Exterior Decks
Top ten items to consider when planning to either repair or build a deck for your home:
1. Don’t save money with low quality screws. They will corrode, discolor your deck and shorten the life of the deck. Often when old decks get rickety, it’s due to the failing fasteners, not the wood. Stainless steel or coated screws, specifically made for pressure-treated wood will resist corrosion and extend your deck’s life.
2. Lots of choices these days with decking. Real wood, pressure treated cedar, redwood and jarrah. Yet, synthetic materials like vinyl are revolutionizing the industry. These products are maintenance free and they can last for decades. They may cost more than most wood, but the payback comes with a reduced maintenance with no refinishing needs going forward. They also look like real wood.
3. Need more room for a bigger platform? Instead, think of constructing two or three levels. This will allow guest and groups to congregate in smaller groups and make for cozier settings. Various levels can also help to illuminate long flights of stairs and make it more gradual going down to ground level.
4. Surround your deck with beautiful railings. Again, tons of choices with metal, vinyl, cabling and wood. Ask your general contracting professional, like for ideas.
5. Open decks – no railing are another great way to have lower level decking around your home.
6. Play with color decking comes in many different shades other than brown. It’s easy to find a shade that will complement the exterior color of a home.
7. It’s rather easy to transform your deck into an outdoor room with a few added comforts like an overhead shade, adding outdoor speakers, lights and hanging plants. Some even go so far to have a stunning outdoor kitchen area and weather proof TV.
8. When considering building your outdoor deck consider unusual angles or even curves. This requires more labor yet; it can turn into a unique architectural feature to your home.
9. Small touches like incorporating safety lighting features around steps, solar power lighting features and built in sound system can all add to the niceties and value towards your project.
10. Heating your deck area during the colder months can also add to the overall value of your project. Outdoor fire place, fire pits, torches are just a few ideal ways to add months of use to a deck in lower Fairfield County CT.
If you are looking to remodel a current deck or simply build onto your home please contact Executive Craftsman for more details on how we can help you with this project. “Building for Living” – 203-324-6383.
