Things to Know Before Building a Deck

A deck can be a perfect addition to your home. Having barbecues with your friends and family on a rustic wooden deck is an experience worth having. It’s an investment that can pay dividends later on too if you decide to sell your house. It will serve you for a long time, and your children will definitely love having picnics on it and enjoy this space all year round. If you have decided to build a deck for your house, you should seek professional services. For instance, you can contact TruBlue of Sugarland, which has the necessary equipment, manpower, and skill to carry out any deck-building job. A professional’s job will more often than not be of better quality and guarantee long-lasting results. However, you can always roll up your sleeves and take up the project for yourself.

Also Read: Tips and Tricks to Style your House

Things to Know Before Building A Deck:

Before you pick up the tools, there are some things that you should know before building a deck. Like any project, planning might be the most important step. It will give you peace of mind and a proper projection of when the job will be complete. 

The Budget

Consider your budget before you commence anything. The deck’s design, material, and the tools you buy will all depend on your budget. Having a proper budget drawn up will also help you decide between taking up the task yourself or getting professionals to do it. At times, the tools required to complete the construction of a deck can prove costlier than the total hiring cost of a deck construction crew. Apart from that, budgeting will also help you decide on the number of features you might want to include in the deck.

State Codes and Legal Requirements

Building a deck requires a permit that you will have to obtain from the local government. Every state or municipality has different codes and regulations regarding the construction of decks. Make sure that you research well enough about them beforehand. Otherwise, you can get into all sorts of legal troubles. And those legal troubles can prove costly as you will have to hire an attorney then. As prevention is better than cure, knowing about all the state codes and legal requirements beforehand is recommended. 

The Aesthetics

The aesthetics of your deck will depend upon a lot of factors – its size, materials used, and even location. Make sure that your deck matches your house and does not stand out like a sore thumb. You can also paint your deck to increase its appeal even further. However, its look will more or less depend on the materials used. Even if you go with a wooden deck, there are many options to consider – from Redwood to Cedar. 

The Material

When it comes to materials for the deck, you will have a lot of options on your hands. Here are a few of them:

i) Pressure Treated Wood

this is one of the cheapest materials you will find for deck building in the market. This wood is usually made from Southern Yellow Pine. It is then treated with chemicals so that it does not get infested with termites or rot. If you don’t have a big budget, this material will be perfect. 

ii) Tropical Hardwoods

Tropical Hardwoods are more pricey than pressure-treated wood as they are more durable and tough. If you are looking for amazing build quality and want your deck to last for a long time, then tropical hardwoods will be the appropriate pick for you. Apart from that, you can find tropical hardwoods in a lot of colors, and they repel insects naturally. They also don’t decay that easily. 

iii) Redwood And Cedar

 Redwood and Cedar are a bit lightweight compared to tropical hardwoods. They are used in the construction of soft decks. These decks usually last for no longer than 20 years. Therefore, if you are unsure whether you will hold on to the property or not, redwood and cedar will be the right materials for you as you’d want a soft deck. They, too, like tropical hardwoods, resist insects and do not rot easily.

iv) Composite And Engineered

This is the most expensive mainstream option you will find in the market. Composite decks are made from a combination of plastic and leftover wood fibers. Thus, the resulting deck has a wood-like finish and texture, but it does not splinter. Decks made from these materials are also heavier than purely wooden decks. They are also not affected by the temperature, and they can be lighter without compromising on thickness. With such a large range of features, composite decks become perfect additions to modern homes.