“You hear about kitchens and bathooms getting dated, but I never really thought about our deck,” Frank said. “But our son’s high school graduation is coming up fast, and we’re planning on having a big party. So I went out and looked at our deck with a critical eye, and let’s just say you can tell it was built fifteen years ago.”
While the overall structure of Frank’s deck was solid – a benefit of choosing composite decking – the deck railing was looking rough. “My son’s a big guy, and he has a habit of leaning up against the railing looking at his phone. That’s why it’s all bowed out here.” Another portion of the deck railing was damaged during the heavy snows Western Massachusetts experienced a few years ago.
“I didn’t want to just replace what we had,” Frank said. “So I talked to our Massachusetts deck builders to see what they recommended that would look better.” The creative deck design team came to Frank with a number of options, including a contemporary cable-style railing and traditional more decorative balustrade. “My wife and I enjoyed looking at the various choices. It took a little while to decide which one was our favorite, but once we did, we agreed with the deck builders that our deck steps could use some attention as well.”
Steps are the most heavily trafficked area on any deck. “We have teenagers and dogs,” Frank explained, “and neither group is particularly careful. The steps were beginning to bow in the middle, and the edges were worn. Since we were having the deck railing updated anyway, we decided to have the porch steps replaced at the same time.” Frank chose to have the new deck stairs built out of composite material. “The deck has held up so well, it makes sense for the porch steps to be made of the same material.”