Are you thinking about replacing your old deck that has been around since you bought your home 10 years ago and even longer? If so, you might be completely confused and overwhelmed by the number of options you saw when you did some digging online. This is one of the reasons why you are probably wondering – what are some tips that I should follow when planning and building a deck?
Luckily for all of you that need to plan and construct a new, dream patio, this article might be able to help you. The text below is going to feature a list of the most important tips that you should remember before and during the building process. Let’s take a closer look at the list:
1. First Things First – You Should Find Inspiration
You should do some digging on websites such as Pinterest in order to get inspired. Why? Well, by doing so, you’ll be able to envision how it will look around your home and additionally, you’ll be able to show a picture to the construction company, which means that they’ll be able to create exactly what you want.
2. Opt For a Specific Style
It is easy to simply open a website and choose the first one that is appealing to you, however, you’ll need to think about the style of your home in order to construct a deck that will look like it has been there from the start. For instance, a usual wooden option might not look good with a large, stone villa. Instead, one with some ornate details might be suitable.
But, thinking about the style is not the end, you’ll also need to think about how you’ll utilize it. Do you want to have enough space for your patio furniture or do you want to create a small, zen sitting area? Do you want it to be connected with your pool? You’ll need to think about all of these things, especially if you want it to be entirely functional.
3. Check if You’ll Need Permits
Keep in mind – different states have different laws, which is why you might want to check whether or not you’ll need the permit depending on the work you’ll be doing around your home. If you are planning on building one that is above 1.5 meters high, you’ll definitely need a permit. Nonetheless, head to your local authorities and ask if you’ll need a permit.
4. The Material You Choose is Important
There is a wide range of materials that you can choose for your new deck – from composite to hardwood to pine. And of course, each of them has its own benefits and drawbacks. So, you’ll definitely want to consider the cost of the material, as well as the appearance and whether or not it is Eco-friendly. This is something a construction company can help you with, which leads us to our next point…
5. Choose The Building Company Wisely
Naturally, you could choose to build it by yourself, however, if you want to ensure that it lasts for a really long time, it might be best to choose a professional building company such as decksforlife.ca. By doing so, you’ll ensure that you choose an option that will suit your home and needs, and more importantly, one that will last you for more than a decade.
6. Budgeting Will Be Necessary
You probably know that decks that feature steps, handrails, different shapes, and seating are do not come with a small price tag, instead they do tend to be a bit more costly. Hence, if you want to spend as little as you can, you should choose to keep things relatively simple, which is why you might want to set a budget and stick to it.
On the other hand, if you are not on a tight budget, you can opt for basically any option that a professional offers to you, of course, while you keep in mind some of the aforementioned tips when it comes to choosing the materials and style of your new deck. Additionally, avoid overbuying the materials if you do not want to spend more than you can afford.
7. Prepare The Area Around Your Home
Trust me, not preparing the area around your home where the deck will be installed can only make the entire process last longer, which is something that you won’t want. So, you should clear any trees, shrubs, bushes, and flowers from around your home. This will ensure that the professionals can come and do what they have to without waiting for the area to be cleared.
Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that the site is safe for you and your family, the builders, as well as your pets – if you have any. This is why you should talk to the builder and ask whether you need to do something to make the entire building area safe for everyone involved.
8. You’ll Need to Maintain it
Once the project is done, you should know that it is crucial for you to protect it from the weather elements, and more importantly pests. What should you do? Well, talk to the person who built it and ask what you should do and use when maintaining the materials. By doing so, you can ensure that you do not use the wrong materials, which means that you’ll be able to maintain and protect it properly without damaging the entire construction. Keep in mind that you might need to place a pre-stain solution in order to remove any dirt, dust, or other residues from the material.
Conclusion
As you were able to learn, there is a wide range of things that you’ll need to do and consider before you actually start building your new deck. However, by doing all of the things mentioned in the list above, you’ll be able to make the entire process easier, less time-consuming, as well as less stressful for everyone involved.
So, now that you are aware of the things you have to consider, you probably do not want to lose any more time. Instead, you might want to go back to the beginning of this list and start going through all of the tips in order to ensure that your new deck suits your home and your needs.