Q: Some 20 years ago, I had a “treated” wood deck built behind my home and was told by the builder that additional sealer or wood treatment was not necessary. In fact, the builder said, it could hurt ...

We recently wrote an article where we shared the formula for our very own home-grown wood deck preservative consisting of equal parts of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. The article generated ...

Wood balconies and decks take a beating in the desert sun and wet winters. A good cleaning might be all it needs to perk up. Because wood needs to breathe, it is not a good idea to seal exterior wood, ...

Q: Thanks so much for your very informative article on composite decking materials ("All decked out," July 9). My husband and I installed a pressure-treated deck about 15 years ago. We did not know ...

Q. I have a deck that was constructed from pressure treated wood. The deck is about 8-10 years old. I have lived in the house for 6-7 years. The former owners never waterproofed the deck or cleaned it ...

Q. I have a treated-wood deck about 10 years old, and I am tired of messing with it every year or so to keep it looking good. Can I paint it to get a lasting finish? What other choices do I have? A.

For many people isolated at home this summer, a backyard deck has been an invaluable outdoor refuge. And now is the time to take some steps to make sure that refuge is ready next spring — even if, ...