Dans Papers - May 11, 2007 - Decked Out Decks

Adding a deck to your home enhances its beauty and functionality, but if the process is new to you, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are so many different types and styles of decks and choosing the right design for your home may seem overwhelming. Once you’ve decided to go with a ground level, high-rise, multi-level, load-bearing or rooftop deck, the next step is knowing how to shop for the right materials.

Ground-level decks are the most common. As the name implies, this particular deck is built on the ground, and unless the deck sits in a pit that holds the beams and other supporting foundations, the deck will be at least one foot off the ground. If the wood lies directly on the ground without a supporting foundation, it is technically a patio.

High-rise decks are usually built to accommodate access from an upper-level doorway or to allow the users capture a view of the surrounding landscape, like if the house overlooks a body of water. When building this model, proper sizing of the supporting beams and bracing are imperative to the safety and stability of the finished deck.

Multilevel decks are unique in that they offer one solution to multiple concerns. This model accommodates varied uses in terms of sun, shade, privacy or even the wind. When hosting a get-together, the multi-level deck allows for extra space. Food and beverages can be placed on one level while friends and family are able to relax on another level without feeling cluttered. This type of deck is generally the most appealing model in terms of appearance and often adds more value to a home than a more basic model would.

Load-bearing decks, as the name implies, are meant to support an atypical amount of weight. More often than not, the cost of excavating an unleveled piece of property is quite high. Load-bearing decks are built to solve problems in this area, like effectively storing a car in a carport that is built on a hillside. The materials used for building this type of deck are made specially to support greater amounts of weight than the average backyard deck, thus it is advisable to seek professional assistance when installing this particular model.

Lastly, rooftop decks offer a solution to the problem of a small backyard. Many houses are built with upper-level windows that can easily be converted to doors, or attics that can be converted to another bedroom or family room. Thus, rooftop decks are very cost-efficient, as they play off the structure of the existing house. Though stability concerns do not play a major role in this type of deck, the roof does. When installing this model, it is important not to damage the roof of the house or obstruct runoff points for water when it rains. Once the deck is attached to the house, the roof cannot be replaced without tearing the deck down first, so be sure it is in good condition or even replace it before you start this project.

Once you’ve decided on the type of deck, it is time to shop for materials. Hiring help is often expensive, as labor generally costs about seventy percent of what the material costs. If you don’t want the hassle of building a deck yourself, and the cost of labor is budgeted for, then you can sit back and relax while someone else is doing the hard work. If not, everything you need to build a deck can be found in warehouse stores such as Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Decks take a daily beating from the sun, wind, rain, temperature changes and other environmental factors, as well as children and pets. When taking this into consideration, using the right wood can eliminate much of the upkeep and maintenance down the road. The two most common types of wood for deck building are natural wood and wood composite. Natural wood is an obvious choice because it is attractive, sturdy and easy to work with. Wood composite is made up of recycled plastic and ground-up waste wood. It is worked with in the same way as real wood and requires almost no maintenance. The cost of both these types of wood varies depending on quality and brand name. The higher the quality, the longer the wood will withstand the harmful elements.

The better your idea of which style deck you want to build, the easier the process will be. So heed this information to add beauty and functionality to your home.