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As a homeowner myself, I’ve had to hire a few contractors for home improvement projects. I know the feeling of trying to decipher fact from sales pitch, and looking over competing quotes to decide which is the best option. In my limited experience, I have found that asking lots of questions is the best way to help me make a good decision. I have had a few projects done that didn’t turn out as I had hoped, and it was always because I didn’t ask the right questions before the project started.

With all the economic uncertainty that surrounds us today, we are all looking to spend our money as smart as possible. And most of us are looking to increase the value and appeal of our property, while also raising our quality of life.  So where do decks rank on the list of smart and appealing home improvement projects?

If you would like to give your deck a modern feel, or you want something different to set it apart from the others in your neighborhood, cable railing is just what you need. While this railing has been popular in certain circles for a long time, it’s popularity is exploding nationwide. A huge benefit to the cable railing is that you won’t have you view blocked off like you do with most traditional deck railings. They also give the deck a much more open feel, which helps the deck seem larger than it really is.

The hottest new thing, (sorry I couldn’t resist,) in outdoor living this year has, been adding fire pits to our decks. This makes total sense to me, I find few things more relaxing then sitting around a fire with friends and family. This will also help to maximize your deck investment by increasing the time you can spend outside. We have installed a few different types of fire pits for our customers, here are some of the choices.

As part of my job, I am the warranty service and deck repair guy. So I get to see a lot of decks , some that we have built and some we haven’t. I’ve noticed a few common mistakes people make that can easily ruin the look of their deck. So here are 3 things to avoid if you want your deck to look great for years.

1. Add some shade to your deck. This can be as simple as buying a large umbrella or as complex as adding a roof or pergola. Any way you do it, adding shade will increase the amount of time you spend on your deck.

2. Add some lighting. Low- voltage lighting can be installed on most existing decks with a little extra work. Solar lighting is the easier, cheaper option, but it can be a bigger hassle over the long haul.

1. The color of your deck matters. Whether you are choosing a synthetic decking color or the color of stain for your wood deck, consider that darker deck floor colors will attract more heat. So, a lighter color will feel cooler to your bare feet.

2. Choose your deck materials wisely. With the wet conditions around a pool, make sure you choose your deck floor materials with that in mind. A Vinyl decking will definitely stand up to the moisture and chemicals better than any composite or wood decking.

I know as a deck builder I shouldn’t admit this, but I never seem to get around to giving my deck a good cleaning before winter arrives, So if you are like me, when spring finally comes, and the snow melts off your deck, it needs a serious cleaning.If you own a pressure washer, this can be a fairly simple job depending on the type of decking you have. If you don’t own a pressure washer, they can be rented at most Home Depots, it may be worth your while to rent one.

I know it may seem a bit premature to talk about shopping for a new deck. As I write this, we have a fresh layer of snow on the ground and it is a frigid 10 degrees outside. But we are approaching the end of February, and spring is just around the corner. So I have some practical advice to help you get started making decisions for your new deck.

Low voltage deck lighting is one of the coolest, most practical things, you can add to your deck. As I’ve said before, we love to help our customers get the most out of their new deck. With a lighting package, your deck will be a more attractive spot for your families’ late night games and hanging out. It is also a relatively low cost way to set your deck apart from other decks in your neighborhood