decks
A deck is a great way to add dimension to your yard, useable outdoor living space and value to your home. Decks can be installed quickly, in comparison to a patio with retaining walls, getting you out and enjoying all your yard has to offer with less construction time. Whether a small gradual slope away from the house or a property on a larger hill, decks are a top choice for homeowners dealing with a yard that features elevation changes. Built-in features such as railings, benches, and multiple tiers to the deck can give you a look unique to your home and style. With the cost-effective nature of deck building, homeowners can expect to recoup as much as 72% of the cost to build a deck in raised property value of the home. With all the advantages of adding a new deck, it is a popular option for many homeowners who are searching for a cost-effective way to maximize the potential of their home and create more outdoor living space.
One of the least-expensive decking materials you can buy, pressure-treated decking is used on about 75% of all U.S. decks. It’s chemically treated to resist rot, mold, and insects. The downside of pressure-treated is that it is usually made from inferior-grades of pine or fir that are not very dimensionally stable, so it has a tendency to crack, split, and warp over time. Routine maintenance is necessary to prolong the life and look of the deck. This will include an annual power washing and an application of a wood preservative every two or three years to protect the wood's surface from the weather and to help reduce checking (fine splits). To maintain the decks esthetic appeal, a stain or paint will have to be applied.
One of the top choices for high-quality decks is red cedar. Cedar is widely available, lightweight and strong, prized for its rich color and natural beauty. It has no chemicals or preservatives, instead, tannins and naturally occurring oils make it resistant to rot, decay and voracious insects. Routine maintenance is necessary to prolong the life and look of the deck. This will include an annual power washing and an application of a wood preservative every two or three years to protect the wood's surface from the weather and to help reduce checking (fine splits). To maintain the wood's natural color a stain will have to be applied. If you don't apply a stain, cedar will eventually weather to a soft silvery gray.
Composite and synthetic decking boards are the fastest-growing segment in the decking industry. They’re made from wood fibers and recycled plastics, resulting in an extreme weather and stain-resistant board impervious to insects and rot. Improved manufacturing has helped composite decking boards look and feel like real wood, but won't splinter, warp or crack. Composite and synthetic decking has the advantage of being virtually maintenance-free, never needing to be sanded, refinished or stained. However, they aren't completely maintenance-free. Mold and mildew can grow in shady, damp areas of the deck and an annual power washing is necessary to prolong the life and look of the deck.
