Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

"Design Drawings and Construction Plans"

Framingham, MA

508-877-1060

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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!

3 Signs It’s Time to Remodel the Deck

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Do you suspect you might need a new deck but aren’t entirely sure it’s the right time? Here’s a handy list of signs to watch for. If you say yes to three questions on this list, it’s time to remodel the deck:

#1: Has your deck been damaged by insects, the weather, or your family and pets?

Decks aren’t indestructible, especially older wooden decks. Inspect your deck carefully. If there are split, twisted, or warped boards, damaged stairs, loose railings, compromised banisters or other damage, an upgrade is in order. Don’t forget to grab your flashlight and look underneath your deck for insect and moisture damage – that’s often where the problems will show up first!

#2: Does your deck get really, really crowded when you’re trying to entertain?

Part of the fun of outdoor living is the ability to get together comfortably with your family and friends. If your deck just isn’t large enough to do the job, your favorite people are going to need to find a different place to hang out and enjoy themselves. Ideally, your deck will have enough seating to handle your entire family plus an average number of guests reasonably; frequent entertainers who like to throw big parties will need a larger space.

#3: Does your deck look tired and worn out – especially compared to the rest of the house?

Time takes its toll on everything, and outdoor living spaces are no exception. Look at your deck with an objective eye. Is it vibrant and inviting? Do you feel it accurately represents the personality of your family? Are you proud of your deck?

Here in the Framingham area, we run into many older decks that were built of white pine or other softwoods. While this may have been the affordable option at the time, as the years go by, the condition of these decks deteriorates quickly. This is due in part to the extreme weather we experience locally – scorching summer sun, followed by wicked winter winds, deteriorate wood.

The smart alternative to consider if you’re going to upgrade your deck is composite decking. This planet friendly material comes in a variety of colors, is long lasting, and resists insect, weather, and heavy traffic damage very well.

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.

Easy Elegance: The Enclosed Deck

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When the world’s a stressful place and you just want to chill out, having a comfortable, private space to relax with your family, friends and favorite people is just what the doctor ordered. Let’s talk about enclosed decks, the easy, elegant setting that makes outdoor living super simple and lots of fun.

The Enclosed Deck: Why?

Most of us are familiar with the traditional outdoor deck, which consists of a platform, some railings, and perhaps some stairs to make enjoying the backyard easy and simple.

The traditional deck can be a lot of fun, but it does have a few drawbacks. No roof means your family is out in sun, which can get hot, uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Enclosed decks have the benefit of shade. Having a cool, comfortable place to relax is great news for little kids, pets, and older family members.

Another issue will be instantly familiar to anyone who has small children or pets. The traditional deck’s railings don’t do much to keep fast, active kids contained. A safer option, particularly if you’ve got multiple small children to care for, is an enclosed deck area where access to the outdoors can be safely controlled by an adult.

Many Framingham area families report that their enclosed decks give them a sense of privacy that they really enjoy. This is especially true in locations where the deck is visible from the street. Neighborhood traffic doesn’t have to distract from your enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Enclosed porches add usable living space to the home in a very cost-effective manner. Choose a three-season porch to maximize your ability to use this space; screen porches can be enjoyed from the early spring through the early fall.

To get the maximum return on investment from your enclosed deck project, work with your local deck builder to make smart design choices. Composite decking is available in a variety of colors, which means your enclosed deck can be bright, cheerful and inviting.

The Outdoor Amenities That Matter Most

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When you’re renovating an upscale home, the exterior matters every bit as much as the interiors. That’s just the way it is, especially when you live in an appearance-conscious neighborhood like Framingham. With that in mind, we’re going to talk about the outdoor amenities that matter most to families right now.

The Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor living is more popular than ever. A big part of the appeal is the ease of entertaining – whether you’re up for a family friendly barbecue or want to have adult beverages with your favorite friends, the deck is the place to do it.

An outdoor kitchen can be as simple or as upscale as you’d like it to be. As decking specialists in the Framingham area, we’ve built outdoor kitchens that range from the simple essentials to the full gourmet experience. Cooking surfaces range from the traditional grill, flat top grill and outdoor range; some outdoor kitchens feature refrigeration, running water and more.

The Outdoor Bath

Whether you’ve spent all day on the water, in the pool, or just playing outside with the kids and animals, it’s nice to get clean in a luxurious setting. Outdoor showers, hot tubs and baths are becoming increasingly popular in the Framingham area. Privacy screening and other design features mean you can enjoy this luxury without worrying about anyone seeing you.

The Screen Room

One of the biggest challenges of outdoor living is dealing with biting insects. Not only are they annoying, but mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects can carry dangerous diseases. Many Framingham area families have screen rooms built on their decks in order to have a comfortable, shaded place to escape from the bugs and relax in comfort. This is also a great feature to have if you’ve got very young children or family members who are getting older.

What Type of Deck Makes Sense for My Family?

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When you’re having a deck, porch or patio added to your home, you have a choice of building materials. There’s no one best decking that’s ideal for every situation. Instead, working with your local deck contractor, you can choose the building material that makes sense for your family.

Great Looks, Reasonable Prices, Classic Style: Choose Wood

The traditional building material for building decks in the Metrowest area has long been wood. Cedar decking is particularly popular because of its attractive reddish color and long lasting durable nature. Another wood deck option is white pine: it’s not as long lasting or durable, but it is affordable.

The downside to choosing a wood deck is you’re going to wind up doing some maintenance. Wooden decks need protection from the elements. This means painting or staining them, as well as sealing them – a process that needs to be repeated periodically throughout the life of your deck. If you have a very active family or animals that spend time on the deck regularly, you may need to sand, paint and seal your deck more often.

Durable, Colorful and Long Lasting: Choose Composite Decking

Composite decking is the planet-friendly alternative to wood decking. Unlike wooden decks, composite decking does not bend, warp, twist or split – even when it’s been exposed to all of the extreme weather we get here in the Metrowest MA area. Composite decking’s durability makes it a top choice for busy families, families with pets, and any one who is concerned about insect damage.

Composite decking is available in a variety of colors. You can choose your favorite with confidence, knowing the color is going to stay strong and vibrant for a very long time. There’s no maintenance needed, aside from the every now and then need to spray the surface off with a hose or power washer to keep everything looking great.