Deck Safety Month: How Safe Is Your Deck?
Decking is a project many homeowners think they can handle by themselves. All of the videos online today make it look easy. The reality is, it’s not. There’s so much that goes into a deck, that not using a professional decking contractor can potentially lead to issues if a homeowner is not aware of all of the areas to consider. Your deck can provide years of fun and enjoyment for your family; avoid a safety issue by following these four steps.
- A deck should be designed by a professional so it’s built to meet current building code requirements. There are many types of software on the market that can help design a deck. When decks fail, it’s typically caused by one or more of these areas: connection to the home; connection to the support posts; undersized framing members and/or; incorrect fasteners. Service calls usually involves repair to one or more of these areas.
- Hiring an engineer is key to ensure the deck is designed to withstand Mother Nature, designed to meet code, and designed to meet your needs. Using an engineer to review plans is also very important. Deck designing software is good, but it does not replace an engineer. Make sure your deck drawings have an engineered stamp of approval. Don’t risk your family’s’ safety by not having your deck properly designed.
- Once your deck is designed and properly built by a professional, inspect the deck annually to ensure the structural integrity has not been compromised. This inspection needs to look at all structural components, from framing to fasteners. Taking five minutes twice a year can save you from a potentially bigger problem in the future.
- When hiring a professional to build your deck, ensure they have the knowledge and accreditations to give you the peace of mind that your deck will not only look great, but that it’s built properly and will last for years to come. Some of these accreditations are: NADRA (North American Deck and Railing Association), NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), or NAHB (National Association of Home Builders). They should also be backed by the manufacturer as each manufacturer has a contractor program which requires a company to show they have consistently installed their product to manufacturers requirements. If you are talking to a decking company that does not have one or more of these accreditations, be aware the contractor may not have the proper technical skills to ensure your deck is safe.
If you follow these four steps you can have peace of mind knowing your deck is designed to meet your family’s needs, be a focal point of your outdoor living space and more importantly, that your deck is safe for years to come. So take five minutes this week to look at the underside of your deck to make sure everything is ready for another great year of enjoyment. Your deck can be such a great extension of your home, so don’t risk your family’s safety by not taking the proper steps to ensure you have a structure that will last, year over year.
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Outstanding Reviews
Brooks was my contractor on the project. He was awesome! He was there with me every step of the way! Eugenia was very helpful in the office and assisted me in getting the HOA approval. Jason explained the warranty process and even brought me a cake!
Everyone we came in contact with was very cooperative and easy to work with. It was a pleasant experience from the first online chat. They listened to us and helped solve any issues we were concerned about
Wow, this company goes above and beyond. From the very first reach out to the very last interaction once the job was completed. Everything was done first class. The quality of work, the constant communication and level of service was like nothing I’ve ever experienced with any contractor. I priced out a couple different contractors compared to contractor exteriors and I will tell you I would have paid more just to have this experience with them. I had Jonathan as my project manager and he was exceptional.
Very happy with our new Timbetech front porch deck and steps with AZEK facia and risers. Everyone at CE was responsive and very professional explaining every step in detail! We have several homeowners in our community who have already asked for contact info info. Jonathan is a very good project manager and ensured we were satisfied with the quality, cleanliness, and appearance of our new front porch! Thank you!
In choosing a company to replace our deck, we researched and decided to use Contract Exteriors. We definitely made the right choice. We are very pleased with the results. Special thanks to Brooks, our Project Manager, who kept us updated and informed everyday.
Contract Exteriors did a great job for me. The entire group was very responsive, and my deck project turned out fantastic. My project, as all projects, had some surprises that were handled professionally and promptly. Randy, Brooks, and the office staff were great throughout the process. They proactively kept me informed on the status of the project. I never had to call twice to get a question answered or ask for an accommodation.
We couldn't be happier with contract exteriors and the job they did. Our beach house looks brand new with the new Hardie board and white trim. EVERYONE was friendly, well mannered, professional, and was always ready to answer any questions that we had. Miguel and his crew did an excellent job. Brooks the project manager was wonderful, and also Chad who helped us from the very beginning, also the girls in the office. We would not hesitate to use them again.
This company did an amazing job on my siding project. From start to finish they were very professional, helpful, and on time. Eugenia clearly communicated the whole process to me before they even started the project and Brooks was always available to answer my questions. He even came and ensured the cleanup was perfect and finished up the exterior lighting. Even after the project was finished this company ensured communicated to ensure everything was perfect. Super pleased. Thank you!
Everything about this group was extremely professional. Renovations can be challenging but they carefully made sure that their products and our original structures fit together seamlessly. We are truly looking forward to our new elegant deck that will be essentially maintenance free for many, many years. We will definitely use this company for future projects.
Matt Kuzdrall made our whole experience of purchasing two new roofs for our buildings at the Children's Recovery Center so easy. Matt was professional and had all the answers to any questions we had. He has followed up since our new roofs have been installed to make sure everything is still great. Matt is awesome and I would recommend him to anyone I know looking for a new roof.
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