4 Decisions to Make Before Building a Deck

1/20/2016

Category: Decks
Tags: deck building tips

As the temperatures keep dropping here in Maryland, now is the perfect time to bundle up in blankets in front of your fireplace and start planning your new deck. The earlier you can start building, the more likely your deck will be fully finished for the spring cookout season. In many ways, how your deck turns out depends on how well you plan. There will be a few decisions you will have to make before you can even get to the drafting stage. Our Maryland deck contractors are happy to help you figure out how to build the perfect deck for your needs.

Decide What You Will Do on Your Deck

We get it, it’s a deck—that’s where most people grill, eat and hang out during summer. But you are not most people. You may have your own ideas and unique uses for your deck that you have in mind. Maybe you want to put a hot tub with some privacy fencing on your deck. Or maybe you are an artist and need a space free of bugs where you can paint in peace. Think through what you will be doing on your deck and who will be using it. Write everything down, so that you can later discuss it with your Maryland deck builder and see if any special design accommodations are needed.

Decide How Big Your Deck Should Be

The size of your future deck will depend on 3 things: the purpose of the deck, your budget and the available space. If you have a large budget and plenty of space, you can build a large platform deck or a mutli-level deck. If the budget or space is tight, you may have to compromise in regard to the intended use of your deck. Also keep in mind things like HOA bylaws if you live in a HOA community. They may impose additional restrictions on how big your deck can be and what it should look like.

Decide Where Your Deck Should Go

In the most common setup a deck is attached to the back side of the house facing away from the road. However, this may not be the ideal placement for your deck. Maybe the proximity to the road is not a concern for you at all. Or maybe the way your home is built makes it complicated or impossible to attach a deck where you’d ideally want it to go. A knowledgeable contractor can help you pick the right spot and even visualize how much space your new deck will take up. Remember that there are such options as detached decks, wrap-around decks and many other designs you could use to build the perfect outdoor entertainment space.

Decide Which Materials to Use

The materials you choose to use for your new deck matter in many ways. First of all, they will make up a large part of your overall budget, so you want to make sure this is something you can afford. If money is not an issue, then you can focus on the look and feel you want for your deck. Natural materials like pressure-treated wood typically offer that warm wood cabin feel. Vinyl and composite decking materials can be made to look like natural wood, but they will feel different under your feet. A big bonus, however, is easy maintenance and no need for regular refinishing.

The best way to shop for decking materials is to ask your deck builder to bring you some samples. You can also walk around your neighborhood and talk to your neighbors to see what their decks are made of and how they are holding up.

If you need any further help planning your new deck, feel free to contact our Maryland deck contractors at Archway Remodeling!