take a shower, and … other stuff. The point is, since we spend so much time there, the space should be...

Get your house ready before your exterior painting contractor arrives! Ah, a fresh coat of paint. It can breathe new life into your home’s exterior. Everything will look more vibrant and welcoming when all is said and done—assuming you go...