DIY home improvement projects

[AgronAlum]

Avoid Behr for staining. They make excellent paints but IMO their stains aren't nearly as good. I personally like Thompson's but I know there are many who aren't fans.

If your deck has any kind of age to it avoid transparent stain, I'd go with semi-transparent if you still want to see some of the wood graining.

Also, find a day/days when you know it's not going to be too windy. First time I did it there was a pretty stiff wind and stains are so thin and watery compared to paint a good wind will blow that sh*t everywhere.

I'll also add to avoid Pittsburg. If you're going to Menards, go with Cabot.

Deck stains also have a lot of negative reviews that aren't warranted, as well. People don't prep well enough or at all, blame it on the top coat and then go online blasting reviews everywhere.

 

[CyByrd]

I'll also add to avoid Pittsburg. If you're going to Menards, go with Cabot.

Deck stains also have a lot of negative reviews that aren't warranted, as well. People don't prep well enough or at all, blame it on the top coat and then go online blasting reviews everywhere.

Its a little more expensive, but I love Penofin penetrating oil for decks/fences

 

[VeloClone]

Next task I want to tackle is replacing our existing deck boards/railings with composite material. They're getting pretty worn and I'm tired of re-sanding/staining so often. Seems to be pretty straightforward (assuming the undercarriage is still in good shape), open to any tips from anyone who has done it in the past.

Consider the color and the amount of sun it gets. My BIL built a house and had a composite deck attached. Granted this was in KC, but their darker colored (medium to dark grey) deck got so hot on sunny summer days that it was pretty much unusable during daylight hours. Wood can get pretty hot in direct sunlight, but this was another level.

He has since covered it with screened porch and gets a lot of use out of it now.

 

[Hammerschlagen]

We live in a split foyer and the entryway isn't very big. I got tired of everyone's shoes always cluttering up this entryway and getting in the way of the front door, so I ordered a metal shoe cabinet and I built it into the wall. It still needs a little touch up paint on the trim, but it's essentially done. The cabinet is only 4 inches thick so it barely sticks out of the wall, and it holds a total of six pairs of shoes. Now my cluttered entryway problem is solved!

An essential characteristic of every DIY project

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Anyone have recommendations on how to stain a fence and deck?

Treated or cedar?

Old or new?

 

[psycln11]

anyone on here familiar with Onyx showers? typical price range? ease of install?

finishing basement and not sure which route to go.. for the money may just do standard fiberglass?

My parents completely re-did their master bath last year. New Onyx shower and counter-top with two built in sinks. Let's just say the overall project was NOT cheap!

Note: They did a complete upgrade and tore out the built-in jetted tub and went with a new walk-in shower.

 

[Gonzo]

Consider the color and the amount of sun it gets. My BIL built a house and had a composite deck attached. Granted this was in KC, but their darker colored (medium to dark grey) deck got so hot on sunny summer days that it was pretty much unusable during daylight hours. Wood can get pretty hot in direct sunlight, but this was another level.

He has since covered it with screened porch and gets a lot of use out of it now.

I've heard too much direct sun/heat can warp that stuff too.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

My parents completely re-did their master bath last year. New Onyx shower and counter-top with two built in sinks. Let's just say the overall project was NOT cheap!

Note: They did a complete upgrade and tore out the built-in jetted tub and went with a new walk-in shower.

Onyx is really a nice material in a shower, our contractor talked us into using it when we remodeled our upstairs bathroom in the old house. Loved it, and we never had any problems in the 5 years we used it before we sold the place.

 

[Pope]

An essential characteristic of every DIY project

Yeah, my wife hates my 80% rule. That is when I'm 80% done with a project, I lose interest and I'm ready to move onto the next project. Getting that last 20% done is the hard part.

 

[VeloClone]

Yeah, my wife hates my 80% rule. That is when I'm 80% done with a project, I lose interest and I'm ready to move onto the next project. Getting that last 20% done is the hard part.

Completion is overrated. If it isn't completed she can't discard me without consequences...

 

[Gonzo]

Yeah, my wife hates my 80% rule. That is when I'm 80% done with a project, I lose interest and I'm ready to move onto the next project. Getting that last 20% done is the hard part.

Weird, 80% is about all my wife can handle.

***EDIT: Who am I trying to kid...