Should I Build a Wooden Deck?

If you're interested in having a deck added to your home, you may be wondering if it's worth the time and money.  For most homeowners, the answer seems to be "Yes."  Having a deck built outside of the home to create outdoor living space is hands-down one of the most popular forms of home improvement.  But why is that?

Decks Add to the Value of Your Home

Remodeling Magazine has an annual study on the average cost of home improvements, and the return that you can expect on your investment.  According to this report, homeowners can expect to recoup a whopping 72.8% of what it cost them to build a wooden deck when they sell their home.  So what exactly does that mean?

It means that adding a wooden deck to your home offers a better return on your investment than adding a new bathroom, remodeling your kitchen, or improving your garage.  One of the reasons why you get such a great return on your investment with a deck, is because it affordably increases the living area of your home. According to the National Association of Home Builders, wooden deck construction costs less than half per square foot that normal construction to the inside of a house does.

Decks Offer Fun Outdoor Living

Now that you know why adding a deck to your home can be a good money investment, let's talk about the other benefits.  Having a deck built means having your own roofless sanctuary.  It means being able to invite friends and family over for cookouts, drinks, or just a place to hang out and relax. 

Another great benefit of having a deck constructed is that you have plenty of choices when it comes to extras.  You can add a relaxing hot tub, outdoor bars, comfy furniture, gazebos for shade, and much more.

What Are Your Wood Options When Building Your Deck?

If you decide to have a wooden deck constructed, you are given a variety of choices for the materials that are used.  Choosing a specific type of lumber is more important than just appearance, though. Bugs and mold are both dangerous to wood over time, but certain trees produce wood that is more resistant to them than others.  Those include tree types such as cedar, cypress, and redwood.

Another option besides those durable woods includes treated wood, such as pressure-treated pine.  This is basically wood that protective chemicals are added to by using pressure.  This treatment allows wood used for decks to last longer, or to repel water. 

The most common choice for pressure-treated wood is pine.  This is because pine absorbs protective chemicals well, plus it's durable and less expensive than many other types of wood.  It usually costs less to build a deck with treated wood than natural wood.  According to the United States Environmental Protection agency, pressure-treated wood used for building is generally considered safe for people.

In a nutshell, adding a wooden deck to your home has generally proven to be a good investment for both your bank account and enjoyable living.  If you hire a company to build a deck for you, make sure that they explain the variety of options available to you, from wood choices to possible additions.

About Mullin Landscape Associates

We're a landscape design / build firm that offers a wide range of professional services in New Orleans and surrounding areas.  If you are in the Southeast Louisiana area, and want to learn more about our deck construction or other landscape architect services, please call us today at (504) 275-6617 or send us an email.