Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

"Design Drawings and Construction Plans"

Framingham, MA

508-877-1060

Decks

I’m Looking for a Deck Contractor Near Me – How Will I Know Who’s Good

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“I’m so excited, we’re getting a deck!” Bobbie said. “It’s going to be great. We have an awesome backyard, and I can’t wait to get out there and enjoy the sunshine. Now here’s the tricky part: I’m looking for a deck contractor near me, and I’ve never hired any building professionals near me. How will I know who’s good?”

Choosing a deck contractor is a major decision. You’re going to be spending quite a bit of money on a new deck, and you want to be sure you get your money’s worth in terms of the quality of building materials as well as the craftsmanship. Be aware that the reviews of contractors you find on sites like Yelp and Angie’s List are influenced by a number of factors, including advertising dollars – while many are legitimate, some are not. While considering these sites is important, you don’t want to rely on them as your only source of information – just like you wouldn’t want to trust Wikipedia as the definitive answer on anything. It’s always a good idea to research further and verify what you’ve learned.

One way to do to that is by asking friends, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone else you know locally who’s had a deck built who their contractor was and what their experience was like. Facebook now has a looking for recommendations feature that is very useful if you prefer not to have these conversations in person. The social network Nextdoor is also useful if you’re interested in the opinions of local residents.

When you’re considering a deck contractor, ask to see examples of their work and for references. Look at the examples carefully and with a critical eye. If you’re not pleased with their work on one job, you might not want them to work on your house. On the other hand, if you like the quality of their work, it should be an easy decision!

How Much Will You Love Your Deck? It Depends On How Much Work It Takes To Stay Looking Great

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Every year, the American Institute of Architects issues a report on what are known as special function rooms, identifying which of these purpose-built spaces are most popular and what homeowners want them to be like. This year, as in many previous years, outdoor living spaces like decks, patios, screen porches and sunrooms are ranked very highly on the list.

As a deck building company in Massachusetts, we found one item on the list of desired features particularly relevant. Homeowners have a number of choices when it comes to deck building materials. Each type of material has its pros and cons. Wood has long been used for building decks: it’s the traditional choice – yet many homeowners are reporting far greater levels of satisfaction when they choose a deck building material that needs less maintenance than wood.

What’s motivating the desire for a low-maintenance deck? The two top reasons are time and money. Many people who live in Western MA are extremely busy with professional and personal obligations. Free time is precious. Do you really want to give up a free weekend to stain and seal your deck? When you choose a deck made out of composite material, you never have to.

Let’s talk about the other costs. If you add up the amount of money you’ll spend buying paint or stain for your deck every couple of years over the life of your deck, you’ll find yourself looking at a good chunk of change. Choose a deck built out of PVC or composite decking material, and you’ll pay slightly more up front and save lots of money in the long run.

The other issue relevant to deck maintenance has to do with how well your custom built deck will stand up to all four seasons of Massachusetts weather. Composite decking materials don’t warp, twist and split the way wood does. This means less need for repairs and replacement as the years go by!

6 Reasons Screen Porches Are Wonderful

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As MA deck builders, we’re often asked our opinion of screen porch on the deck. We’re very pro-screen porches. We think they’re wonderful, and we think they’re wonderful for six specific reasons:

1) Screen porches provide shade. In Western MA, the summer sun can be intense. While that sounds wonderful right now, when March skies are cold and snowy, come June or July, you’re going to want a place to retreat from those rays. Some people can’t tolerate sun very well, especially if they take prescription medications that make them photosensitive. Having a screen porch means you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about sunburn.

2) Screen porches provide privacy. Even if you’re the friendliest person in the world, there will be times you want to enjoy your outdoor living space by yourself or with your favorite people – and no one else. The screen porch defines a space that’s private yet outdoors, a very comfortable, relaxing atmosphere.

3) Screen porches keep mosquitoes and other bugs outdoors. If you’re worried about West Nile Virus, Zika, Lyme Disease, or any of the many insect-borne diseases that impact people and pets, it’s good to have a space that you can keep bug free. Screen porches provide a physical barrier that insects can’t penetrate.

4) Screen porches look cool. If you’re looking for a classic New England touch for your Framingham home, you can’t go wrong with a screen porch. The aesthetic of the screen porch can range from elegant and upscale to casual country. Let your creative deck designer know what look you’d like to have, and they’ll make it happen for you.

5) Screen porches provide a space to get away without going away. There are families who live in total harmony all of the time, without any conflicts or disagreements. For the rest of us, it’s nice to have a space to step away and collect our thoughts when things get a little tense. A screen porch is the perfect space to calm down, count to ten, and center.

6) Screen porches are the perfect setting for ‘date night’. When the kids are sleeping and you want to reconnect with your sweetheart, the screen porch is a convenient getaway. Light a few candles, put on some music, and enjoy each other’s company. Try it once and you may be hooked on screen porches for life.

Did This Winter Wreck Your Deck?

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Boy, we’ve had some wild winter weather out here in Western Massachusetts. A combination of wind, snow, and ice has caused a lot of damage to local homes. Trees have fallen, power lines were pulled down, and everyone’s more than ready for spring to arrive.

If your deck’s taken the brunt of winter’s wrath, the time to start planning deck repairs or deck replacement is now. If you’re content with what your deck looked like and how it functioned, your MA deck builder can certainly provide the needed repairs to return it to its pre-winter state. If you’ve been thinking about improving or upgrading your deck, an opportunity has just presented itself to you to explore your creative deck design options.

Creative deck design means creating a deck or patio that enhances your home’s appearance and the amount of joy and happiness you get from your home. Every family is different, so the elements of a deck that creates happiness varies. For the social family that loves to entertain, having plenty of seating, an outdoor kitchen, and a fire feature to gather around all make sense. If you have small children, you may want your deck to include a screen porch area to provide shade and security. Does your family love plants and flowers? Creative deck design in MA often includes built in planters that make it fun and easy to garden.

Another factor to think about when planning your new deck is durability. We’re not even finished cleaning up from the most recent storm, and another one is in the forecast. Wooden decks are really being tested by this steady bombardment of snow and ice. When everything melts, wooden decks are particularly vulnerable to water damage, mildew and rot. Choosing to have your new deck built of composite materials or PVC decking means you’ll have better protection from the elements next winter!

Who’s Ready for a Deck Party?

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With the Super Bowl and Daytona 500 both behind us, it’s time to find another reason to have a party. Getting together with family, friends and your other favorite people is one of life’s finest pleasures. Having a great deck means you have space for entertaining. The arrival of spring weather is a great reason to celebrate.

To have an awesome deck party, you need to keep the three s’s in mind: safety, seating and snacks. Deck parties don’t have to be complicated. You need a simple reason, like “Hey, it’s nice enough to enjoy the deck!” and you’re good to go. Let’s take a look at the three essentials:

S is for Safety: If you’re going to be entertaining people on your deck, you want to be sure the deck is in good shape. This means no loose boards for people to trip on, no broken or uneven porch steps, and no missing or broken railings. If you have any issues your deck’s safety, talk to your Framingham MA deck designers – they can take care of any repairs you need, and if it’s time for a deck upgrade, make that happen too.

S is for Seating: Your guests are going to need a place to sit during your awesome deck party. Patio furniture is one option. You can also have your deck designer create integrated seating for you, with built in benches and other comfy sitting spots for guests. Some custom seating features can be child sized, which is great news if your family and friends group includes lots of little ones.

S is for Snacks: Part of the fine of being outdoors is eating outdoors. You can’t go wrong with a classic like burgers cooked on the grill. Many families like to take things to the next level with an outdoor kitchen. Choose the menu you find most appealing. Making food safety simple – outdoor kitchens often contain mini fridges or a strategic space for coolers.