From small family gatherings to holiday entertainment, the deck serves many purposes and is a major part of any outdoor environment. If you work at home doing credit card processing (dentist office), medical billing, or other administrative work, you might even extend your office onto the desk. Aside from being a longtime investment, choosing between synthetic materials and wood is the most important first decision to be made.
Moreover, factors such as durability, strength, cost, and maintenance are great advantages of choosing wood over other materials.
With the right type of care, a wood deck can last you several decades. Sustainability is also one of its many selling points because it is biodegradable as well as a renewable resource, lessening its environmental impact.
If you opt for a wood deck, here are some tips that will come in handy.
Get Expert Help
When looking for an expert to build your wooden deck, you should make sure that you hire a licensed contractor who specializes in deck construction. Get several bids from qualified wooden deck builders and compare them to choose the best one for you. When it comes to references, ensure that all your potential contractors have real ones.
If possible, you should take a look at all the contractor’s previous work and background before you agree to hire him. A good wooden deck builder will not hesitate to provide you with the right information to expedite the hiring process.
Take Good Care
Once you build your wooden deck, it would be a good idea to extend the durability of the wood by applying a natural finish, which allows the natural finish to show. If you have an old wooden deck, an annual cleanup will keep it well maintained. Do this by wetting the deck and using a cleaning solution to scrub it clean.
To ensure that all the grime and dirt comes off, use a brush with stiff bristles. This will have your deck looking new and fresh in no time. If you want, you can complete the cleanup by applying a layer of finish to make the deck pop.
Consider the Long-Term Cost
Wood is more economical than composites. If you perform periodic maintenance, the material will last you several decades. Moreover, if you plan to sell your property, there will be a higher return on investment.
Before diving into your deck building project, you need to consider the size of your deck, the intricacy of your design, your lumber choice and its cost, as well as who is going to build it. Doing so will help you to come up with a budget for the project.
Go Easy On the Environment
Photosynthesis, which is a natural process, helps wood to pull carbon dioxide out of the air and store it. This helps to prevent global warming, which is good for the environment. An average-sized deck has the ability to store half a ton of carbon, meaning that it has a smaller carbon footprint than most synthetic materials.
Therefore, if you are an eco-friendly person, consider building a wooden deck. Not only will it serve you for many years, but it will also be kind to the environment.
Should You DIY?
Do you want to DIY your own deck? This might be a good idea if you have experience in carpentry. Otherwise, you might end up botching the job and wasting money. If you want a freestanding, basic platform deck, you can pull it off in several weekends with the right skills.
If your dream deck is going to be placed on questionable ground – such as unstable soil or over water – you should hire an expert contractor to look at it before you proceed with your DIY project.
Author Bio:
Jim Thompson, Super-Connector at OutreachMama
Jim is a super-connector with Towering SEO and OutreachMama who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. He is a professional writer who has been in the business for 5 years. He has hands-on experience with cars, tech, and relationship advice, among other things. Because of how quickly he can turn articles around, he is able to take on multiple projects at once. His writing experience spans from SEO articles to technical guides and everything in between.
This post was underwritten by Deck Remodelers and Dharma Merchant Services; please read my disclosure here.
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