Avoiding Common Deck Failures: Essential Tips for Homeowners

Having a deck can bring you numerous benefits. They’re the perfect way to expand your living space and give you more reasons to spend time outdoors. They can create wonderful spaces for entertaining guests or simply lounging outside on a beautiful evening to unwind after a long day at work. A deck can add beauty and value to your home as well. 

Of course, whether you reap all those rewards depends largely on how well your deck is built. People have been known to make certain mistakes when adding decks onto their homes. Those oversights can cause a great deal of trouble down the road. Take a look at the following tips for avoiding a deck failure to help you get the job done right and ultimately make the most of your investment. 

Don’t Cut Corners on Materials

Most people want to save money when they’re carrying out home improvement projects. There’s nothing wrong with creating a budget and sticking to it, but saving money shouldn’t be your only concern. When it comes to buying the materials to build your deck, from its support beams to the fasteners you use to attach it to your house and hold the structure together, it’s important to prioritize quality over price. You can cut corners elsewhere. For example, you can choose veneers over natural stone for decorative accents or choose a simpler design over a more complex one. 

Avoid Bypassing Permits

Another common mistake people make is failing to get the necessary permits before building their decks. In most cases, you’ll need a permit to add a deck to your home. That varies by location and other factors, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Check into your local codes and regulations before starting construction. In fact, you may want to check into them before even planning your project. Building without the required permits can lead to fines, legal consequences, and other serious repercussions. 

Failing to Plan

Going into a project like this haphazardly is also a mistake. Numerous details go into building a deck, and a long list of considerations come into play. You’ll need to decide exactly where to place the deck based on access to and from your home, where it’ll get the most sunlight, and where you’ll have the most privacy. You’ll need to determine just how large and complex the deck will be, which materials you’ll want to use, and how to properly attach it to your house. Those are only a few of the factors to think about.

Far too many people approach projects like this with a clear vision of the finished product but no plan for how to effectively achieve it. That inevitably results in disaster. Developing a detailed plan will take time and thought, but the rewards are well worth the effort. 

Building a Deck That Will Serve You Well

Adding a deck to your home can be a wise investment. It can bolster your property value and renew your love for your home. That being said, it’s a complicated project that requires time and money. Cutting corners on materials, failing to acquire the proper permits, and failing to properly plan for such a project are common mistakes homeowners make. Avoiding them will pay off in the long run, and you’ll have a beautiful deck that will serve you well for years to come. 

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