The Last Fifty Feet

Keeping It Level A contractor’s guide to covering your porch and entryway for aging in place homes: fixed porch awnings for seniors versus roof extensions; snow load, wind uplift, drainage, and where this fits in your priorities. Most people think of a porch awning as a nice-to-have upgrade. Something for shade, maybe a little curb … Read more

Keeping It Level A quick guide to anti-slip deck coatings for seniors and aging in place homes: paint versus stain, DIY grit additives versus commercial products, and what actually holds up on wood, composite, and concrete. “Add some grit to your sealer” only goes so far. Choosing between anti-slip deck coatings for seniors means answering … Read more

Keeping It Level A deck or porch that’s been standing for years can look perfectly fine and still be hiding real problems underneath. This isn’t a build guide, it’s a walkthrough. We’ll cover how to spot deteriorating boards and rusted fasteners before a foot goes through one, how to actually test a railing instead of … Read more

Keeping It Level Steps are their own trade, not an afterthought bolted onto a deck build. For exterior steps for seniors, get riser height under the 7-inch code max whenever you’ve got the room, and don’t be afraid to go deeper than the 10-inch minimum on tread depth. Watch for the “trip step,” a single … Read more

Keeping It Level Most people think about grab bars and ramp rails when they hear “aging in place.” And yeah, those matter — we’ve talked about them. But I’m going to tell you something I tell every family I sit down with, the single cheapest, most impactful thing you can do for a senior’s safety … Read more

Keeping It Level Most homes have a guardrail on their porch steps. Most homes do not have proper handrails for seniors. Those are two completely different things with two completely different jobs and confusing them is one of the most common — and most dangerous — oversights I see. This article breaks down what each … Read more