How to Decide What Size Deck is Best for Your Home
There is nothing more exciting than preparing your home for an addition, especially when it comes to providing your family with space to make countless memories. If you are preparing for a deck addition, there are things you need to consider before moving forward with the plans. At SEAL-A-DECK we are often asked to help our customers determine what size deck would work best for their daily and entertainment needs. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself prior to calling in a professional so that we can work together to create a deck that makes sense for your family now and overtime.
Considering the Basics
Will you just use your deck for your immediate family within the home? Will you be having large parties with friends and family? Do you envision a lot of time being spent on your outdoor living space? Also, will this be year-round use or primarily in warmer weather? Determining the usage of your deck can help inform your decking professional of the size that you’ll need for the basic necessities. The “when” and “how” tells us if walls should be accounted for and even what materials to use. Being as transparent in this step will only help you make the right decisions.
Entertaining
Do you wish for your new deck to be the place that friends and family gather to make precious memories? If so, what is the maximum number of people that you think will be on the structure at one time? For everyone’s safety, we have to think about building it to totally bear the weight of the crowds you expect. According to Professional Deck Builder “for decks and the first floors of houses, residential code is based on a vertical live loading (people and furniture) of 40 pounds per square foot (psf) plus a 10-psf dead load (the weight of the structure itself), for a total design load of 50 psf”. Considering these factors, we have to build in the proper jousting system for safety that lasts and does not put you at risk.
Deciding on Amenities
Just like the inside of your home, there are many features that can be added to your deck to give you the outdoor living space experience that you want. Would you like to relax in a hot tub? That can be easily accomplished with our experienced construction team. Do you like to cook and/or enjoy a drink or two while gazing at the New England night sky? An outdoor kitchen, bar, furniture, and lighting can be installed to provide the ultimate in luxury. If you can make a checklist of the things you like to do or would like to include on your deck, we can help accommodate those.
Let’s Build!
If the time is right to start your new decking project, let’s chat. We can help you determine the best size for your deck after discussing all of the ways in which you will use it. After these collaborative discussions, we can come up with a plan that fits your budget and needs. Give us a call today at 1-877-SEALADECK to start the process.
