I'm often called in to make an existing landscape function better. The client doesn't to rip it all out and start from scratch, but they need to fix... something. Usually it's my … [Read more...]
Virginia Deck Design Explained, Part 3: Decking and Railings
Ok, your framing is up and you have the solid foundation for a deck. Now you have choices - what decking to use, and what type of railings? Decking I break decking up into … [Read more...]
Virginia Deck Design Explained, Part 2: Posts, Beams and Joists
Last week I talked about the ledger board and the footers, the first steps in building your deck. Today I'll cover the next steps. Posts The standard spec for a deck is for it to … [Read more...]
Virginia Deck Design Explained, Part 1: Footers and Ledger Attachment
My name is Dave Marciniak, landscape designer and owner of Revolutionary Gardens, and I use jargon. I'm deeply sorry. However, the fact is that when it comes to building … [Read more...]
How to Build a Round Deck
Step 1: Build a square deck. Step 2: Cut off all the corners. In all seriousness, building a round deck isn't all that different from building a rectangular deck. I've designed … [Read more...]
Making Multi-Level Decks Work
I'll be honest, I don't really care for multi-level decks. They can look stunning, but if they're not well designed they can be a waste of money. After all, those additional levels … [Read more...]
Pros and Cons of a Fiberglass or Wood Pergola
"I want zero maintenance." If you wanted to know how many times I've heard these words in my career as a designer, I'd say to take the number of presents under a spoiled kid's … [Read more...]
What Landscape Work Can Be Done in Fall and Winter?
I get this question a lot this time of year. I get my fall rush once the kids are back in school, it takes a few weeks to get through the design process, and suddenly we're just … [Read more...]
Designing a Deck
From time to time, I'll get a request to design a deck for one of my clients. Decks fall under the whole "anything for the outside of a home" category that defines my business and … [Read more...]