DIY raised garden beds are a smart investment whether you’re a renter, a homeowner, or living with limited space and poor soil conditions. They offer a range of benefits that make growing your own food manageable and fun.


Dunn Solutions Blog
The Dunn Solutions blog is an extension of the central service counter you’ll find in our Seattle home improvement and hardware stores. Here, you’ll find trusted advice, DIY tutorials, and project inspiration based on 100+ years of construction experience.
- Posted: 11.03.2025Read Article
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GEAR UP FOR DECKING SEASON
- Posted: 11.07.2023Read Article
Is choosing—and paying more for—quality lumber worth it? The short answer is: Yes.
- Posted: 04.04.2023Read Article
There have been many changes in the world of manufactured decking over the past 25 years. We have been along for the ride for most of it and have gained a lot of knowledge and insight in the process.
- Posted: 17.10.2022Read Article
Using materials from different brands when building your deck can lead to unintended consequences and even costly issues later on. In this episode of our decking series, deck expert Kevin Kunka explains why it’s wise to stick with the same brand when embarking on an outdoor living project.
- Posted: 07.03.2022Read Article
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to DIY a home improvement project? The pay-off can be a lot bigger than just saving money—that’s what father and son Dennis and Connor McCormick learned through their first deck-building experience.
- Posted: 02.05.2022Read Article
Joel Skillingstead of West Coast Decks shares key aspects you should consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your deck.
- Posted: 21.06.2021Read Article
Building (or repairing) your deck stairs? Check out this tutorial for constructing rock-solid stair posts that won't wobble over time.
- Posted: 15.06.2021Read Article
The 3-4-5 method is a method you can use to square up the framework of your deck. Each number represents a length of a side of a right triangle. When the sides measure up accordingly, you'll have a perfect 90-degree angle.
- Posted: 08.06.2020Read Article
If your new deck stain is pooling and not drying, you may have over-applied it. The good news is fixing it only takes one step.
- Posted: 31.05.2020Read Article
This brochure was originally created more than 20 years ago by our friends at Taiga Building (formerly Exterior Wood).
- Posted: 25.05.2020Read Article
Give your deck a refresh by restaining or repainting it; but first, learn how to strip off the current coating in four steps.
- Posted: 01.04.2019Read Article
Review this deck safety checklist to ensure yours stays safe all year long.
- Posted: 13.08.2018Read Article
Whether your deck is made from wood or manufactured materials, our seasonal maintenance guide will help you extend the life of your outdoor living space.
DIY Tutorials
- Posted: 21.01.2025Watch Video
From door size to hardware, these tips will help you make a statement with your front door.
- Posted: 02.11.2021Read Article
Kitchen islands add both form and function to your cooking area. Make this DIY kitchen island yours with custom hardware and a fun countertop surface.
- Posted: 04.02.2025Read Article
You don’t have to compromise functionality for space in a small kitchen. Here are some of our favorite DIY storage ideas for small kitchens that maximize storage and keep things organized when space is limited.
- Posted: 05.10.2015Read Article
Did you know you could grow 100 pounds of potatoes in just four square feet? Learn how with our potato planter tutorial.
Contractor Resources
- Posted: 21.01.2025Watch Video
From door size to hardware, these tips will help you make a statement with your front door.
- Posted: 25.11.2024Read Article
Learn about a Seattle non-profit, Sawhorse Revolution, that is using carpentry to improve the community and support youth development.
- Posted: 05.08.2024Read Article
Not all contractor liability insurance agents are created equal. In this episode, Shelli walks us through how to find quality contractor liability insurance agents you can trust, particularly in Washington state and King County.
- Posted: 24.10.2023Read Article
In today’s conversation, Dave covers what you should consider when planning your job site setup for home remodels.
Home Improvement
- Posted: 21.01.2025Watch Video
From door size to hardware, these tips will help you make a statement with your front door.
- Posted: 15.10.2018Read Article
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to creating a new custom kitchen, so we're offering tips to consider before you start your remodel.
- Posted: 08.01.2018Read Article
We're offering five reasons why you should use a knowledgable and dedicated designer for your next remodel project.
- Posted: 21.08.2017Read Article
Having an in-home consultation with a knowledgeable contractor can save a lot of time, money, and confusion.
- Posted: 27.01.2020Read Article
Master carpenter Daniel Westbrook outlines the planning steps necessary to get the most value per square foot out of your bathroom remodel.
Podcast Episodes
- Posted: 11.04.2023Read Article
In today’s podcast, Lindsey Grove from WindsorONE covers key ways the brand does business differently, all while making truly beautiful, high-quality, durable trim boards and more.
- Posted: 16.09.2019Read Article
Today we’ll hear from Tim Faller, senior consultant and master of production at Remodelers Advantage Inc. and a podcast host himself. In this podcast, Tim shares leadership principles for how to be a better manager in your company and how to help employees have a sense of ownership in the company’s success.
Often when we think about accountability, we think about justifying what we’ve done, or having to explain something that didn’t go well. Tim advocates for a different definition of accountability, taken from the book “The Oz Principle”: Accountability is “a personal choice to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrate the ownership necessary to achieve the desired results—to see it, own it, solve it, and do it.”
See it, own it, solve it, do it
It’s easy for us to want to assign blame, but if an issue is always someone else’s problem, we will never own the problem and move forward to solve it. One example is the labor shortage. Many business owners complain about classifieds no longer
- Posted: 12.12.2016Read Article
Shelli Lucus-Kennedy of American Insurance Associates visits the Dunn Lumber Podcast to discuss risk management, liabilities, and the importance of proper documentation.
- Posted: 24.10.2016Read Article
Brian Horstmann, with James Hardie building products, discusses the HardiePanel® and Hardie® Reveal® Panel products, how they change the building envelope, and tips for quality modern design installation.
- Posted: 19.09.2016Read Article
Attorney Scott Hildebrand discusses how to protect yourself from liability when hiring trade contractors, what constitutes a binding contract, and whether verbal contracts really are legally enforceable.
- Posted: 11.10.2015Read Article
Now on The Dunn Lumber Podcast: Listen to the full seminar led by our friend, renowned building scientist Mark LaLiberte. In this episode, Mark will answer the big question: "What is building science—and why should you care?"
Product Knowledge
- Posted: 21.01.2025Watch Video
From door size to hardware, these tips will help you make a statement with your front door.
- Posted: 29.04.2024Read Article
In this video, T.R.’s answering a selection of plywood-related questions we’ve gathered over the years, from how to best calculate the weight of a plywood order for shipping to whether mills tend to vary in quality or not.
- Posted: 21.01.2025Watch Video
From door size to hardware, these tips will help you make a statement with your front door.
POPULAR VIDEOS
- Posted: 19.05.2014Read Article
Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, Basil Vinaigrette, Roasted Corn with Oregano Butter, Orange and Thyme Grilled Shrimp. What do these recipes have in common? Fresh herbs. Save time and money this summer by growing your own herb garden.
- Posted: 06.01.2025Read Article
From design to wood type, wood doors allow design flexibility to match the look your home needs.
- Posted: 07.01.2025Read Article
Repairing rotten wood can be a big ordeal—unless you have a product like SystemThree’s End Rot kit. See how to use it in this episode of our Product Series.
- Posted: 29.11.2025Read Article
If you’re starting out with woodworking, you won’t want to miss this episode of our Wood Technology Center Series. Today, Dave demonstrates how to quickly and easily make a woodworking pattern with just a few materials and tools.
- Posted: 29.11.2025Read Article
In this episode about contractor insurance, Shelli shares how policies are calculated and how full transparency with your agent is the best approach.
- Posted: 09.06.2014Read Article
Half the DIY battle is preparation. We've created a list of our favorite DIY essentials so that you can be equipped to tackle your home design and improvement challenges.
- Posted: 02.12.2014Read Article
The holidays are upon us! If you haven't started to think about gifts for your favorite DIYer, we've got a list for you!
- Posted: 25.08.2014Read Article
With a little stain and spray paint, you can completely change the look of your furniture—and the combinations are endless! Get a modern look with off-white on deep walnut, or add a splash of color! From a yard sale find to an IKEA dresser, you can create a dramatic, and cheap, custom dresser!
Stories from the lumberyard
- Posted: 17.12.2023Categories: Contractor ResourcesRead Article
With "The Boys in the Boat" film premiering in cinemas December 25, we're taking a look back at our own connection to the historic 1936 University of Washington men's rowing team through an independent documentary.
- Posted: 27.03.2023Read Article
We’re catching up with Jonathan Cohen, Ebanista School of Fine Woodworking’s director, to learn more about his journey and see how he’s supporting a new generation of skilled woodworkers.
- Posted: 04.01.2021Read Article
As we enter the new year, we're taking a moment to appreciate our community.
- Posted: 13.11.2017Read Article
Learn more about the enduring quality and history of our blue-end studs in this post by Dunn Lumber President Mike Dunn.