How to Upgrade your Deck?
Interest in spending quality time in your backyard is at an all-time high. Do you want to decorate your home or just enjoy outdoor living in the summers? What better way to begin than by building or adding a few features to your deck on your lawn. With that in mind, here’s how to get a deck started for the summer.
You still don’t know what type of decks is best for you, find out before going into the cost of buying one.
Cost to Build a Deck
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Deck
- Type of material
- Type of deck
- Time of year
- Ground conditions
- Size of deck
- Labour cost
- Add ons
- Deck stairs
How Much Does a Treated Wood Deck Cost?
Size | Average Cost (without labor) |
10’ by 10’ (Height: 2′ 6″) | $1300 |
12’ by 12’ (Height: 2′ 6″) | $1800 |
12’ by 18’ (8 feet 2 inch height) | $2400 |
14’ by 18’ (Height: 8′ 2″) | $3100 |
Source: Decks.com
How Much Does a Composite Deck Cost?
Size | Average Cost (without labor) |
10’ by 10’ (Height: 2′ 6″) | $2300 |
12’ by 12’ (Height: 2′ 6″) | $3200 |
12’ by 18’’ (Height: 8′ 2″) | $4200 |
14’ by 18’ (Height: 8′ 2″) | $5500 |
Source: Decks.com
How Much Does a Concrete Deck Cost?
Size | Average Cost |
10’ by 10’ | $3500 |
12’ by 12’ | $4600 |
20′ by 20′ | $9500 |
Source: Decks.com
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Deck?
Factors Affecting Installation Costs of a Deck
- Type of deck
- Size of deck
- Time of year
- Ground conditions
- The location
Type of deck | Type of deck material | Average cost of installation |
Attached deck (12’ by 12’) | Treated wood | $2000 |
Multi-tier deck (16’ by 18’) | Treated wood | $5,000 + $19 to $31 sq. ft. for stairs |
Wrap-around deck (12′ by 12′) | Composite | $1900 to $2500 |
Detached deck (350 sq. ft.) | Treated wood | $5000 |
Rooftop deck (300 sq. ft.) | Modified wood | $1,000 to $3,500 |
Source: Home Advisor, Home Guide
How Long Does it Take to Install a Deck?
Type of deck | Type of deck material | Average installation time |
Attached deck (12’ by 12’) | Treated wood | Less than a week |
Multi-tier deck (16’ by 18’) | Treated wood | 1-3 Weeks depending on the levels |
Wrap-around deck (12′ by 12′) | Composite | 34.5 Hours |
Detached deck (350 sq. ft.) | Treated wood | 8 hours to 2+ days |
Rooftop deck (300 sq. ft.) | Modified wood | 1 to 5 Months due to permits |
Source: Home Advisor, Home Guide,Washington Post
Deck Maintenance Tips
How to Maintain a Wood Deck?
Proper maintenance of a wood deck is crucial to improve its lifespan. Here are some of the best ways to maintain a wood deck:
- Annual power washing to prevent mold and mildew.
- Thoroughly remove debris and sweep the deck.
- Apply a water-resistant clear wood preservative to protect against rainwater.
- Use appropriate sealers and deck stains to protect wood’s natural grain and colour.
- Regularly check for crack and signs of rot.
- Apply a coat of finish every three to four years.
How to Maintain an Exotic Wood Deck?
Exotic wood decks are expensive and so should be properly maintained.
- Sweep your exotic wood deck once a week to prevent water buildup and unwanted scraps and markings.
- Reapply the sealer or a penetrating stain every year to maintain the exquisite colour of your deck.
- Use a UV-blocking clear wood preservative every two to three years to improve deter checking and water resistance.
- You can also add a roof above the deck to protect against sunlight.
How to Maintain a Composite Deck?
Although composite deck does not require much maintenance, but still here are a few things you should do to maintain the glamour of your outdoor living space:
- Prevent mould and mildew by redirecting downspouts.
- Use woven rugs only.
- Leaves and grass can get stuck between the gaps, so keep an eye for them.
- Brush your composite deck regularly to get rid of dirt and debris.
- Avoid dragging heavy items as they can leave marks.
- Use a composite decking cleaner to remove oil and grease stains.
How to Maintain an Aluminum Deck
The almighty aluminum decking can withstand severe weather conditions, but should you just leave it be throughout its lifespan? No!
- Conduct annual inspections to see if it requires a new finish.
- Regularly clean your aluminum deck with a solution of warm water and non‐abrasive detergent.
- Always use a soft cloth or sponge with aluminum.
How to Maintain a Concrete Deck?
Preserving your concrete deck to increase its lifespan and charm is extremely important. Here’s how you can do it:
- A damp environment can lead to mould growth, so regularly pressure wash your deck.
- Use a concrete sealant to make the deck water-resistant, and hence avoid spalling.
- Concrete is susceptible to cracks, so regularly seal and repair small cracks.
How to Maintain an Attached Deck?
Attached decks, if not properly maintained, can actually damage the structure of your house.
- Regularly check for water leaks as water can destroy your attached wooden deck.
- Replace any missing nails and screws as soon as possible.
- Attached deck is meant to be beautiful so apply a sealer or stain every three to four years.
- Grease and oil stains are bad for your deck, so do not forget to clean them.
- The ledger should be maintained regularly as if it goes bad; your deck can collapse.
- Replace any rotten decking boards to avoid any mishap.
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How to Maintain a Multi-Tier Deck?
The majestic multi-tier deck is a great place to entertain guests and enjoy the scenic views. Here’s how you can maintain it:
- Thoroughly sand the wood decks to avoid splinters.
- Apply a coat of finish every three to four years and appropriate sealers and stains to preserve the colour.
- Multi-tier decks are attached by stairs so add traction to each stair.
- Use sturdy handrails to prevent slips and falls.
- Clean your multi-tier deck regularly to avoid dust, debris, and leaves buildup.
How to Maintain a Rooftop Deck?
Following are some of the ways to maintain your rooftop deck:
- Use modified wood, capped polymer, porcelain pavers, and synthetic turf.
- Conduct a roof level survey before building a rooftop deck.
- Waterproof the deck and redirect your downspouts.
- Clean it three to four times a year to get rid of debris.
- Hire an expert to power wash the deck annually.
How to Maintain a Wrap Around Deck?
Pay attention to the following if you want to maintain your wrap around deck:
- Scope out all the trees and bushes near your wrap around deck.
- Make sure the roof drainage system does not have any leaks and the gutters are correctly routed.
- Use of a grill can cause oil and grease stains on your wooden deck. Get rid of them using an appropriate detergent.
- Don’t drag the furniture on the deck as it can cause scratches.
How to Decorate a Deck?
Your outdoor living should be ambient and enjoyable. Yes, the exotic wood deck looks great on its own, but here are some great ways to decorate a deck:
String Lights
Everyone loves string lights! The glamorous sparkle of these lights around railings, fences, or over your head is truly breathtaking. There is a wide range of string and deck lights, including multicoloured, teardrop, diamond-shaped, etc. for you to choose from. Grab some of these and give your deck a festive yet relaxing ambiance!
Plants and Flowers
Adding a variety of colourful plants and flowers around your deck makes the whole experience much more comforting and enjoyable. Moreover, potted plants also act as a privacy barrier around the deck. You can also use hanging baskets and trailing vines to ramp up the overall aesthetics with the lush blooms and foliage.
Patio Furniture
Having comfy yet attractive patio furniture is truly the cherry on the top. Give your deck a fresh look by adding an all-weather patio furniture set. Include some cushions and pillows, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy the evening!
Outdoor Carpet
A deck is like an extension of your indoor living space. You can add a stylish carpet to convert your deck into an outdoor room. The floor feels warm and looks great too. You can also place a daybed, large-sized ottoman, or a sofa on top of the carpet.
Deck Tiles
Deck tiles are attractive, economical, and easy to install. You can place them on your old deck and spice up the looks of your backyard. They are also rot-resistant.
How to Add Privacy to A Deck?
Decks are often not-so-private. If the neighbours can peek into your personal space or if their backyard is visible from your deck, consider using the following privacy options:
Privacy Fence
You can add a wooden privacy fence around your deck. It is permanent and cannot be moved like a privacy screen. You might have to replace sections of your existing railing to install a fence. It is typically made of construction-grade cedar.
Privacy Screen
Building a permanent privacy fence can disturb the aesthetics of your deck. Deck privacy screen is similar to a fence, but it can be moved around in the yard. It only covers a small area, usually 15’ x 3’ and 3 feet high. You can buy a ready-to-use privacy screen from your local hardware store or build your own to match the deck’s looks.
Privacy Wall
Building a wall is a way to ensure ultimate privacy. Some visually pleasing privacy wall options include a garden wall, lattice panel with trailing vines, or hedge wall to add privacy to your deck while enjoying the greenery.
Plants
Adding more plants around your deck is a natural way to add privacy. You can use tall and bushy plants, preferably emerald, Italian cypress, oleander, and skyrocket. You can also use bamboo to surround your deck.
Conclusion
Having a deck in your backyard is a great addition, so if you love having people over during summer, this will be a great investment. If you have unused space in your backyard or a flat roof above your garage, what is holding you from building a deck? Alright, so you have finally decided to have a deck in your backyard. Or if you have been considering it lately, what are you waiting for? Make your budget and get started! Want to know more about decks? Check out our article on Everything you Need to Know About Decks!
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