Why not consider a new deck to get out on!?
Summertime? New deck!
If you are considering a deck, but want something that will require less maintenance than wood, consider composite decking. Usually made from a mixture of recycled wood and plastic resin, composite decking is UV resistant, fade-proof and durable. It has the warm look of wood, but doesn't need sanding or staining every year. Further, the planks can be seamless, cut to your exact desired length. Most composite decking companies offer railings in colors and styles that match, or accentuate, your choice of decking.
The nice thing about this choice in decking material is its long life. When selling your home, something that will require constant maintenance from the new owner will be a turn-off. But a low-maintenance back-yard deck, that will remain low-maintenance for many years to come, can become your homes main selling feature.
Here's another idea: if your deck is south or south-west facing, it may be quite hot and bright in the afternoon sun. While everyone loves a good dose of sunshine, you might consider shading a portion of your deck. Fast-growing vines like Wisteria can be purchased at most garden centers. A young Wisteria vine, planted in the ground right beside your new deck, can be over eight feet tall within three years or less. If you've got a nice arbor for it to grow along, you can control where you want shade. Wisteria grows beautiful light purple flowers in the early spring, and develops long-seed pods later in summer. However, if you have limited space, the fast growing Wisteria might not be for you.
If space and is limited, consider the more delicate Clematis, or perhaps Passion Flower. You may get less shade from the more delicate leaves, but they won't grow as fast or as high as Wisteria. Grape is another vine idea, and can be easily pruned back each year to maintain a consistent size--but this may just be creating unnecessary work. Consider your needs, perhaps ask for advice at your favorite garden center, and you'll find the right shade-giving vine for your situation.
Ponds are another attractive feature on or beside a deck. Most garden stores carry simple pond supplies. Buy a pump with a filter embedded into it, to reduce any labor on your part. These can create a pleasant spray, while keeping your pond clean. Flowering plants add the piece de resistance.
But you don't need to get carried away on deck accessories. A simple, attractive deck is enough in itself to attract a buyer who enjoys the odd back-yard barbeque. In the meantime, it's all your to enjoy
Adding a deck: A cost-effective way to protect your home's value.
Outdoor living spaces can increase your home's appeal at a lower cost than an additional room.
As the housing market continues its downward slope and the economy slumps in a recession, building a deck can be a smart way for property owners to maintain or even improve their home's value. After all, it's less expensive than building an additional room but still enables homeowners to expand their living space. It's safe to say that a deck is one of the more cost-effective things you can do, decks are really a high-return item.
"Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report for 2007" found that more than 85% of the cost of building a wooden deck could be recouped during resale — compared with 78% for a bathroom remodel and 69% for a family room addition. When most people build a deck, it adds pretty much dollar-for-dollar [value],. To find out more about the costs and benefits of outdoor living spaces, building an outdoor living space is a smart move in today's uncertain economy.
What does an outdoor living space do for the home as a whole?
If you have people over at your home — whether it's family or whether it's friends — where does everybody [gather]? Everybody is hanging around the kitchen while the hosts are preparing the meal, beverages and hors d'oeuvres. Well, the advantage to this outdoor living space is that you now have [an additional] outdoor work area where you can be working and preparing for the guests. It also diffuses the concentration in one area of the home.
But if you are looking to get more space, why not just build another room?
If you're building outside, it's going to be less expensive. Building an outdoor living space is the most affordable way to expand your home. If you add rooms, you are adding insulation and wiring and roofing and all of that. If you expand your outdoor living space, like with a deck, [you don't have to do that extra work]. This is a trend; people are expanding their decks. In some cases, they are adding built-in furniture. Others are building in the barbecue and plumbing to have running water and have refrigerators. The budget is the only limiting factor.
How much money can you save by building a deck instead of an additional room?
[Building an outdoor living space costs] somewhere in the range of half as much as an addition onto the house itself. I would expect that you should be able to build a deck for less than $100 a square foot, but that's going to vary from market to market. I would expect that if you are talking about adding rooms, you are talking about — here in Washington state — about $200 to $300 a square foot. So it's a very efficient way [to add value to the home].
Deck building code requirements are not something that should be ignored just because you are building a deck and not a house.
Even basic deck building construction techniques involving joist spans, post size and loads, beam sizes and spans between deck posts, decking board dimensions, height of railings and load capacity are all discussed in the building code.
Most of the building code requirements that apply to building decks are universal standards based on the physical properties of deck building materials commonly in use around the world today.
However, there are often local variations because of different climates and material preferences.
The final authority that you should rely on is the local building code that pertains to your area. The best place to get a copy is to visit your local city building department - even speak to an inspector if you prefer.
The deck can be considered a floor structure. It has joists to support the flooring material (decking), and posts and beams to hold the unit up off the ground, slightly elevated or higher.
Your deck design can be square, rectangular, multilevel or somewhat free-form. Plan and design the deck before buying any tools and materials. By doing so, you will eliminate many mistakes and save time and money throughout the project.
This is about building basics only. It does not address deck design in any detail. You probably can find deck design ideas in books at the library or at lumber yards.
You may need a building permit to construct a deck. Check with the building department authority in your neighborhood. The usual procedure is to submit a drawing of the proposed deck structure to the building inspector in the building department. Any changes to meet local codes and requirements will be indicated. If the plans are fine, you will be issued a building permit, usually for a fee. The permit may be time-limited, probably not to exceed 3, 6, 9 or 12 months.
The building inspector may visit your deck site during construction to check the foundation and structure. Keep in mind that the codes are to protect you. Another good idea is to let your neighbor know that you are building a deck. You may need the neighbor’s cooperation, especially if site access is needed by trucks.
Materials and Procedures
Most decks have certain building elements:
Concrete footings — underground pads the piers sit on.
Concrete piers — precast or poured foundation for posts.
Ledger — two-by board attached to the house; supports ends of joists.
Posts — vertical members that support beams.
Beams — horizontal members that support joists.
Joists — framing lumber that decking is attached to.
Rim (skirt) joists — perimeter joists nailed across the ends of other joists.
Decking — floor surface of deck.
As options, decks may also have railings, benches and stairs.
Wood used on decks should be rot-resistant. Pressure-treated lumber is a good choice for posts, beams and joists, while redwood, cedar or cypress are good choices for decking.
Footings and piers support the weight of the deck and are usually concrete (precast or poured in place).
Posts are typically 4x4s, but decks built very high off the ground (more than 8 feet) or which support unusually heavy loads may require 4x6 or 6x6 posts. When in doubt, check with an engineer or your building inspector. For sizing your beams, refer to the beam and span tables.