May is Deck Safety Month®. Some Charlotte decks are certainly past their useful life. Could yours be one of them?
The North American Deck & Railing Association estimates that 30 million decks across the United States need repair or replacement, having surpassed their useful lives. Some Charlotte decks are surely among them. In honor of Deck Safety Month, Archadeck of Charlotte would like to provide information that could help you determine if it’s time to replace your aging deck.
How do I know if my deck is safe?
Ensuring that your Charlotte deck is safe is the #1 priority when considering repairing, replacing, or rebuilding your deck. It’s important to understand what to look for when evaluating whether or not your deck is safe.
Factors to look for when inspecting if your deck is safe:
Missing parts, screws, connections, or loose connections: If your deck is visibly missing multiple important connections, it’s possible the integrity of your deck is compromised. This can lead to wobbly rails, loose boards, or worst case scenario, your deck may begin pulling away from your home.
Rotting Wood: One of the more obvious red flags when evaluating your deck, is rotting deck boards. This can result in soft wood that is dangerous to walk on.
Cracked wood: Although some cracks are normal when dealing with natural and pressure-treated wood, large cracks can lead to boards splitting which means more splinters and potential danger.
Rusty hardware: If you notice that the screws, bolts, or nails holding your deck together are rusted, it’s important to keep an eye out and most likely replace these pieces. Rusted hardware can lead to corrosion and weakened connections.
If you’re considering having your deck repaired due to any of the above factors, it’s advised to contact a professional to ensure that your decks safety isn’t impaired. Sometimes what looks like an easy repair may become a bigger issue, which may require an entire deck replacement.
What is the life expectancy of a wood deck versus a composite deck?
It’s important to remember that no two decks are the exact same. When speaking about the life expectancy of a deck, you have to consider many factors like; Material, climate, durability, maintenance, hardware, and construction. If we consider two professionally built-to-code decks, one made of wood and one made of composite, which one will last longer? Typically, a composite deck is going to last longer than a traditional wood deck. This is not only due to the material being able to withstand common issues of wood; like rotting, warping, splintering, molding, and mildew, but because you don’t have to maintain composite decking like wood. Wood decks require maintenance like sanding, staining, sealing, and power washing. Neglecting your wood deck can lead to weak boards, natural wear, and a shorter lifespan. Wood decks typically last anywhere from 10-20 years, and composite decks can last 25 to 50 years depending on the material chosen.
You can prolong your decks life by performing routine maintenance and checking your deck for any of the potential safety hazards as discussed here. “
How do I know if my deck is safe?”
Who builds wood and composite Charlotte decks?
Archadeck of Charlotte has been designing and building Charlotte decks and porches since 1988. With over 30 years in the decking industry, we have seen plenty of decks in need of or past repair. We provide custom design & build services to Charlotte area families who are looking to rebuild, re-deck, or build brand new decks. We have built hundreds of both wood and composite decks. All of our decks are built to village codes to maximize safety and integrity. With Archadeck you have peace of mind knowing that your deck will be designed & constructed properly & professionally.
Ready to replace your aging Charlotte deck? Archadeck of Charlotte is eager to speak with you about a new custom wood or composite deck design, quality-built to last.
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Download our design guide here.
