The deck is finished. After the original one was condemned after we bought the house (literally). We also had to take the house down to the studs here on the south side due to carpenter ants and water rot). Fall last year found us with a framework and bad weather blocked me starting the planking until this late spring when the weather finally turned favorable. As soon as the weather warmed up, I was out planking using the Tiger Claw deck fasteners (so I have no nails or screws sticking up-except next to the house where I anchored the decking. Turns out the rest of the household has a fear of heights or they just were not comfortable walking the joists, so blemishes and all, I can now say I know how to plank a deck. We stained it on Tuesday (using a environmentally friendly stain and sealer) and we walked on it tonight. My next project is actually sitting on the driveway. I'm rebuilding a 1989 Honda CRX as a daily driver (you can't argue with 36 mpg vs. 14 mpg mixed driving in the Jeep). ...plus installing laminate bamboo flooring the living room, redoing two showers... Joys of home ownership... Back to rendering (hopefully soon) T4V&C