Smart Deck Renovations Cut Costs and Maintenance
3 pros!
Neglecting your deck before a renovation could cost you.
The calls come in heavy and often throughout our busy building season. Folks have waited and waited until their deck is about to fall apart or is so splintered that they don't even go out on it anymore. So, we tear down the deck and start from the ground up, building an expensive new deck.
The majority of our decks are with ultra low-maintenance PVC and composite materials. People love these materials because they don't need to be stained, sealed or painted. They won't split, rot, twist, crack or splinter. Periodic cleaning with warm, soapy water and some elbow grease keeps these surfaces clean, which is the only maintenance they really need.
Now, that sounds great, and it is…except for the cost.
Deck teardowns can cost you
Total deck "teardowns" cost money, as contractors have to account for labor to remove the old deck, haul it away, and properly dispose of it. Then there is the cost of the framing and substructure of the new deck to consider as well. All new framing lumber, new support footers, new floor joists, support posts and beams need to be built. And, lastly, one has to account for adding the PVC and composite materials for the decking, the railing systems and the trim elements. Add it all up and it can be a costly project.
What many folks don't consider is that if they were more proactive with addressing their old wood deck, they could get that makeover for a substantial savings. By NOT waiting and procrastinating, they can salvage that frame and substructure and look to simply strip off the old decking and rails and replace with new composite and PVC materials.
Composite deck materials offer benefits
Today's materials come with manufacturer warranties that are 25 years or longer in some instances. The materials are expensive but provide folks with what they covet – time to enjoy their home and not maintain their home. Savvy homeowners can save a lot of money by salvaging the deck framing and substructure, and not adding to the cost of the project with a frame removal and rebuild.
Folks get a “new” deck with ultra low-maintenance materials with strong manufacturer warranties. They will increase the home value as more prospective owners will consider a home that has this new low maintenance deck, which means there is one less renovation project they must take on with their home purchase. And composite and PVC decks, as any realtor will tell you, increase the value of a home.
Get proactive with your deck
Lastly, smart, proactive homeowners get a new deck where they have saved thousands and thousands of dollars by salvaging the frame and substructure. Folks get time to enjoy the deck as opposed to closing the curtain window to hide that old splintery, rotting wood deck they don't even want to go out on.
More importantly, they didn't wait so long that the framing and substructure had to be removed, as there wasn’t enough life left in the timbers for the new, expensive 25-year manufacturer warranty PVC and composite materials.
So, consider getting proactive with that old wood deck before it's too late.
About this Experts Contributor: Sean Conway is the owner of American Deck and Patio, offering deck building services in Washington. Since 1989, American Deck and patio has provided installation of decks, patios, screen porches, fences, outdoor living spaces and much more.
As of November 3, 2015, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.