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Transforming Outdoor Spaces: The Ultimate Guide to Custom Decks with Expert Insights from Sleeping Dog Properties

A well-designed home seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces into harmonious living areas. While indoor spaces are relatively easy to setup, outdoor spaces can prove to be a bit tricky. However, installing a custom deck will easily transform your backyard into a livable area. 

A custom deck goes beyond standard market designs. It acts as a focal point and extends the coziness of indoor living spaces to the outdoors. This is why custom decks are a popular choice for homeowners looking to bring some life to their backyards. 

In this article, we will discuss some of the advantages of custom decks, what homeowners need to know before starting the construction process, different decking materials, and other factors that influence the construction process. The article has been prepared thanks to advice from experts at Sleeping Dog Properties, a premier general contractor and construction company based in Boston, MA. 

Advantages of custom decks

Custom decks are a popular choice for homeowners for several reasons. A custom deck allows homeowners to express their individuality and install a deck that caters to their specific needs. Consequently, it is a unique element to add to your backyard. 

Custom decks offer endless customization options, from built-in planters and seating to special features like firepits. Moreover, a quality custom deck will blend in with its environment, enhancing the curb appeal of the property, and ultimately raising its value. This is why custom decks prove more advantageous in the long run than standard decks. 

What you need to know before starting the construction process

To derive maximum value and utility from a custom deck build, it is important to have a clear idea of what you need. Homeowners need to be aware of how long the construction will take, and ensure that the design of the custom deck matches the aesthetic of the house. And lastly, ensuring that the finished product meets your needs. This is why preparation for a custom deck build can be a daunting process.

Working with an experienced contractor, however, takes out much of the guesswork for homeowners. This is why the first step should be to set up an initial consultation with the construction company that you’ve decided to work with. 

Setting up an initial consultation with your general contractor is necessary to ensure that they understand your requirements. During the initial consultation, clients of Sleeping Dog Properties benefit from the input of the company’s experienced design team. It is also an opportunity to discuss budgetary requirements, timelines, general expectations, and warranties. 

To ensure that you are well-prepared for your initial consultation, there are some things that you need to be aware of. First, assess the amount of space you have available for the custom deck. Have a clear vision of your goals and priorities for this project. Have a rough idea of your budget. And conduct thorough research about the available materials and design options. However, you don’t need to know everything as the experts at Sleeping Dog Properties will be happy to fill in any information gaps you may have. 

Sleeping Dog Properties uses the initial consultation to extract all the necessary information from the clients, allowing them to move on to the next stage of the construction process. During this stage, the team will put together a list of the materials that will be needed, any specific add-ons, and other accessories. The company then coordinates with its trusted partners to source these materials and sets up construction schedules with its subcontractors, all the while keeping the client informed about the latest developments. 

Different decking materials

There are two main decking materials, composite and wooden. A composite deck is one of the most popular alternatives to classic wooden decks. Its popularity is attributed to its durability and low maintenance. Composite decks are made from a core and a cap that is resistant to moisture, fading, and other weather-related issues. 

On the other hand, wooden decks are a staple of luxury homes. Though these decks are cheaper than composite decks, they are more expensive to maintain, as they are easily impacted by weather, and require sanding and polishing to look their best. Wooden decks can be made from two types of wood: hard or soft. This doesn’t refer to the hardness or softness of the wood used but is a biological term used to describe species of wood.

Hardwood decks are made from Ash, Cherry, Oak, and Ipe, which are slow-growing deciduous trees. Whereas, softwood decks are made from Cedar, Fir, Pine, and Spruce, which are faster-growing coniferous trees. 

Other factors that influence the deck construction process

According to the experts at Sleeping Dog Properties, the construction process is also greatly influenced by the location of the house. The construction process for a house in the suburbs is vastly different from a house in the city. 

When a deck is added to a house located in the suburbs, the deck is connected directly to the house. For this to happen, the contractor will excavate holes to install foundation posts. Then support posts are added, which are held in place by pouring concrete. And finally, the deck’s framing materials are added to the support posts. 

In the city, the location of the house determines the construction process. Most often, decks are added on top of a building. Because of this, no concrete is needed. Instead, a substructure made from steel is enough. A steel substructure is also safer than wood because it won’t blow off the roof, nor would it rot over time. 

Experienced Contractors

Working with experienced contractors will ensure that the construction process proceeds without any hiccups. Sleeping Dog Properties’ three decades of experience in home construction is reflected in consistently high-quality custom deck builds. Their custom decks are not only made to last, but they also meet their client’s expectations and needs. 

If you are a homeowner thinking about adding a custom deck to your home, feel free to reach out to Sleeping Dog Properties for an initial consultation. 

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