The main reason you put in a deck is to enjoy outdoor living. But that enjoyment can soon sour if you discover that you have to spend countless hours maintaining or repairing your deck, particularly if you’re not a “do-it-yourself” or “Mr. Fixit” type.
That is why it is important to choose the right deck builders and the right deck materials. If you are planning on putting in a new deck or rebuilding an outdated or rotted deck, talk to the deck professionals at Blue Sky Decks to make sure that you end up not only with a beautiful and useful deck, but one that will be easy to maintain. If you are not dead-set on using a particular material, we recommend using a material that is durable and low-maintenance because it will provide the following benefits.
1. You Will Truly Enjoy Using It
A brand new deck always looks beautiful, and you want to preserve its beauty as long as you can. But at the same time, decks are meant to be used and enjoyed. You will probably want to put some furniture on it: an outdoor dining table with chairs, and maybe a sitting area; perhaps a barbecue or firepit. If you have young children, they will run around on it, go in and out of the house, and maybe play ball or ride a tricycle on it. Barbecue guests may spill their drinks or drop their forks on it.
The fact is, as much as decks expand your house’s living space, you also have to recognize that they are part of the outdoors, and people will act like they are outdoors when they are on it. Your deck will experience some wear and tear, not to mention weathering, no matter what. But many of today’s deck materials will stand up to years of use with very little degradation. What is more, unlike the interior of your house, you can clean it by hosing it off.
So think about how you want to use your deck, and what it is likely to face in terms of weather exposure and traffic. By thoughtfully choosing a deck material that is robust enough for that use, you will be able to truly enjoy it without feeling stressed when your kids act like kids. Instead, you can focus on enjoying family time on your new deck and making memories that will last a lifetime.
2. You Won’t Have to Sacrifice Your Weekends Restaining or Repainting Your Deck
It is true that some specialty woods used for decks can require some work to maintain, but those are the exceptions, rather than the rule, when it comes to modern decking materials. If you specifically choose a low-maintenance deck material such as composite decking, it should not require onerous upkeep. In most cases, all you’ll have to do for upkeep is to give it a good cleaning once a year, and it is up to you if you want to go beyond that.
If composite decking does not appeal to you for some reason, even some woods can be relatively easy to take care of. Some may require the application of a sealant once a year or every few years, but should not require painting. If you lack the time or confidence to apply the sealer yourself, you can hire it out and your family will only have to stay off your deck for a few days. And, if you schedule it in spring before you really start to use it for the summer season, it can refresh the whole look and feel of the deck, enhancing your enjoyment of it for the season.
If you do choose to paint or stain your deck, be aware that you are also choosing to regularly maintain the paint or stain.
3. It Will Resist Weather Damage
Another benefit of a durable, low-maintenance deck is that it won’t be easily affected by the weather. When you choose a professional deck builder to construct your deck, the design team will help you choose the right materials to withstand the summer heat and the winter cold. A durable deck should be weather-resistant and you won’t have to worry that it will fall apart after one season.
If you want to add a deck to your home but don’t want to spend countless hours maintaining that deck to preserve its look, durability, and function, we can help. Our experts specialize in deck design and construction and will build you a beautiful, durable, low-maintenance deck that will give you years of enjoyment. Contact us today at Blue Sky Decks to learn more about our high-quality building materials and design options, and obtain a free estimate.