A deck is a great way to expand your living space, extend your living room into the backyard, or just make a place for yourself to relax and enjoy the weather. It’s also an excellent way to turn a small outdoor space into a larger one.
Building a wood deck is a great way to add value and functionality to your home. Once you’ve made the financial decision to build a deck, it’s time to start planning your project.
Before you start construction on your deck, you should have a good idea of what you want from it. Do you want a large area where everyone can gather around for parties and barbecues? Or are you looking for something more intimate where friends can sit together at night and enjoy some drinks?
You’ll also need to decide whether or not you want stairs leading up to your new deck. If so, think about how many steps there should be and where they should begin. Stairs can make it easier for people who have trouble walking up inclines but they also add extra weight to the structure which increases costs when building or remodeling them later on down the road.
If you are planning to build a deck for your home, there are many factors that should be taken into accounts, such as materials, labor, and reliability. Before you get started, it is recommended to hire professionals. Contractors charge different prices, so you should ask about their profit margins. Usually, contractors earn 15 to 30 percent of the total cost. You can ask for discounts from contractors, but you should be aware that it might increase the final cost by 10 to 20%.
Materials
There are several types of wood decking materials available for building your wood deck. The most common is pressure-treated lumber, although not all lumber is treated this way. Pressure-treated lumber has a chemical coating that prevents rot and insect damage. It is widely available and easy to work with, and some lumbers are stained to add a beautiful finish.
The main framing elements of a deck are the joists. They run along the edge of the deck’s ledger and run inside the rim joists. Joist sizes and numbers are specified in the deck plans. Typically, you can cut 6-foot joists from twelve-foot lumber, while an eight-foot joist can be cut from 16-foot lumber.
Wooden decks are an excellent choice for a deck, but there are also composite decking materials available. These decking materials are a great choice if you are environmentally conscious and don’t want to spend a fortune on expensive treatments. Composite decking doesn’t need to be stained or treated and has the added benefit of being low-maintenance.
Another option is pressure-treated lumber, which is often made from southern pine and infused with chemicals that make it resistant to moisture, rot, and insects. Pressure-treated lumber is the least expensive choice and the most common among decking materials. It is easy to cut and fasten with nails, which makes it an excellent choice for do-it-yourselfers.
When choosing materials for building a wood deck, you must think about the style you want. Typically, a wood deck looks best when stained or painted, but you can also choose a natural wood like cedar for a more natural appearance. Cedar and pressure-treated Southern yellow pine are two of the most common woods used for decking.
PVC is a great choice for those who do not want to worry about the maintenance involved in building a wood deck. PVC is easy to clean and comes in almost unlimited color choices. The downside of PVC is that it does not match natural wood, but it’s cheap enough for the average DIY-er to build.
Labor
The labor costs of building a wood deck vary widely. Natural wood decks range from $3 to $15 per square foot, but most homeowners spend between $6 and $8 per square foot. These materials require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. Bamboo and cedar decks are relatively inexpensive, but both require annual maintenance.
Pressure-treated wood can run anywhere from $6 to $18 per square foot, depending on the materials used. However, these materials tend to crack over time and require a strict maintenance schedule. Furthermore, you need to be careful with screws, as galvanized fasteners corrode when exposed to water.
Posts are another major cost. Some decks require mechanically driving foundation posts, which costs an additional $25 to $300 per post. Other decks can be framed above the ground, which requires less labor. Decking itself costs anywhere from $2 to $35 per square foot, depending on the type of material.
Adding steps to your deck is another expense. An average set of stairs costs about $150. This includes the cost of the steps and the riser. You may only need one set, or you can add steps to either side. Depending on the size and height of your deck, you may want to add one set.
The location of your deck is another factor to consider. You can build a deck that is attached to your home or a freestanding structure. These structures can come in many shapes, sizes, and materials. They can be used for cooking, relaxing, and entertaining. You can even install built-in accessories.
Labor costs for building a wood deck are usually around $8 to $22 per square foot. However, the amount you end up paying will vary greatly depending on the materials used and the area of your deck. Some decks are made of pressure-treated pine, which can cost an extra $2 to $15 per square foot. Composite decking, on the other hand, can be easier to work with and may lower your labor costs.
Exotic woods and exotic hardwoods may be more expensive than other materials, but they also offer a longer lifespan. Some premium woods, such as Ipe, are $10 to $15 per square foot. Ipe is a Brazilian hardwood that can last for 40 years or more, but the material is difficult to work with. It also requires special tools to install.
Reliability
The reliability of wood deck construction is an important issue for highway bridges. The reliability of highway bridge plank decks depends on their ability to resist the loads placed on them. Several important parameters must be considered during the design phase, including the length, width, and spacing of the planks. In addition to the design parameters, the reliability of wood decks is affected by the material used for the deck.
Proper fastening methods are critical to the strength and durability of wood decks. Lag screws can break due to decay in the framing, while DTT2Z hold-downs offer a safer solution. In soil that is frost-susceptible, piers should be set below the depth of frost and the tops above grade level. Using concrete piers ensures that the post ends will not come into contact with standing water or soil. If the piers cannot be buried deep enough, steel post bases are an option to keep the wood out of contact with concrete.
A wooden deck will last for years but eventually will need to be replaced. Although it’s relatively easy to replace damaged deck boards, wooden decks are only as strong as their supporting structures. Look out for warning signs of wood rot, excessive wear, and rusting hardware. These problems can lead to a collapse, which can be dangerous.
Cypress and other cypress woods are extremely durable, and unlike oak and other woods, they can last 100 years or longer. Cypress wood is also extremely resistant to insects and rot. In addition to being resistant to insects, it is also resistant to chemical treatments, making it one of the most reliable woods for decks.
Another way to increase the reliability of wood deck construction is to avoid using aluminum or copper flashing. These materials should not be used with pressure-treated lumber and should be replaced with membrane-type flashing. In addition, copper flashings should never be used with galvanized fasteners or hardware. Furthermore, decks should be braced to resist lateral forces. While this is not a legal requirement, it’s a good idea in many areas.
When planning the construction of a new deck, it is important to ensure that you have a solid base on which to put the deck. Ideally, the base of the deck should be four to five feet below the ground.
Return on investment
There are many benefits to adding a deck to your home. In addition to adding additional living space, it can increase your property value. A deck can be a great supplement to your existing indoor living space, and the right furniture and decor can enhance its appeal. Whether you plan on entertaining guests, entertaining family, or simply enjoying the outdoors, a deck can add significant value to your home.
Depending on the layout of your yard, your deck may add a nice addition to your home. You can attach it to sliding doors to extend your living space. The placement of your deck will also affect your return on investment. A deck built around a hot tub may not generate the most ROI.
Wood decks tend to increase your home’s value more than composite decks. A deck made of wood can increase the value of your home by as much as $10,600. On the other hand, a deck made of composite material can add value to your property for up to half as much.
Adding a wood deck to your home is a wise investment. The investment will pay off in the long run. The return on investment of a wood deck is over 70 percent, according to Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report. This means that the money spent on a wood deck can return you $3,000 in less than five years.
If you are planning to sell your home in the future, your deck will add value to your home and make you money. If your deck costs $10,050, you will recoup $8,085 of that investment during the sale. By the time you sell your home in five years, your home will have increased value by more than $20,000.
