Spring has sprung, which means it’s the perfect time to start thinking about some home improvements! Since you’ll likely be spending more time outside in the warmer months, why not consider some deck improvements? Specifically, adding a roof to your deck is a great way to revamp your outdoor living space. Keep reading to learn more about roofed decks and why you should be thinking about building a roof deck addition!
Building a roof over your deck creates a whole array of possibilities for ways to use your deck. Here are some of the most appealing benefits of roofed decks.
The most common reason why homeowners build roofs over their decks is for protection from the rain and sun. Building a roof deck addition will give you the opportunity to sit outside no matter the weather. Enjoy watching summer storms under the safety of your deck, or escape the sun on the hottest of days. Either way, adding a roof allows you to spend even more time on your deck with your family and friends throughout the year.
After building a roof over your deck, barbecue season will no longer be limited to the days when the weather is warm and dry. In fact, you’ll be able to fire up the grill just about any time of year, rain or shine (or even snow!).
Building a roofed deck is a surefire way to add curb appeal to your property, as well as increase the property value. Plus, if you plan on selling your home in the future, a roofed deck may make your property even more appealing to prospective buyers!
If you’re someone who does a lot of entertaining, a roofed deck is for you. Your guests will love spending time on your covered deck no matter the weather or time of day. Don’t be surprised if your home quickly becomes the go-to party spot!
Before officially deciding to add a roof over your deck, there are some things you should take into consideration. The first thing to think about is whether your existing deck will be able to support the additional weight of a roof or not. All decks are built differently, so some will be able to support a roof while others may not. Your best bet is to consult a professional contractor to evaluate your deck and determine its structural integrity. From there, you’ll be able to decide the best course of action.
Additionally, you’ll want to check with building codes in your area to see if any permits are required for roofed decks. Keep in mind that these building codes vary from place to place.
Generally speaking, there are three main designs for roofed decks:
Ultimately, the design you choose for your roofed deck will depend on the type and material of deck you have, its size, and your personal preference.
If you want to add a roof to your deck, look no further than E&E General Contracting. Our experts will work with you to help you design the perfect roofed deck.
Contact us today to learn more, or fill out a form to request a complimentary estimate!
Every year numerous households across the US are faced with spending more time indoors when the seasons change and must adjust to having less space. Get ahead of the game with ideas for exterior home additions, which ironically, can open up a whole new world of indoor lounging options!
We’ll help you tackle the most important basics first and point you in the right direction for your next steps.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to designing your very own exterior addition. What is most important, is that you match the type of addition to the function you and your family will find the most beneficial. For example, if you have a smaller yard or outdoor space, you might want to think about using the property available to expand your home’s square footage instead. Another example might be for those with young children, who might find a mud room or segway in between entering the main home from the outdoors a little more practical than other addition types and save a lot more cleanup time.
In addition to the ideas above, many homeowners have chosen to grow their curb appeal by installing these exterior addition types:
Regardless of the size of your house, or the property it sits upon, there are multiple options that can be customized to suit your specific needs. You should also consider potential procedures that are associated with planning a home addition. This includes knowing your property lines, creating a current floor plan, obtaining blueprint designs, and budgeting your total amount spent.
At E&E General Contracting, we are standing by to field your questions about how to add an exterior room or tailored addition to your property. If you are curious about ideas to get you started, you can peruse our projects page, which showcases some of the work we have performed in older and newer homes.
With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, you can rest assured that we have seen and solved the gamut when it comes to client projects. We are excited to tackle your vision, whatever it entails, head-on!
Which is the best decking material? Composite or Wood? These are questions you might be asking yourself if you have been considering converting your wood deck to a composite one (or even the other way around!). As summer has quickly approached, so has the need to address which of these outdoor living space options is best for you and your home.
Whether you are curious about the average cost of a wooden versus composite deck, or the length of time that each last, you’ll be sure to find the information below relevant to your decision-making process. Read on to learn more about the ins and outs and pros and cons of these outdoor living space options.
Cleaning. Painting. Staining. All of these services, whether preventative or necessary, understandably add up over the long run. Which is why you should consider these factors when opting for a wooden or composite deck option.
Some of the maintenance advantages of composite over wood decking include the amount of time you can expect to dedicate to cleaning your deck to prevent discoloring or problems related to mold or insects. Typically, you can expect to devote about 16-32 hours annually to these processes for wood decks compared to merely two to four hours for composite models.
Typically, you can expect to spend less for wood decking options in terms of up-front costs. But you should factor in ongoing and recurring expenses which add up, such as sanding, painting, power washing or staining throughout the year.
Composite decking, on the other hand, tends to save you more over wood decking across its total lifespan. This is partially due to the fact that composite decking is manufactured by design to be more resistant to insects, decay or mold.
Speaking of resistance to elements and wildlife, you can probably guess which option tends to fare better in terms of long-lasting durability.
What are the maintenance procedures and precautions you should consider when comparing wood decking?
Generally speaking, you should expect to perform each of the items listed above every two to five years on average for wood decking. The exception to this is cleaning, which is typically only required semi-annually.
As you likely guessed, none of the maintenance areas in the list above are required for composite deck solutions except for cleaning (you can’t win them all!). Another major benefit with respect to durability of composite options includes their 50-year lifespan against insects, rot, scratches, warping, splintering, staining and fading from UV rays.
By comparison, wood decking selections come with a significantly reduced lifespan against the same conditions. On average, you can expect a wooden deck to withstand elements, infestations and fading for about 10-30 years.
As a homeowner, we know that one of the most (if not the most) important items on your mind is what you can expect to gain in terms of return on your investment with a wood versus composite deck.
These factors should paint a picture of the tendency for wood decking to be coupled with several short-term expense advantages, like a lesser cost per square foot and several attractive options in terms of matching a wood to your personal style. However, composite decking costs less in the long run with respect to requiring less maintenance, needing less paint or fewer staining jobs.
Depending upon your household’s own unique needs, challenges and style preferences, wood or composite decking might make sense for you. No matter what your choose, keeping it in a good condition makes it last for decades. Now that you understand more about the ins and outs, pros and cons, costs and benefits of wooden versus composite decking options, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact the experts at E&E Contracting!
Access testimonials from our loyal customers, as well as those who tried our service and were delighted on the first visit. Scroll through our gallery of high-quality exterior additions for your home to get a feel for which solutions fit with your style.