Hello World! Welcome Friends! You have always dreamed of adding a deck to your property. But whether you want to add more living space in your home or increase property value, deck building is a project that needs careful planning and consideration.
Whether you are planning to build your own deck or hire a team of professionals to build a deck for you, there are a few things that you need to consider and do, from choosing the design to reviewing renovation quotes for your deck construction.
Here are a few things that you need to know if you are planning on building a deck on your property.
Photo by Im3rd Media on Unsplash
Select a Design for your New Deck
With numerous styles to choose from, settling for a particular deck design can be a difficult task, which is why so many people choose to use a custom deck builder to design it for them! But if there is one important factor that you should bear in mind, that would be to make sure that your deck’s design should match your home’s. The last thing that you would want is for your deck’s design to clash with the design of your home.
Choosing a design is not a straightforward process, with several factors that need to be considered. Here’s a brief rundown of these factors.
Purpose of the Deck
Early on, it would help if you decided on the purpose of your new deck. This will vary from one homeowner to another. But once you have set your sights on the primary purpose of your deck, it will become easier for you to identify a few other things later on, from the design to the construction materials that need to be used.
Among the most popular uses of decks are outdoor dining, entertainment, container gardening, and hardscape for swimming pools and spas.
Location of the Deck
In most cases, it is apparent where the deck should be built. But if you are lucky enough to have a few more potential locations for a deck, you should carefully consider the merits of each of these.
To help you decide the best location for your deck, here are a few factors that you might want to consider.
If you want to dazzle houseguests, consider choosing a deck location that highlights the scenic views from your property.
On the other hand, if your deck’s primary purpose is serving as a location for outdoor dining or even container gardening, consider choosing a site that gives easier access to your home. You can check out horizontal deck railing ideas to help you create beautiful and modern railing designs for your outdoor living space.
Do not forget to factor in environmental conditions like the sun and wind, both of which can detract from your enjoyment of an outdoor space.
Finally, if privacy and security are on top of your concerns, choose a location where prying eyes are less likely going to see.
Available Space
Once you have identified potential locations for deck building, the next order of business is determining how much available space you have.
The amount of space available will dictate the position and layout of the deck design. The amount of space will also help you determine whether the deck needs to be built as a freestanding structure or if it can be attached to your house.
Deck Height
As a rule of thumb, the higher the deck is off the ground, the more structural support it will need. Furthermore, once your deck reaches a certain height, you will need to put handrails to protect your loved ones and guests.
Handrails come in different materials. The options include wood, composite, cable, and metal railing systems. Your choice of material should go with the overall look of your home. For example, glass and metal railing systems are ideal for a modern structure, while wood, composite, and cable systems are perfect for a rustic cabin-type home. Apart from the aesthetics, consider your budget, the durability of the railing system, and the ease of installation for a safe, efficient, and cost-effective deck addition.
Surrounding Structures
It is also worthwhile to survey your property before building your own deck or calling in professional deck builders. Specifically, you have to take note of different elements in the area where you plan to build a deck.
For example, if you have trees on your chosen deck location, it is possible to keep these instead of cutting these down. Experienced deck builders know how to incorporate these into the design.
However, there may be instances wherein it is better to remove trees from a potential deck location due to the risks involved. These include the effects of the roots on the deck structure and the moisture content of the soil.
Additional Deck Structures
Structures like pergolas and gazebos complement decks perfectly. But be aware that these can drastically affect the load-bearing capacity of a deck.
If you are still contemplating whether you should add any of these structures on your deck or not, err on the side of caution and make the necessary allowances. This will ensure that your deck will remain structurally sound should you proceed with the addition of a pergola or gazebo.
Maintenance
Your new deck may be a sight to behold, but over time, it will need some sprucing up.
When choosing a design for your deck, consider how much maintenance each material on your shopping list requires. For example, if you can allocate ample time and energy toward cleaning and maintenance, natural wood is a good option. But if you have too much on your plate, uPVC might be the better, low maintenance option for you.
Setting a Budget for your New Deck
Whether you are building a deck by yourself or you are hiring deck builders, another critical information that you should know beforehand is the cost.
How much does it cost to build a deck?
The actual deck cost will depend on the materials you choose to use as well as the size of the deck. A bigger deck translates to more labor and materials needed.
Estimating Material Cost
The cost of decking materials is computed by the square foot. Apart from the actual decking, you may also need to factor in your computation the cost of the foundation or substructure, the hardware, and the railings.
Substructure Options
Substructures can be built using three types of materials: wood, aluminum, and steel.
Of the three, wood is the most commonly used and cheapest. The cost of a wooden substructure can range between $700 and $1500, depending on the deck’s size and the type of wood you plan to use.
Both aluminum and steel cost more than wood. However, both last longer and require minimal maintenance. Either material can set you back between $1500 and $5500.
Decking Materials
Decking materials can be broadly classified into three: natural wood, pressure-treated wood, and composites.
In terms of popularity, natural wood remains the top material of choice due, in large part, to the variety of options to choose from as well as the beauty of the material. Expect to pay anywhere between $3 to $22 per square foot.
Among the most popularly used woods for decking are cedar, redwood, ipe, oak, and tigerwood. Recently, more and more deck builders are favoring bamboo for its durability and relatively cheaper cost.
Pressure-treated wood offers the twin benefits of durability and cost-savings. The price of this decking material can range between $8 and $10 per square foot. This places the price of this material between the prices of soft and hardwoods.
Composites or composite woods are fabricated using plastic waste and recycled wood, making these a good choice for eco-friendly homeowners. Among the most commonly used plastics are polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC. Price per square foot for composites can range between $7 and $10.
Hardware and Tools
Do not forget to compute the cost of hardware and tools, especially nails, screws, and other types of fasteners that your project requires. Otherwise, you will go overboard with your initial budget without knowing where your money went.
Fasteners are sold either by piece or by weight. And as a rule of thumb, you should buy more than what you intend to use to account for damaged fasteners.
Labor Cost
If you want a deck, the cheaper option would be to build one for yourself. However, you shouldn’t forget to factor in a few costs that may not be readily apparent – the cost of acquiring new tools. Aside from that, this project requires an investment of your time.
If you are not handy with tools or if you have too much on your plate that you can’t allocate time for this project, you can just hire professionals to build your dream deck.
Like the materials, labor cost is computed per square foot. The labor cost for deck building can range between $8 and $22 per square foot. The final labor cost to build will depend on the deck’s size, environmental or location factors, and extra options that you would like to add. The cost to build may be higher compared to building your deck by yourself. But you are assured that the job is done right the first time.
If you want to get value for your money, get quotes from as many contractors as you can and create your shortlist of potential builders based not only on estimates but also on the experience and reputation of each company.
Looking Beyond Deck Costs
Whether you are building a deck by yourself or hiring professionals, this project is a welcome addition to just about any home. Perform your due diligence to lower costs and ensure that your deck stands the test of time and the elements.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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Tips to Prevent Pests in your Home
Decorating with Removable Wallpaper
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