Creative Decks

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Framingham, MA

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Decks

Recovering from the DIY Deck

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“Blame it on Bob Vila,” Stanley laughed. “I grew up watching This Old House with my Dad, and that led me to believe I had the handyman skills to put a back deck on the house by myself.”

Many people attempt to build a deck as a DIY project, even if they’ve never done any kind of construction work before. Sometimes this goes well, but in Stanley’s case, not so much. “A deck needs to be level. Flat. This is pretty basic stuff, right? But the deck I built had a definite slope to it. The kids couldn’t leave a ball on it – it would roll right off.”

The other issue with Stanley’s deck was that it wasn’t built on the most secure foundation. “I didn’t really line everything up properly, and then we had some bad weather that brought down some heavy tree limbs on it. When everything was all said and done, the deck just wasn’t safe anymore, and I knew I didn’t have the skills to repair it.”

A search for “Deck Contractor Near Me” led Stanley to hiring a professional who knew what needed to be done to fix the damaged DIY deck. “They really surprised me by asking about our family and how we enjoyed using the deck. When they found out it was primarily the place for my wife and I to unwind after a long day, they had all kinds of great suggestions, including a fire pit and built-in seating. Now we go out there, enjoy a glass of wine, watch the fire – it’s the best part of the day.”

“The quality of construction really makes a difference in how much you’ll use and enjoy your deck,” Stanley said. “The deck I built we hardly ever used. Now that we’ve got a great deck, we’re out there all of the time. Don’t fall into the same trap that got me. Bob Vila makes construction look easy – but it’s not. Sometimes you’re better off letting the pros do it for you!”

Deck Railings: Details Make the Difference

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The point of choosing a custom built deck is to have a deck that doesn’t look like everyone else’s. If your deck looks like a couple of your buddies got together one weekend and did the best they could, it certainly wouldn’t be unusual – but it’s also not the aesthetic enhancement of your home creative deck design can be.

For example, consider deck railings. You’ve got to have deck railings in place for a number of reasons – they visually define the edge of your deck, creating a more finished look to your outdoor living area; they’re also a safety element that can help keep children and pets out of harm’s way.

Every locality in the Metrowest area has its own set of building codes pertaining to decks, including railing design specifications. These codes allow for a great deal of creative design while still meeting safety standards. The Natick deck contractor you’ve brought in for renovations or to build a new deck will know these codes, and will help you make design choices that are in compliance.

Natick Deck Renovations & Upgrades

Creative deck design railing options include spindle style balusters – think wooden uprights – as well as glass panels, which work very well on contemporary, modern, and select classic homes, and horizontal stainless steel cables, which integrate nicely into several local popular aesthetics.

Be aware that if your deck is generally solid and just needs to have its appearance freshened up, your local deck designer can work with you. Deck renovations often include replacing the railing system with something more durable, unique, and custom. Great deck railings accent and enhance the appearance of your deck, which in turn upgrades your home’s curb appeal.

To find out more about your deck railing options, a quick search for deck contractor near me will lead you to the Needham area’s top choice for creative deck design!

Don’t Say Goodbye to Summer Fun Just Yet: Why You’ll Love the 3 Season Deck

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Where did summer go? It feels like we were just dragging out the pool toys and sunscreen yesterday – but the kids are already back to school and the leaves are starting to change color.

You don’t have to say goodbye to the summer fun just yet. The barbecue still works – and if you’ve got space on your deck to entertain a few favorite friends, why not?

Fall is the perfect time to enjoy any fire features you have on your deck, whether that’s a fire pit on the deck, gas fireplace, or a sunken fire pit with built in seating around it.

3 Season Decks: What Makes Them Great?

Fall is beautiful, but it gets cold fast. And even if you don’t mind a chilly breeze, it can be hard to have fun outdoors when it starts getting dark at 5 o’clock! The 3 Season Deck extends the outdoor living season, because it gives you fun extra living space while protecting you from the elements.

The 3 Season deck is the ideal location for hanging out, watching the game on TV, and reveling in having a comfortable retreat space attached to your house. After a long day in the office and all the fun involved in getting dinner on the table and homework done, it’s great to have a place to enjoy yourself.

3 Season Decks use windows to keep bad weather out while letting you enjoy lots of natural sunlight and your view. If you’re an artist or nature lover, you’ll enjoy being able to observe the great outdoors without having to actually go out in it – great for seniors or anyone with mobility challenges, as well as pets and children.

There’s still plenty of time to have a 3 season deck added to your home. 3 season decks can be built on an existing deck or designed and built from scratch. The best deck contractors in Metrowest MA are here to help!

Don’t Replace When You Can Remodel: The Money-Saving Way to Improve Your Deck

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Decks wear out over the course of time, but not every aspect of every deck wears out at the same rate. This means certain elements of your deck – most commonly the decking, railing, and stairs – may be in dire need of replacement while other portions – most notably the frame, the structural element that supports the deck – are fine.

When this happens, homeowners often ask if they have to replace the whole deck or if it’s possible to just repair the problems. As Wayland deck contractors, we can tell you the answer to that question is: it depends. There are a number of factors to consider when determining whether a deck can be remodeled or if it needs to be replaced.

The top criteria is the condition and durability of the frame. This aspect of your deck matters more than anything else – even the age of your deck. If you have a deck that’s less than five years old and the frame is rotten, damaged, or otherwise compromised, it’s going to need to be replaced, whereas a fifty-year old deck with a frame that’s in good condition can be a candidate for a deck remodel.

Another criteria to consider is how much you’d like to change your existing deck’s layout and structure. If you’re looking at restoring your current deck as is, that’s certainly an option – but don’t overlook the opportunities that exist to enhance your home’s curb appeal and value that a full deck remodel can offer.

What’s the Expected Useful Life of a Deck?

The expected useful life of a deck varies based on what materials the deck is built out of, as well as the usage conditions and how well the deck has been maintained. This means a deck built out of softwood, like white pine, that has been used heavily and minimally maintained, might wear out in as little as 5-10 years, where a well-cared for composite deck can easily last 30+ years.

The Wellesley Home: Deck Design to Boost the Mood & Encourage Creative Thinking

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We are shaped by the spaces we occupy, and the work we do shows it. When you examine the habits of some of the world’s most innovative, creative people, it turns out that they all take time to rest and relax – whether that means taking in the glories of nature or escaping into the pages of a favorite book.

What space do you have at home that’s designated for relaxation and enjoyment? For many of us, especially those of us who have busy, active families, the answer may be there is no space. Kids are doing homework in the kitchen, the family room’s full of the family, and somehow even though you said you’d never do it, there’s a make-do home office in the corner of the bedroom – not exactly restful.

Adding a well-designed three-season porch to your home is a smart, cost-effective way to add space to your home without spending a ton of money. A three-season porch doesn’t have to be huge to add a lot to the functionality and enjoyment you receive from your home.

How to Enjoy a Three-Season Porch

If you’re looking for a space to boost your mood and encourage your creative nature, a three-season porch is ideal. Talk to your Wellesley deck designer about how many windows you’d like to have and how you’d like them positioned – abundant natural light is a key feature of many three-season porches, and you also want to take your view into account. Whether you’re an aspiring or established artist, you’ll enjoy having a sketch-worthy subject while sitting in the comfort of your own home.

Choose your color scheme and furnishings with relaxation in mind. What do you enjoy doing? If the answer is reading, you know you’ll need a comfy reading chair, with a table close at hand for your favorite beverage. Looking for a place to meditate or do yoga? Work with your Wellesley deck designer to ensure your new three-season porch has plenty of floor space and room to store your mat & gear.

Want the Feel of Country Living in a Crowded Neighborhood?

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There are a lot of really nice homes in the Metrowest area – and a lot of them are pretty close together. If you’re trying to capture some of the comfortable aspects of country living – relaxing with the family, having fun with friends, enjoying the outdoors – you need space to make it happen and a reasonable amount of privacy.

That’s where the value of working with a deck designer becomes clear. Don’t limit yourself to the possibilities you can envision building – there’s so many design options, deck features, and customization elements to discover that can help you achieve the deck of your dreams.

Space saving deck design means making the most of the area you’ve got available. On some homes, this means building a second-story deck, or converting the area beneath the deck into a screen porch or sunroom.

Adding Privacy to Your Deck

Many homeowners like their neighbors and neighborhood, but would still prefer a certain degree of privacy when they’re enjoying their deck. There are several ways to approach this. Built in planters with shrubbery and trellised climbing plants is one easy, elegant way to obscure the view; of course, there are multiple fencing and screen options to choose from as well.

One very popular way to add privacy to your deck that also delivers the benefits of shade and protection from biting insects is having a screen porch built on your deck. You can have the screen porch built on top of an existing deck that’s in good condition, or if that’s not an option, a screen porch can be custom built to suit your family’s needs and your home’s style.

Enjoy Fall with a New Deck!

Let’s be real – autumn is the reason New England is so special. Make the most of this beautiful season with a new deck. Start the process now, and you could have everyone over to enjoy the Pats play on your new deck.