Unless you happen to live in one of the Carolinas’ most temperate regions, like Charleston, SC, winter weather is something you will definitely have to take into account when it comes to building a deck. Decks are extremely popular throughout our service area, in large part due to the many months per year they can be used. Even in our northernmost regions, Virginians enjoy their outdoor living spaces for three out of four seasons.
If you’re thinking about having a deck built though, planning early is key. Otherwise, you could end-up going through a wintertime deck construction project, which can be more than a little challenging, although it can be done. Good contractors tend to be backed-up for several months before they can get new clients on their calendars, so asking about a deck in July means it might not get built until November or December. Below, you’ll learn more about some of the issues you should think about before hiring your deck builder.
Are there restrictions I’m bound by?
One of the first topics you need to think about is whether or not you have to adhere to any municipal or neighborhood restrictions. If, for example, you live in an area with a homeowners’ association, you may only be allowed to have decks that are a certain color or a certain height. Or, your city may mandate that all decks have specific kinds of railings to avoid injuries to children. If you are having trouble figuring out which local regulations apply to you, ask your contractor to help you understand.
Will my yard need to be leveled?
As a general rule, the land underneath of deck posts needs to be as flat as possible. This increases stability and prevents the posts, or the deck boards themselves, from shifting dramatically within a short period of time. If you happen to live an area of the Carolinas where the ground freezes in the wintertime, you will need to think about this before you have your contractors begin; any leveling will need to occur before the first freeze, or you will have to wait until springtime.
How much sunlight does this spot get?
This is an important issue to think about for several reasons. For one thing, the ground might get marshy in the winter in particularly sunny areas of your yard, making it difficult for your contractors to work. This is, however, something that can be dealt with in most cases; it might simply take a little longer to complete certain aspects of the job.
Also, however, you’ll need to consider if you will still have that much sunlight in the summertime or if trees will shade the area. If you selected the spot for your deck after last year’s leaves had already fallen, you might need to rethink your placement.
No matter what winter deck building issues are plaguing you, the team at Hatch Homes can help you figure out every aspect of your project. Give us a call today, and we will be happy to send one of our experts to your home to discuss your upcoming job as soon as possible. The faster we get started understanding your goals for your new deck, the quicker we can get the project completed!