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Do you have a deck or are planning on adding one to your home? Decking is a great way to extend your home, as well as adding flowers to liven it up. Read Decking-An Extension of Your House, a collaborative post, to find out how to make decking an extension of your house.
After months of planning, hard work, and patience, you have finally turned the house of your dreams into a reality. It is exactly the place you wanted it to be. No house is complete without a deck though.
It is not merely an addition to your house but in fact an extension of how your home is from the inside. Imagine all the lovely memories you can enjoy with your family and friends on deck year-round!
It will not only improve the overall look of your house but also increase its resale value if ever the need for relocation arises. Besides, it’s a treat for the kids and their friends- adults included.
You may already have a deck attached to your house or may be thinking of getting one. How should you make the best choice? What type will you choose?
Will, it fit your budget? What would it take to maintain it? Read along to find the answers to these and other questions.
Factors To Consider While Choosing Decking
Assess the Need
If you are getting a new deck first time for your house then it is a wise move. On the contrary, if your house already has a deck, it is prudent to check whether it’s time to replace or repair the existing one.
Check for the cracks, overall looks, and mildew on the deck. Getting a professional to check your decking is a wise idea, as many times such signs are not readily obvious.
Cost Considerations
If you have the basic tools, you may as well do the job of replacing your deck all by yourself. Investing in the required tools even if you don’t have them is a good idea, as these may come in handy for jobs around the house.
The quality of material you choose will determine the overall cost of the project. However, if you decide to hire a professional to do the job, the cost of labor will easily exceed the cost of materials. You can well imagine how pricey such an endeavor would be!
Enhance the Beauty of Your Home
Depending on how your house is designed, suitable railings, colors, and dimensions of the decking would be chosen. You may come up with your own design or choose from an existing pattern in conjunction with your house.
Avoid Mistakes
Drilling holes into the planks can at times result in splitting or cracking. It is wise to drill pilot holes and use other methods like drilling into composite material to fasten planks.
Using hidden fasteners or systems that conceal the attachments is another option. This way, you won’t end up having to replace precious planks that you buy to build your decking.
The next step is to choose the type of deck you wish to have for your house.
Four Types Of Decking Along With Pros And Cons
Wooden Decks
Pressure-treated pine, cedar, redwood, tropical hardwoods are options to choose from- listed in ascending order cost wise. Overtime, wood gets stained, loses its color, and could even crack. Some woods are pretty expensive.
Composite Decks
Looks like wood, resists stains and is durable since it is made out of plastic and wood fiber. Plastic encasing helps prevent mildew growth by increasing its lifespan. These are heavier and more expensive than usual pine.
Plastic Decks
Provides excellent stain resistance and protection from elements. It is lightweight and offers choices between PVC and polyethylene. They could look cheap and sag more than wood.
Aluminum Decks
These are tough, slip resistant, and rigid. They are durable with interlocking sections to prevent rain water seepage.
Decking-An Extension of Your House
With so many choices, getting the right decking can appear to be a confusing task. However, after careful consideration of the details mentioned above, you can make the best choice for your house and enjoy life’s memorable moments on that deck.
After reading Decking-An Extension of Your House, are you ready to add a deck to your home? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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