A home without a deck is just a house, but a house with a deck is a home. The first makes for a fine income property, but most prefer to live in the latter. Decks add more to a home than merely resale value. What they contribute to your enjoyment of the home defies quantification. From festive gatherings off the kitchen to sumptuous privacy off the master suite, decks can be built for almost any purpose and will enrich any home’s livability.

If you’re ready to enhance your home with a deck, here are some pointers to keep in mind as you create your plan.

Design for Visual Appeal
While any well-crafted deck will have basic visual appeal, a professionally-designed deck can be a work of art that combines beauty with function. Yes, a square footprint with serviceable railings will cost the least and meet your needs. But a deck with a few architectural features built in will evoke a sense of luxury every time you see and use it. For example, a deck designed with multiple levels or build-outs for each planned use—grilling, hot tub, dining, spice garden, et cetera—becomes like a mini home outside in the fresh air. Rounding the corners in the right places can result in a stunning space for more formal entertaining.

Choose the Right Materials
Ever since clever manufacturers developed composite decking materials, it’s hard to recommend anything else. Composite products are now the gold standard in terms of strength, durability, longevity and maintenance needs. You only need to clean it once in a while. It never rots, and termites can’t stand it. Enough colors and finish styles exist in the market now that you can find exactly what you want for the perfect design.

If you prefer real wood for it’s unique beauty and don’t mind the upkeep, cedar, redwood, and cypress make for attractive, traditional decks. Pressure-treated pine works well, too, and is stronger than some of the other untreated woods. Synthetics or wood polymer could be your materials of choice, but they have less resistance to bending and warping.

Choosing the Right Contractor
Simple, uncomplicated decks hardly require a degree in construction engineering to build, and they often make great DIY projects for those who are handy with power tools. But a beautiful, well-designed, safe deck that meets code and will last for decades really should be built by professionals. They should have BBB accreditation with an A rating or better, come with plenty of customer referrals and have years of experience under their belts. Additionally, they should always offer a good workmanship warranty. General contractors are perfect for the work as they can create the design with you, know the codes and can even anticipate future additions, such as roofs, extensions and enclosures, should you want them down the road.

Quality Craftsmen fits the bill perfectly. With decades of experience in the construction industry, the best warranties and dedication to honesty and craftsmanship, Quality Craftsmen is the best general contractor for your new deck project. Contact us today for a free consultation.