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A deck would be an excellent addition to your existing home and would enhance its look and value. A deck is comparable to a floor of the house, and the only difference is that it’s usually built outdoors. Decks are elevated above the ground and are attached to the main building or home. They are a great extension to the house and used for many outdoor activities like parties, barbecues and even a great place to sit and relax. 

What should homeowners avoid when building a deck.

Planning a house renovation can be very exciting, but homeowners should do extensive research before embarking on a new project. A deck is an excellent addition to your home, and they are more accessible and a more economical way of extending your living space. Easier does not mean to embark on the project alone and going straight to the hardware. Here is some advice to homeowners on not what to do when planning and building a deck.

We are not getting professional advice and contractors in building a deck.

Homeowner’would often wants to cut their deck home improvement project’s cost, so they decide to on a DIY project. If you have prior experience in construction and the right equipment, then go ahead. For Decking Central Coast, building a deck involved a lot of detailed work and might be complicated for a DIY, especially if you do not have experience and expertise. 

Decks are elevated to the ground and need supporting structures to support the deck’s weight and other parts. So in building a deck, you need a competent professional to design and build a safe and stable structure to hold the deck’s weight and the people who will be using them. 

Decks also need to comply with local building codes. There are also changes in the local building code that you are not aware of, and only professional contractors are familiar with those rules. You do not want the construction to be stopped by authorities because it’s against your local building code. 

They are not building enough Post footers and supporting structures.

Decks are elevated from the ground and need enough structural support, especially when placed on soft, sandy or wet soil. Footers are essential because they carry the weight of the post and other structures. Some homeowners want to cut coat by placing footers that are not wide enough and shallow. At a minimum, footers should extend at least 12 inches below grade. The footers’ tops should also be elevated at least one to two inches above the grade to keep them away from the soil’s moisture. Trying to cut cost by reducing the size of the footer might affect the integrity of the structure. 

Block your home’s entry, exit and other utilities

A deck is usually attached to the house’s main structure, so the owner should make sure it does not block or hinder the doors, windows, airconditioning units, exhaust vents, and utility lines such as water and power. Before building the deck, make sure all water lines, gas lines, electrical wires and exhaust are relocated away from the deck before construction. They might get damaged during the construction and may lead to catastrophic accidents like fire, gas explosions or water damage. It can also become a building code violation if it’s not relocated. 

We are not using waterproofing during the construction or applying it right after the building.

Decks are usually located outdoors and exposed to moisture, rain, and snow, damaging the deck mostly from timber or wood. Delaying waterproofing to cut the construction cost may cause water damage that will need more expensive repairs in the future. 

It is not using fasteners that are corrosive resistant.

A deck is exposed to the elements mainly because it’s located outside, so it’s essential that the materials used in its construction can withstand the rain, snow and direct sunlight. Homeowners would always want to cut cost, but it should not be at the expense of the structure’s safety. Fasteners should be made of corrosion-resistant materials such as galvanized materials, stainless steel or polymer-coated metals. This is important because deck fasteners are subject to a lot of abuse; using other materials may lead to problems and severe consequences on the structure’s integrity. 

Pergolas are outdoor structures with four pillars supporting horizontal cross beams and decorative lattice use for shade or a place to relax. They are often decorated with plants like vines that climb or crawl to their posts, lattice and beams. If you want to enhance your home, placing a pergola will be a great idea; it can add character to your outdoor spaces.  

Many types of pergolas come in different designs and colours that can help enhance your garden and home. Pergolas can be built near the pool area, playground, park, deck, or terrace and help extend the home’s living areas. Natural foliage like vines, hanging plants and flowers can be added to bring out a natural and relaxing ambience to the pergola. 

Pergolas can be the perfect place to relax, rest and catch your breath after a long day of work. Another apparent reason for building a pergola is it enhances the resell value and beauty of your home. 

Pergolas can be made from teak, cedar, fibreglass and aluminium. There are many designs to choose from, like pergolas with a gabled roof, pergolas with retractable canopy, traditional wood pergolas and many others. 

Does a pergola increase the value of a home?

Pergolas enhance the outdoor appeal of the property, and since outdoor living is gaining popularity, it increases the value of homes. Improvements such as pergola and other outdoor improvements have a return on investment between 50% – 80%. Buyers are willing to pay for properties with well designed and lovely outdoor spaces. 

Pergolas also increase the living space of your home. The extra living space can be added to calculate the value of your home. A beautifully designed pergola would also be appealing to potential buyers, therefore increasing your property’s value. Buyers would choose a property with a nice open space and pergola compared to a bare and empty property. 

Are permits needed to build a pergola?

Typically, pergolas are open structures with no roof, and its post or pillars are not anchored deeply to the ground. Sometimes they are just attached to existing systems like decks. They are also small compared to the main home and do not alter the home’s design.  

So, generally speaking, it does not require a building permit. It is better to contact local building authorities before purchasing or building a pergola since every state or city may have a different rule. Another consideration would be your local Homeowner’s Association; you can ask them for requirements and comply as needed. 

There are cities in Australia that do not require permits for installing specific pergola designs or types. But you still have to contact them for the details. For example, in Hume and Maroondah, Victoria allows pergolas except if they are located further forward 2.5 m of the home’s front wall. In Greater Dandenong, they allow pergolas without a roof. For other pergola designs, the homeowner should secure a permit from the local authorities. 

Decks are elevated outdoor structures that are attached to the main house to extend its area. Traditional decks are typically made of timber or wood. Decks often extend the living space of homes and have direct access to the house. They can also part of the garden and the outdoor landscape. 

On the other hand, a pergola is a structure with a verticle post that supports multiple horizontal several crossbeams used as a shaded walkway, sitting area or relaxing area. Traditionally woody vines are placed and allowed to crawl to the top into the crossbeams and provide an excellent shade against direct sunlight. Pergola’s are a nice addition to the home and a great place to relax with the family. 

What materials are used in building a deck and pergola?

In the past, decks were made from material readily available in the community, such as redwood, red cedar, pine and many others. But most owners prefer hardwood since pines are not durable, especially in the outdoor environment. Manufactures of composite decks claim that they are more durable than traditional materials and are more resistant to the outdoors like rain, sun, and snow. But lately, people have been inquiring about the harmful chemical treatment they use in their manufacturing process. 

Modern decks are now made of several materials such as aluminium, metals, composite materials, treated lumber and composite lumber. Many artificial decking made of wood-plastic composites; brands like Azek, Ecornboard and many others have produced certain composite materials. 

Pergola’s are similarly built with timber or wood, but modern versions are also made from metal. A traditional pergola does not have a roof, but the recent version now has polycarbonate roofing to protect the users from rain and direct sunlight. 

What is the difference between Patio and Deck? 

Decks are very comparable to a patio and located outside the house but attached to the main structure. But the main difference is that patios are at ground level while decks are above ground and elevated. Patios typically have a concrete floor or paved with bricks, tiles, stones or pavers. However, both offer the same benefits: a place to relax, extend your house and have other family activities. Patios are usually cheaper to build than decks because their supporting structure needs to raise ti from the ground. 

A deck and a patio is a cheaper way of extending your house space than developing your home’s indoor space. A deck is raised, so it needs structural support from underneath its floors. A deck usually enhances the garden and the surrounding landscape. 

Can my deck support a pergola?

Pergolas can be built into your deck and support it. You can do many designs to enhance both structures, and a pergola needs at least four support post to connect to your existing deck. These connections are essential because they will hold the pergola safely in its place. It is recommended to use the same materials, so if your deck is made of wood, it is recommended to use a wooden pergola rather than a metal one so they can match adequately. However, pergolas made of other materials can also be placed on your deck.

Timber bolts and fasteners are needed For the deck to support the pergola properly. They will be used to connect the wood from the deck to the wood portion of the pergola. A post to beam hardware made of thick galvanized steel can is also needed to fasten the beam and other parts of the structure. 

Ensure you use treated wood because they can resist more stress, moisture and pressure, especially if they carry the whole structure. Do not use pergola’s top-heavy because they can become unstable, placing too much emphasis on the deck.