If you live in the Washington, DC; Virginia; or Maryland region or any area afflicted by pesky insects, you know how quickly something small can ruin an outdoor living space! There’s nothing worse than trying to sit and relax outside on a warm summer night only to find yourself swatting away biting, buzzing insects. While you might not think of an open-air pergola as a great deterrent to insects, this one simple addition can help greatly: a fan.

Why Having a Permit is so Important When Building a Deck

We get this at least once a week.  "I spoke to a contractor who can start in 2 weeks and says I don't need a permit."

So why do you need a permit ?

In a nutshell: it’s the law.

All deck projects must be reviewed by your local jurisdiction to ensure they comply with the current International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC sets out minimum regulations for construction projects related to residences, including provisions for building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy, and electrical. The goal is to ensure that all construction is safe, built correctly, and up to the current building standards.

Customers today have more options than ever, and that includes enhancements and features for an outdoor living space. With so many companies and products to choose from, consumers certainly get more pricing options, but they can also choose to give their dollars to businesses whose practices align with their personal philosophies. Most recently, this has been a big boon for companies, such as Structureworks, that have an eco-friendly ethos.

This time of year, we get a lot of requests to replace existing screens.  If your home’s screened porch was built more than 10 years ago, it may have been built with a traditional screening system. With these dated older systems, screens are attached to railings and posts with staples or tacks, and trim is nailed up to hide the unsightly fasteners and seams.

The main problem with this method is that screens come loose and begin to sag over time. In addition, if screens are torn or damaged in any way, it can be very difficult to replace them, since you’ll have to remove the trim and pull out many staples or tacks to remove the screens.

In recent years, pergolas and other shade structures have become increasingly popular in exterior living spaces. They’ve done particularly well in regions like Washington, DC; Virginia; and Maryland because those areas can experience extreme sun and heat in the summer. If you’re considering your options for adding this kind of structure to your home, here’s what you need to know about the pergola manufacturer Structureworks.