Every family wants to have fun, and every family has a budget. These two factors impact deck design. As Metrowest deck builders, we work with families to maximize their budget. Here’s what that means:
Understanding Your Family’s Lifestyle: Every family has their own idea of fun. For some families, entertaining lots of people, and their pets, with a barbecue while the kids run around the yard sounds like a great time. Other families may prefer quieter, more solitary entertainments that involve curling up in a comfy chair with a good book. Your family’s preferences can dictate the size and design of your deck: if you know you’re never going to host a huge party, you don’t need to build for one. Save your money for features you’re going to use and enjoy. The family that doesn’t barbecue may get more enjoyment out of built-in flower boxes or a fire feature.
Know Your Long Term Plans: Are you living in your forever home? Or is your current address one you only plan to occupy for a few years? Knowing your long term plans can impact the choice of materials used to build your deck. Wooden decking is more affordable, but requires more maintenance and has a shorter useful life, as it is vulnerable to moisture and insect damage. Composite decking and PVC decking costs more, but lasts longer and resists damage more effectively.
Maintenance & Upkeep: In the appearance conscious Metrowest area, everyone wants their home to look good. Deck appearance matters. That means taking care of your deck. The decking materials you choose can impact the maintenance requirements and expense of your deck. For example, wooden decks need to be painted or stained and then sealed periodically; depending on the size of your deck, this is an investment of several hundred dollars, exclusive of the cost of labor. PVC and composite decking requires periodic pressure washing to look its best; if you do not already own a pressure washer, the cost to have this done by a contractor is generally less than $100.