If you’ve ever built a house of cards, you know the importance of constructing the proper base to support each level above.
The same logic applies to building a new porch or deck. At Archadeck of Kansas City, we are sometimes asked, “Is my new concrete pad sufficient to support my new deck?” In a perfect world, this would be the ideal foundation for their outdoor structure, whether that is a porch or deck – or even a porch and deck. However, the answer to that question (or similar questions) is an unfortunate, “No.”
How can your brand-new concrete be the wrong foundation for a new deck or porch?
There are several factors that will eventually affect the integrity of pre-poured concrete foundations for the porches and decks we design and build in the Kansas City area. We are often tasked with properly preparing foundations around concrete pads. Here are a few scenarios that render your new concrete pad insufficient for your deck’s foundation.
- SOIL QUALITY: With high clay content, like we have in Johnson County Kansas, comes a couple of issues. The first is that clay retains water, which could make concrete bulge. Conversely, clay soil that becomes dehydrated can contract, which can cause concrete to sink.
- PIER REQUIREMENTS: Porches and decks require piers and cannot simply be set atop a concrete pad. This means that we will have to cut into the concrete in order to place our piers.
- PRE-INSTALLED PIERS BY OTHERS: Sometimes, concrete companies will add piers beneath the concrete pad, which seems a logical solution for a future screened-in porch or deck. However, pre-planned piers by another company are never properly placed, nor are they properly sized. Porch piers need to be larger than deck piers - one-size simply does not fit all. What’s more, at Archadeck of Kansas City, we engineer all our porch and deck piers to be larger than the minimum requirements. In the off-chance pre-placed piers were in the correct place, they would never meet our building standards for size.
What about putting a pergola or roof on your existing deck?
Will your existing deck have a strong enough foundation to accommodate the additional weight of a pergola or roof? There could be scenarios in which a deck or pergola could be placed atop an existing deck. This includes if you have built your deck to accommodate the additional weight as a phased build – meaning you are building the deck this year and plan to improve it next year with a section with a roof or pergola over it. Sometimes, the deck structure might be able to be reinforced to accommodate the weight of a deck or pergola. These are ideas that Archadeck of Kanas City would be pleased to discuss with you.
Strong foundations do not simply apply to your new structure.
Archadeck of Kansas City has a long history of designing and building custom outdoor living structures. Our foundation of knowledge and experience will ensure that your deck or porch is built not only to your standards, but also to exceed building standards. Not only that but we build with top-quality products, like premium composite decking brands and natural wood finishes, like cedar and pine tongue and groove. We build highly functional and luxurious screen porches, covered decks, and open decks throughout the Kansas City area, including most of Johnson County KS and Jackson County MO.
Searching for porch and deck builders near me? Choose Archadeck of Kansas City!
If you choose Archadeck to be your Kansas City area porch and deck builders, you will be working with people who always aim for customer satisfaction. We want you to love your new outdoor space and will work tirelessly to help you achieve it. The team at Archadeck is ready to help you design and build your ideal Kansas City area porch deck. Get in touch with our award-winning Design Consultants for a complimentary consultation at (913) 704-6240.
