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Project stories, cost guides and behind-the-scenes from Ashleigh and Joey.

Shadowbox-style wood fence built by Evoke Design + Build

Fences Guide

Types Of Fences: 5 Real Options And What Each One Costs

Wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain-link and split-rail compared, plus 4 real Hampton Roads fences and whether you need post caps.

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EZE-Breeze vinyl window panels on a screened porch

Screened Porch Guide

EZE-Breeze Windows: What They Are And What They Cost

How the vinyl window system works, real 2026 cost data vs. a plain screen or a full sunroom, and how to keep screens clean.

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White open-lattice pergola built by Evoke Design + Build over a deck seating area, Cypress Point project, Virginia Beach, VA

Outdoor Structures Guide

Pergola vs Gazebo: What's The Difference?

The real difference is the roof: open slats for filtered light vs. a solid, fully enclosed roof for weather protection.

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FastenMaster Cortex hidden fastening system

Decking Guide

Types Of Hidden Deck Fasteners, Explained

Deck clips, plug systems and the FastenMaster Cortex system compared, and which one we install on every composite and PVC deck.

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FastenMaster Ground Contact Coating being applied to a deck post

Deck Framing Guide

What Causes Wood Decay In Deck Posts?

Why ground-contact posts and framing decay first, and how we protect them with the right lumber and coating.

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Porch railing installed by Evoke Design + Build

Railing Guide

Porch Railing Types: A Complete Guide

Aluminum, vinyl, cable, wood and composite compared, plus the code rules every railing has to meet.

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French Drain Man drainage products used by Evoke Design + Build

Yard & Drainage Guide

What Is A Deck Drainage System?

Under-deck ceiling systems vs. ground-level French drains: what each one solves and how we handle both.

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Custom deck with picture-frame border built by Evoke Design + Build

Deck Design Guide

What Is Picture-Frame Decking?

What it is, how it's built, and a real Norfolk project that used it.

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Pressure-treated lumber staged for deck framing

Deck Framing Guide

What Is A Ledger Board?

The board that holds your whole deck to your house, and how it is flashed and attached.

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Deck built by Evoke Design + Build in Larchmont, Norfolk, VA

Deck Styling Guide

How To Decorate A Deck

Zoning, furniture, lighting, rugs, and plants that handle coastal humidity.

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Composite deck built by Evoke Design + Build

Deck Materials Guide

How Many Deck Boards Do I Need?

The real formula, a worked example, standard board sizes, and how much extra to buy for waste.

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Composite deck built by Evoke Design + Build

Deck Cost Guide

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Deck?

Real 2026 cost data: national averages, price per square foot by material, cost by size, and permits.

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