A deck can be an essential addition to your home. It is the perfect place for parties, barbecues, and gatherings with family and friends.
Many people are unsure about how to build a deck around their homes because they do not know what questions to ask themselves or what steps they need to take. Here are some things that you should consider before starting the building process.
What is Your Purpose for Building an Attractive Deck?
Finding your purpose will help you determine exactly what is needed and what you can do without. You can ask yourself: “Do I wish to entertain?” Or, “Do I want a place where my family and I can rest and enjoy our time at home?”
How Much Money Will I Need to Build an Attractive Deck?
Figuring out how much money you want to spend on your deck will help determine the quality of materials that are used. While it may be tempting to use all kinds of expensive supplies, you might find yourself without a budget left for other necessities like food and shelter. You also need to make a budget for repairs. Decks are the perfect place for barbecues and parties, which means that they can get damaged very easily.
Splurging on expensive materials will not guarantee that your deck will last long. Wood needs to be treated regularly in order to maintain its appearance and durability. If you want your deck to be sturdy, it is better to use inexpensive materials and go for a more thorough treatment rather than opt for expensive supplies that will not see much action.
Decide What You Want the Deck to Look Like
Do you want something extravagant or simple? This can depend on how familiar you are with carpentry. If this is going to be your first time building something like this, you might want to keep it simple.
When deciding what your deck will look like, remember to take into consideration the existing decor of your home. You do not want to build a deck that looks completely out of place. If you are looking for ideas to improve your home’s value, it is better if you take a look at your home’s exterior.
Different materials have different prices and durability. Each option has its pros and cons, so it is important to research them carefully before you make a choice. Here are some of the most common options:
Use Patio Deck Gazebo Plans For Your Outdoor Space. This is a great option for anyone who has pets or children, as it does not require any sanding. It can be installed in one day at the minimum cost. However, this kind of deck cannot hold a lot of weight and tends to get dirty easily.
Cantilever Umbrellas: If you live in an area where water is scarce, this option might be a good choice. This type of deck is also easy to build and does not require any special tools. However, you need to use a water sealant and this will cost extra. Cantilever Umbrellas make your deck more stunning.
Wood: This is the most popular option. It can be used for multiple purposes and it looks great. However, you will need to sand and treat wood twice a year and it tends to get damaged easily. Wood Decks With Wood Gazebo Plans: If you like the idea of a deck but you do not want your wood to be easily destroyed, you can use composite material and wooden beams. This option is great for those who live in climates where the weather tends to be harsh all year round.
Stainless steel Decks: These decks are very easy to maintain and they do not need to be sanded or treated regularly. They will last for a very long time and look amazing with any decor. However, this kind of deck is more expensive than its counterparts and it might require some initial preparation before installation.
Prepare Your Existing Deck
If you already have a patio, but the wood is damaged, it might be easier to replace the wood for your deck. You can reuse the existing floorboards but you will need to do some sanding first.
If you are not planning on replacing your patio, remember that removing old decks is harder than adding a new one. Older decks tend to sag and this means that you might have issues with the rest of your deck as well.
Make sure to use a power sander before you start building your deck, as this will make the process much faster and easier. You can rent one from a hardware store or hire a professional to do it for you. It is very important to remove all traces of rust from metal decks as rust can damage the rest of your deck.
Avoid these mistakes
The most common mistake that people make when preparing an old deck is not checking for rot. If you cannot see it, there is a good chance that problems might be hidden in tough-to-reach areas. Rot always develops around nails and screws and they can weaken everything so you want to remove them all and replace them with bigger screws. It is also a good idea to replace metal hinges, hooks, and other attachments that are not holding together anymore.
Conclusion:
Do remember that creating a new deck is not as easy as it may seem. You need to plan carefully, look for suitable materials, and learn how to prepare your existing deck before you start building anything.
