Category Archives: Deck Design

New Home Decking Cost

Putting up a new deck can improve both the function and look of your home and its future resale value. New home decking cost can vary significantly, however, depending on square footage, the type of materials used and whether you choose to hire a contractor or do it yourself will have an impact on home decking cost. So, what can you expect to pay for a new home deck?

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of deck plans. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors and the NRCA roofing contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors as well as the National Association of Landscape professionals.

Share your new home decking cost and plans with clients, builders or professional contractors using Dropbox®, Google Drive™, OneDrive®, and SharePoint®. Export files to Microsoft Word®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® with a single click.

new home decking cost and materials

Decking Cost and Materials

New Home Decking Cost and Materials

Deck Type and Size
The most important new home decking cost consideration is the size and type of deck you want. The bigger the square footage, the more you can expect to pay. The type of deck materials you use will also factor into your overall home decking cost.

Where you’re putting your deck also matters. If it’s low enough to the ground, you may be able to place the joists on four-way deck blocks rather than digging post holes. It’s possible to level the soil and place these directly on the ground, but most homeowners choose to add gravel or a large paving stone to help keep the structure from shifting.

The higher your deck is off the ground means you will need to pour concrete pilings for support pillars, and your city or town has rules about how high a deck can be before needing supports. Post holes will have to be augured and the posts set in place before any construction can begin.

Deck Materials are Important
The type of materials you choose will have a big impact on your new home decking cost. This is something you need to consider before starting your new deck. Researching the deck materials, you will use, is one of the most important tips we can offer. There are a lot of choices for decking materials, so find the one that’s right for you.

Pressure treated wood such as southern yellow pine, which has been chemically processed to resist rot and insects, will average from $8 to $20 per square foot.

It’s important to remember that a smaller, simpler deck that’s low to the ground is less expensive than a larger, taller deck.

The price also goes up if you use higher-quality wood.

Cedar, for example, is soft to the touch and doesn’t splinter or crack as much as pine. Decks built with cedar can cost between $11 and $26 per square foot.

Man-made or composite materials are among the most expensive materials available and will increase the new home decking cost, sometimes as much as $50 per square foot. Composite material is becoming increasingly popular, and sometimes replaces wood decks in homes before they’re put on the market.

These prices will also vary depending on what a contractor charges for both materials and labor.

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Cad Pro is an affordable and easy alternative to other more expensive deck design software programs. Cad Pro is great for creating deck plans,  DIY home projects, custom home plans, building plans, electrical drawings, construction details, and much more. Anyone can start their new deck project with CAD Pro.

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Dream Deck Building Tips

Our dream deck building tips will help you build the perfect deck that you can enjoy for a long time. A new deck is a great way to add value and outdoor living space to your home. Some deck projects are easier than others. But whether you plan to build your own deck or hire a deck construction professional to build one for you, a few important building tips can make a big difference.

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of deck plans. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors and the NRCA roofing contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors as well as the National Association of Landscape professionals.

Share your dream deck building tips and plans with clients, builders or professional contractors using Dropbox®, Google Drive™, OneDrive®, and SharePoint®. Export files to Microsoft Word®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® with a single click.

Dream Deck Building Tips for how to Build the Perfect Deck

Build the Perfect Deck

Four Dream Deck Building Tips

Here are a few important tips to help you build the perfect deck and make sure your deck project turns out great while providing longevity and durability.

One: – Be Sure You Get a Building Permit
Sure, getting a permit can be a pain and cost some money but not a lot of money, relatively speaking, as most permit fees I see are under $200 but it’s worth it and in most cases it’s required. When implementing these dream deck building tips most cities and towns have a qualified engineer or certified plan reviewer on staff to review your building plans. They’re usually familiar with the best practices and latest code requirements, and they’re usually happy to share their knowledge with you.

Show them a basic drawing with dimensions and they will usually help you fill in the details. Making sure you use the correct beam, joist, post and footing sizes, along with the correct fasteners and hangers is their job and specialty. Getting a permit may be the best insurance that your deck will last a long time and be safe.

Two: – Get Multiple Bids for Your Deck
It’s always a good idea to get more than one bid. Even if you build the deck yourself, getting several bids will help you determine if it’s worth doing the job yourself or better to hire a professional.

In the past when homeowners try to build the perfect deck, they find out it’s necessary to call a professional to finish the deck built by the homeowner. By just adding stairs or handrails can be more difficult than you may think. In a few cases, the professional has noticed that incorrect materials were being used (and it was built wrong). After talking with the homeowner about the cost of materials, we determined that it would actually cost the homeowner more to build the deck themselves, which goes back to our first point.

Three: – Be Sure You Know the Contractor You Hire
When you decide to implement these dream deck building tips most states offer a website an online look-up tool to see if a contractor’s license is current and what type of license the contractor has. Some deck contractors have basic carpenter licenses, while others may have a general contractor’s license.

A general contractor who builds decks usually has experience with other types of building construction that might be useful if you’re building a large deck, adding electrical or the deck features a roof, whereas a deck contractor with a basic carpenter’s license might not have the experience needed.

It’s very important that you ask your deck contractor for proof of insurance. If they have liability and workers comp insurance, they’ll be happy to prove it. And, of course, check reviews and ask for references.

Four: – Research Your Deck Materials
Researching the deck materials, you will use, is one of the most important dream deck building tips. There are a lot of choices for decking materials, so find the one that’s right for you. If you want to build the perfect deck, composite decking is the most popular choice in parts of the country that features hot summers and cold winters. It holds up well, it’s low maintenance and most of the newer composite products carry a 25-year warranty.

Traditional redwood or cedar decking materials are less expensive than composite decking to start off with, but they may cost you more over time if you factor in maintenance costs. Exotic hardwoods are becoming popular, but they usually cost more than composite decking and they require annual maintenance.

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Deck Plans and Design Software
Create professional and precise deck designs and deck plans with CAD Pro’s easy to use design tools. Design hot tub decks, pool decks, multi-level decks, deck railing, custom deck plans, landscape decks, commercial decks and much more when implementing these dream deck building tips.

FREE Professional Deck Designs and Deck Plans
Quickly view and print professionally designed deck plans when you build the perfect deck. CAD Pro includes popular deck plans built. Simply open any of the many CAD Pro deck plans and quickly modify any aspect to meet your specific deck plan or deck design requirements.

Cad Pro is an affordable and easy alternative to other more expensive deck design software programs. Cad Pro is great for creating DIY home projects, custom home plans, building plans, electrical drawings, construction details, and much more. Anyone can start their new deck project with CAD Pro.

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Most Common Deck Problems

When the weather is warm and pleasant, your deck may be one of the most popular areas of the home. But because decks are exposed to the elements, this can create the most common deck problems for any homeowner. Your deck can quickly deteriorate and wear down and possibly become a hazard rather than a retreat. So, we’ve put together some deck problem solutions and tips that will prolong the life of your deck.

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of deck projects. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors.

Share your deck plans and designs with clients, builders or professional contractors using Dropbox®, Google Drive™, OneDrive®, and SharePoint®. Export files to Microsoft Word®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® with a single click.

most common deck problems with deck problem solutions and tips

Most Common Deck Problems with Deck Problem Solutions and Tips

Five Most Common Deck Problems

Fortunately, these most common deck problems have simple solutions that can keep your deck looking great so you can enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

ONE: Deck Water Damage
Many homeowners have their newly installed deck sealed once and then neglect to ever do it again, leaving the wood exposed to the elements, eventually causing the wood to show significant signs of weather damage. Even the best sealant may wear off with time and need to be reapplied every few years. This is one of our number one deck problem solutions and tips.

The easiest way to test your deck, sprinkle some water onto it and if the water stops beading and instead just seeps into the wood, you’ll know that it’s time to reseal the deck. Remember to clean the deck thoroughly before sealing it and replace any pieces of damaged wood.

TWO: Structural Weakness
Decks are often installed by inexperienced homeowners, which can affect their structural integrity and create one of the most common deck problems and possible safety hazards. If your deck has any give or weakness to it when you walk on it, there’s a good chance your deck needs structural repair.

Check the support structure beneath the deck surface to ensure that the ledger boards, joist hangers and post connections are all complete and secure. If you’re unsure about any connections or support, call a professional deck installer to assess the situation and make repair work if needed. These types of deck problem solutions and tips will give you peace of mind and will be more than worth the expense.

THREE: Board Gaps
Certain types of wood will shrink over time as it dries out, which may create gaps in your deck. Unfortunately, the only way to correct this problem is to remove the boards and replace them.

FOUR: Fading Deck Color
Wood will lose its color over time, slowly turning gray as it ages and accumulates damage and debris. This is a visual problem, but one that you’ll want to fix if you like the look of your deck. Most wood cleaners will restore some of the original color by removing the grime that’s causing the discoloration.

Additionally, you could use a wood brightener as a quick solution for these most common deck problems. As always, be sure to seal the deck after cleaning or brightening the wood to ensure that it continues to look refreshed until the next treatment.

FIVE: Wood Rot and Splintering
Rot and splintering, where the wood is literally falling apart, is the worst-case scenario for an unprotected deck.

Not only is rot unsightly, but it can also undermine the integrity of the deck itself. If the deck has been sealed but still shows signs of rot, it’s important to check the area after the next storm to see where the water is coming from.

Gutters are one of the easy deck problem solutions and tips you should keep an eye on. Often, you may discover a gutter issue or a problem with a fixture that is funneling water onto a particular area of the deck. Rot is also a big problem around handrails or stairs, where it’s more difficult to effectively seal the area.

Rotting is one of the most common deck problems and fixing rot calls for repair, inspection and resealing. Repair any affected boards while inspecting the posts and beams to ensure the deck remains stable. Then, once only good wood is left, completely seal the deck so the rot doesn’t return.

Deck Plans and Design Software
Create professional and precise deck designs and deck plans with CAD Pro’s easy to use design tools. Design hot tub decks, pool decks, multi-level decks, deck railing, custom deck plans, landscape decks, commercial decks and much more.

Click Here to Get Started

FREE Professional Deck Designs and Deck Plans
Quickly view and print professionally designed deck plans. CAD Pro includes some of the most popular deck plans built. Simply open any of the many CAD Pro deck plans and quickly modify any aspect to meet your specific deck plan or deck design requirements.

Cad Pro is an affordable and easy alternative to other more expensive deck design software programs. Cad Pro is great for creating custom home plans, building plans, office plans, construction details, and much more. Anyone can start their new deck project with CAD Pro.

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