Will A New Or Improved Deck Add Value To My Home?
This may be the million-dollar question we get here at Archadeck of Nashville.
The answer to which is actually more complex than a simple “yes”
or “no”.
You may have heard that only heated and cooled room additions can be calculated
in your home’s square footage, for determining market value of your
home. The realtor term for this is probably really familiar to most, as
it is called “heated square footage” But, let’s put
the question of value into a broader context. Whether you’re considering
your increased enjoyment or the increased allure for home buyers, heated
and cooled square footage is not the
only way to assign value.
Decks are highly sought-after amenities in many neighborhoods in the Nashville
area. If adding a new outdoor living space helps your home stand out in
comparison to others in your area, your home may sell more quickly. Like
any other home improvement, the quality of the materials and workmanship
associated with a deck addition will most definitely dictate the ROI you
could expect should you ever decide to sell your home.
When considering value most of our clients add outdoor living spaces to
their homes for their own enjoyment. Yes, it’s possible they may
choose to sell the home at some point in the future. But their primary
concern is usually creating an outdoor space that’s inviting and
comfortable – either for personal relaxation or for entertaining.
When you add a custom deck to provide a new recreation area for your family,
your return on investment comes from smiles and laughter. You may count
your blessings as you sink into a cushioned deck chair and put your feet
up to enjoy the fresh air. You’ll count your blessings again when
you walk out onto the deck and find your teenager curled up, asleep, holding
a tablet or book. Or when you and your children practice soccer strategy
on the deck preparing for upcoming tryouts at school. And again when extended
family gathers for a family reunion. These are the moments that you cannot
put a value on, as they are priceless.
Where Can I Get Tips for How to Design My Deck?
A great deck always starts with a fabulous deck design. Experienced deck
contractors like Archadeck know there’s more to building a deck
than just “building” it. When you’re ready to add that
dream deck to your home, your first challenge is finding a builder who
understands the importance of getting the design right.
Why does the design matter so much? Deck design includes materials, and
that may be the first aspect that comes to mind, but it’s about
much more than materials. Deck design is also about size, placement, shape
and blending with the existing design of your home’s architecture.
Do-it-yourselfers are wise to look for tips when it comes to
deck design. It would be one thing if a deck was just for looks. But when your family
uses the deck, your safety rests on the structural integrity of the deck
construction. That’s why you need to do your research, gather your
ideas about how you want your deck to look, and call a professional. Because
deck design is more than cosmetic.
We cannot overstate the value and importance of using a professional design
and build firm enough when it comes to building your deck. No matter how
much research you do, research cannot take the place of experience. So,
yes, research deck design tips. Learning what you can about deck design
will help you make decisions about your deck aesthetics. Then, trust a
qualified, professional deck designer and deck builder to make your vision
a reality. Using an experienced deck contractor will ensure your safety
and your long-term satisfaction with your new deck addition.
Learn more:
Top 7 Reasons You Want to Choose a Deck Builder to Build Your Deck
Nashville Wooden Deck Builder
If you are looking to build a wood deck, we have a selection of wood options
ranging from pressure treated pine to exotic IPE hardwoods. Thoughtful
planning goes into each wood deck design, even down to small details such
as having the grain go against traffic pattern to help reduce the chance
of splinters on bare feet.
Wooden decks do require regular maintenance with stain or sealant. Depending
on your property, if your deck is exposed to full sun most of the day
or is under the cover of a heavily wooded lot, you may need more or less
maintenance. The versatility in finishes allows you to choose different
stain colors each time to make your deck look brand new.
Nashville Low Maintenance Deck Builder
Low-maintenance composite and PVC decks are becoming more and more popular
among Nashville homeowners. Many of our customers don’t want to
stain their deck every year and in fact, if you choose a low-maintenance
material such as TimberTech, AZEK or Trex, you never have to! Although
they can be a bit more costly up front, synthetic decking such as composite
and PVC can greatly reduce the amount of maintenance required to keep
your deck looking like new for 20 years or more.
Natural wood has met its match when compared to today’s composite
decking. No other decking material requires as little maintenance, nor
can natural wood promise the longevity they provide. Synthetic materials
are so popular now that they currently account for about 15% of all decking
material sold in this country.
Along with their low maintenance and high aesthetic values, these materials
come with product warranties in excess of 25 years in many cases. The
composite and PVC materials we recommend at Archadeck of Nashville are
resistant to fading, scratching, cupping, warping, and splitting. They
are also impervious to insects such as termites and resist mold, mildew,
and rot. All of these benefits equal a deck that will stay original form
and whose beauty will last for many years to come. These are all elements
that make
choosing a composite deck a worthy choice for many homeowners.
To avoid compromising the characteristics of the material it is important
that it be installed properly. Our knowledge and experience working with
synthetics over the years can ensure a deck that not only meets but exceeds
your expectations and all the specifications set forth by the material
manufacturer.
In addition to a new deck custom design and build, we offer another option
for homeowners wishing to breathe new life into their existing backyard deck.
Redecking, which is also referred to as
deck resurfacing, is the process of renovating a deck by using the existing substructure
and replacing the decking boards. Additionally, we often replace the railing
and steps. Redecking can be a more cost effective option for homeowners
if the “bones” of your existing deck are in good structural
shape. Redecking can add tremendous aesthetic value and longevity to your
space. Another benefit is that we can often complete a redeck within a
shorter timeframe than a new deck build.
Redecking can be an option for both those whom have an existing wooden
deck or an aging composite deck. Archadeck of Nashville has started to
see more and more requests from those that have a deck built 1st generation composites.
Ultimately, the first step in determining if your existing deck is a good
candidate for redecking is to have it evaluated by a reputable deck builder,
such as Archadeck of Nashville. If the substructure (which is the base
that the deck is built on) is in good shape, you may be able to save money
and time by redecking instead of tearing down your old deck and starting
from scratch.
The key areas Archadeck evaluates to access if your deck is a candidate
for redecking include:
- The Quality of the original substructure
- How the structure has degraded or weathered over time
- If your deck is adhering to any new building codes
- Are the footings sagging or showing signs of wear?
- Is the structure properly attached to the home and in good condition
These crucial areas will help us determine if your deck is a candidate
and will include assessment of the quality and structural integrity of
the original substructure as well as any accompaniment structures or the
structure the deck is attached to. We will also want to evaluate how the
deck has weathered over time. We will determine if any applicable building
codes have changed since the deck was originally installed and whether
or not the deck fits all the criteria required for redecking, we will
make sure it complies with those new building codes as well.
The Nashville Deck as Part of an Outdoor Living Combination
A huge benefit of being able to live the outdoor lifestyle you desire is
having options. This can mean having a protected outdoor living structure
such as a screened porch or
open porch in conjunction with your Nashville deck.
This Nashville outdoor living combination includes a deck, patio and screened porch.
Having the freedom of an open-air space, such as a deck or patio, paired
with a protected outdoor living structure allows you the freedom and protection
to escape a summer shower, hungry mosquitoes or the heat of the August
afternoon sun without having to retreat indoors.
Shade structures can also include pergolas. A pergola’s design can help block out
heat and the sun’s harmful rays. How closely the upper portioned
slats (purlins) are constructed will determine how much shade and sun
protection the pergola will provide.
As the Nashville’s premier deck and outdoor living structure builder,
our designs get noticed! This stunning front entry combination space in
Murfreesboro, TN, was awarded the prestigious Archadeck National Design
Contest Award.
We designed this front-of-home outdoor living area to add function to the
home. The design consists of a wooden front deck and integrated wooden
pergola for dining. A dual stairway leads to the spacious yard below and
makes a grand statement when visitors arrive at the home. Every inch of
this dynamic outdoor living space enhances the breathtaking view from
the front of this property.
Looking For A Deck Builder for your project?
Archadeck of Nashville proudly serves Arrington, Brentwood, Franklin, Gallatin,
Hendersonville, La Vergne, Lebanon, Mount Juliet, Murfreesboro, Nashville,
Nolensville, Smyrna, Spring Hill and Thompson’s Station, TN.
Contact us
today to schedule your deck design consultation. You can reach us by phone at
(615) 640-3628 or send us an email at
nashville@archadeck.net or
fill out our contact form and we will get in touch with you very shortly.
There are
endless possibilities to help make your new deck blend seamlessly with your home
and act as the centerpiece of your yard. We make sure to take time to
understand your exact tastes and needs in order to design a deck that
is perfect for you and your property.
7 Ways Archadeck of Nashville Can Customize Your Deck
We customize every deck we design and build. It’s the natural result
of our design process because we base each design on that client’s
preferences.
1. Material for decking boards.
Wood or low-maintenance composite or synthetic decking? Pressure-treated
pine, cedar, or exotic hardwood? Composite capped on 3 sides or 4? This
is where a custom deck begins.
2. Color of decking boards.
With natural wood, you choose your stain color. With low-maintenance composites
and synthetic decking (PVC), you select from a wide variety of available colors.
3. Decking board layout.
Don’t think deck boards can only run from left to right or top to
bottom. Diagonal designs are among our most popular. Include a parting
board through the middle or a border (picture frame) around the edge of
your custom deck.
4. Deck size.
Most homeowners want a deck that’s sized in proportion to the home,
but it’s your call.
5. Railing style.
A railing cap of wood, composite, synthetic, or aluminum? No rule says
it has to be made of the same material as the boards. Choose pickets of
aluminum, iron, wood, or glass. Choose glass panels instead of traditional pickets.
6. Multi-level deck design.
Part of the fun of having a large deck is designating areas for specific
purposes – dining and lounging, for example. A multi-level deck
can help define different areas.
7. Outdoor kitchen or fireplace.
The edge of a deck is the perfect place for an outdoor kitchen or fireplace.
Don’t worry if it’s hard to imagine. We can show you how it
will look.
More Options … Build Your Backyard Dream Space in Phases
YES! We offer a phased building program that allows you to construct your
outdoor living space combination project in phases as your lifestyle and
budget permit.
We start by working directly with you, the client, to put your vision of
your ideal backyard retreat on paper as the
master plan including all structures to be incorporated into the design. A clear
master plan allows us to work out engineering, designing and building specifics for
your complete outdoor space in phases permitting more efficient future
additions or amendments.
To ensure a unified outdoor environment, the structural integrity, traffic
flow and ultimate function of each portion of the structure are priority
considerations during each phase of building. Additionally, the advance
planning of your backyard design saves time and money as it enables us
to work closely with any supplemental contractors you may need for this
project (i.e. utility contractors, pool company or landscaper). As the
homeowner, having this freedom to build your ideal backyard in stages
makes it easier on your budget and lifestyle.
Your
entire family is sure to love your new Nashville deck!!
It all begins with a complimentary design consultation, so give us a call today at
(615) 640-3628 to get started.