Tips to get your deck ready in time to kick off the outdoor
entertaining season by
Safe and Sound
Check the deck for damaged boards and replace with the appropriate decking material. Tighten fasteners that have loosened during the winter (replace them completely if they won't tighten). Knock down and set protruding nails, or replace them with deck screws. Check surfaces that may have splinters, especially along handrails and steps, and smooth with sandpaper.
A fresh coat of deck stain will instantly rejuvenate the deck's
appearance and will keep your deck looking like new, longer, by helping
repel water, resist mildew and prevent fading in high traffic areas. The
new Express Deck wood stain by Cabot cuts the project time in half, so
you can clean and stain in one day without waiting for the deck to dry.
This innovative, semi-transparent stain, available exclusively at
Lowe's, offers a special solution for getting the job done quickly and
just in time to celebrate outdoors on
If you decide it's time for a new deck, replace old deck boards with composite or PVC deck boards. ChoiceDek and Trex offer composite and PVC decking that will not stain, scratch, splinter or mold. All that is required for maintenance is regular cleaning - no need to stain or re-stain your deck. Want to plan and budget your project before your get to the store? Check Lowes.com/decks to use our Deck Designer tool and find real-time lumber pricing for your market.
Spring Cleaning
Consider a pressure washer for thorough cleaning. Some Lowe's stores offer rental-equipment services for pressure washers, or you can purchase one. For smaller jobs, use a deck cleaner and scrubber. Many of the deck-cleaning solutions are concentrated, so check the instructions for proper dilution ratios.
Create Ambience
Add to your outdoor atmosphere by choosing accessories that complement not only the exterior decor, but the mood of special occasions as well. Prepare for spring and summer evenings and add aluminum balusters and solar-powered post caps to the railings. They are an easy-to-install option, requiring only batteries and sunlight to operate. Heighten all the senses and add relaxation to an outdoor space with a water feature, such as the allen + roth(R) 3-Tier Birdbath Fountain (Item # 348263).
Add Color
Plant annuals in containers for a finishing touch and added fragrance to
your deck. Consider planting a
No Deck? No Problem.
Here are additional gift ideas for
-- Save mom some time with a Keurig Coffee Maker (Item #301986,$119 ), which makes a cup in less than a minute. -- Mix up the perfect cake for Mom and leave her with a delightful treat and a KitchenAid Stand Mixer (Item #213829,$199 ) in white. -- To get ready for an outdoor party she'll need a Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker (Item #303429,$23.99 ), which makes 12-cups of the perfect summer beverage. -- Moms love homemade gifts, so bring your child to theMother's Day Build & Grow clinic at10 a.m. onSaturday, May 7 to create a heart-shaped flower vase that reads "I Love You" to Mom. Build & Grow clinics are free activities held every other Saturday at Lowe's stores nationwide. Spaces fill quickly, so be sure to register at www.lowes.com/BuildandGrow. For additional project ideas visit www.lowescreativeideas.com .
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Source: Lowe's