Category: Pool Decks

Building Decks in Winter Time

picture of a deck in winter a snowy scene. Regan total construction can build decks in the winter

 Why Building Your New Deck In The Winter Is Ideal

A common misconception homeowners have is they should wait until the spring to install a new deck or replace their existing one. However, while spring is one of the most popular times of the year when decks are built, deck contractors welcome the idea of taking on a winter deck building project. And when you have your deck completed in the winter, it will be ready for you to enjoy when the temperatures begin warming, rather than having to wait until the heat of the summer to use it. 

An outdoor deck can significantly enhance your space, and it can be customized to fit all of your needs and interests. Winter isn’t usually the ideal time to be spending on your outdoor deck, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it built and ready to go ahead of time, so it’s ready to use when temperatures are more comfortable outside. Here are some of the many reasons why the fall and winter months are ideal for having a custom deck company build your outdoor deck.

Lower Materials And Labor Costs

Deck contractors often purchase materials from wholesale vendors rather than retail stores. Most retail stores won’t drop prices on deck building materials, but wholesale vendors do. As a result, the cost of the materials will be lower for the deck contractors to purchase, and the best contractors will pass those savings along to the homeowner, or at least split the savings with them. Savings on materials can be significant and hard to beat when you don’t have to sacrifice quality.

A custom deck company may also offer cheaper labor costs in the winter since it’s their slowest season of the year. With harsh winter weather that can occur at any time, homeowners often don’t think about having their deck built. Deck companies may entice homeowners by offering lower labor costs so they can have a project to work on and complete by the end of the year.

Quicker Response Times From Contractors

Another benefit of having a deck built during the winter is deck contractors are typically more readily available. Without multiple projects in progress at the same time, they can focus more attention on your project and answer all questions you may have. Sometimes you can get lucky and be the only project a particular deck company has at the time, so the deck could be built in a matter of several days or a couple of weeks. This doesn’t mean the quality of labor or workmanship will be lower, but when a team can dedicate their full attention to your project, it can get completed much more quickly. And sometimes, the biggest issue that creates delays is getting necessary building permits. With not as many projects potentially going on in your country, you or your contractor might be able to obtain permits quickly so the project can begin as soon as possible.

Wood Reacts To Cold Weather Better Than Hot Temperatures

wooden deck built in winter doesnt warp

Deck contractors can also be more efficient with the deck installation when they work during cooler temperatures. When decks are installed in the summer, the wood contracts and expands easily, which leads to warping and cracking. It’s not uncommon to see certain boards look much different from one day to the next when a deck is built during the summer. Of course, the best deck contractors will fix these issues to ensure the final product is exactly what you desire, but the duration of the project could be longer due to these problems. During the winter, though, these issues aren’t present. With the dry air in the environment, the wood can stabilize faster and dry evenly, so the chances of warping or cracking are much lower. 

Staining Your Deck Is More Effective In The Winter

While it may not be possible to stain your new deck if you just had a strong winter storm or if one is expected, the winter is typically the ideal time to add stain. During the humidity of the summer, the wood could absorb the moisture and crack or peel. When this happens, the stain won’t absorb into the wood as easily and won’t be as effective functionally or aesthetically. Again, these types of problems aren’t present in the winter, and you can have a more effective treatment with the stain since the temperatures are cooler and the air is dryer.

Be Ready To Enjoy Your Deck In The Spring

You likely won’t be using your outdoor deck much during the winter months anyway, so why not use that inactive time to have your deck built? It requires a little thinking ahead and planning for how you want it to look in the spring, but the benefit is it’s ready to be used when the temperatures warm up. Plus, spring is the busiest season for most deck contractors, so unless you can schedule your project early, you may not be able to enjoy it until the middle of spring or later. Take the wintertime to build the outdoor deck you’ve always wanted, purchase your furniture and other items ahead of time, and it will be ready to use as soon as it’s warm enough to spend time outside.

If you do an online search for “deck designers and builders near me,” you’ll likely end up with a lot of results. An outdoor deck is a great investment for a home as it provides a welcoming environment for your family and friends, as well as boost the value of your home. However, choosing the cheapest custom deck company to complete the project isn’t always the best option. At Regan Total Construction, we offer competitive pricing and high-quality materials and workmanship so you can enjoy your outdoor deck for years to come. We install custom decks year-round and are ready and able to start on your project as soon as possible. Now is the time to start thinking about your outdoor deck, so contact us today to see some samples of our work and receive a full, detailed quote.

Filed under: Decks, Pool Decks, Wood DecksTagged with: ,

5 Helpful Tips for Deck Building Around Your Pool

custom pool deck by Regan Total Construction

Building A Safe Pool Deck

While your main focus is typically on the pool itself, it pays to spend some time thinking about your pool decking. Aesthetically, your pool decking will determine how well your pool blends into the natural landscape. Choosing the right decking can make a big difference in its appearance. However, there’s another even more important reason to pay attention to the decking around your pool and to invest in quality pool deck construction if you haven’t already.

Pool decking can vastly increase the safety of your pool, offering a secure walking area to keep swimmers safe if the right materials are used in its construction. All that being said, here are some things you should be considering if you’re currently in the process of pool deck remodeling or construction and you want to be sure you get the most out of your pool decking.

Choose Moisture-Resistant Materials

Pool decking is unlike most surfaces just because of the way it is used. Its location around the swimming pool means it spends a lot of time exposed to water, which means water-resistance should always be a factor when choosing a material. The last thing you want is to choose a cheaper material and have your pool decking to begin to show signs of damage because of exposure to water from your pool or to incur extra costs because of the need to frequently reapply a sealant to keep it in good condition. Some of the best possible materials for pool deck construction or remodeling can include poured concrete, concrete pavers, brick, stone tile, and even natural or composite wood so long as it is of good quality.

Keep Swimmers’ Safety in Mind

Of course, moisture, along with barefooted swimmers, leads to a higher chance of slips and falls. This means it should be a priority for you to find a high-quality material for your pool decking that can provide a good amount of traction, reducing the potential for injury. For example, stone provides natural friction and is a good solution to help ensure individuals walking barefoot around your pool have less of a chance to slip and fall even if your pool decking is exposed to a great amount of water.

There are various types of surface coatings available as well. They may contain epoxy or combinations of polymer resins, sand, and cement, all of which help ensure your pool decking has a non-slip surface and is able to resist water as well as the various pool chemicals your pool decking is going to come into contact with over time.

Take the Heat Off Deck

Another important thing to remember is that pool decking can – and will – retain heat. While it won’t always be dangerous to you and your guests, it can certainly be uncomfortable, especially under the blazing summer sun. This is another thing that makes choosing the right material for your pool decking a critical task. Additionally, remember that if your current pool decking is like walking on hot coals in the summer heat, it may be possible to complete a pool deck remodeling project to make it a lot more comfortable to walk on or lie out on with just a little bit of work.

For example, if you already have concrete pool decking, stone tile can be placed on top. Choose unglazed stone tile for safety, and opt for lighter shades that won’t attract the heat. Wood feels great underfoot, but you’ll have to be careful if you opt for wood and choose a quality material such as cedar, redwood, or teak as these woods are capable of repelling water damage as well as possible damage from insects, meaning they will require less upkeep in the long run.

Remember the Surrounding Landscape

One of the most important things pool decking does is it helps connect your pool to the area around it. During the pool deck construction process, one of the things you’ll want to keep in mind is how you can use your new pool decking to make your new pool a part of the landscape. For example, stone tile is a great way of incorporating a pool into an area, as it provides a more natural look, especially with natural-looking stones such as travertine, limestone, and sandstone. Meanwhile, those with classic homes will often find that brick is a great option, having a more traditional aesthetic.

Don’t Forget the Foundation

With all of the above being stated, one of the most important things to remember is that no pool deck construction project can ever start without taking a good look at the foundation. Even in the case of many pool deck remodeling projects, it can be a good idea to take a look at the foundation to ensure it is in the best possible condition before moving forward, ensuring it is capable of standing up to plenty of future use without cracking, shifting or breaking down. Various types of pool decking all require different types of foundation but in all cases, it is vitally important that this foundation is sound and stable.

Additionally, when preparing a foundation it’s important to check for factors such as whether a channel will be needed for drainage, as may be the case if the pool area is located on a slope. This will help ensure that the pool does not flood in the event of a storm. In some cases, pool decking might need a slope for water to drain away, such as when building with concrete, tile, brick, or pavers.

Pool deck construction can be challenging, but once you get out in the summer sun and hit the water with friends and family, the challenge is well worth it! Of course, you don’t have to go about building your pool decking all by yourself.

The team at Regan Total Construction is here to help you design and build your pool decking, ensuring you have beautiful pool decking that will last for many years to come. If you would like to learn more about how our team can help you with your pool decking construction or remodeling project, contact us today!

Filed under: Pool Decks