As an owner of an under way custom house, you won’t feel more enthusiast than in the moment when the build reaches the stage of exterior finishing, and an attached deck falls into this category. It is at this point that you are finally starting to perceive the “profile” of your dream home, that artistic rendering which you have pictured before initiating the project. Once the major construction tasks are completed, your attention turns to details like wall coverings, finishing an attached deck, roofing the house, laying out a driveway and installing a lighting system. The focus of the present article will be placed on the completion of an attached deck.
Representing a platform built above the ground and connected to the main body of the house, an attached deck is usually made of wood. However, there are other materials used to fabricate it such as composite material, aluminum, polystyrene, mixed plastics and wood fibers. The standard model of attached deck is enclosed by a railing for safety and it can be accessed bidirectionally (from the house through the doors and from the ground via a stairway).
One of the most popular and pragmatic types of the numerous attached deck designs available in books, web sites and do-it-yourself magazines is represented by the one covered with a canopy or pergola. Thus, the owner of the house can control sunlight and enjoy relaxing moments on the patio.
Since the attached deck enables one to enter the house and it is also a place of lounging, this space will surely have its share of intense “traffic”. Consequently, one has to carefully pick the right finish material so that it can hold out against heavy wear and tear, as well as the action of natural elements.
Wood is a good choice if you aim for an aesthetic appearance, but it is also “vulnerable”, easily showing the effects of aging. Hence, once you have chosen it as the finish for your attached deck, you have to prepare yourself for periodical reconditioning. The frequency of this procedure will depend on the quality of the product you use and on the degree to which the wear and tear go. It is recommended that you use a penetrating transparent water sealer as the best coating for a wooden patio because it allows you to see the wood, but simultaneously protects it from the elements.
Materials to Use for the Attached Deck
Recently, the related industry has been providing pressure treated wood, which is said to be long lasting and more enduring against hostile weather conditions. Nevertheless, bare in mind that it is treated with chemical substances which are toxic and can lead to hospitalization if inhaled on a regular basis.
Due to environmental concerns, the construction market has adopted alternatives such as composite decking (a mixture of two materials, typically wood pulp and recycled material such as plastic bottles or plastic bags). Unfortunately, this option still needs development as the material cannot be refurbished, contains toxins and attracts molding. Therefore, if you are an environmentalist, you might want to think twice before selecting a wood substitute.
Trying to avoid the complications of this sensitive material, some people choose concrete for their patio, thinking that it wouldn’t require any finish. However, this is quite far from the truth because even concrete is subjected to deterioration, getting worn or stained. Therefore, using a sealer will do you a double favor by keeping the attached deck cleaner and making it last longer.
In case you plan to use the attached deck for sports play (such as basketball or street hockey), a good idea is to take rubberizing materials into consideration. What is certain is that many homeowners equip their concrete attached deck with an indoor/outdoor carpet in order to confer it a warmer look and a more comfortable feel.
Once your custom house is completed, you can play and improvise the way in which your attached deck will be “adorned”.