Creative Decks

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Decks

3 Questions to Ask Your Outdoor Deck Contractor

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How are you going to improve your home in 2020? If your plans include upgrading the deck, replacing the deck, or having a new deck built, you’ll want to start your search for a local deck contractor soon. Your home is your largest investment, and you want to be sure that your new deck is built to the highest standards. That’s why you’ll want to ask any potential outdoor deck contractor in Needham the following questions:

Do You Specialize in Decks?

Many building contractors tell you they can do it all – from small additions to building large mansions. The true facts are that no one is good at everything. Don’t depend on a general contractor who takes on decks and patios for the extra money. Your home deserves a deck designed and built by an outdoor deck contractor who specializes in decks. That way you’ll get the benefit of focused expertise and the passion of a builder who knows how to do the job right.

Can We See Some of the Decks You’ve Built?

Only work with contractors who are proud of their work. Any reliable outdoor deck contractor should be able to provide you with examples of their work – even if it’s just addresses of homes they’ve worked on, so you can drive by and see what the decks look like. If your outdoor deck contractor provides you with references – and they should! – call these individuals and ask them for their thoughts and recommendations. If they were going to have a deck built for them again, what would they do differently?

Can You Work With My Time Line and Budget?

With this question, you’re asking your local deck contractor if they’re a professional. If your time line and budget won’t line up with what you’d like to accomplish, a true professional deck contractor will tell you that, and explain what you can do given the parameters of the project. It’s always a good idea to compare prices for home renovations, including decks and patios. Steer clear of the lowest bidder – when it comes to construction, you get what you pay for!

Convert Screen Porch to Sunroom for Year Round Joy

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“The screen porch is one of my favorite places in the house,” Renee said. “It’s the one place where we all go to relax. After the kids’ sports practices and a long day in the office, it’s where we go to crash out with a pizza and catch up with each other. Maybe it’s not fancy, but it’s real – and now that it’s November, it’s real cold!”

Converting a screen porch into a sun room is a very cost-effective way to add usable space to your home. Winter temperatures in Massachusetts can drop to well below freezing, which means there’s at least three months every year where enjoying your screen porch requires a hat and coat. By having your local building contractor convert the screen porch into a sun room, you reclaim all of that space.

Sun rooms have a few more advantages over screen porches. First and foremost, they’re more secure. Many Massachusetts homeowners wind up using their sun rooms as a home office – it’s great to have a comfortable place to concentrate and get some work done. If you’re doing any coursework or anyone in the family needs a quiet place to study, the sun room is a great option.

Sun rooms are also great for the younger members of the family. During the cold winter months, going outside to play isn’t always an option – especially when it gets dark so early. Converting the screen porch into a sun room provides a safe, warm place for playtime. At the same time, since the sun room features multiple windows, the little ones can enjoy a great view of all of the outdoors. Great for learning about the natural world, weather, animals, and the neighborhood.

If you’d like to convert your screen porch into a sun room, the time to talk to your local deck contractor is now. Getting your plans in place means you’ll be able to get your upgrade done as soon as possible!

Planning a 2020 Deck Remodel?

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Has your deck had better days? Here in the Wellesley area, the expected useful life of a deck ranges between 10-15 years, depending on the building materials used, quality of construction, usage and upkeep. If it’s time for a deck remodel, here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind:

It’s never too early to start planning your new deck.

Give yourself the treat of time to plan your new deck. As we’re headed into the coldest, darkest corner of the year, think about how you’d like to enjoy the coming warmer days of spring and summer. Pinterest and Instagram are great sources of design inspiration. Save images you find particularly compelling – they’re a great resource for when you’re ready to meet with your Wellesley deck remodeling company.

Explore creative deck design options that make outdoor living easy.

One of the reasons people remodel their decks is the old deck needs too much work and attention to look great. Older decks are often built out of softwood – white pine is common in our area – and over the course of time, the elements take their toll. Wood splits, twists, and, in wet conditions, rots.

Composite decking is a smart, planet-friendly alternative that resists the impact of the weather. Composite decking doesn’t split, twist, or warp. It’s available in dozens of colors, and the color stays strong and true for years without ever needing to be painted or stained. In terms of upkeep, plan on power washing your new deck once a year or so. That’s it – nothing could be easier!

Research Wellesley Deck Remodeling Companies

While you’re planning your deck remodel, it’s a good time to begin investigating the deck remodeling company you’re going to work with. Remember that while a general contractor may say they take any job, big or small, the common sense aspect of business dictates that they pay more attention to bigger jobs – which means the kitchen renovation or addition they’re building will take priority over your deck remodel. For the best service experience, choose a deck remodeling company in Wellesley that specializes in decks.

How Much Deck Maintenance Is Too Much?

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Whether you’re adding a new deck to your home or need to upgrade or replace your existing deck, it’s a good idea to start the process by asking yourself some serious questions.

The first set of questions center around how you envision using your new deck. If your family enjoys entertaining, do you need space for an outdoor kitchen, room for a table and chairs, or maybe a built in barbecue or smoker? Perhaps your family is more of the quiet type, and would prefer a deck designed for reading and relaxation. Some families enjoy the bright sunshine, while others prefer the shade and comfort of a screen porch. Knowing what you like in a deck is vital information to have before you meet with your Wayland creative deck designer.

The second set of questions about your new deck have to do with maintenance and upkeep. Now, there are all kinds of people in this world. There are some people who really enjoy having an entire weekend devoted to stripping the deck, sanding any rough spots, doing repair work as needed, and then staining and re-sealing the deck. If this sounds fantastic to you, talk to your creative deck designer about having your new deck built of wood.

If you’re the type of person who can think of sixteen million other things they’d like to do on a free weekend besides stripping, staining, and sealing your deck, you’ll be glad to learn there are other decking options besides wood.

For example, composite decking is a planet-friendly, long lasting alternative to wood decking. Composite decking resists environmental damage – it doesn’t split, warp, twist or bend in the heat, and insects aren’t interested in eating it. It’s available in a variety of bright colors, ranging from classic and traditional shades to eye-popping electrifying colors. Best of all, composite decking requires very minimal maintenance. All that it needs to look great is an occasional spray with the power washer.

Autumn Deck Love: Outdoor Design For Family Living

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Fall is the best part of the year in the Metrowest area – the colors are beautiful, all of the mosquitoes have given up bugging everyone, and the cold winter winds have yet to arrive. Are you enjoying this glorious season on your deck? Keep reading to discover the 3 creative deck design features that make outdoor living fun for Metrowest families:

The Fire Feature: Let’s be real – there’s nothing more romantic than sitting next to your special someone, watching the flames crackling together. And the kids have to go to bed sometime, right?

Fire features can range from super-simple – fire pits that sit on your deck – to built-in sunken fire pits or outdoor fireplaces. When you’re working with your Metrowest outdoor deck contractor, talk to them about fire features you’ve seen and admired. It’s important to talk about how easy you’d like using your fire feature to be. If you like using wood the old fashioned way, you’ve got one range of options. If you prefer the push-button ease of gas, there’s another range. You’re going to have a great time picking the one that’s right for your family and your style.

Built In Storage: We know – it’s not as sexy as the fire feature. But having your outdoor deck contractor hook you up with built in storage for things like outdoor furniture cushions and the kids’ toys makes it super simple to keep your deck looking picked up and tidy.

Composite Decking: The ultimate family friendly feature is a low maintenance deck that frees up valuable time for fun together. Choosing composite decking means you never have to spend time stripping, staining, or sealing your deck ever again! An added bonus – composite decking comes in a variety of colors, from the classic and conservative to the bright and bold – choose the look that best matches your family’s personality!

Is Your Deck The Scariest Thing About Your Halloween Decor?

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Tis the season for ghosts and goblins, but if your deck has sagging stairs, broken railings, or split, twisted or damaged decking, it might make your place the scariest house on the block.

A happy, busy family can be really rough on a deck. When you’ve had lots of fun on a deck, with lots of foot traffic, kids playing, and the occasional spilled beverage, wear patterns develop and sometimes things get damaged. Pets – especially dogs that love to chew, scratch and dig – can also take their toll on the deck.

As decking contractors, we’re often asked how long a deck should last before it’s time to replace it. While we’d love to have a one size fits all answer, the truth is that there are a lot of factors that determine how long your deck is going to last and whether it should be repaired or rebuilt. These factors include how well the deck was built in the first place, what type of wood or other decking materials were used to build it, how well the deck’s been maintained and how much the deck’s been used.

You want your deck to be safe and attractive. If you’re not sure if your deck is safe, take a moment to consider what it would be like to use your deck if you were a small child – a toddler, perhaps, who would trip over some twisted decking – or as an older person who might have real difficulty climbing up sagging stairs. If everyone in your family and circle of friends can’t use your deck safely, changes need to be made.

Need to upgrade your deck’s safety now? Click here for deck contractor near me.

Your deck’s appearance is important as well. If you’re not pleased with your deck’s current appearance, your local deck designer can help you upgrade and improve your home’s look.