Bob lends a hand to contractor Bob Ryley as he begins construction of the porch at the project on Martha's Vineyard. Ryley starts out by explaining the use of concrete forms to Bob. He then connects pressure treated limber to the side of the house with six-inch lag bolts to secure the joists. After the joists are in place Bob and Ryley start the deck with one by four vertical grade fir. Which is a traditional material used on covered porches. After the decking is installed Ryley and Bob Start on the columns salvaged from the other side of the Victorian.

Ted Gower from Armor Screen is installing the hurricane-protection fabric that will make the lanai a hurricane shelter in case of a storm. There are bolts and clips at the top with clips along the side. The sides are locked down along the sides and bottom to resist the enormous wind pressure during a storm. This geosynthetic fabric serves in stead of plywood or other storm protection coverings. The fabric reduces 100 mile per hour (mph) winds to 3 mph and reduces it to 0 mph if rain sheets on the fabric, causing a complete wind barrier. This fabric stands up to winds and wind-borne debris, making the enclosed lanai a hurricane-safe shelter by code and by design. Armor Screen can be used on any door, window, or porch openings to protect homes from damaging winds and flying debris.

Add value to your house with a new deck, patio, or porch. A simple stone patio or farmer's porch out front create a quiet space to relax. They also cut down on the dirt that gets tracked into the house from the yard. You can convert an old car port to a screened-in porch. Or, add a deck to extend your living space into the back yard.

Wood decks can weather, crack and splinter. Use these steps to replace a damaged deck board.

Bob and Cortney discuss the Indian slate tile being installed on the pool deck and back porch. The inconsistent nature of the tile dictates a thin set mortar and specialized placement technique.

Bob confers with carpenter/contractor Cortney as he sheaths the new back-porch roof of the Studio City Bungalow. Bob outlines the new ridge poles used to create the new roofing. Cortney explains the framing technique used to replicate the front porch.

In this segment Bob watches the crew install the railing on the deck. The composite railing product comes pre-milled to accept all the railing components. As with wood decks, building codes calls for a post every six feet between the railings. The posts are pre-hollowed for wiring if the homeowner decides to light the deck with post-mounted lamps. The balustrades and railings are cut to length on site. Stainless steel screws are used to assemble the pieces. The use of stainless fasteners is an added cost, but longevity of the deck material means that uncoated fasteners would rust long before the deck might need replacing.

In the middle of a Berkshire forest Jim Precht from Advanced Environmental Recycling Technology (AERT) shows off a recycled deck material that uses no �first use� materials. The modular mountain retreat�s exterior deck is made of 50 percent recycled wood and 50 percent recycled plastic. The plastic, a mix of low and high-density material originated from foam plates (low) and grocery bags (high). The wood used is from waste products in the perfume, trucking and building industries. Called ChoiceDek and manufactured by Weyerhaeuser, it is guaranteed for ten years and is not affected by termites. It will grey out to look like wood in a few weeks or can be stained. It is almost impervious to moisture so it does not need to be stained or sealed, however if it is stained it will require regular maintenance like traditional wood decks. Bob is introduced to a tool common in the decking industry, a 30-inch powered screw gun that allows fasteners to be sunk without bending over.

This project initially began as a basement refinishing project and has grown into a project for a growing family. The front porch of the Melrose home was in need of repair. This involved not just the decking but the structure underneath, which had suffered rot and insect damage. The finished wood deck features Ipe, a renewable tropical wood from Everlasting Hardwoods. This wood is one of the best decking products available but does not nail easily. To get around this, Tiger Claw hidden deck fastening system is used to keep the wood in place without any obvious face nailing. Don Martel of Tiger Claw explains how the product is installed. The version being used is designed for extremely dense materials, like the Ipe decking used here. The fastener attaches to the edge of the board. A screw is then drilled through the fastener into the joist. The fastener holds the board and the screw holds the fastener in place. The fastener is coated in black oxide so it is not visible between the seams of the deck. Every Tiger Claw kit comes with a installation tool. The fastener is insterted into the tool, placed against the board, and hammered into place. Using a hammer board, the next board is put into place with one tap. The fastener from the previous board grips it tight as it is tapped in. The Ipe decking is not only strong but naturally insect-resistent without the use of any chemicals.

Bob Vila takes a quick look at the sustainable mahogany front porch and deck. The decking, secured by stainless steel fasteners, can be stained or simply sealed depending on the tastes of the homeowner.