Will that deck make it through another summer? As the snow melts, hopefully soon, thousands of decks throughout the Chicago suburbs will be revealed. The wear and tear from another season of sun, rain, freeze, and snow will show itself. What options does a homeowner have?
If the deck boards are beyond normal maintenance, pressure washing, and staining, it’s time to consider new material. Does that mean a new deck? Not necessarily, often we can replace the decking, trim, and/or the rails but keep the existing structure. Have the structure evaluated by a professional deck builder or qualified contractor to ensure the structure is safe and worth saving? Poor structure with new surface material is a bad investment. Having said this, it is very common that the structure can offer many more years of support for your deck. The top three issues I look at are signs of structural rot, the deck to house connection (especially the flashing), and the soundness of the concrete footings. Of course, we also review the structural plan for the deck. Healthy material won’t compensate for poor design.
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Wood deck and patio design by Archadeck of Chicagoland
Assuming the structure is sound, perhaps with minor structural repairs, there are many options to rehab and reuse your deck space. The decking can be replaced with new wood, low maintenance deck boards (such as TimberTech or Azek), or even “stone-like” tile options. Within these choices exists a multitude of natural as well as synthetic materials. The pros and cons of these choices are best left for another blog. Okay, several blogs. The key is that a deck rehab, or redeck, is a very viable option. Redecks is an option that provides significant savings.
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Low-maintenance deck by Archadeck of Chicagoland
These rehabs can involve the replacement of decking only or any combination of surface components. We have done many combinations of deck rehab, including several that involved shape changes, adding screen rooms, or integration of a paver patio. As always we start by asking questions to understand the homeowner’s priorities. Once we have a clear picture we will offer recommendations.
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Deck and pergola design by Archadeck of Chicagoland
Ultimately, we will build what the client wants assuming, it’s safe and legal. However, there are a couple of issues that really make sense for most deck rehabs. First, if you are planning to replace the decking on the stairs, it’s best to replace all elements of the stairs. I don’t reuse strangers. Second, the reuse of non-structural materials from the old deck is not worth the effort. Using new material is so much faster for carpenters that it’s less expensive than reusing old materials. Not to mention that I have never met a carpenter who is happy working with old material. Remember, the carpenter is a craftsman and their happiness will directly affect the results of your project. Happy carpenters equal a successful project; that sounds like another future blog topic.
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Low-maintenance deck by Archadeck of Chicagoland
Deck rehab is often the perfect solution. Whether you simply need deck boards replaced or wish to recreate your outdoor living space(s), using the existing foundation can give savings. It can give savings of both money and time for your project.
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Wood deck and pergola design by Archadeck of Chicagoland
If you are ready to discuss options for rehabbing your aging deck, Archadeck of Chicagoland is here for you! Design options are customizable and virtually endless! Sign up for a free design consultation or call Archadeck of Chicagoland at (847) 250-4100 to speak with a design consultant and begin creating your new dream space.
