What You Need to Know Before Building a Deck

In spring, summer, or maybe even autumn, every home deserves a beautiful deck and that includes yours. Decks are practical as they’re great for entertaining guests and provide a fun place to sip on chilled lemonade as you enjoy the view of your garden. You could also increase the value of your house by sprucing up your old deck or installing a well-built one. While you can’t wait to get started on your new deck, there are a number of factors to consider before you begin:

Work with a plan

There’s a wide variety of decks to choose from, ranging from freestanding and wrap-around to multi-level and elevated. There are also many different materials that can be used, including composites, cedar, and treated lumber. It’s important to have an idea of what you want and then create a plan to help you achieve it.

Shortcuts are not the best way to go

It can be tempting to want to rush the job and finish quickly, but speed should never be detrimental to the quality of the work. Missing out the little details can affect how durable the deck will turn out to be.

Bear in mind that the Canadian weather often means long bouts of cold, so it’s important to be especially careful about the foundation. Also, you’ll need to find out the local bylaws that apply in your part of Ottawa as they can affect the specifications you use, such as railing height, the materials you use and where you build your deck. These can be difficult to keep up with, so it’s best to work with experts. Once you have the Best Deck Builders Ottawa has to offer, you’ll be fine.

Think of maintenance

Even before you decide on the kind of deck you want, be sure to consider maintenance. For instance, over time, you may have to deal with water seeping into the grooves and fading from exposure to the weather when you have a wooden deck. Decide which treatment option would be ideal for you, from painting to staining.

There are a number of questions that need to be answered before you start building a deck.