Construction Related Articles and Links

Below are various articles that I'm trying to collect, as they are just too darn informational to not share with others. If you have an article that you would like to share, please let me know! Hope these help! I've just created this page, so it doesn't have a lot on it yet. As time allows, I'll be adding more.

You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read most of these articles. Download it free here.

Building a Dream (PDF 641KB) or Building a Dream (Microsoft Word 753KB)
From BuildersWebsource.com. A wonderful book that well..., talks about building your home and the best ways to approach everything from the product selection to the contractors.

I found these particular articles in Fine Home Building Magazine. They came at just the right time for us!

Better Ways to Build a Deck: (PDF 2.61MB) Wonderful tips! Even our decking contractor loved the article and is using some of it's advice now. i.e. doubling up of the ledger board.
Synthetic Decking: (PDF 2.3MB) Superb run-down of the various composite decking materials.
Consumer Reports Ratings on Deck Treatments. (link)

Evergrain - Our Favorite and that of local deck builders. It is also the deck featured on the cover of Fine Home Building.
CorrectDeck - Nice material, but a rep said he still thinks the Evergrain looks much nicer, more realistic. Correct Deck looks a little fake according to another source. But they have a wonderful protection material called SmartGuard incorporated into the material.
Choice Deck - Another good product, however not as convincing to some. But you know the quality will be good, it's made by Weyerhauser.
I just ran out of time, I'll add the others later today. :-)

Decklok Brackets (PDF 323KB) I'll throw this one in, in case you're looking for various fastening products for the joists.
ShadoeTrack Hidden Deck Fasteners (Link) Our lumber yard who sells a lot of synthetic decking materials in the area, highly recommended this system. It takes a little bit more work, but will be worth it. We are using this system.
Grace Vycor Deck Protector: (Link) Looks like a wonderful product to help prevent corrosion, rot, and mildew on the joists, etc. Here's some info on the award this product won. It has a photo of it's use also.
Balusters at Deckorators.com