| This article was featured in
Channel 5 (KSTP)
the ABC affiliate for the Minneapolis/St. Paul market has this article
on their Website in the Home Improvement Tips section. |
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All Decked Out: 5 Tips for Designing Your Deck
Are you ready for spring? For many of us, it’s a season for
entertaining friends and family or just relaxing around the house with
our loved ones.
These are the times when memories are made that last a lifetime.
After the winter blues, we turn to our backyards for comfort and
beauty.
Many plan their flower gardens year round, why shouldn’t you spend
as much time and energy choosing your decking materials? Research has
shown that deck contractors claim to have a lot of influence on their
customers, but readily acknowledge that advertising, branding and name
recognition are strong influencing factors.
Homeowners select composites over wood because of the perceived
benefits of composites, assessment of product knowledge, branding,
name recognition and the source of information for the products in the
market. There are five points to consider when designing a deck to
best suit your needs:
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Homeowners -- Determine
the materials you choose by your environment. Consider the surface
texture and color of the product. Remember that children, pets and
furniture may scratch the surface of your deck. Also, make sure the
deck surface can stand up to abuse or scratches; that these
scratches can be masked or reduced in appearance or re-sanded to
remove cigarette burns. |
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Entertaining -- If your
deck is a place that you use for entertaining, make sure it will be
low maintenance so you can spend more time with your guests and less
with yearly maintenance. Design the deck to allow for people to move
freely from the deck to the house, including wide stairs to any
garden areas or exits. Plan railing, benches, planters and other
decorative accessories on the deck to create an inviting surrounding
for friends and family. |
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Deck boards -- The height
of the deck from the ground is determined by the position of the
access to the house, which will affect the design, function and look
of your deck. From second story walkouts to low lying decks, choose
your material to fit the form and functionality of the deck.
All
deck boards have their appropriate applications. Also, make sure the
board performs to the best of its ability with proper joist spacing
and installation. |
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Installer -- From
do-it-yourselfers to professional installers, make sure to have the
correct installation information to prevent voiding the
manufacturing warranty. Read all instructions carefully and use
manufacturers’ toll-free customer service lines and websites for all
technical support. When choosing a contractor make sure you see
previous projects and speak to references prior to employing their
services. Make sure the contractor is experienced with the product
you choose, or similar products, to ensure they will be capable of
completing the project to your satisfaction. |
| Expectations -- Contractors and retailers must set
the right expectations of the material in service. After the product
has been installed properly, what can you expect for years to come?
Decks are built out in the elements. All exterior products are
subject to sun, wind, rain and snow, along with regular use. The
sun’s UV rays will discolor any surface. Building professionals and
retailers cannot always provide all the answers. Always search the
Internet and visit the manufacturer’s Web sites for more
information. |
Design your deck to meet your needs and the needs of all the
members of your family. After all, a great outdoor living space adds
another room to your home, where memories last for a lifetime.
Courtesy of ARA Content |