Let’s start with the basics. To paraphrase Merriam-Webster Dictionary , weathering is the process whereby weather conditions, especially UV rays, alter the color, texture, composition, or form of exposed objects, specifically the disintegration of materials. So, in terms of decking, the weather patterns and natural environment around your home is important to how your deck looks — and its overall health.

When it comes to the nitty-gritty details of weathering, TimberTech is all about product transparency. TimberTech ensures that you are covered in all aspects of your outdoor living investments, from providing the industry’s best warranties to meticulously engineering all the caps and cores of our boards to prevent mold, moisture damage, and weathering.

A TimberTech AZEK board (far left) and two TimberTech PRO boards (middle and right photos) after 6 months of natural weathering.

 

(From left to right.) Cedar, treated Pine, and Mahogany after 6 months of natural weathering.

 

When it comes to a major investment for your home and property value, don’t take the risk of your deck weathering. Contact Steadfast Construction to discuss the best material recommended to build your deck that matches your style and budget. Also, take a look at our deck gallery.

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For those looking to upgrade their home, there are a number of ways to make it more functional year-round. Adding a beautiful outdoor deck is one of the most popular additions, working to provide a great place for hosting events with friends and spending family time outside. There are a number of great benefits associated with adding a new deck.

1. A Place to Host

What fun is having a great backyard if you don’t enjoy it with others? Adding a deck to your house gives you a perfect outdoor space for entertaining friends and family. If you are planning on hosting a family dinner, block party, or BBQ, it is important to give your guests a comfortable place to hang out. A deck in your backyard makes the difference between an uncomfortable lawn chair get together and a classy backyard party. Adding a deck can make your house a fun location to entertain guests and make new memories.

2. Increases Home Value

Perhaps one of the best benefits of a deck is how it naturally increases the home’s value. According to experts, you can easily recoup up to 72 percent of the cost of building the deck by the amount it will raise the overall property value of your house. This exceeds what can be recouped from other home additions, including adding a living room, sun room, or even an extra bathroom. Decks are a sought-after feature for potential home buyers who want to see a family-oriented outdoor space, because this can help them picture themselves living in and using that space.

3. Aesthetic Appeal

Adding a deck adds a high amount of design to any home, making it more visually appealing and enhancing the home’s overall quality. It can easily add dimension to any yard for an attractive property that stands out. You can stain the wood of the deck to fit into the color scheme of your shutters and the design of your house to make it look natural and appealing. With the vast number of design options available, you can create a look that seamlessly aligns with your style and personality.

4. Extra Space

Another benefit of adding a deck to your house is extra outdoor space. Decks give you room to put furniture, plants, grills, and other things that make your backyard more enjoyable and functional. Decks also provide extra storage space underneath for items that aren’t pleasing to the eye but still need a place to stay. With more space in your backyard, you will have room for extra additions or activities.

5. Affordable

Who said home renovations need to cost an arm and a leg? Compared to other renovations, adding a deck to your house is relatively inexpensive. Decks made with high-quality materials can last a very long time, further increasing the value of the renovation. There is no better way to beautify your backyard without breaking the bank than by building a deck.

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A deck is one of the most useful outdoor spaces because it can support so many different functions: lounging, cooking, throwing parties, container gardening or just sitting outside to enjoy the view. As a multifunctional surface, a deck needs to always look its best. Read on if you have an existing wood deck and are looking to make some simple tweaks to update its look and improve how it feels and functions.

1. Practice Basic Deck Care

A deck can be improved in just a few hours through routine surface care. It’s recommended that you refinish a wood deck about every two years, either naturally with a linseed oil rub or with stains and sealers, to keep moisture away. 

Whatever refinishing method you choose, know that moisture invites organisms into the wood that cause it to rot over time, so remove and clean up anything that is allowing water to collect in parts of the deck. Also, repair anything that may be habitually splashing water onto the deck, such as a leaky hose spigot.

To winterize, clean your deck of debris and remove and store your outdoor furniture in a dry place. Leaving your furniture out during the wet winter months can cause it to wear down more quickly. 

2. Upgrade Your Railing

If your railing is looking shabby, consider changing it for an overall deck upgrade. A cable railing can contribute to a more contemporary deck style, or consider a different balustrade style or material. 

Steadfast Construction can help you design and install new railings, because they consist of detailed parts and connections. Have an idea of the railing type you want installed, and contact us for product and design recommendations. We can also check that your preferred railing type meets local codes before having it installed.

3. Add an Edible Container Garden

If your deck receives full sun, and you have the space, consider building or purchasing a few containers for an edible garden. Edibles growing close to the house are easily accessed from the kitchen, and with a deck, you are always working on a level surface.

Keep water from pooling under your containers by placing a saucer beneath them to collect excess water or raising the containers off the deck.

Be aware that large containers can add a significant amount of weight to the deck, so it’s best to locate large, heavy containers over structural beams. Always consult a professional if you are unsure of your deck’s weight capacity. 

4. Create More Lushness at the Edges

Sometimes a deck feels too open and exposed. Create a lusher setting by planting large shrubs or a small tree around the deck’s edges. Be sure to keep them away from the foundation of your home. If you can’t plant directly in the ground around the deck, create lushness with planted containers around the deck’s perimeter.

5. Use the Space Underneath the Deck

If your deck is raised to meet a second-story door, consider how you can use the space underneath the deck to create a shaded outdoor area. The ground below should be sloped to drain water away from the house and have basic paving that allows you to use the space. Once those pieces are in place, you can add seating, potted shade plants, a hammock, lighting and whatever else you desire.

#1: There Is No Such Thing as a Maintenance-Free Deck

Because they are under constant attack from the elements, all decks, regardless of the native climate or type of material they’re made of, require some degree of maintenance in order to retain their look and structural integrity over the years. While rain and moisture present a clear threat to a deck’s longevity, it’s the relentless UV rays of the sun that exact a particularly harsh toll. And while a deck in an arid, sunbaked backyard won’t last as long as one beneath the canopy of lush foliage. With proper attention, even the shortest-lived deck should last for at least 15 years (and possibly up to the lifetime of the home).

Homeowners are faced with a number of choices when it comes to choosing the type of building material for their deck. As the longtime industry standard, pressure-treated wood remains the most popular choice by far, and there’s good reason for this: it’s a reliable, cost-effective, and attractive option.

#2: Cleaning Before Sealing Is Absolutely Necessary

An incredibly useful tip for any homeowner reaching out to a deck contractor is to ask them what they’re going to do first, what steps they’re going to take and if they say anything about sealing it before cleaning it, they’re not who you want.

There was a homeowner whose beautiful deck lasted all of a year before mold took a hold and left it in a state beyond repair. Because the homeowner was given the impression by a negligent contractor that a new deck didn’t require cleaning prior to sealing, the microscopic mold spores that naturally inhabit the wood were trapped beneath the seal, left to multiply exponentially and wreak irrevocable havoc on the lumber. Needless to say, the homeowner was devastated to learn how easily this could have been prevented.

The real focus of the cleaning isn’t so much the removal of visible dirt and grime as it is the elimination of invisible microbes and mold spores. Homeowners should have the cleaning performed at a time when very little sunlight is hitting the wood so that the wood can remain as damp as possible. A simple blend of one part bleach to three parts water constitutes a cheap and effective cleaning solution.

#3: Sealing/Staining Is the Key to Your Deck’s Longevity

After the deck has been thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry (which could take anywhere from 48 hours to a week, depending on the climate), it’s time to choose a sealant or stain. Ranging from transparent finishes to opaque stains, there are hundreds of different options from which to choose, and it can be downright overwhelming. While nearly all will afford protection from rain and moisture when properly applied, you should use oil-based solutions, as they actually seep into the pores of the wood and create a greater defense from the sun’s UV rays.

How often does the deck need to be resealed? There’s no simple answer to this, as factors such as climate, location (especially with regard to how much sunlight is received), and construction materials come into play. It’s a good idea to consult with a professional deck contractor, such as Steadfast Construction, since we are familiar with the area and therefore, be able to provide advice.

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