Decks are a great way of adding an elegant space to your home where you can have a great time. When positioned right, they also offer a great outdoor view. That being said, decks need ongoing maintenance and attention on your part. When cared for, a deck may last as much as 20 to 30 years. Some decks may become too old or damaged to be safe anymore. Others may show visible signs of wear and tear when not maintained properly. This is when you need a deck makeover.
How to Go About a Deck Makeover?
Deck makeovers are an opportunity to rethink your entire deck. You can start with the very basics and have the materials of the deck replaced altogether. Alternatively, you can take a more limited approach and focus instead on the parts that need your immediate attention. These are typically the areas which have sustained most damage or use over the years. Deck floors need to be touched up, repaired or even replaced at times depending on the foot traffic over the years. Deck coverings, if they exist, may also have become damaged due to weather and other outdoor elements. You can have a professional contractor look these over and provide a quick makeover quote.
Why Consider Deck Coverings?
If your deck doesn’t already have a covering, it is time to consider one during the makeover. Covering your deck offer a wide range of benefits. They add to the utility of a deck and make it usable through winter and summer, rain and sun. This means that you are able to enjoy a quality outdoor time at your deck anytime of the day or night, year-round. When you have to exclusively add deck coverings, it may cost more. But when you are already undertaking a deck makeover, adding a covering is going to cost less.
Achieving Aesthetic Consistency
During a deck makeover, you may understandably make major changes to overall outlook and feel of your deck. This can alter the aesthetics of the deck. One of the reasons why deck coverings make sense at this time is because you can choose one that goes well with the aesthetics of the deck makeover. You can choose from a variety of deck covering options such as awnings, pergolas and roof extensions. By choosing the right type of material, you ensure that the covering perfectly complements the deck.
If you’re thinking about adding a deck to your property, your planning should take into account ROI variables. Materials, size, access, and the “wow factor” all contribute to a prospective buyer’s perception of the value added by a deck to the property. It’s worth becoming familiar with deck construction in the comparable properties in your area so you can position yours where you want to be value-wise. Another value relationship to consider is that between your deck budget and the overall value of the property. It doesn’t make ROI dollars and sense to build something too grand for the size and likely resale price of the home. One rule of thumb used by contractors and architects is that a deck should be no larger than the home’s biggest interior space.
Keep in mind, too, that adding value to your home gets the attention of the assessor and the underwriter, so your property taxes and insurance premiums are like to be increased. Like anything else built by human beings, a deck will inevitably require some maintenance and/or repair as time goes by. Good choices of materials, with expert design and construction, are the ticket to keeping those costs down and your enjoyment and ROI up.