For some homeowners, “redecking” may mean the difference between getting a new deck and not getting one, so we want to make sure everyone understands the term. If you thought a new and improved deck was beyond your reach at this time, financially, please talk with us about the possibilities of redecking. Not all decks are candidates for redecking, so we’ll need to examine your deck before we can make any promises.
What is redecking?
Redecking is the term for a process where your Dayton and Cincinnati deck builder replaces only the surface of your deck, leaving the underlying support structure intact. Archadeck of West Central & Southwest Ohio will replace the deck railings and stairs, too, so everything that’s visible on your deck is refreshed. We remove the surface boards of your deck, shore up the structural support if needed and lay down all new decking boards on the surface.
What are the advantages of redecking?
The primary advantage of redecking is cost savings. If we can use the existing substructure of your deck and replace the surface materials, you won’t have to pay for materials and labor that would ordinarily go into building the substructure.
Another advantage of redecking is that it gives you the opportunity to change the appearance of your deck. Give it a makeover! Whether you want to change your deck’s color, the kind of decking materials used or the railing style, redecking gives you a chance to make all new selections. Your deck will be refreshed and revitalized.
Finally, in many cases, we can extend the size of your deck during the redecking process. So if you have wanted a larger deck, that’s another reason to consider redecking.
How do I know if my deck is a candidate for redecking?
This is where we must be cautious. Not every deck is a candidate. We’ll examine the substructure of your deck thoroughly, because a lot rides on this decision. If the supporting structure of your deck is still in good shape, still capable of holding the weight of a deck safely, we can probably proceed with redecking.
Probably? There is another consideration: we will evaluate your deck’s substructure to determine if it meets current building codes or can be brought up to code. Sometimes building codes change. If we modify your deck now, we must meet current building codes, regardless of what codes were in place when the deck was originally built.
How can the supporting structure be in such good shape when the visible portions have deteriorated?
The underside of your deck has not been exposed to the elements the way the surface of the deck has been. The support structure has been protected from the sun’s UV rays and most of the moisture that attacks a deck’s surface (especially if it’s a wood deck). UV rays are very harsh and cause much of the deterioration you see on the surface of a wood deck. If a wooden deck is not sanded, stained and resealed faithfully every year, the elements take even more of a toll on the deck’s surface—but not on what’s underneath it.
Can I change my deck from wood to composite by redecking?
In most cases, if Archadeck of West Central & Southwest Ohio determines that your deck can safely be resurfaced, this is your opportunity to make the switch from wood to composites. While many homeowners prefer wood and will choose to redeck with wood, some will take this chance to switch to a low-maintenance deck.
Keep in mind that composites are more expensive than wood. The least expensive option will be to redeck with wood. If you’re ready to switch to the low-maintenance lifestyle, however, at least redecking with composite materials will be more cost-effective than starting from scratch and building an entire new deck.
Redecking with composites can be a little more complicated than using wood. The support structure for a composite deck has specific joist spacing requirements. Assuming your original deck was surfaced with wood, the current joist spacing won’t meet those requirements, but in most cases, we can make the necessary amendments. When we evaluate your deck’s substructure for the possibility of redecking, we will take this factor into consideration.
Can you show me an example of redecking?
Archadeck of West Central & Southwest Ohio recently completed a redecking project for homeowners in Centerville, OH. They wanted to replace their home’s aging wooden deck, and we determined that the substructure was in good condition. Not only was the old deck surface deteriorating, the clients found the deck to be too small and the railing on one side felt confining. The good news about the railing is that with a low-to-grade deck like this one, railings are not required.
We were able to use the original substructure and also extend the deck a bit so the homeowners could have a slightly larger deck. The absence of a railing has opened up their view of the landscape and made the “new” deck feel even bigger. The deck surface is built with low-maintenance composite decking by TimberTech in the homeowners’ selection of the brown oak color.
What if I have more questions?
If you are ready to talk about redecking, or if you have questions we have not addressed here, contact Archadeck of West Central & Southwest Ohio today at (937) 563-4847.
Roger Miller, owner, Archadeck of West Central & Southwest Ohio.
