Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

"Design Drawings and Construction Plans"

Framingham, MA

508-877-1060

Decks

Outdoor Living Top Trend in the Sometimes Chilly Northeast: Why?

By on

As deck contractors in Metrowest MA, we pay a lot of attention to the outdoor living trends we think will be of interest to local homeowners. Being in a cold climate -it’s February when we’re writing these words, and believe us, it’s definitely on the chilly side – does little to impact the enthusiasm area residents have for outdoor living. In addition to creative decks and patios, we’ve seen increasing numbers of requests for more complex outdoor living features, including things like outdoor kitchens and fire features. Making these features usable and enjoyable throughout most of the year is the creative deck designer‘s challenge, but the results are well worth it.

For a moment, stop and think about why you chose a home in the Metrowest area. Proximity to work may be a reason – it’s nice to commute to Boston and live somewhere more affordable – but there’s no denying that this is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. Once winter snows slip away, spring roars to life with lush greenery and flowers everywhere. Summer brings us dazzling blue skies and the fun sounds of kids playing all over the neighborhood. When fall arrives, it’s a festival of color. Why miss a minute, when you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your own home.

It turns out that being outside has some serious health benefits as well. Simply being out in nature has been proven to increase brain activity and boost energy levels. The sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, which plays a huge role in countering seasonal affective disorder, a common form of winter time depression.

What to do about the cold? Fire features aren’t the only form of deck heating available. Heating and lighting can be integrated into your creative deck design. Additionally, consider the appeal of hybrid spaces that blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor living. Sunrooms are a great way to get four seasons of enjoyment from your home.

Wabi Sabi & Huge Furniture: The 2018 Decor Trends That Equal A Really Comfy Deck

By on

Do your New Year’s Resolutions include getting outdoors more? If they do, you’re not alone: unplugging and getting more fresh air and sunshine are on plenty of people’s lists. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the creative deck design trends that you’ll be hearing about in 2018: wabi sabi and maximalism.

Wabi Sabi Remember the hygge craze? Our love for all things comfy and cozy doesn’t go away once warmer weather arrives. Wabi Sabi is the Japanese practice in finding beauty in the imperfect and unfinished. This means rather than focusing on making your deck look showroom perfect – which is always a challenge with children and pets! – you can enjoy having a beautiful space that is enjoyed and lived in. Wabi Sabi is often expressed through ceramics: for outdoor living, look for planters and flowerpots that have quirky charm to capitalize on this trend. Look for ceramic planters filled with small evergreen shrubberies to appear on decks near you. They add life to a deck while providing privacy screening and a windbreak.

Maximalism Sometimes bigger is better! Maximalism is the trend for more of everything. Think larger furniture, brighter colors, bolder patterns – in other words, this is not the year for subtle restraint. There are two ways this applies to creative deck design. The first and most obvious is seating: choose large, sturdy pieces built for comfort and style. Many homeowners may prefer to choose the seating in a neutral color and going wild with color and pattern in the cushions. Then it’s time to talk about plantings. Many creative deck designs feature built in flowerboxes and other planters. 2018 is definitely the year to go wild with color. This doesn’t have to be expensive, and it can be fun for the kids: invest in seeds reliable garden favorites like zinnias and cosmos – both available in a dazzling range of color – and for a few bucks, your home can be perfectly on trend.

Did Winter Wreck Your Deck? Tips for Finding Local Deck Contractors

By on

Despite what the Weather Channel insists on telling us, 2018 was the first year many of us heard the term “Bomb Cyclone”. However, homeowners in the Boston, MA Metrowest area are never going to forget it: this wild winter storm, which included flooding, snow and freezing temperatures, caused a great deal of damage. If winter wrecked your deck, and you know you’re going to need deck repair or replacement once spring arrives, the time to begin your search for a local deck contractor should begin now. Here’s what you need to know:

Your deck may not be done for. In some cases, it’s self-evident that a deck will need to be replaced. When the deck’s structure has been compromised, it’s no longer firmly attached to your home, or it’s otherwise unsafe, replacement has to happen. However, some of the damage caused by the Bomb Cyclone is less severe. To repair or replace broken rails, stairs, or decking can be much more affordable than replacing your deck. An ethical local deck contractor will inspect your deck and give you their honest objective assessment of its condition so you can decide your best route forward.

Winter will happen next year too. Be prepared. We’re not exactly done with winter yet. The Metrowest MA area can expect snow, freezing rain, and other less than optimal conditions throughout January, February and into the spring. You want your new deck to be prepared for every type of weather. When searching for deck contractors near me, ask about what type of building materials they work with. While some traditionalists prefer wood, if you want to make the most of your budget and have a durable deck, you want a deck built from composite building materials.

Experience matters. Crisis creates an opportunity, and the sight of many Metrowest MA homeowners who need their decks fixed will result in legions of people who own a hammer and have watched way too much DIY TV going into business for themselves. You don’t want to be part of someone’s learning curve, especially when the appearance, safety, and value of your home is on the line. Ask any deck contractor you’re considering how long they’ve been in business, if they’re licensed and insured, and for references.

Builders in Framingham – For Porches, Decks, Patios, Home Additions & More

By on

As Christmas draws near, you may want to surprise someone with the gift of home improvement. Having a deck added onto the home, remodeling the kitchen, or adding a home addition for some much needed extra space can make the entire family’s life a little better. Obviously you won’t have the project completed before the holiday, but there’s still time to connect with a builder in Framingham and get those arrangements in place so you can surprise your loved ones by having the home improvement already planned.

Here are some of the most popular home improvements available from builders in Framingham:

Home additions: Families grow but houses stay the same size. If you’ve had lots of children, have adult children living at home, need a place for your parents to live, or are trying to fit a home business under the family roof, the odds are pretty good you need more space. Home additions can be built on the first floor, or if your lot’s unique configuration won’t allow for that, you can build up, choosing a second or even third story addition.

Finishing the basement: Converting the basement into useable living or storage space is another very popular Framingham home remodel. In many cases, the basement is underutilized space because it’s dark, dingy, and never set up for regular use. Working with a builder in Framingham, it’s easy to overcome these challenges and turn this wasted space into exactly what your family needs.

Porches, Patios, Decks, and Sunrooms: Outdoor living continues to be a very strong trend regionally, especially as families opt to spend more time closer to home rather than traveling. Sunrooms and three season porches provide additional space the family can enjoy through almost the entire year; porches, patios, and decks boost curb appeal while providing a setting for outdoor entertaining.