GUIDE TO ADDING A DECK ON TO YOUR HOME - LAKEWOOD HOMES & REMODELING

Spring is right around the corner. Which means, it is time to start thinking about your spring home projects. Is a deck on your list this year? Let our Twin Cities team help educate you so you are ready to make decisions on what decking you’ll be installing on your home.

Probably one of the most difficult decisions to make when building a deck is what type of decking to use. All three choices have their benefits and setbacks. And sometimes it comes down to strictly budget. All three choices, green treated, cedar and composite decking share similarities. They are all rot resistant to varying degrees, require 16-in joist spacing for proper support, and can all be cut and installed using conventional tools and fasteners.

But there is no perfect decking material to choose. And when you meet with the LW Homes in Annandale, Minnesota team. We will work with you to map out what is most important to you, and help make your selection based on your needs.

The three most common types of decking you see are: Green Treated (most affordable), Cedar decking (middle of the road), and Composite Maintenance Free (most expensive).

If the natural look of wood tops your list, we recommend cedar over green treated. Its a great middle of the road option. It can be partially rot resistant. Cedar does not readily absorb moisture – and since moisture is what creates twisting and splitting, cedar wood decking tends to lie flat and straight. Most cedar decks we will figure a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, but it can deteriorate faster when used for ground-level decks and for shaded slow to dry out areas.

To retain the color, with either green treated or cedar you will have to clean and reseal it every year or two, and even then it’s a losing battle. It’s tough for a 10 or 15 year old cedar wood deck to still have that rich warm new wood look. And when furniture and accessories get dragged around on the deck alot, the edges in particular can get beat up.

Maintenance Free: This option is fairly popular especially in a colder state like Minnesota. We bear through some tough temps in the winter months which can be tough on green treated and cedar decking. But it is also the most expensive for that reason – maintenance free! Most deck builders will work with one of the two top lines in maintenance free decking Timber Tech (Azek) Decking or Trex Composite Decking. Both are comparable in what they offer. Our team prefers to install Azek Decking for our clients.

Most composite decking is made out of recycled plastic, wood chips and sawdust. But the plus side of it being the most expensive, once its down it won’t rot. Maintenance involves spraying it down with a hose to keep it clean. But if you want to spend your time relaxing on your deck versus constantly maintaining it, this is the way to go.

What You Should Know When Hiring a LW Homes as your contractor? You want a team that has experience. Our team of contractors have been in the business for a long time, so you can trust that your decking project will be completed correctly and last a long time. And someone who understands design, as the design stage can be critical before construction can begin. We utilize top of the line products and materials to ensure our clients are satisfied along with design consults. Our decking projects come with a two-year craftsmanship warranty. If you are not happy we will make sure we get it right.

Looking for a deck builder in the Twin Cities or Annandale, Minnesota area, reach out. We specialize in low-maintenance high quality decks. Contact us today! 612-802-2822.