Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

"Design Drawings and Construction Plans"

Framingham, MA

508-877-1060

Decks

Was Your Deck the Scariest Part of Halloween?

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Tonight’s the night when small children dress up in adorable costumes to travel the neighborhood, knock on your door, and stand there in wide-eyed terror while their parents prompt them to say Trick or Treat. It’s a lot of fun – but it can also make you very aware of the condition of your deck. Uneven stairs, broken or missing handrails, and decking boards that are bent, warped or split are all issues that can make your deck pretty scary. And sometimes the issue’s aesthetic. If your deck’s looking bad, that’s enough to frighten trick or treaters and your visitors!

You don’t want a scary deck. You want a deck that’s friendly, inviting, and most importantly, safe. With that in mind, here’s what you’ll want to focus on as you choose a deck contractor for your Metrowest home:

Do You Need Deck Repairs or a Brand New Deck?

In some cases, simple repairs may be all that’s needed to bring your deck back to an acceptable standard. In other cases, particularly where wood rot and water damage are issues, opting for a brand new deck may be the better option. Your Metrowest deck contractor can help you decide what makes sense for family.

What Type of Deck Lasts Longest?

Because the Metrowest MA area gets severe weather, including heavy winter snows, scorching summer heat, and seasonal storms that can do a lot of damage, you’ll want to choose a durable, long-lasting decking material. Composite decking is durable, stable, and absolutely resists insect and water damage – including mold and mildew.

Best Prices on Custom Deck Design in Metrowest MA

When you’re considering deck contractors, price is an issue. Rather than searching for the lowest bidder, you want to concentrate on getting the best value for your money. That means choosing the deck contractors who are experienced and have a reputation for excellence.

Choosing Deck Contractors in the Greater Boston Area

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If you’re looking to have a deck, patio, screen porch or sunroom added to your home, you need a deck contractor. The reason to choose a deck contractor rather than a general contractor is the same reason you want a cardiologist rather than a primary care physician when you have chest pain: specialists deliver better results.

Here’s how to search for deck contractors in the Greater Boston area:

First, know what you want to have done. Do you want a deck designed and built? Is it time to convert your screen porch into a sun room? Would you like a patio installed? Knowing what you want and how you’ll use it is a critical first step. When you’re choosing a deck contractor, you want to know what you’re choosing them for. You’ll be assessing their ability to execute on your vision.

Second, know what your budget is. Some deck contractors are extremely expensive. Some deck contractors are always the lowest bidder. Most deck contractors are somewhere between these two points. Be aware that construction in general is an area where you get what you pay for. That being said, you want a contractor who will work with the budget available. To do this, you need to know what your budget is.

Third, get online. The internet has made finding deck contractors easier than ever before. Searching “Deck contractors near me” is a great start – just don’t stop there. When you find some likely names, dig a little deeper. Look at review sites, and check their Better Business Bureau rating. If someone has a lot of horrible reviews and a poor record with the Better Business Bureau, choose someone else.

Fourth, schedule an in person meeting. Interview your potential deck contractor. Ask questions, and listen carefully to the answers. Ask to see examples of their work, and for references. Check the references. You want to know your deck contractor is licensed and insured. These are the steps for finding a deck contractor in the Greater Boston area.

Fall Fun on the Deck: A Massachusetts Homeowner’s Guide

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Fall is nice in other places, but in Massachusetts, it’s magnificent. The leaves are changing color, there’s a nice crisp edge to the air, and of course, the Pats are out there showing the rest of the NFL how the game is played.

This is the season to enjoy your deck. Here are a few activities to try with your family and friends:

Toasting Marshmallows in the Fire Pit

You thought s’mores were a summer time treat? That’s only because you haven’t tasted them in a cool fall evening. Fire features are a staple of creative deck design in Massachusetts. You can choose a traditional wood fire, or for the ultimate in convenience, a gas fire feature. Either way, you’re set for a good time. Just rustle up some marshmallows and toasting sticks and enjoy!

Carving Pumpkins for Halloween

Here’s a parenting trick that will make your life so much easier. The kids love carving pumpkins for Halloween, and they’re not the only ones. But pumpkin carving can be a messy job – all the stringy pumpkin ‘guts’ and seeds can get all over the kitchen. Switch things up by having your pumpkin carving happen outside. After the Jack O Lanterns have been created, hose off the deck. Goodbye mess, hello frightful festivities. This is especially effective if your deck is built out of composite material – it doesn’t stain and is so easy to clean!

Are You Ready for Some Football?

It wouldn’t be fall in Massachusetts without watching the game with some friends. As long as the weather’s nice, you don’t have to stay indoors. Outdoor kitchens are a great part of creative deck design. If you have one in place, you can fire up the grill and do the tail gating thing at your place.

Getting Your Deck Ready for Back to School Season

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Where did the summer go? We don’t know, but we do know that it’s the most wonderful time of the year, when school supplies are all on sale and bright yellow buses start their journeys around the neighborhood. Now is the time to transition your deck out of summer fun mode into gear for back to school – which also means back to soccer practice, piano lessons, and everything else that happens now.

Here’s what you need to know:

Fall is the best time to schedule deck repairs. If the summer’s been rough on your deck, you’ll want to have repairs made before the snow starts to fly. Simply searching for a deck contractor near me isn’t enough – you’ll want to choose a builder with a reputation for excellence so you know the repair work is done to the highest possible standard.

Change your outdoor light bulbs! The days are already getting shorter, and before you know it, it will be dark outside before the kids are done for the day. Make sure that your deck area is properly illuminated, particularly if the deck leads to the main entrance of the home. When changing your light bulbs, take a moment to clear away any leaves, spider webs or debris that may have accumulated on your fixtures – it’s a simple touch that keeps your place looking great.

Use a sunny day to seal your deck. If you have a wooden deck, you want to be sure it’s sealed against the elements before winter does its worst. Your local deck contractor can certainly help you out with this, but for the ultimate in low-maintenance decking, choose PVC decking or composite decking. Then you’ll never have to worry about sealing or staining your deck every again.

Tidy up the toys & outdoor furniture: Taking a few moments to stow all of the summer toys and outdoor furniture now will save you from chasing it all around the yard when those strong autumn winds arrive!