Building a deck at your home is an excellent way of adding value to your property. In most cases, a deck will recover 70% to 100% of its original value when you sell your home. This means that the deck will mostly pay for itself while letting you add an awesome space at your home. When done right, an outdoor deck is the perfect place to enjoy morning tea, have a casual dinner, arrange a small family party or have fun with the kids.
Decks come in both open and covered varieties. Open decks are often preferred when the building structure creates a natural shade for the space. In many cases, deck coverings are used to enhance the utility and lifetime of a deck. Following are some reasons why you should consider adding a covering on your deck.
Shade in Summers
California is known for its hot and dry summers. You may enjoy a quality time at your deck on a cool day but come the summers, it becomes virtually impossible to sit at your deck without shade. Quality deck coverings add this much-needed shade to your deck. It lets you enjoy an outdoor time on your deck anytime of the day even through the hot summers.
Shelter in Rain and Snow
Rain and snow are two key concerns when you have an outdoor deck. If there is no cover, you have to rush indoors as soon as the rain starts to pour down. Similarly, snow can pile up on an uncovered deck and make it off-limits for in winters. Deck coverings offer a simple and effective solution to this. In the rainy season, a cover protects the deck from the rainwater.
This means that you can still enjoy a great time at your deck on a rainy day. Similarly, a cover will shield the deck from snow. Being sheltered from rain and snow also keeps your deck in shape. And it prevents damage to the wood or composite materials of the deck.
Improved Utility
With shade in summer and shelter in winters, your deck offers a lot more utility. It essentially becomes available to you all the time. In contrast, uncovered decks are only available when the weather conditions are suitable. So with deck coverings, you can make the most of your deck.
If you are considering deck coverings, you can choose from a variety of options. You can also take a DIY approach to the project or have a builder provide you an estimate for a more professional job. It is best to first carefully plan the deck covering. You will want to consider factors such as the face direction of the deck, the local climate, building regulations and code, and expected increase in insurance costs.
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
