Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

"Design Drawings and Construction Plans"

Framingham, MA

508-877-1060

local deck contractor

Patio vs Deck: What’s Right for Your Home?

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If you’d like to spend more time outdoors this summer and want to boost your home’s curb appeal, adding a deck or patio makes sense. But what option is right for your home?

Many people use the terms patio and deck interchangeably, but there are differences between them. The primary differentiator is elevation. Decks are usually built at least a little bit above your property, while patios rest directly on the ground.

This means that the first factor when choosing a deck or patio is your building lot. The lay of the land can be a determining factor that dictates whether a patio is possible or you’ll need to have a deck built to meet your needs. Sloping, narrow lots are common in our region, which explains why you may see more decks than patios in your neighborhood.

There are two other factors to consider when choosing between a patio and a deck. The first factor is maintenance. Decks can be built out of many materials – as Massachusetts deck contractors, we work primarily with composite decking as well as wood – while patios are generally concrete, stone or brick. Composite decking needs virtually no maintenance – you’ll want to spray it with a hose when it gets grungy – while patios generally require more care to stay looking great.

Finally, cost is a consideration. The materials used in constructing a patio don’t have to be expensive – unless you choose an upscale stone or flagstone patio – but there’s a lot of labor involved. Decks are generally more affordable, and can be installed by an experienced local deck contractor very quickly. That’s an important consideration if you want your family to be able to start enjoying outdoor living right away – and it’s always nice to have a little extra money in the budget to have fun with!

Life’s Simple Pleasures: How a Deck Helps Families Relax

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If you’re feeling a little stressed out lately, you’re not alone. Americans are reporting record levels of overwhelm and tension, according to the Pew Research Center. Kids are just as stressed out as adults. With that in mind, we thought we’d point out a few ways that a deck can help your family relax and focus on what’s good in life:

Decks provide a place to be outside.

Human beings spend more than 90% of their lives indoors, yet we need fresh air and sunshine. A deck is a convenient, easy to access way to get the family outdoors. Feeling the breeze blowing and seeing the birds fly around is a nice change from whatever’s playing on the nearest screen. It’s good to take a break from the news and social media every now and then.

Decks provide a place for conversation.

Smart deck design includes seating so people can sit and talk together. These can be fun family discussions, random musings with your friends, or even community event planning sessions. When planning your deck, talk to your local deck contractor about seating & shade – not everyone enjoys being in the full sun.

Decks are great for dining out.

Love to barbecue? The deck’s ideal for outdoor cooking. Don’t feel like firing up the grill? It turns out you can eat any of your favorite foods on the deck. Have pizza delivered and enjoy it on the deck – somehow it tastes even better than when you eat it inside. The kids want ice cream cones? The best decks are low-maintenance: just spray off any drips and drops that may happen with a quick hit from the hose.

Decks are for doing anything you want…or nothing at all.

Summer is time for those old-fashioned activities that are great for family bonding. Play cards together, read some books, or drink sweet tea and watch people going by. Or for the ultimate reaction, try doing nothing at all: relaxing in a comfortable chair with a cool drink is not the worst way to spend an afternoon.

The Dog Friendly Deck

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Part of great deck design is making sure the deck is a fun, safe space for everyone who will use it. This certainly includes your canine companions! Dogs spend a lot of time on decks, especially during the warm weather months. When you’re talking to your local deck contractor about having your deck built, you’ll want to keep the following tips in mind:

Everything Needs to be Non-Toxic – Especially if You’ve Got A Chewer

Dogs chew when they’re anxious, when they’re bored, when they know you have company coming over…the list is endless. You don’t want them chewing on anything that will make them sick, so make sure your local deck contractor knows how important it is to use non-toxic building materials. This means no pressure treated wood or any other building product that contains arsenic. If your dog is a big-time chewer, look into spray on cribbing solutions – these are often sold in the equine section at farm stores. These coatings make wood taste bad, so your dog won’t chew.

Dogs Need Shade

A sunny deck is great -if you have the ability to leave it whenever things get too warm. If your dog is going to be confined on the deck for any period of time, it’s important to make sure they have a shady place to get out of the sun’s hot rays. It’s also nice for them to have shelter from any sudden rainstorm or other weather event.

The Rails Need to Be Close Together

Tell your local deck contractor that it’s important that your dog not be able to squeeze their body between the deck rails – something a determined pupper might do if they see a squirrel, another neighborhood dog, the mailman, or an opportunity to go exploring. This is particularly important on upper level decks, as not all dogs understand that they will fall a great distance if they try to escape!