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Why get your deck quote in winter? Great things take time! If you want to be one of the first to enjoy a brand-new deck this Spring, now is the time to get an estimate. Getting your new deck estimate now gives you time to design your deck the way you want to use it, decide on a contractor, and to work out financing BEFORE you start missing out on spring afternoons in the backyard! Have your contractor bring sample boards to you or schedule a visit to his showroom. Take your time selecting a color or a combination of colors and options that fit your needs and budget without feeling rushed. Talk to contractors now and get on the books for early Spring with the company you really want to use instead of whichever company happens to have availability left in their schedule. Knowing the cost of your deck project with all of the options that you really want ahead of time gives you time to plan financially. Getting an estimate now gives you time to save to make sure you get the deck that you really want! Other things to Consider with Your Deck Quote Lighting: Have your contractor quote lighting in your estimate! Lighting can be incorporated in deck rails, stair risers, and can be used to accent areas of interest. It is much easier and less expensive to have lighting installed during the original framing of the deck rather than to retrofit. RainEscape: Trex makes a product called RainEscape which works like a trough and gutter system for raised decks to keep rain, spills and snowmelt from falling between the deck boards and allows for dry usage of the area under the deck, such as a walkout patio. Deck Furniture: Deck furniture is an expense that can be easily overlooked when pricing out your project. Once you decide on a deck size, it would be a good to start shopping deck furniture and incorporate it into your budget. Deck Board Curves and Designs: Ask your contractor how you can incorporate curved deck boards, contrasting colors, pergolas, benches, or flowerboxes into your deck design to ensure that you have an original style that will be the envy of your neighborhood! If you have not yet had your new Trex deck built and would like to wait until Spring, there’s still time to get an estimate and reserve your spot to have your deck built as soon as the weather breaks in Spring! Call DDT Home Transformations at 630-200-3945 or visit our website: https://www.ddthomepros.com/contact/ to schedule your estimate!

Wood decks can be cost-efficient to build initially, but maintenance costs over time add to the final cost of a deck. If you currently have a wood deck, you are probably already aware of the maintenance that they require. As the deck boards age, they dry out, change color due to exposure to the sun and other environmental factors, and the deck will require staining and / or sealing annually to avoid stains from fallen leaves or other debris. Wood deck boards also wear and break down causing cracking and splintering. So, what are the options for renewing your aging wood deck once the boards have reached the end of their usable life? Build a new deck. If the deck was poorly maintained and the substructure is unsafe or doesn’t meet local building code, this may be your best option. You can choose to build a new wood deck for the least relative cost and start the cycle over again, or you could choose to upgrade to a composite decking material. This option would cost more money up front, but you will enjoy years of maintenance free use. A less expensive and faster option is to resurface your existing wood deck with new composite deck boards and railings. This option is great if you are happy with the size and shape of your deck, would like to benefit from the maintenance free properties of composite deck boards and railings, and you have had your deck substructure inspected by a licensed professional. This option also saves you money! Deck resurfacing can be done in a matter of days and often does not require a building permit! Here is how deck it works.. First, your contractor will remove all existing deck boards and handrails. Repairs, if necessary, will be made to ensure your existing substructure is free from damage and meets current building codes. Existing stairs will almost always need to be reframed due to installation requirements of composite decking. For example, Trex requires stair stringers be installed 12” on center as opposed to 16” – 18”on center for pressure treated boards. New wood posts will be installed for the new railing system. Then, the new composite deck boards will be installed over the existing frame. New fascia board will be installed around the perimeter of the deck. Finally, the railing systems will be installed to complete the project. Your renewed deck is now ready to provide years of maintenance free enjoyment! A consideration when having your existing deck resurfaced, is that while the deck boards are removed would be the ideal time to add a lighting package or Trex RainEscape to really upgrade your backyard living space! Lighting can provide accents and safety while RainEscape allows the space under your deck to be usable even during the rain by directing rain water from your deck above to a gutter system below. RainEscape is ideal for 2 nd story decks over a patio or walk out basement entrance. Take advantage of the early break in the weather! Get started today and enjoy the outdoor living season! Call DDT Home Transformations at 630-200-3945 or visit our website: https://www.ddthomepros.com/contact/ to schedule your estimate!

When you think of building a new deck, do you picture it square, rectangular, or maybe it has clipped corners? Or do you picture curves that flow with your landscaping and accentuate your patio furniture? If you want your deck to really stand out in your neighborhood and look progressive and different from the standard, consider adding curves to your deck design! There are several ways to incorporate curves to your design and discussing the options with your contractor is a great place to start! Add a soft curve to the front face of your deck. A simple way to add softness and a few extra square feet to your deck is to curve the entire front face of your deck. Curve the deck corners. Instead of clipped corners, design your deck with curved corners to really differentiate your deck from everyone else’s. Create an organic curved deck line. Use curves to incorporate landscaping and trees into your backyard living space. A classic kidney shaped deck front is much more interesting to look at than a square front and can help maximize and define outdoor living zones such as eating and relaxing by curving to complement your patio furniture. Use curved deck board inlays in your deck board layout. One way to add a real pop of visual interest to your deck is using a contrasting or complementing deck board inlay in your deck board layout. Curving the deck board inlay really makes it stand out as custom and original. Use curves of varying sizes for multi-level decks. Curving each level of your multi-level deck with differing degrees of curvature and sizing can make your deck appear more complex and interesting. You can also use this as a tool to help define spaces. Use a more circular curve for a round patio table and use a broader organic curve for lounge furniture. Curve the deck railings too! Ask your contractor to curve the deck railings to match your decks curves! Curving the deck rails brings attention to the curves and makes them more noticeable when looking at your deck from the ground. Light up your curves! Use landscape and deck lighting to draw more attention to your decks curved features! Deck rail lights accent deck rails, landscape lighting make curved deck faces shine, and deck board up-lighting can draw attention to curved inlays and help define spaces. Get started today and enjoy the outdoor living season! Call DDT Home Transformations at 630-200-3945 or visit our website: https://www.ddthomepros.com/contact/ to schedule your estimate!