One of the best ways to improve your home is adding a deck. It can be an extension of your living space or just a place for you and your family to relax outside. Either way, decks are great investments that will add value to your property while making it more enjoyable. When building a deck on your house, you have many considerations – do you know what they all are? We’ll go over five things to consider in this article so you can make sure everything goes smoothly!
Determine What Type of Deck you Want to Build
When building a deck on your house, there are many decking options: one of the first things to consider is what type you want. There are three different types – wood, composite, and plastic/vinyl – so it’s important to know which one will work best for you. Wood decks are generally less expensive but require more maintenance than other materials like composites or plastics (which don’t need any upkeep). Composite decks give off that natural look without all the hassle! Another thing to think about when choosing between these options is where in your yard you’d like the deck built; some materials can only be used on certain areas of your property because they’re not weather-resistant enough elsewhere. And while we said “materials” earlier, many decks are built with a combination of them, so you can choose which ones work best for your needs!
Consider the Size and Shape of Your Yard for Placement
It’s also important to think about where you’d like to build your deck in your yard. Composite or plastic would be good because they don’t fade as easily if it’s on an area that gets lots of sun (like south-facing). On the other hand, if there isn’t much room left after you account for how big you want the deck itself to be, wood may not be ideal because it’ll take up too much space. You should consider what type of view or scenery is outside each end/side of the property; maybe one side has a great view of a river, and the other doesn’t, in which case you may want to put the deck on that side.
Measure the Length and Width of Your Property
Once you’ve determined what type of deck and placement is best for your home, it’s time to measure! This will help you determine how big or small your deck should be so you don’t go over or under budget with materials. It’ll also help figure out what kind of railing system you need – if it spans more than eight feet, then a railing is required by law in most states (check your local building codes).
Research Prices on Materials
Now that you have an idea of what size and shape deck would work best, it’s time to research prices on materials! You’ll also need to figure out how much lumber, screws/nails, etc., you’ll need for the project before actually buying anything because it may be cheaper if purchased directly from a supplier instead of at your local hardware store (where they’re marked up). It’s important not to forget about other supplies like concrete and sand for footings outside the deck itself; these are generally extra but required by building codes in some areas.
Build a Plan that is Safe, Sturdy, and Aesthetically Pleasing
Once you know what type of deck material(s) would work best for your home and have decided where exactly around the house it should go – including size dimensions – it’s time to build a plan. You don’t want to take the risk of having an unsafe deck that could collapse, so be sure you’re using proper materials and measurements for building! It should also be sturdy enough to withstand weather conditions like rain or snow over time (it’s generally not a good idea to build directly on top of soil) and aesthetically pleasing so it doesn’t look out of place with other parts of your home.
The deck you build will be a major investment in your property and lifestyle. By considering the factors we’ve outlined, you’ll better understand what is necessary to plan for when building a deck on your house. Contact us today if you want help with this process or any other part of your home improvement needs. We’re happy to partner with homeowners committed to creating homes that they love living in!
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