Benefits of Hiring a Professional Deck Builder

There are many benefits to having your very own deck. It can increase your living space, enhance the usability of your yard, make your home look more attractive and can increase your home’s value. Adding a deck onto a home can be a great project that only skilled “Do-it-yourselfers” would love to tackle; however, before you go out and start buying materials, perhaps it could be more beneficial to contact a professional for a consultation to see if a contractor is the better option.

You must always make sure that your deck is safe, built sturdy and to code. Even with full knowledge of your state’s codes and the know-how, you could still be looking at spending much more than you have anticipated just from small or quick mistakes that need to be fixed. Remember, these are the things you are getting into when you decide to build your own deck:

Deck Design – What kind of deck were you hoping to create? The dream deck you have always wanted? Do you want it to compliment your house and its surrounding landscape or a simple square deck?
Code and Liability – Permits are required. Depending on what kind of soil you are working on, there are several construction codes you need to follow such as safety codes, load bearing, etc. Without the proper permits, your deck could be torn down. You also run the risk of becoming liable for any injury that could occur from a deck that is not installed properly, especially if it collapses. A licensed and insured professional will be able to cover any mishaps related to the deck on the owner’s behalf.
Materials – Are you going for the classic wood deck? Did you want to use composite decking like Trex for less maintenance? Are there going to be accessories built into the deck like track lighting or anything else electrical?

Designing your deck can be a challenge. When you have a broad idea of what you want your deck to look like but do not have the means or the proper tools to get the look you want, a professional deck builder will help take your designs and make it suit your home. Remember, they are working for a brand that wants people to recognize their work. It is sure to be top quality.

It is important to note that if something were to happen on your own built-deck and you have decided to use composite decking, manufacturers will typically deny any product claims if the installation instructions were not done properly or completely.

Experience can go a long way; one should never tackle a job like deck building if they just do it for a hobby or a “side-project”. At Distinctive Deck Designs, we have more than 20 years of experience in constructing decks and covered decks. Or let us know if you already built a deck and are looking to remodel. Contact us today for a free on-site consultation.

Why Cover A Deck?

Outdoor living has become an increasingly popular trend as homeowners expand their living space by adding a deck onto their houses. These versatile decks are being used for quiet places to read, entertaining, an extra kitchen or dining area.

With so many benefits of just having a deck added onto your home, why would you want to spend additional time and money to have it covered? Having a covered outdoor living area, otherwise known as a sunroom, will keep you insect-free and able to enjoy the outside without having to worry about the elements throughout the year. You will be free from the concern of rain or snow in the colder months and able to enjoy the refreshing breezes during the warmer times of the year. Here are some other reasons to consider covering your deck.

Depending on where you are located, accessorizing a deck can be limited. With heavy rain or snowfall, homeowners will be concerned with any electrical devices and furnishing they leave on their decks. Covering your deck brings peace of mind to homeowners and offers more opportunity to upgrade the living area. Not only have your options in decorating opened up tremendously, now you can have a ceiling fan, track lighting and more installed so you can enjoy your outdoor living area all year long.

Covering your deck will allow you to provide entertainment outdoors while not having to worry about the weather being an interruption. You can still have your guests, friends or family over to enjoy an outdoor celebration or barbeque even when it looks like weather will not permit it.

Maintenance can take time and become costly for certain kinds of decks, depending if you are using wood or composite decking. You would not have to worry about weather such as rain, snow or intense sun light slowly breaking down your deck, the longevity of your living space increases greatly.

Another rising trend is people taking “staycations”. A covered living area in your backyard creates the perfect atmosphere to relax and to “get away” without the expense and hassle of traveling. No matter where you are located, even in the middle of a city, a covered deck gives a person the chance to comfortably sit outside and connect with nature by providing an escape for some much needed peace and quiet.

At Distinctive Deck Designs, we offer Virginia deck construction and remodeling services. We will also help you with your ideas and create the perfect design for your deck to make your house truly stand out. Please contact us today for a free consultation!

Small Deck Space: Large Potential

There are many different things you could do to spruce up a small backyard. Adding planters can create privacy with low-maintenance, a simple color palette can create a theme in which feels more organized, and the right ambiance from a small table top fountain or fire bowl can make a small sitting area feel cozier. These, and many other, suggestions can make a small seating in your backyard feel like a great living space, but why stop there? Having a small deck or patio installed could be just what your backyard needs to create that living space into the perfect addition to your home.

Creating a change in elevation to your backyard is a great way to create visual separation between spaces, making a tight space feel more open. Adding stairs also provides additional outdoor seating. While using materials such as Trex , you wouldn’t have to worry about rotting or splintering so there is less maintenance as well.

Covered decks and patios are great to have, but in a small space, it can be confining. Having an open awning can provide shade while still keeping a sense of spaciousness. Often times railings can make a deck or patio seem cramped, so built-in benches creates seating and added safety so you don’t have to worry about it sliding off. A built-in bench also makes for a good place to store any tools or materials needed for maintenance in the backyard.

Lighting is essential in any outdoor living space. When the sun isn’t shining through the opening awning, it’s important to have the right kind of fixtures to light up your living space at night. Low-voltage light fixtures provide a soft, indirect glow that creates the perfect atmosphere. Simple lights such as candles or torches are also great ways to give your backyard living area light without taking up too much space.

Wraparound decks are also possible in a smaller-sized backyard. Not only will you have a grander outdoor living area, but it adds depth to your house without changing the house itself. Distinctive Deck Designs offers Virginia remodeling services for decks, patios, landscaping and more. Call today at (703) 263-9634 for a free consultation! Our professionals with over 20 years of experience in constructing outdoor living areas will help you create the perfect deck for your small backyard.

Increasing the Value of Your Home

There are various projects you can do to improve the value of your home. While some projects are cheaper than others, having an outside addition to your home can increase the value greatly. Depending on the trending housing market, an outside addition has a remarkably high return for your expense. These returns can range from $2,000 to $20,000+ depending on the type of addition you choose to do. Distinctive Deck Designs offers several services that could benefit you and your home today.

A patio is a very affordable way to increase the value of your home by adding extra living space. Interior remodeling can be expensive, especially when you’re trying to add another room. That can cost you quite a bit when you’re considering insulation, wiring and roofing. A right-sized patio offers you, your family, friends, neighbors or additional home buyers a potential place to host events, barbecue or simply have a place to sit and enjoy a cool breeze.

In addition to a patio, many people have been following the growing trend of an outside kitchen. There is no set design for this project, so you don’t need acres of land to have one placed in your backyard. Depending on your budget, you could have: running water for a sink, a built in grill, a refrigerator, and even a fireplace. And you can even run electrical wiring out to your patio for lighting or entertainment. Adding an additional bedroom can increase your home’s value, but having another kitchen and living room is a whole other story.

A deck, much like the patio, provides an additional living space for your home. Depending on the housing market, a deck has roughly a 70% to 90% return investment, even more so if your deck is made out of composite rather than wood. A deck gives you more options to use your imagination than a patio since you could have a muti-tiered design, also having the options of covering one or multiple levels.

Having your yards landscaped is also another great way to improve your home while getting a significant return on the expense. This is especially true when it comes to the front yard. A professionally landscaped front yard, while easy to maintain, enhances the property’s “sales appeal.” Depending on the neighborhood, you want to be careful. If you put too much into your yard and give it the appearance that it shouldn’t belong in the surrounding neighborhood, you could actually lose out on that return value.

A gazebo is a great place for privacy in your backyard and a really great investment. There are many gazebo kits out there that make it fairly cheap and easy to install a gazebo. However, what most people don’t know is if the gazebo is too big or just doesn’t suit the house, you could be looking at little to no return. A poorly placed gazebo can take up valuable yard space so it’s important to have a plan when installing these.

If you’re looking to increase the value of your home or just want to improve it, call Distinctive Deck Designs at (703) 263-9634 today for a free consultation. Our in home carpenters and patio masons are proud to offer outdoor remodeling services for the Virginia area at very competitive prices. Check out our website www.virginiadeckdesigns.com to learn more!

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