DECK REMODELING: PART ONE

sunny and warm wooden deck

Decks are fair game for remodeling projects, like any element of a home or yard. Time passes, the sun and rain take their toll. So does use. Even when a deck is in perfect condition, homeowners can’t help thinking of improvements and upgrades. We all love our homes, of course,  and want them at their … Read more

DECKS AND HOT TUBS

wooden deck with grass and brick overlooking a sunny city

Hot tub! Southern California. What’s one without the other? Each whispers the other’s name. It’s a match made wherever perfect matches are made. After all, we get an average only 36 rainy days in a year. Temperatures are mild. Outdoor living is our way of life. And manners are casual. Decks and hot tubs, California … Read more

Trex Decking in LA

trex decking curving around a swimming pool

On March 30, 1995, three inventors filed an application for a United States patent. Messrs. Gustafsson, Muller, and Wittenberg claimed to have invented a novel way to make a unique “…wood/thermoplastic composite material…”. The Patent Office reviewed the application. They granted US Patent #5746958 three years later, in May 1998. Trex decking came into our … Read more

Ipé Decking in LA

wooden deck with grass and brick overlooking a sunny city

IPÉ Firstly, let’s get the pronunciation out of the way. Ipé is pronounced “eee-pay”. Good to know, since ipé is a fantastic deck building material. Ipé decking is not, however, for all decks and all clients. Those who like it, love it. MG Construction & Decks is a master Ipé installer, so we’re proud to … Read more

A DECK PROJECT START TO FINISH: PART TWO

wooden deck with grass and brick overlooking a sunny city

In  Part One of this walk through a deck project, the Los Angeles deck builder and client reached full and informed agreement on the design and costs. Both parties signed a contract with full hearts and confidence. Before any building can begin, however, there are codes and regulations to comply with. PERMITS A typical consumer’s first … Read more

DRIVEWAY TIME

driveway with two cars parked at garage door

Pavers are the elite-level solution for driveway upgrades, coming in a dazzling variety of materials, shapes, colors, and sizes. The design possibilities are limited only by imagination and, of course, budget.  Some of the clay, brick, and natural stone pavers can drive costs well north of $50 per square foot. Permeable pavers are appreciated by … Read more

PERGOLA PRIMER

pergola on a backyard wooden deck

The word “pergola” came down to us from the late Latin “pergula,” and to Spanish as “la pérgola,” and all three refer to the same thing. A pergola was a great thing in Roman times and is today, too. Useful, versatile, economical, sturdy, and when adequately styled and accessorized, very easy on the eyes. The essentials … Read more

OASIS SPACES

broad wooden backyard deck overlooking a sunny city

A place apart from the frantic world, out of doors but sheltering. Secluded, though not barricaded. Comforting and comfortable.  A tract of peace, away from it all. An oasis. The word and the idea come down to us from the caravan trade routes through the vast deserts of Arabia and the Sahara, but homeowners in … Read more

ABOUT THOSE OUTDOOR KITCHENS

modern barbecue grill set in a wood and stone counter

A couple of years ago the Los Angeles Times reported on outdoor kitchens as trend gaining traction here in SoCal, spotlighting the high-end projects being ordered by our town’s rich and fabulous. The article noted that innovations in materials and design had paved the way for sophisticated installations offering the kind of luxury and convenience … Read more

3D Modeling and Rendering in LA

One of the all-time great trickle-downs from the space program is the availability of 3D modeling for everyone. Like everything related to computers, it started as a super-expensive software program supported by computers that filled rooms, but now is an affordable app that runs on personal computers and even on mobile devices. Simply put, 3D … Read more