Blogs

Your deck is finally finished and now it’s time to put it in use. However, you don’t want to only be able to relax on your deck during the day; you’ll want to use it at night, too! This is where deck lighting comes into play. Lighting up your deck can really take the space to the next level. Keep reading to find out more about some popular deck lighting options! Functional Deck Lighting The following functional deck lighting options are ones that are built right into the deck itself and require more time for installation. Stair Lights One of...

The materials you select to build your deck will influence the look and vibe of your outdoor space. Make sure the design is compatible with the style, colors, and era of your home. Additionally, the materials you select for the deck will influence the appearance of your home. As you work out the budget and deck construction plan , consider the appearance, durability, maintenance, and cost of deck materials. Whether you settle on wood or non-wood decking, durability is a huge factor. Some materials hold up much longer than others. Durability includes how long your deck appears fresh, holds up...

We love to hear stories from our clients about how much they love their decks. Our goal always is to build an outdoor living spot that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come. So with that in mind, we came up with a list of 6 things you can do to make your deck the best hangout spot for your family. 1. Add a Roof Covering all or part of your deck is expensive, but it is simply the best way to maximize the amount of time you will spend on it. Having a roof opens...

Adding a pergola to your deck is a surefire way to set it apart from the rest of the decks in your neighborhood. Pergolas are also great when installed over a patio or seating area in the yard. Not only are they are visually appealing, but they're also great to hang lights or planters on. However, depending on the angle and intensity of the sun, pergolas may offer very little relief from the summertime heat. As a solution, we recently began using some retractable canopies and exterior shade curtains. Adding these to your pergola can make it much more effective...

We get many calls every year from people who want to know if their existing decks are still safe to use. Whether you are getting ready to sell your house, looking at buying a house, or just want to know if it's safe to continue using your deck until your budget allows for an upgrade, it's crucial to know when a deck can no longer safely support people. There are 4 common problems that can lead to decks becoming unsafe, which we will address below. However, these are not the only issues that can render a deck unsafe. Check these...

Amish deck builders may be the original environmental architects. Amish value the community’s welfare and live in harmony with nature. Decks R Us is an Amish-owned company of deck builders that are committed to doing business ethically, are focused on Lean Manufacturing, and work with suppliers like Culpeper Wood Preserves , Azek , J. Gibson Mcllvain Company , and locally-owned-and-operated Superior Plastics . These companies place a special emphasis on creating environmentally sound products for the decking industry. What Makes Wood a Choice for Green Building Materials? Many green building structures including decks incorporate energy-efficient lighting like LED fixtures ...

Covered patio or deck designs enhance open-air living experiences and increase the time people spend outdoors. As such it continues to be a popular homeowner investment. As more buyers are clamoring for alfresco dining, entertaining, and family time, they search for local artisans to craft their vision. Covered Deck Ideas to Consider Craftsmen create outdoor living rooms, decks with tiered views and screened-in sunrooms that soak up the sun. They’ll handcraft lattice-like pergolas and bold wraparound decks for greater privacy and spaces to entertain. Roof extensions, practical awnings, pretty pergolas, stand-alone gazebos, custom built pavilions, shade sails, cooking awnings, louvered...

Deck designs are aesthetically pleasing and create a better space for homeowners while adding major value to the home. Adding a deck that’s thoughtfully designed and about 20 percent the size of your home will improve the livability and features of the abode. Decks are valuable because they blur the line between inside and out, capture the view of your land, and create a comfortable outdoor room without increasing the square footage to the home itself. Plus, many homeowners get excited about upgrading worn-out finishes, materials, and surfaces. A thoughtfully designed deck creates borders that are neatly separated and often...

A pergola on a deck is a simple outdoor structure that blurs the boundary between inside and out while providing overhead shade. This addition is great for families who want to be outside during peak sun times without scorching. The canopy and rafters minimize sunlight for a few hours each day. The space and size of pergola’s louvers and lattice give different amounts of shade or sunlight and transforms your deck into a partially shaded outdoor room. Lancaster County deck builders are mavericks at creating these sturdy outdoor structures. Each pergola can be freestanding and close to the house or...

We’ve built countless above ground pool decks over the years and we wanted to give you some of the key details on how we’re exercising creativity, best practices, and superior products, to create the above ground pool deck of this client’s dreams. How Did We Build this Small Deck for an Above Ground Pool? We build this above ground pool deck by digging holes and putting in concrete footers. We then buried #1 grade pressure treated Southern Pine 6X6 posts into the ground. This is an important detail because pressure treated lumber is designed to ward off termites, microorganisms, and...