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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2019)
Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, May 29, 2019 Home & Garden Outdoor decks provide entertainment and value Key factors include location, weather and how it will be used By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle A dding a deck or patio to a home adds liv- ing space and value. The project can also be an enjoyable spring or summer building activity. “Decks and patios are great places for entertaining and barbecuing,” Grant County Building Supply owner Dan Averett said. “It’s a great place for the grandkids to play.” Designing is the fi rst step. Key factors include suit- able location, weather considerations and how the deck or patio will be used. Stakes and string can be used to test drive a layout. Furniture can even be placed inside the outlined project to see how the deck will function. Four feet of space should be provided around a table, for example, and while shade might be welcome on hot summer days, it might make a spot too cold in the shoul- der seasons. Decks and patios can be built around trees or shrub- bery, privacy screens can be added in denser neighbor- hoods and awnings or lattice canopies can be used to The Eagle/Richard Hanners Grant County Building Supply owner Dan Averett explains the many colors and style of Trex synthetic decking. block intense sunlight. A multilevel deck can be a solution for sloped yards, and retaining walls can be used for paver-block patios. But homeowners should consult local rules and regula- tions, which might dictate structural elements as well as size. A homeowners association’s covenants also may have aesthetic guidelines for materials, fi nishes and even handrails. Averett said Douglas fi r and cedar are the most popular choices here for deck planking. He offers Sherwin-Wil- liams SuperDeck stain to complete the job. To maintain the original luster of the stain, wood decks should be refi nished twice a year for the fi rst fi ve years, he said. An alternative is composite or synthetic materials. Trex, a popular decking product, comes in a variety of colors and styles, including a hidden fastener design. Trex also produces posts, rails and stiles for deck railing. Made from recycled plastic, Trex comes with an outer UV-resis- tant layer and never needs stain or preservatives. “Trex is more expensive, but it cuts down on main- tenance,” Averett said, adding that he chose Trex for the See Decks, Page A7 Getty Images The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. HAS WHITETOP INVADED YOUR AREA? www.eomediagroup.com Starting your honey-do projects? Keep us at the top of your list! Whitetop is a List B Oregon Noxious Weed requiring eradication wherever it is found. Whitetop is a deep rooted perennial that thrives in both upland and irrigated ground. This aggressive noxious weed was introduced to the U.S. from Europe in the late 19th Century and has invaded nearly every State in the lower 48. Big or Small, We Stock It All! DECKS / DOORS / SHEET ROCK / GARAGES & SHEDS SIDING / CONCRETE / WINDOWS / ROOFING FENCING / DECORATIVE BRICKS & PAVING STONES Whitetop (Cardaria draba) Mills Building Supply Whitetop in the rosette stage of growth can be identified by its jagged leaves. ! D A E D D E T WAN Whitetop is spreading throughout Grant County. Act today to protect your property, livestock, native plants, and wildlife. For more information call Grant SWCD Weed Control 541-575-1554 751 W. Main St. John Day 541-575-1021 Nydam ’s A6 Home and garden, and everything in between... 652 W . Mai n St., John Day Mon-Fri 8-6 Sun 10-3