Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

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Framingham, MA

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Decks

To Create a Great Outdoor Room

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It’s been a long winter full of snowstorms and binge-watching HGTV. If 2020 is the year you’re going to take your yard from good to great, get ready. The absolute must-have outdoor living feature you’ll want to have is a true outdoor living room- a deck that includes all of your favorite creature comforts, including great seating, the tv, and even a fridge full of cold adult beverages.

Beyond the Man Cave: Awesome Deck Ideas

What makes a man cave great? It’s the place you can do all of your favorite things, whether that’s watch the game, throw some darts, or, on very rare occasions, have a beer.

How does this translate to the deck? Well, your Framingham decking company can hook you up with a space that’s designed to include all of your favorite things. Room for the comfiest lounge chair ever? Check. Sheltered space to keep your TV out of the elements? Check. An outdoor kitchen that’s set up with a grill and a mini fridge? Check. What else do you need for a perfect summer evening?

Creative Deck Design Options

You want to spend your summer enjoying your new deck, not worrying about taking care of it. That’s why we recommend having your Framingham decking company use composite materials for your new deck. Made out of planet friendly PVC, composite decking comes in a variety of colors. You can go classic and traditional with dark wood tones, or funky and fun with bold, bright colors kids love.

Best of all composite decking is extremely durable and stable. That means it doesn’t react to weather extremes, including hot summer sun and freezing winter cold. Wooden decking boards are known to split, twist and warp. Composite decking doesn’t do that, which means your deck looks great longer.

Can You Have a Great Deck & Privacy?

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Lots of people love outdoor living. But can you really relax on your deck when your neighbors are watching your every move?

“I wouldn’t say we’re especially private people,” Maria said. “But the way our deck was before – let’s just say I felt really exposed sitting out there. You couldn’t really sit and enjoy a meal, because we were so visible to every passer-by. It made me self-conscious.”

You can integrate privacy into your deck design without appearing anti-social. That’s important when your home is in a welcoming neighborhood like Needham. Easy, effective ways to make your deck more private include:

Fencing & Solid Deck Rails

The easiest and most effective way to make your deck more private is to fence some or part of it off with privacy screens or solid deck rail panels. These are available in a variety of styles and colors. Your Needham deck contractor can help you choose the right look for your new deck.

Trellis Plantings & Greenery

A very popular and quite charming way to make your deck more private is by the use of trellised plantings. Trellises are available in a variety of styles, materials, colors and configurations. Choose the one that best enhances the look of your deck and then install climbing plants like morning glories, honeysuckle, or the like.

Another option – and one that’s particularly suited to the more formal, traditional home – is to have your Needham deck contractor build in planters for small, sculptural evergreen shrubs. A classic look that adds style while providing privacy.

The Screen Porch

A family favorite, the screen porch provides shade, protection from biting insects, and yes, privacy. You can have a screen porch built on your existing deck, or have the space beneath a second story deck converted into a screen porch. Don’t be surprised if the screen porch turns out to be the family’s new favorite place to be.

2020 Outdoor Living Trends: Bigger, Better, Bolder

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When the world’s a stressful, tense place, the appeal of staying home is strong. 2020’s strongest outdoor living trends definitely speak to the desire to increase the levels of enjoyment and comfort to be found on decks, patios, and porches.

Deck Design Trend #1: The Al Fresco Kitchen

Cooking outdoors is lots of fun – and so is entertaining your family and friends. Outdoor kitchens have definitely gotten more sophisticated. While you can limit yourself to a simple barbecue on the deck, you definitely don’t have to. Talk to your deck designer about a true outdoor kitchen, with a cook top, refrigeration, running water and more. The aesthetic of the al fresco kitchen can range from country casual to surprisingly upscale and elegant – choose the look that works for you.

Want this trend? Find a decking company near me now.

Deck Design Trend #2: The Outdoor Den

Is true happiness only to be found on the couch watching tv? Now you can do that outdoors. Smart deck design that incorporates enclosed spaces for your big screen tv, gaming system, or other electronics gives the entire family a place to gather together without having to unplug.

Want this trend? Find a decking company near me now.

Deck Design Trend #3: The Three-Season Deck

Want to extend the enjoyment of outdoor living beyond the short, sweet summer? Talk to your local deck contractor about three-season decks. Because these decks are enclosed with windows – glass for the stormy season, screens when it’s nice – you can enjoy them even after the temperature starts to drop. Have a three-season deck built underneath a second story deck or balcony, or have one built on an existing deck. It’s a very smart way to add living space to your home without spending a ton of cash.

Want this trend? Find a decking company near me now.

Has Your Deck Seen Better Days? 3 Signs It’s Time for Deck Repair

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January can be a time of introspection. We look at our lives and ask if we’re doing everything we can be doing to have our best existence. It’s also a time to look at our homes and its features, including decks, patios, and porches.

It’s important to understand that your deck bears a lot of winter’s wrath. These exposed structures are out in the freezing cold. They get buried by snow and coated in ice. When spring arrives with its heavy rains, more damage can be done. In the summer, blazing sun and scorching temperatures can cause wooden decking to twist, split and warp. Then fall returns with its blustery cold winds and the cycle of damage begins again.

How is your deck looking? Because we provide deck repair services through the Metrowest area, we can tell you the three points to consider when deciding if it’s time for deck repairs:

The First Point: Safety and Stability

When you walk around on your deck, it should feel solid and secure. Take a peek underneath – you may need a flashlight! Your deck’s supports should be solid and dry. Any signs of rot, mildew, or compromise means that your deck’s not as safe as it could be. It’s time for deck repair.

Another safety concern is your railings. Railings should be complete and smooth around the entirety of the deck, without any breaks, twists, or slivers. In the case of cable railings, these should be taut and in good repair. The posts that hold up the railings – they’re called balusters, which is also a great Word with Friends word – also need to be in good repair, without any breaks that create an opening large enough for a child to put their head through.

Stairs and decking are the third area of concern. These should be level, sturdy, and attractive. If they’re not, it’s time to get hold of your Metrowest deck repair specialist!

Do More Outdoors

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If your New Year’s Resolutions included more fresh air and outdoor fun for the family, it’s time to get real about your deck. On some homes, the deck and back porch just don’t get the attention they deserve. The truth is these spaces hold fantastic memory-making potential – provided you work with a Weston deck contractor that can help you make the most of your deck, patio and porches.

2020’s Top Trend: The Screen Porch on a Deck

Love the idea of the outdoors but hate the hot sun and biting insects? Having a screen porch built on your deck is a great way to allow the family to enjoy the outdoors in comfort. This is especially important to families with small children and seniors, as these two groups are most vulnerable to sunburn – and of course, nobody likes mosquito bites. We’ve also found that pets love screen porches.

No Maintenance Decks – For the Win

Free time is a precious commodity in this world. The odds are pretty good that you don’t want to spend yours stripping, staining and sealing your deck. That’s why we recommend composite decking. This colorful, durable material is planet friendly. It’s also free-time friendly. No maintenance is required, except for a quick spray with the hose every now and then to keep everything looking great.

Build In the Fun

As Weston deck designers, our mission is to create spaces that your family and friends will enjoy. Every one is a little different, which is why every deck is a one of a kind. Love to barbecue and entertain? We’ll hook you up with a great outdoor kitchen. Want to kick back and enjoy a flickering fire? You’ll love the variety of fire pit options available today!

All of our decks are designed for maximum fun without blowing up your budget. This means we’ll work with what you have, building screen porches underneath decks, sunrooms on decks, and more.

The Instagram Worthy Deck

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If home decor and design is your thing, you probably love Instagram. It’s where you can find all sorts of stunning deck and patio ideas – but how do you go from a picture on your smartphone to a gorgeous, comfortable deck of your own?

The process begins when you start talking to your Needham deck builders. They’re going to ask you about your vision for your deck. Don’t be afraid to show them the Instagram and Pinterest pictures that sparked this dream – those inspirations can help your deck designers create a plan that gives you the look you want in a way that accents and enhances the beauty of your home.

When you want a picture perfect life, choosing decking materials that require little to no maintenance is smart. That’s why we often recommend composite decking. This material is absolutely planet friendly – it’s made of recycled materials in a sustainable fashion – and it comes in a dazzling rainbow of color options. Composite decking totally stands up to the weather, which means you don’t have to worry about it warping, twisting, or splitting – ever. Best of all, insects aren’t interested in it.

Don’t forget to build in the fun. The point of having a great deck is enjoyment. Your Needham deck builders will want to know how you like to have fun. Are you a gardener? Built in planters mean you can have fragrant flowers and vibrant veggies growing everywhere. Love to barbecue and entertain? You’ll be blown away by the outdoor kitchen options.

Start planning now if you’d like to have a great deck this spring. While winter’s still going to be around for a few more weeks, this is the ideal time to meet with your Needham deck designer, go over concepts, see plans, and make your decisions. That way construction can start as soon as weather permits – and once the work is done, you too will have an Instagram worthy deck!