Creative Decks

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Framingham, MA

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Decks

The Dog-Friendly Deck: Must Have Features for the Pampered Pooch

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If you’ve ever walked around Needham, chances are you’ve noticed that people here really love their dogs. Making sure our canine companions are comfortable and safe during the day is easier when you’ve got a great deck. Here’s what you need to know about pet friendly deck design, with local tips from Needham deck contractors.

Composite Decking: Better for Dogs

Traditionally, decks and porches in our area have been built from wood, including white pine and redwood. Dogs can be tough on wooden decks and porches. Their toenails can dig into the surface, creating deep scratches and gouges. And some dogs are chewers – they love to bite banisters, railings, stairs, and other deck features. But composite decking doesn’t taste good, and dogs don’t chew on it with the same degree of enthusiasm. The tougher surface also resists damage better, and maintains its color for years.

Shade Features for Safe, Happy Puppers

Summer’s almost over, but that sun’s still pretty hot. Dogs, especially young puppies and their elderly counterparts, are especially vulnerable to sunstroke and can become overheated easily. To keep everyone safe and happy, consider having your Needham deck contractor add a shade feature to your porch. Having a roof over some or all of your porch makes it a comfortable space the whole family can enjoy.

Screen Porches – Smart Protection from Biting Insects

If you love your dog, you know you can spend a lot of time and money at the vet trying to keep them healthy. One way to help your dog stay healthy as possible is to protect them from biting insects that spread diseases – especially mosquitoes and ticks. The diseases these insects carry can also be harmful to human beings! Screen porches protect everyone while adding to the elegance, privacy and comfort of your deck. Talk to your Needham deck contractor about adding a screen porch to your deck today.

Deck Remodeling Do’s & Don’ts

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If you’re a Newton area homeowner about to embark on a deck remodeling project, you’re going to want to know these deck remodeling do’s and don’ts:

DO: Work with an experienced creative deck remodeling professional. Choosing a builder who specializes in decks is the smartest, most cost-effective way to ensure your new deck is everything you dreamed of.

DON’T: Cling too tightly to tradition. While wooden decks may have been good enough for your parents and grandparents, building technology has evolved. Composite decking means your deck will look good longer, need less care, and resists weather, mold and mildew damage better than white pine.

DO: Center your family’s lifestyle in your creative deck design. Your Newton deck builder will talk to you about what your family’s like and what you enjoy doing. The reason they do this is to gather information that can influence your deck design. For example, if your family likes to host big gatherings and entertain, integrating a large outdoor kitchen into your deck design might make sense – whereas if you prefer to keep things more quiet and private, an enclosed deck just large enough for your family and a few favorite friends could be the better option.

DON’T: Go with the lowest-bid deck contractor. A deck is a very visible part of your home. Its appearance will influence how people view your property and your family. A well built deck complements and enhances the home, while a poorly built deck reveals the shoddy workmanship with every passing season. Invest in your deck just like you’d invest in any other home improvement. Choose a qualified professional who will do the job right. That way you’ll be proud of your deck for years!

DO: Ask questions before you choose your deck builder. You want to see examples of other decks they’ve built. It doesn’t hurt to ask for references either! Doing a little research ahead of time can help you choose the right Newton deck contractor.

A Great Garden Demands A Great Deck

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“There’s so much love, work, forethought and planning that goes into John’s garden,” Ace said. The couple has lived in the Framingham area for decades. “But you really don’t get the full effect unless you’re in the right spot, which would happen to be right there.” He pointed to the back of their shingle style home. “That’s why we decided to have a back deck put on.”

Decks are popular with gardeners for several reasons. First and foremost, built in planters and flower boxes provide avid gardeners with more space to plant things – whether it’s favorite flowers, heirloom tomatoes, or fresh herbs for the kitchen.

Second, as Ace said, a well-designed deck can serve as a way to derive greater enjoyment from the family garden. By providing space for seating and dining, the deck also serves as a viewing platform: your family and guests can truly appreciate the beauty of the garden while they enjoy dinner and drinks with you.

The deck can also visually anchor and complement the garden. John and Ace chose a very dark charcoal gray composite decking, which is echoed in some of the garden furniture and an ornamental fence they have along their property line. This ties the garden design together beautifully, while serving as a neutral background for the vibrant, colorful flowerbeds John carefully nurtures.

“We also wanted some kind of storage solution built into our deck,” Ace explained. Because the couple’s lot slopes, there was a useful storage area available beneath the deck – now that it’s fitted out, they store the lawn mower, weed whacker, and other lawn tools there. Additional storage was provided in the built-in seating – the seats lift up to access the storage boxes below – as well as in the form of hose and tool hooks strategically positioned on corner posts.

The Romance of the Enclosed Deck

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There are several reasons enclosed decks are so appealing. First and foremost, let’s talk about privacy. An open deck means you can see everything that’s going on around you, in all directions – and it means other people can see you on your deck. If you’d prefer to not be on continual display to your neighbors, community, and random passers-by, an enclosed deck makes sense.

Another reason enclosed decks are awesome has to do with everyone’s least-favorite flying insect, the mosquito. Those little buzzers bite – and sometimes they’re passing along deadly diseases when they do so! If you’re worried about West Nile Virus or other insect-borne illnesses, you’ll appreciate how an enclosed deck – which can feature screens or windows, per your preferences – keeps the mosquitoes outdoors.

The screens and windows that keep biting insects outdoors can also keep other allergens, such as pollen, from getting into your living space. That’s useful to know if someone in your family has allergies or environmental sensitivities.

Enclosed decks are a very cost-effective way to add usable living space to your home. If you’ve got a busy, active family, it doesn’t take long for the house to fill up with noise. The enclosed deck can serve as a quiet retreat space, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, curl up with a book, or just have a moment to yourself – or, conversely, you can send the kids onto the deck to play safely while you enjoy some peace and quiet indoors.

Enclosed decks are a smart option for pets as well – they love the fresh air, and you will love the fact they just can’t wander off. Older pets are particularly appreciative of enclosed decks, especially on sunny days.

If you’re interested in having an enclosed deck, you have options. Talk to your Framingham deck contractor about having your existing deck closed in, or about having an enclosed deck added to your home.

De-stress on the Deck

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Have you been having a lot of tension headaches lately? Feeling stressed out and frustrated? You’re not alone. People from all over the Metrowest area report that they’re experiencing a real need for relaxation.

What better place can there be to relax than on your own deck? Whether you’re looking out at your backyard or up at a night sky full of stars, it’s a much more calming view than anything you’re going to see on the news or social media. Scientists have found that spending time outdoors lowers the blood pressure, decreases feelings of anxiety and tension, and generally elevates the spirit – all great news if you’re looking for an easy way to feel better fast.

As Framingham deck contractors, we can tell you that a deck doesn’t need to be expensive to be exceptional. We tell our clients to think long term – especially if you have small children. Investing in the quality of your deck up front means you’ll be able to enjoy it for decades without needing to spend any more money or do a lot of maintenance work.

We recommend composite decking for use in the Framingham area for a number of reasons. First and foremost is the color – if you want a bright, vivid deck and hate the idea of having to paint it regularly, you’re going to adore the range of colors, from intense to subdued, available in composite decking.

Additionally, composite decking is the ideal choice given the four seasons of weather we have here in Framingham. Composite won’t warp, twist, bend, or split, even if the weather is extremely cold or extremely hot. Insects aren’t interested in composite decking, and mold and mildew won’t grow on it. And if you have dogs, you’ll be glad to know that composite decking resists damage better than traditional wooden decks – although as we all know, there is nothing in this world that’s entirely 100% puppy proof!

Do You Really Need a Deck Designer?

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“I’ll be the first one to tell you that when we started talking about a deck, I thought the idea of hiring a deck designer seemed ridiculous,” Richard said. The Framingham homeowner is the proud father of three boys and two fur-babies, 2 golden labs named Ponder and Dysentary. “But then we started talking about how we’re going to have a deck that’s strong enough to stand up to this active gang and I realized I needed help. Who wants to build a deck only to have to rebuild it a few years down the road?”

Smart Deck Design: Composite Decking

When you have an active family, your decking materials choice matters a lot. The budget friendly option – white pine – is vulnerable to insects, moisture, rot, and the weather. Additionally, heavy traffic, whether it’s created by children or pets, takes its toll quickly on wooden decking.

A smart alternative is composite decking. This PVC-product is planet friendly, using recycled materials to create a sturdy, durable product that resists insects, moisture, rot and the weather. It comes in a variety of long lasting colors and never needs any maintenance beyond an occasional cleaning. Best of all, composite decking resists the wear and tear caused by heavy traffic.

Small Lots, Sloping Lots, & Other Deck Design Challenges

Anyone can build a square deck on a flat lot. But many times, particularly in the Framingham area, decks need to be built in challenging locations. Small lots require space-saving designs. A creative deck designer can fit a lot of functionality and comfort into a small space.

If you’re faced with a sloping lot or other construction challenges, working with an experienced deck designer will result in a superior deck that makes the most of the conditions. These projects tend to be a little bit more involved, which means the expertise of your deck designer really matters.