Archadeck of The Piedmont Triad ponders the question: Build a new deck or re-deck?

Would it be better to build a new deck or redo your existing deck with new decking boards?

Now is the time of year we imagine ourselves outdoors, whether on a new deck or an existing outdoor living space. Springtime is often the time of year we consider home upgrades. After all, it’s the time of year our porches, decks, and patios will be put to the test. Homeowners want an outdoor living space that is packed with functionality and style, but have you considered whether your deck is structurally sound?

Copy of Copy of archadeck pics for web 071
Beautiful new deck by Archadeck of the Piedmont Triad

Building a New Deck vs. Deck Renovation

Archadeck of The Piedmont Triad takes all your existing deck circumstances into consideration when evaluating whether it is a good candidate for re-decking. We consider the age and structural integrity of your deck before deciding whether a new deck or deck renovation is the better course of action. Other High Point deck builders will meet with a client and automatically suggest new deck construction. Our deck safety inspection offers homeowners a professional inspection during which we will determine whether a new deck is necessary.

What does a deck safety inspection include?

We will check all existing decking boards and scrutinize hardware and connectors, noting their condition. We will evaluate the structural framework of your deck, including posts and joists. Additionally, we will inspect the deck’s attachment to the home, as well as the foundation, footings, railing and deck exits.

Redeck Archadeck of the Piedmont triad
Re-decking may be a viable option for you if your decking framework is structurally sound.

During this deck safety inspection, we will discuss necessary updates, as well as your desires. If your deck is in good structural condition, perhaps you only wish to upgrade your decking boards to a composite material. Or you might consider upgrading your deck railing. Updated deck railings can really improve the look and function of your existing deck. If the configuration of your deck is the issue, we can often move stairs to a more desirable location. We can expand your deck’s footprint, and eve add more stairs. We can even convert your stair to bench steps to add extra seating. Finishing touches, such as deck lighting will also improve the safety of your deck, and provide ambiance to boot.

Long for the low maintenance of composite decking?

Azek decking with floating bench
Custom features such as this floating bench design make your deck a true outdoor living room.

If you long for low maintenance, we can replace your existing deck with a composite deck. If your deck is structurally sound, simply replacing the decking boards using the existing footprint and framework that you have may be a viable  and more affordable option. There are many low maintenance decking brands to choose from such as TimberTech AZEK and Trex. We’ve had great success with these composite brands over the years. There are also many grades of low maintenance decking to choose from including solid PVC, synthetic, composite and capstock. Each of these types include many color and finish choices and are made to suit nearly any budget and design taste. Having a low maintenance deck, whether we build it from scratch or just replace your decking boards, will deliver a deck that will look and function beautifully for many years to come.

Get more room with a deck expansion.

Composite deck with custom rail
Synthetic decks such as composite and PVC require less maintenance than a wooden deck.

When more room is needed, expanding your deck space might work. If you are adding onto your deck with a different building medium we can also re-deck the older deck to ensure both decks match.

Looking for a Greensboro, High Point, or Winston Salem deck builder? Choose Archadeck.

Whatever you envision as the deck of your dreams Archadeck of The Piedmont Triad can bring them to life. Perhaps the deck you always imagined is closer at hand and more affordable to achieve than you think. Get in touch with us for a complimentary deck design consultation at (336) 664 – 1332 or email us at piedmonttriad@archadeck.net .

Also read: When is the best time of year to build your deck?

Archadeck of the Piedmont Triad reminds you that deck safety is no accident

Piedmont triad deck safety
Archadeck of the Piedmont Triad reminds you that deck safety is no accident.

If you are one of the 40 million homeowners in the United States that are still using a deck that is over 20 years old it is time to take a step back and assess the general safety of your deck. According to NADRA, The North American Deck and Railing Association, deck failures that result in injury are increasing at an alarming rate. Most of the reason for this is the number of decks still standing that are over 20 years old and in dire need of retirement. Outdoor living trends began to escalate during the mid-1980’s and as a result homes were almost always built with a deck. The most prevalent material used on all those decks was pressure treated lumber. Without regular maintenance, pressure treated wood will rot, cup, warp, split and become a dangerous liability for you and your family. A deck that is in bad shape is like a house or cards. You never know which time or event will push your tired deck over the edge resulting in a failure. Though a deck may look alright from the top, the skeleton of your deck is the glue that holds it all together. When one part of your deck’s substructure begins to fail, it is only a matter of time before other problems arise. Many of these problems go unnoticed because they involve the portion of the deck that most homeowners rarely see on a regular basis.

Azek deck with floating benches
Azek deck with floating benches

To ensure your deck is safe and structurally sound Archadeck of the Piedmont Triad urges you to have a licensed deck professional thoroughly inspect your deck.  As a proud participant in the Archadeck “Be Safer” deck safety program we also recommend that you follow a few tips and suggestions on the home front to make sure your deck is safe.

  • Check the decking boards – over time most wood decks will show some cracks and splits, the main concern with the decking boards is splintering and rotting. A deck that is not safe to walk on is a safety hazard.
  • Check the connections – a properly constructed deck is built with fasteners and other metal hardware connectors to make your deck stable from the bottom up. Check the fasteners to make sure they are in good working order, or are in need of replacement. You would be surprised at the calls we get from homeowners whose deck is missing pieces of vital hardware that were never properly installed when the deck was initially built.
  • Check the structure – check the posts, beams and joists if visible for inconsistencies. Check to see if there is any noticeable sagging between any of the supports.
  • Check the attachment to your home – the area where the deck attaches to your home is called the house band and this is where most deck failures can occur. Inspect this portion of the deck to make sure all screws and bolts are present, nails should never be used in the house band. Upon inspection also make sure the area is flashed properly to aid in water protection from this important connection site.
  • Check the foundation and footings – foundations and footings are important because they support the weight of the deck. A sinking footing can cause a dangerous separation of a column from a beam and must be addressed immediately.
  • Check the exits – check the stairs that are used for exits from your deck, make sure they are in good working order and structurally sound. It is very possible to have a deck that is sound only to have a rotting staircase that could endanger you and your guests upon entry and exit to your deck.
  • Check the rails– always make sure the railing is secure and that the pickets and balusters are fastened properly. Keep in mind code dictates that rails should be spaced no more than four inches apart, a deck with non-conforming railing is a danger because small children and even pets can sometimes fall through the railing and get hurt.

    Composite deck with custom rail
    Synthetic decks such as composite and PVC require less maintenance than a wooden deck.

Within a six-year period in the U.S., 33 people were killed from deck failures and 1,122 were injured. Archadeck of the Piedmont Triad offers a thorough deck safety inspection for a modest fee. We can also provide a free consultation on what would be involved with replacing your deck with an updated design that meets or exceeds all building code requirements and complements your outdoor living objectives. When it comes to keeping you and your family safe from a deck disaster, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Contact us to schedule your deck safety inspection today. Instilling the expertise of one of our deck experts will give you peace of mind in knowing you can enjoy your deck this season without worry. (336) 664 – 1332
piedmonttriad@archadeck.net

The deck is the glue that holds your outdoor living area together

When you imagine the perfect outdoor living structure what comes to mind?

Do you think of only a deck? Most would agree that no backyard is complete without a one. Decks have been around a long time. They have become the epicenter of spending time with family and friends. Decks have the capability to transform your mood and offer a place to relax and rewind.

Have your deck and screen porch too!
This deck and screen porch create an outdoor living oasis.

What if we told you that decks are more often a part of a multi-space outdoor living design?

Most of our customers opt to build decks with other outdoor living structures such as porches, patios, and even pergolas. For example, a screened-in porch, like the one above, wouldn’t be complete without a deck to spill onto for grilling out. A pergola looks perfect paired on a deck to offer shade on a hot sunny day. We build custom decks using a myriad of materials based on what fits with your individual needs but one material that is perennially popular is composite or synthetic decking.

Composite decks in Greensboro are here to stay.

TimberTech AZEK composite deck with floating bench
Custom features such as this floating bench design make your deck a true outdoor living room.

Composites come in all grades, colors, and price ranges. Tried and true is AZEK composite decking. AZEK is made from cellular PVC material and stands the test of time. It resists scratching, stains, splitting, is mold and mildew resistant and resists insects that can invade wood decks and destroy them. Their color choices are vast and they even make railing that is designed to complement your deck perfectly. It is also backed by some of the most comprehensive warranty in the industry.

Save on your deck construction project with a deck renovation.

Azek deck with aluminum picket rail
This AZEK deck with aluminum picket rail is a beauty to behold, and enjoy.

You may feel like composite is out of your reach because of the cost. Archadeck of the Piedmont Triad wants you to know that if your existing deck is structurally sound adding a low-maintenance material when re-decking, refurbishing or upgrading your deck may be more economical than you might think. The payback in the long run to using a material such as AZEK pays for itself quickly without the added cost of replacing boards and painting. With a composite or cellular PVC deck from us you will be sitting pretty on a beautiful, low-maintenance deck for many years ahead.

Deck Builders in Greensboro NC Since 1991

Contact Archadeck of the Piedmont Triad to learn more about our incredible outdoor living designs. We have been in business for since 1991, and have the expertise to make sure your backyard is your own outdoor oasis.

Call today for a free consultation : (336) 664 – 1332
piedmonttriad@archadeck.net

Also read: Can I add a screen porch to my existing deck?

March is the time to prepare for outdoor living!

The month of March;  when March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb, mad as a March hare, beware the ides of March, March madness and my favorite March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers.   Almost everyone is ready to celebrate the arrival of Spring on March 20 and we at Archadeck are ready to help you get that great outdoor structure you need to make sure you get the most out the beautiful spring and summer days that lie ahead.

Archadeck of the Piedmont Triad is your choice Winston Salem and Greensboro area deck builder.

Archadeck can help you in a variety ways.  We custom design and custom build.  We can help you get some shade with one of our pergolas.  Stay away from the pesky bugs with a screened porch.  Replace that tired old deck with a new one build out of a variety of choices such as composites or tropical hardwoods.  Jazz up your deck with custom rails, benches and planters.  We also can add a patio with an outdoor kitchen.  How about waterproofing the underside of your current deck and making it in to a screened room?  There are numerous options and our designers are ready to help you realize your dream for more outdoor living.

Let’s get started soon so we can help you  be ready to relax and enjoy the great outside.  Contact us and one of our design consultants will be happy to work with you and yours to get your outdoor dream realized. We will look forward to hearing from you soon.

September and Fall Outdoor Living.

Supposedly the calendar reads September but with exception of the cooler nights and the yellowing of the poor trees looking for a little rain not much seems to have changed weather wise.  Yet we are only 1 week away from the official Autumnal Equinox.  This started me musing about the equinoxes both Spring and Fall and that twice yearly 24 hour span of equal amount of  night and day.  In Autumn the days then become shorter and obviously the nights become longer. There are lots of folks who begin to vocally dread the coming of fall and then worst winter; perhaps they are thinking of being trapped indoors in the colder months. I, however, embrace the beginning of the shorter days for many reasons; the sky is much bluer with wispy clouds and cool breezes.  Mother Nature starts her last arboreal fashion show with all the gorgeous yellows, oranges, and reds she will dress her tree children in.  Sunsets are stunning in the fall, the best of the year, and the night stars seem to twinkle and sparkle with glee.

There is still plenty of time for outdoor living this year.  We humans have become oh so inventive and creative with all things to keep us warm and cozy outside on chilly nights.  Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas, and decorative propane table top heaters all add warmth to the surroundings.  Lots of options exist for specialized outdoor lighting.  The list goes on and for all the ways you can continue to experience the glorious days remain this year.

The also good news is if you have a deck, screened porch, covered porch, pergola with a polycarbonate roof or sunroom you can make it cool weather ready with the addition of some type of heater and enjoy in the fall.  Plus there is an added bonus in it is much easier to sweep those leaves rather that rake then.  More time to enjoy outdoor living.  See you on the deck  looking at that amazing sunset.

Who is Archadeck?

Custom Design

Archadeck founded in 1980 in Richmond, Virginia is the largest builders of custom designed decks. With more than 45,000 projects built nationally, we’ve become know as “America’s Deck Builder.” Prior to Archadeck, homeowners had three choices: build their own deck;  hire a carpenter, often unlicensed and uninsured; or work with an architect.  By combining design and construction into one single source, Archadeck can offer you the best and most efficient choice for your new deck.

But we are so much more than decks.  Archadeck also designs and builds screened porches, 3-season rooms, sunrooms, trellises, arbors, docks,  spa and pool decks and much more.  Archadeck has been featured in numerous magazines including HOME, Remodeling, Gardens, Decks & Patios, Woman’s Day Home Improvements,  Woman’s Day Gardening, Family Circle, Success and on the covers of Decks & Backyard Projects and American How-To.  In addition Qualified Remodeler magazine recently ranked Archadeck in the “Top Ten” out of 500 remodelers.

What does this mean to you?  It means your local Archadeck is part of a nationally known and respected organization, and has stable, reliable management.  You will receive one of the strongest warranties in the business. By choosing Archadeck , you ensure that your new outdoor living space will be custom designed for your home.  Each design  will address the architecture and landscape of the site itself, your budget, and your personal needs and lifestyle.  These elements, combined with smart and innovative design will make your new outdoor living space uniquely yours.  Because your project is custom designed, you will have a wide selection of materials to choose from such as pressure-treated southern yellow pine, exotic hardwoods, composite materials and low maintenance materials like Azek, and more.

Our design consultation is always free, so let Archadeck visit  your home  soon.  You’ll be on your way to the custom designed project that best enhances your home, your ideas, and your budget.

Screened porch for Relaxation.