Customer Education

 
How To Design Your New Deck

Start with a budget

If you are going to build, or expand any portion of your home, you need to start with a budget. Have a figure in mind whenever you start your search. Keep in mind that the average home improvement project will cost about 25% more than a layman will estimate the cost. Always allow more for custom, if you are looking to do something different, because it will cost more.

Design for standard use

Size will be proportional with cost and material choice. When you are designing your deck, keep in mind your normal use. Do not design its size for once or twice a year use. A good tool is to measure the interior of some of your rooms in your home, evaluate the functional use, and design your deck with these sizes in mind. Never build to small, but a common mistake is to build larger than needed. Decide if you are you looking for a cheaper product, or a maintenance free product?

Know your wants and needs

The substructure of most decks will be similarly constructed. The difference in decking and railing products are like night and day. Decide if you are looking for wood or synthetic decking products. Know whether or not you can stain and weatherproof a wood deck. How long are you going to live at the address, and what kind of a commitment will this be to maintenance? What return on investment do you expect with each product?

Decking materials

Deck products continue to develop. There are over 100 different deck products available on the market. Don’t panic; start with your wants and needs concerning maintenance and cost. The more maintenance required, usually the less the cost. Conversely, the less maintenance the more cost. There are now wood products, composite products, and fully synthetic products on the market, and all of them have positives and negatives. The technology has advanced the synthetics considerably, where some look better than wood, and last longer than brick. You can continue to stain and waterproof every two years as suggested with most wood, or design with products that will only require occasional hosing off. Maintenance vs. cost, but keep in mind, synthetics holds their value longer.

Who do I call for a Deck ?

Be a detective! What you are looking for is a company that can design, construct, and stand behind their project. You also need someone who will inform you of various products that fit your wants. Choose a professional company who is proficient in the industry; that is fully licensed, fully insured, and has experience necessary to complete the project on time and on budget.