Tag Archives: custom decks Overland Park

How Long Should a Wood Deck Last?

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The Midwest is known for unpredictable weather patterns, particularly over the past year or so. Traditional cold periods have reached record high temperatures, a trend that’s expected to continue.

For homeowners who live in these parts, it can be frustrating to deal with outdoor living areas. Daily weather patterns make it difficult to know when and how you can enjoy your outdoor oasis. And this can be particularly troubling for anyone planning for a custom built or remodeled outdoor space.

But there is some hope, according to The National Association of Home Builders. Their Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components sheds some light on various home features and how long you can expect them to last.

So, how long should a custom wood deck last?

Because they are subject to a wide range of conditions in different climates, the life expectancy of wooden decks can vary significantly. Under ideal conditions, they have a life expectancy of about 20 years.

One sure way to make sure that your Kansas City deck is up to par is by trusting a qualified and experienced Certified Remodeler, which is available right here at Outdoor Environments!

Information from This Old House

3 Common Deck Materials

You probably already know that a new or remodeled deck can add tons of value to your home. But did you also know that your return on investment will be heavily determined by the type of deck materials used? We stumbled upon this article that outlines the pros and cons of some of the most common deck building materials.

Pressure-treated (PT) wood

  • Most common and least expensive material
  • Requires annual sealing to prevent drying, twisting, cupping, splitting, slivering and warping
  • Usually insect- and fungus-resistant for about 10 years
  • Expensive fasteners are required for building since PT can eat through regular screws and nails

Cedar

  • Boards used to last about 20 year, but now they’re only good for about 5-7 years
  • Lack of natural oils makes it more prone to dry rot, mold and insects

Exotic hardwood

  • One of the most expensive deck materials
  • Very durable and long-lasting
  • Can be harvested under less than ethical conditions from forests in South America
  • Often labeled as sustainable when it may not be

To find out about the decking materials we use at Outdoor Environments, contact us today!

Image from How Stuff Works via cc

A Look Back at Deck Safety Month

We took a little bit of a break last week from talking about National Deck Safety Month. But now that the end of May is finally upon us (can you believe it?) we thought now would be the best time to gather all of the topics we’ve discussed thus far related to deck safety. If you need to catch up, here’s what we’ve covered already:

National Deck Safety Month

Outdoor Lighting for Decks

Industry Checklist for Deck Safety

Safe Deck Railings for Safer Decks

Is it Time for a New Deck?

8 Steps to a Clean Deck

Outdoor Environments is here to help with your deck building and remodeling needs in Kansas City and Overland Park. Call us at 913-897-2706 for more information about how we can build you a safe and beautiful deck!