A composite deck is a great way to add value to your home and create an outdoor living space that you will use all year round. Composite decks are also durable and low-maintenance, making them ideal for homes with young children or pets. Follow these simple steps to build a composite deck.
Measure the area where the deck will go (this will be your working area). Make sure there’s enough room to make cuts without hitting other parts of the house or property. Also, ensure that this area has adequate drainage—composite decks cannot be installed over compacted soil or on sloped ground.
When measuring for a deck, keep in mind that the actual size of the deck will be slightly smaller than its listed dimensions because it will have a slight overhang on all sides (as much as 6 inches). For example, if you order a 36-foot long x 16-foot wide deck, it will measure about 34 feet by 15 feet after installation (with an overhang).
Also, keep in mind that each step in our process involves marking out lines and measurements with tools like rulers and tape measures. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself—or you’re afraid of making mistakes—consider hiring someone else to help out.
Composite decks are the perfect option for homeowners who want to increase the curb appeal of their property. Composite decks offer a variety of benefits over traditional decking materials like wood, concrete and stone. For instance, composite decking can be installed in a shorter amount of time without needing any special tools or equipment.
Cost To Build A Composite Deck Homewyse
The cost to build a composite deck Homewyse will vary depending on the size, style and location of your new deck. The approximate average price for a composite deck in the U.S is $5,216.
The average composite deck cost Homewyse will include:
- permit and labor charges
- architectural fees
- types of composite deck Homewyse materials required
- site preparation costs such as excavation & foundation work (if needed) as well as structure steelwork if it’s not already attached to your house
Permits and Labor
Permits
To build a deck, you’ll need to get the proper permits. Building codes vary by city and state, so be sure to contact your local building department before starting any construction project. Your deck won’t pass inspection if it isn’t up to code. Likewise, if your local inspector discovers potential safety hazards during their visit, they may not sign off on the project until they’re fixed. This can increase labor costs and delay completion of the job.
Labor Costs
The cost of labor depends on the skill level of your crew and whether or not you hire subcontractors for any parts of the job that aren’t within their expertise (such as electrical wiring or plumbing). If you choose to purchase materials yourself instead of hiring a contractor to do it all for you from start to finish, then you’ll also save some money—but keep in mind that this option requires more time spent researching materials and doing research on DIY projects before beginning construction on site itself.
Architectural Fees
The cost of a deck will typically include the cost of an architect. Architects have a lot of experience with building codes and are good at making sure that your deck will be able to stand up against any weather conditions. The architectural fee is usually included in the price, but it can also be charged separately depending on your contractor’s preference.
Architectural fees can get expensive if they’re charged by the hour and if you’re working with a high-end architect who charges very well for their services. Average architectural fees are between $50 per hour and $150 per hour, which means you’ll want to talk with your contractor about whether or not they’ll charge this fee separately before hiring them for your new deck project.
Types Of Composite Deck Homewyse
There are many types of decking materials available, including wood, composite, vinyl, and laminate. Each material has its own unique characteristics that make it stand out from the rest. Depending on your preferences and budget you may find that one of these materials is more suitable than another.
Composite decking is a type of synthetic material made from recycled plastic and sawdust with natural binders added to create a hard wearing surface. It’s available in both solid or engineered forms (i.e., prefabricated panels) which can be installed using screws or nails directly into your existing framing system or deck boards respectively (no joist hangers required). Composite decks typically require little maintenance – just an occasional sweep with a broom.
Site Preparation
One of the first steps in building a composite deck is to prepare the site for the deck, including leveling it and preparing the ground for concrete. The surface needs to be level so that the deck will sit evenly on top of it. In addition, you’ll want to remove any trees or bushes from around your house that could interfere with your project’s progress.
You should also remove all sod from under where you’re going to place your new deck. This will allow for easier installation since there won’t be any plants blocking access—and it makes sure that nothing gets damaged by construction equipment during this phase of work.
Excavation & Foundation
Excavation and foundation costs depend on the size of the deck, the type of soil, and whether you need to remove trees or other obstacles. You can hire a contractor to do this work for you, or you can do it yourself.
Structure Steel
Steel is used to support the joists and beams of the deck. Steel is also used for the stairs, railings, and other structural components. The type of steel used depends on the size of your deck. If you have a small deck (less than 8’ x 10’ or so), then you may be able to get away with using a lesser-expensive grade of steel—but if you have a larger deck (8’ x 20’ or more), then your best bet would be to use high-quality Type 1A construction grade material.
Concrete
Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, crushed stone, and water. The concrete is poured into forms to create the deck’s surface. Concrete can be stained or painted to match the rest of your home’s exterior.
Framing (Interior & Exterior)
Framing (Interior & Exterior)
Framing is the skeletal structure of your deck. It provides support to the floor joists and beams, which in turn support the decking materials. Framing is constructed using pressure-treated lumber, which can be painted or stained to match your home.
When you build a composite deck, it’s important that you know how framing affects the overall cost of construction so you can plan accordingly. If you have any questions about this stage in building a composite deck.
Doors, Windows, Trimwork & Cabinetry
Doors, windows, and trimwork are all important parts of your deck. You can’t have a great-looking deck without them. Make sure you get the right materials for your deck by considering the size and style of doors and windows, as well as the style of trimwork that you want.
Windows are a great way to bring in natural light during the day and help keep temperatures inside your home comfortable. In order to maximize their effectiveness, however, it’s important that they be properly installed on your house or inlet so that there is no leakage between them and other areas around them such as doorways or chimneys. You should also consider how much heat comes through each window when deciding where it should go so that no areas become too hot during peak summer months but also not cold enough during winter months either (and vice versa).
Drywall Insulation
If you’re installing a composite deck, it’s a good idea to insulate the walls of your home before you begin building. As long as you have access to the wall cavities, any insulation will do; however, if possible, choose a material that’s thin enough to fit into the framing cavity easily (e.g., fiberglass batts).
If your walls are not insulated and they don’t have interior finishes attached, it’s best to attach them during construction. If you’re using 1×6 tongue-and-groove boards for flooring or siding material on an existing structure (like many homeowners are), this may be all that is required for an effective seal against air flow through gaps between floorboards or through holes in drywall panels.
Interior Finishes
Interior finishes are another area where you’ll have the opportunity to make a powerful statement about your home. When it comes to interior finishes, what you choose can affect the mood of your home and even how much it costs to build a composite deck homewyse. Here are some of your options:
- Wallpaper
- Carpeting
- Painting (interior walls and ceilings)
- Tile flooring (or laminate)
- Cabinetry and fixtures
Flooring
The flooring for your deck can be installed prior to or after the deck is built. Common types of flooring include carpet, tile, hardwood and laminate (or other synthetic materials). If you already have a solid surface deck and you want to keep it that way, you’ll need to hire a contractor who specializes in waterproofing decks.
Painting
Painting your deck is a good idea for many reasons. It can hide imperfections in the wood, and it can help to prevent water from seeping into the wood itself. You can paint your deck before or after installation, but if you’re going to be leaving your deck exposed to the elements, painting it after installation is best.
Some suitable paints for decks include:
- Latex Enamel (white)
- Oil-based Enamel (redwood)
Plumbing
Plumbing is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of systems for the distribution of water and sanitation. Plumbing is one of the oldest and most important engineering disciplines. It is also considered an art as it can be used to create artwork inside a home or business, such as sculptures.
Flooring
The most common flooring options for composite decks are wood, interlocking deck tiles, and vinyl.
Wood is a popular option for composite decks because it provides a warm and natural look that lends itself well to the outdoors. It can also be stained or painted to match your home’s exterior design. However, you should be aware that some woods may have lower resistance to moisture than others.
Interlocking deck tiles are another popular choice for composite floors as they offer an affordable option that is easy to install by yourself or with friends/family members who may not be comfortable with more complicated construction projects like installing railings or steps on your new deck. These types of tiles can be installed over concrete slabs without additional support beams if necessary so long as there aren’t any major dips or holes in them (which would cause the flooring surface itself).
Vinyl flooring tends not offer quite as much traction as other materials do but it does come in many different styles from which homeowners can choose from – many of which mimic natural materials like wood grains.
Electrical Work
- Electrical work
- Electrical permits
- Wiring
- Light fixtures
- Outlets
- Switches
- Power outlets
Conclusion
If you’re planning on building a composite deck, you should be aware of the potential costs that come with it. There are a lot of factors that will affect the price, including where the project is located and whether or not it’s being done by a professional contractor. The good news is there are ways to reduce these costs through things like shopping around for materials or cutting corners when installing certain aspects (such as painting).
