With the outdoor living season well and truly here once again, many North Carolina and South Carolina homeowners have begun thinking about what they can do to make their outdoor spaces more aesthetically appealing and functional for their friends and family all season long. One great way to improve your home’s outdoor living space is to update your deck area. It can, however, be difficult to figure out exactly what upgrades are the best choices for your lifestyle and budget. As you read this guide, you will discover some excellent ideas that can be adapted to work for just about any house.
Consider longevity of materials
Some homeowners start considering deck upgrades and realize they actually just need to replace their decks altogether. This is especially common among people who didn’t build the decks on their homes in the first place. It might become apparent that the original construction was shoddy or there are major necessary repairs that make it worth the money to just rebuild the structure from scratch.
If you run into this issue, it won’t take long for you to realize that there are a lot of decking materials on the market today. While homeowners once almost always used treated lumber for decks, that is not the case today. As you shop, the primary thing you need to think about is the longevity of the materials you’re seriously considering. If you know you don’t want to have to rebuild your deck again while you live in your home, a composite material might be the best choice for you. These products resemble real wood but are designed to last for decades and be low-maintenance.
Think about how you’ll use the space
Decks, like homes in general, are extremely personal. The most important thing is for you and your loved ones to feel comfortable in the space. Therefore, before you start working on any deck upgrades, you should think about how you are actually going to be using your outdoor living area on a daily basis.
You might, for instance, love barbequing and hosting meals. If this is the case, consider adding a high-end outdoor kitchen complete with grill, beverage refrigerator, and utility sink for washing grilling utensils. Or, maybe you have several children or grandchildren who will be spending a lot of time on the deck. If this describes your situation, creating a kids’ play area with a sandbox and other fun outdoor activities is a great idea.
No matter what updates you decide to make to your deck this summer, make sure you hire a reputable contractor in your region of North Carolina or South Carolina to oversee the job. The more confident you feel with the home renovation professional you choose, the easier it will be to not stress about the project every step of the way. Looking at the contractor’s portfolio to see pictures of previous work that is similar to what you’re planning to have done is one excellent way to feel good about the decision you ultimately make.