Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

"Design Drawings and Construction Plans"

Framingham, MA

508-877-1060

NEWSROOM

Do You Have Sad Front Porch Stairs? There is Help for Your House!

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“When my husband’s mother comes over for a visit, I just cringe,” Ariel said. “It’s quite a drive from her place in the Berkshires to Framingham, and that ride is hard on her hip. Her balance isn’t what it could be. And then she gets out of the car and has to come up our front porch steps. They’re not straight at all, and the second and fourth one are wobbly. There’s no railing. Steven goes out and holds onto her to keep her steady as she comes in, but that’s really not the ideal solution, and believe me, she lets him know.”

Sound familiar? Front porch stairs see a lot of traffic. Think about how many people go in and out of your house over the course of any given day! Lots of time these people are in a hurry, or they’re carrying heavy bags for school or work, or they’re bringing in groceries – which means the front porch stairs get a lot of wear and tear. Wooden porch stairs are especially prone to sagging, twisting and breaking. It doesn’t take long for our New England winters to impact the condition of porch stairs: between the snow, the ice, and the frigid temperatures, damage happens.

Having the front porch stairs replaced is a simple, cost effective way to exponentially enjoy your home more. You won’t have to worry about anyone slipping on your shaky stairs, and safety-boosting railings can be added for extra peace of mind. Switching to PVC or composite decking means you won’t have to worry about the condition of your porch steps for a long time as both of these green building materials are weather and insect resistant. Also PVC and composite porch steps are mold and mildew free – great news for kids’ and pets’ health.

 

A is for Awesome Decks!

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One of the top reasons Framingham families decide it’s time to add a deck to the house is that they’re looking for somewhere for everyone to gather and have fun. Kids need fresh air and sunshine. There’s only so  much time you can spend staring at a screen. Gathering on an awesome deck to play together, enjoy conversation, or simply share a snack is an important part of building lasting family relationships.

The most awesome decks in Framingham MA are those that require no maintenance. You want to enjoy your deck, not spend weekends sanding, painting, and sealing it! That’s why composite decking and PVC decking are top choices for today’s busy families. They look like wood without requiring all of the work. Choose any color you’d like – and don’t worry about the weather. If we get the traditional Framingham heavy snows – no problem! Hot sweltering summer? No problem! The warping, cracks, and splits that happen with wooden decking aren’t as issue when you have a composite deck.

Kids like bugs, but insects aren’t awesome when they’re chewing up your deck! One great advantage of choosing a composite deck is the insect resistance. Termites and carpenter ants aren’t interested in PVC decking either. There’s simply nothing for them to eat, and so these pesky bugs look somewhere else for their tasty snack. As an added bonus, both composite and PVC decking resist mold and mildew growth in a way a wooden deck can not: if your children or family members have allergies or vulnerable respiratory systems, you’ll appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing you never have to worry about mold growing on the deck!

Finally, awesome decks in Framingham MA are affordable. We pay top dollar for our homes locally. Adding a deck shouldn’t require adding a ton of debt to your list of things to worry about. When you consider the amount of family enjoyment derived from being together on the deck to the relatively minimal cost, the decision makes itself: 2017 is the year to add an amazing deck!

Make 2017 The Year of the Deck

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Happy New Year! Please accept our warmest wishes for a happy, healthy New Year, full of happiness, joy and time spent with your favorite people.

We are encouraging everyone we know to make 2017 the year of the deck. What does that mean? Well, time spend on decks is generally good time in people’s lives. Whether that’s a quiet moment in the morning, enjoying a cup of coffee while you watch the sun come up, or a very late night kiss under the stars, a great deck can be the setting for some truly special moments.

Decks are tailor made for family fun. Need a place for everyone to gather for a marathon session of Uno or Cards Against Humanity? Head for the deck. Some of the most important conversations families have need an informal setting, away from smartphones and other distractions. Having comfortable seating built into your custom deck or patio provides a place for you to comfortably hang out and be with your teenager or other children in a no-pressure environment.

We learned in 2016 how important it is to spend time with the people we care about. Life can change in an instant. It’s important to actively create positive memories with people. Patios and decks are a great place to have barbecues, share lemonade, or host other impromptu gatherings. An attractive deck is also a great setting for photo shoots before homecoming dances, proms, weddings, and other important festive occasions. Take lots of pictures of the people you care about in 2017 – you will be glad you did.

A great deck also allows for some quality alone time. Sometimes you just need to curl up with a good book or enjoy time with your own thoughts. In the South Shore, many people use their decks to practice yoga or tai chi: a great way to revitalize the body and spirit. Make your deck amazing, and 2017 will turn out the same way.

Cozy, Inviting Decks: The 2017 Must Have Framingham Home Feature

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As 2016 draws to a close, design experts are agreed on one thing. Making one’s home a cozy, comfortable retreat is going to be the top decorating trend. The New York Times is reporting on the rise of Hygge, the Dutch lifestyle that centers on creating snuggly places to relax with friends and enjoy good books. Pantone has chosen Greenery as their 2017 color of the year – a shade they describe as nature’s neutral, this light green shade evokes foliage, shrubbery, grass and good times.

Let’s talk about how these two trends impact custom deck design in Framingham. Deck gardens are one of our go-to strategies for creating private, green spaces for the home. Built in planters can be equipped with trellis that support climbing plants. Whether you choose beautiful roses, a leafy ivy, or even edible goodies like tomatoes to grow there, the result is a cool, effective visual screen in today’s trendiest color – greenery!

Do you really love green? Both composite decking and PVC decking come in green, as well as a variety of other colors and natural wood look. Color has a huge impact on how inviting and cozy your deck looks. Homeowners have so much freedom to make aesthetic choices that reflect the impression they want to give the world. From casual and family friendly to traditional and formal, the choice in decking material makes a huge impact in the appearance of your custom deck in Framingham. Another way to think about green is in terms of impact of your deck on the environment: PVC and composite decking is designed to be sustainable and earth friendly!

The way you accessorize your custom deck also impacts how cozy it is. Choose furniture that looks comfortable to spend time in; keep throws nearby for chillier evenings. Worried about rain? Stow your throws in small plastic totes: they’re weatherproof and available in a range of colors to complement your decor.

Want 2017 to Be Better than 2016? Upgrade Your Deck

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For many people, 2016 was a remarkably long, stressful year. If you’re looking for a tangible way to improve your family’s everyday quality of life in 2017, try focusing your attention on your deck.

Decks occupy a unique space in the American home. They span the distance between indoor and outdoor living, providing a platform for seating, cooking, dining, and play. The deck is where friends can gather for meaningful conversations over barbecue; it’s where parents can watch children playing in their yard; it’s where lovers can stand, late at night, gaze up at the stars, and dream of a better tomorrow. All of these things are vitally necessary: is your deck up to the challenge of supporting it all?

Here is Western Massachusetts, decks have a rough time. They’re exposed to all kinds of weather, throughout brutally dry, hot summers, freezing cold winters, and soaking wet springs. If you’re near the coast, your deck is also exposed to the salty ocean air. These elements can over time deteriorate the condition of wooden decks. One of the most popular deck upgrades locally is to choose a PVC deck or composite deck: while each option gives the homeowner the appearance of wood, the decking material is much more durable and long lasting.

One nice thing about PVC decking and composite decking is the fact that far less maintenance is required. If you’ve had enough of sanding, staining, and sealing your wooden deck, you can get your valuable weekend time back with a deck upgrade in Framingham, MA. Other popular deck upgrades include making the deck larger, so it can accommodate more people, as well as built in seating. 

Stressful years are going to happen. Staying connected with family and friends is important. Decks give us an attractive gathering place to live our lives and foster those meaningful connections.

Four Signs It’s Time for Deck Replacement

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“We’ve had this deck for fifteen years, and I think it’s past time for it to go,” Andrea said. “It’s ugly and broken and I’m tired of it. But my husband says we can just repair the issues and get another ten years out of the deck. We’re turning to you for help. What are the signs it’s time for deck replacement?”

There are four criteria to take into account when considering deck replacement. These are safety, structural integrity, style and satisfaction. If a deck fails to perform in any of these areas, it’s time for Framingham deck replacement.

Safety concerns include any broken or cracked deckboards, stairs, and safety railings. Can people easily and safely get onto and off of the deck as needed? Is the surface smooth, or are there rough, jagged, or splintery boards? Structural integrity refers to the construction and solidity of the deck. Wooden decks in particular are prone to problems with rot and insect damage. That is why many of the decks we build in the Framingham area feature PVC or composite decking material. Structural integrity also addresses how the deck is secured to the structure; if there’s any rot or compromise at this point, repair or replacement may be in order.

Style considerations are harder to define. The important thing about any deck’s appearance is that the homeowner loves it; secondary to that is the impact a well built deck has on a property’s curb appeal and overall value. We’ve found that a homeowner who describes their current deck as ugly generally won’t be pleased until that deck is replaced. Satisfaction is associated with how well a deck meets the family’s needs. If there’s not enough space for everyone to gather comfortably, or insufficient resources for activities like barbecues or stargazing, deck replacmeent may be in order.