The problem is rarely bad luck. In most cases, early failure can be traced back to a small number of predictable causes that start working against a structure from the day it is built.
Understanding those causes is the first step towards avoiding an expensive rebuild. From the way water moves around a structure to the type of metal used in its fixings, the details that are easiest to overlook are often the ones that decide how long an outdoor project survives.
Moisture is the biggest enemy
Timber and water have a complicated relationship. Wood naturally absorbs and releases moisture as the weather changes, swelling in wet conditions and shrinking as it dries. That constant movement loosens joints and opens up small gaps where water can sit.
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