Hit the Deck With These 5 Reasons to Build a Deck This Winter

If you’re bundled up in heavy coats and multiple layers, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is sitting out on your deck. Surprisingly, winter is the best time to start your deck project. Here are five reasons to start your deck project during the wintertime.

1. Know There’s a Decrease in Demand for Deck Builders

While local HVAC techs and fireplace pros near you may have their hands full during the winter, it’s a slow time for deck builders. This means it’s the perfect time to call a local deck building company to discuss your dream deck. If you live in an area without severe winter weather, your contractor can get started on your deck at any time. And if you live in an area with snowy winters, it’s a great time to discuss your plan, hash out your contract, and learn a few deck safety tips. 

You won't have to wait as long as you would if you waited until spring has officially sprung, and your deck-building professional will be able to focus the majority of their attention on your project. During spring and summer—when decks are going up left and right—contractors are busy, with their focus split amongst several projects. But during the colder months, you'll have them all (or mostly) to yourself.

2. Save Money in the Off-Season

Because deck builders aren’t as busy in the winter and early spring, you might be able to score a tidy little discount on your new deck. With lower demand comes lower prices as contractors try to drum up business during the slower times of the year. When working out the details of your contract, be sure to ask if there’s any wiggle room on the price.

3. Preserve Your Landscaping

Since your flowering plants, shrubs, trees, and even your lawn are dormant during the winter, there's less concern they may become damaged. During the spring, when delicate leaves and flowers are budding and the grass is just starting to turn green again, it's much easier to cause long-term damage with construction equipment than during the winter.

4. Prevent Deck Wood From Warping and Splitting

Lower humidity during the colder months is a boon for curing wooden deck boards and setting the concrete footers and foundations for your new outdoor space. With less moisture in the air, wood and concrete dry and cure more quickly than in the summer when humidity is high, meaning your deck will be sturdy sooner and ready for a cookout on the first warm day.

5. Avoid Outdoor Time Interruptions

You probably don’t spend as much time outdoors in the winter as you do in spring and summer. Noisy construction equipment and the sounds of construction workers won't interrupt your valuable outdoor time if work is performed in the winter when you’re most likely indoors cozying up to a fire anyway. 

You’ve spent hours—days even—dreaming of spending time on your new deck, so why wait until the middle of July to finally enjoy it? By planning your outdoor living space design during the winter, your outdoor space will be ready for relaxing as soon as the temps warm up. No need to spend half the summer watching construction happen as your neighbors and friends are already enjoying their decks. 

Start construction as early as possible to ensure you get the most enjoyment out of the warm spring and summer months. You can fire up the grill and start spending time outdoors months earlier than if you hold off on construction.