Despite everything else, I have two projects that need to get done this year. I'm not against contracting either job out, I might actually contract them both, but I'm looking for ideas none the less.
Standard T square for scale in pictures.
First, a couple years ago I made a post about wanting to repair my deck. Well Dana decided this winter it is definitely happening this year.
I'M KEEPING THE RAMP. Holy crap is that useful. Whether it gets kept or rebuilt doesn't matter much. There WILL be a ramp to this door of the house.
The wood is pretty much shot. It still holds us, but buckles a lot, and bounces even more in the winter. That said, I'd like to make it longer.
I want to extend it to the other side of the chimney, if not the whole way to that step in the background. Probably replace the steps on that side with as ramp as well.
Why?
Because that whole grass area sucks to mow and is going to become one bigass chicken coop. Having the deck going over to it will make getting food, water, and supplies easier, especially as we get older and or sicker.
Keeping it wooden is probably the easiest way to go, but if the costs aren't drastically different, I'd love to hear the pros and cons of other materials. I used to have a threaded on this a few years back, but I haven't been able to find it. My "dream" material then was akin to a big fire escape, but grated metal isn't cheap or easy to move around, and could be problematic with wheeled things.
The second, and more immediate issue, is the driveway. Technically not mine, but I'm not about to get into a fight with the neighbors. It was paved at one point, but not the whole way to the road, and it's rutting bad, makes getting a car in a rather tricky affair.
Standard T square for scale.
the left side is rough, but not horrible like the right.
As you can see, pretty rough bumps and a pretty large area. I honestly have no idea what to do, I feel like gravel or even concrete bags set in place would just get shoved away or washed out. I did see some things at the park the other day though, big diamond shaped mats that held pea gravel on a steep muddy bank. I don't know if they could hold up to vehicle use.
Getting a bigger vehicle for the wife would help her and probably be cheaper, but wouldn't help out friends and family. But honestly even in the excursion it's a rough ride.
So any thoughts or ideas there?
