As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, you are most likely planning on spending time with family and friends outdoors. Since 1943, Freres Building Supply has been providing homeowners throughout the Willamette Valley in Oregon with all of the lumber and building materials they need to create their ideal outdoor living spaces. The experts at Freres Building Supply provide free materials estimates on everything from deck and railing materials to roofing materials, as well as professional advice on turning project plans into reality.

If you’ve been thinking about changing the look of your deck, consider buying deck and railing materials at Freres Building Supply and completing one of the following project ideas.  Your guests will be amazed at how inviting your deck looks when summer officially arrives with these easy makeovers:

• Made In The Shade: Add some sun protection to an uncovered deck with a new pergola. This feature will allow you and your guests to dine outside in comfort. A pergola can be added to an existing deck using lumber and some bolt-down brackets to secure the frame. You can attach your pergola to your house or build a freestanding one to create a defined dining space. While some people like to leave the beams of their pergola exposed, you may want to add an awning for additional protection, especially if there are no trees nearby to provide natural shade.
• It’s All About Composite: Composite decks like Trex Decking are all the rage right now. Composite decks are very low maintenance compared to traditional wood decks. They are easy to clean, cannot rot like wood does, and come in a wide range of colors. Check out www.trex.com to learn more about it, or come look at some samples at Freres Building Supply in Stayton.
• Wash & Stain: Have an existing cedar deck that just needs a new coat of stain? Start by pressure washing the deck from a safe distance to keep from damaging the wood. Next, pick up a few gallons of Cabot stain at Freres Building Supply and the official applicator pads to put on an even coat. Start by staining two to three boards at a time before you move on to the next. Cabot Timber Oil Stain is a great product because it contains tung oil which allows the stain to penetrate deep into the wood for a better finish. 
• Deck Correct: Do you have an old gray deck that you are tired of looking at? Consider Cabot’s best-selling product “Deck Correct,” which is a blend of paint and gritty texture that will give your deck a fresh look and provide traction at the same time. This product can be tinted to a wide range of colors.

To learn more about how you can get started on your deck makeover, call (503) 769-2879 to speak with the outdoor living experts at Freres Building Supply. Visit their website to learn more about their full range of hardware and project supplies, including deck and railing materials.