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Cutting the boards directly is one of the fastest ways to remove deck boards with hidden fasteners. Mark two parallel lines that are one-third of the total measurement on both ends and cut out the centerpiece. Then, remove the end of the board that doesn’t have a fastener. Finally, pry open the fastened side and pull it up to pop out the screw or access the fastener. This also allows you to salvage portions of boards for other projects.

While porches and decks are similar in some ways, the two structures aren’t exactly the same by definition. A porch is a covered structure that’s usually attached to the front of a home. On the other hand, a deck is an open structure without a roof that’s often attached to the side or back of a home.

You can either nail or screw deck boards according to your preference. We recommend using 3-inch galvanized deck screws in this guide because screws offer superior holding powder over time. If you’re using screws, you can minimize the risk of cracking the boards by drilling small pilot holes before securing the boards to the deck joists.

You can add a roof to most decks, but you need to have it inspected first. If your deck didn’t come with a roof initially, it may not be able to handle the weight without some structural changes. You can add additional supports to your existing deck to safely add a roof, and tying your deck’s roof to an exterior wall can help add some structural stability, but remember these aren’t DIY projects and need to be left to a pro.