Composite Decking
Deck building is almost an art form for many even though the cost of a quality deck replacement can be staggering. Many people are trying to be more cost and environmentally conscious when they are getting a deck replacement. Composite decking is a great way to make sure you get a deck that is affordable yet friendly to the environment.

What is Composite Decking?
Composite deck are made with boards that use a combination of plastic and wood fibers. They are typically used because they offer a few advantages over those of traditional wooden deck boards. They are more durable and will last longer. They do no weather at all. They also require much less maintenance than wooden boards do. All you need to do is occasionally wash them off. With wooden boards you will have to sand, stain and weather treat them regularly. Composite boards are able to hold their look for longer so your deck will look brand new for a long time. The value is better with composite boards too thanks to the non existent cost of maintenance. Even though they can be more expensive up front in the long run it is a better deal to buy composite. To top it all off they can be some of the most environmentally friendly deck material possible too.

How Much Does Composite Decking Cost?
Compared to similar quality wood boards the cost of composite boards are usually anywhere from 30 percent to 40 percent more per board. This means that it will cost more upfront to build your deck with composite materials. You will save money over time though. Composite decks are able to withstand more before they need any deck repairs and they need minimal if any maintenance.

What is the Best Eco Friendly Decking Material?
Not all composite materials are made the same. What was used to make the composite boards will determine how friendly the particular board is. If you look at the materials and see that it was made worth easily recyclable materials then it was probably a good board for the environment. Just be sure to review the ingredients for any type of composite board that you are going to get if you really want to get something that is sustainable. It is an easy mistake to make and assume that all composite boards are made equally but they are not. Some of them are just as bad for the environment as any other type of board is for it.

Final Thoughts on Eco Friendly Decking
If you are wondering about composite decking cost then contact us for a free estimate. The quote we provide will include all the details you need to make an informed decision. We want to make deck building an easy and enjoyable process. You should enter your next project feeling confident and ready to tackle the challenge.

let’s build something great together. Give our team a call today for a free estimate! 

There's nothing quite like the beauty and comfort of a backyard deck. Many homeowners wonder if they can afford a deck or even if they should go to the expense. Many questions surround the installation of a deck. Will I need footing? If I do, how much will that expense add to the project? How much does composite decking cost? Should I use it or hardwood?

The average deck costs $7,500 but typically ranges between $4,000 and $10,000. Many variables go into deck building. You will need to ask yourself if that whirlpool or Jacuzzi you dreamed of fits into your budget.

Since we'll need a design before we can start the deck building, that's a logical place to start.

How Much Extra Will It Cost for a Custom Deck Design?
The national average for deck designs is $200-$500. However, if you do an online search, you can probably find one that meets your needs for free. Otherwise, if you have AutoCAD experience, you can draw one yourself.

Consider these expenses before you finalize your plans:

Deck enclosures add $8,000 to $18,000
A roof will add $3,500 to $11,000
A sunroom could add $20 or $30,000
Stairs will add $15 to $20 per square foot
Add awnings for $650 to $1,000
Concrete footings usually add $4.75 to $120 per linear foot
Figure about $200 to $250 per hole for support beams

It's your deck and your design, just don't break the budget on things you could add later, even though it likely cost less to do it all at once.

What Is Composite Decking?
Composite decking materials are usually fiberglass, vinyl, PVC, or other recycled content. How much does composite decking cost? Many believe these materials are much cheaper than wood, but in most cases, the opposite is true. Although these materials do not bend or warp and are generally maintenance-free, the materials cost almost 50 percent more than wood. A composite deck could cost $50 to $100 per square foot. However, if you want a maintenance-free choice that you will never need to paint, composite is the way to go if you can afford it.

Why Choose Hardwood Decks?
Most prefer hardwood over composite or the less expensive alternative like cedar, pine, or bamboo. However, hardwood decks such as redwood, mahogany, ipe, and tigerwood can run from $5 to $30 per square foot, compared to cedar or bamboo at $3 to $10 per square foot. When it comes to which materials you use for deck building, it will depend on your budget and how much maintenance you want to do.

If there are many insects in your area, cedar might be the right choice. Then, add an excellent stain and sealer for $1,000 to $1,500.

Deck Repair Versus a Replacement Deck
Should you get it repaired or replaced? Repair is generally cheaper than deck replacement. Although it will usually depend on what needs to get done. If your decking and supports are old or there's an insect infestation, you might need to tear it down and replace it.

Deck Contractors in Boise
When you have questions about a new deck, deck replacement, or deck design, call the best deck contractors in Boise. We can assist you with hardwood decks, composite decks, or deck repairs or replacement with a no questions asked warranty from Boise Deck and Fence Contractors.

Deck building or deck replacement is one of the most popular additions to any home and a valuable addition too. Yet, the are a few factors that should be considered when making the final decision whether replacing or building a deck. Deck replacement typically happens when the entire deck has been neglected or simply pass the life of the deck building itself. Because of this, composite decking has become a popular alternative replacing traditional wood decking material which requires replacement or maintenance far beyond composite decking.

The average life of wood decking is usually around ten years compared to the life span of composite which easily surpasses a twenty five year life span. Not only that, wood decking requires treatment every two to four years by applying stain or sealer. If composite decking cost is a concern consider the pricing of applying stain to a wood deck every two years. Even the time taken to maintain a wood deck in this aspect may prove the worth of a composite decking structure.

Composite decking cost is actually reasonable when considering all the headache wood decking provides. Composite decking cost varies little when comparing to maintenance and the short life span of wood in general, especially when weather typically shortens the lifespan. Most home owners are unaware of this notion and decks are either neglected or the consideration of composite material is overlooked. There are several deck contractors who provide professional advice and installation of various decking structures.

Deck contractors in Boise have been providing this expertise for years, and Boise Deck & Fence Contractors can install any composite deck feature. They recommend composite for a variety of reasons and choosing composite will ultimately save money in the long run.

Traditional wood decking can last a long time, but the average cost of retreating a deck can immediately increase in price considering the size and square footage of the deck. The cost of stain an sealer has increased in price over the years, and labor costs will also add to the total bill of application. Deck contractors in Boise may provide this alternative, but composite materials require little maintenance after initial installation.

The average cost of pressure treated wood materials are between fifteen to twenty five dollars per square foot. Cedar will average just about as much as composite averaging around thirty dollars per square foot, but requires attention ever two years. Most home owners will not keep up on maintenance of wood decking, and if so the cost of maintaining will surpass the cost of composite materials. After time wood decking will quickly look older than the installation of composites.

There are several designs and features with composite materials and not limited to just one simple design. There are several grain patterns and styles to choose from, and Boise Deck & Fence can provide professional advice and installation. If price is a concern they can provide excellent service and advice by comparing wood products verse composite. Price, a far longer lifespan, less maintenance, creative designs, and sturdier structures are just a few reasons composites are a far better option.

When we think of installing a fence on our property most of us typically only consider fencing the backyard, however there are also many benefits of installing a fence in your front yard. Before deciding on a front yard fence, you will want to check for any fencing laws or restrictions both with the city as well as with the HOA (if applicable). Read on to find out why some homeowners have decided to invest in fencing for their front yards.

Privacy
One of the main reasons that some homeowners decide to install a fence around their front yard is simply privacy, especially for properties that sit off of a busy road or high foot traffic area. Homeowners with properties in these type of urban settings typically install a fence to create a buffer between their property and the public property.

Security
Another reason that homeowners may decide to install a fence in the front is to increase safety and security. Much for the same reasons that homeowners install a backyard fence, a fence around the front yard can also contain pets and young children as well as keep unwanted visitors like neighborhood dogs and cats out of your yard.

Style
A low, decorative fence around your front yard can greatly improve your home’s appearance and add major curb appeal. There are many low fence designs and materials to choose from – wrought iron, vinyl fence, picket and aluminum fences can all add that extra special touch to your home. With endless style and material options the hardest part of installing your front yard fence will be deciding on the design that best fits your needs and style. We recommend taking a walk or drive around your neighborhood to see what types of front yard fences some of your neighbors have installed. This will give you a great idea of the different styles, sizes and colors of fencing that is available and help you decide what will best compliment your property.

Noise Buffer
Last but certainly not least, a front yard fence can serve as a great noise buffer, especially for those that may live near a busy road or highly foot traffic area. While a fence will not block out all the surrounding noise you will notice a significant difference in noise levels.

Thank you, reader, for sticking with me through this article on front yard fences! As you can tell installing a fence in your front yard has many great benefits. From reducing noise, adding security and privacy to increasing home value and curb appeal. If you are considering installing a fence on your property give our team of experts a call today for a free quote. We can also help you determine if there are any city or HOA guidelines or restrictions for fencing in your area. 

If you have a deck at your home you know what a vital part of the house it is! Decks extend your living and entertainment space and provide an excellent place to relax on a beautiful afternoon. For these reasons it is important to regularly inspect the health of your deck and make necessary repairs or even consider replacement to ensure the safety of your family and friends.  Even the most solidly built deck with the best waterproofing treatments can still succumb to Mother Nature – rain, snow, sleet, blazing sun, wind, etc. Knowing exactly what to inspect on your deck is valuable information for any homeowner, especially when considering if a replacement deck is needed or simply some repairs. We’ve put together a deck inspection list in this article, read on for some valuable information! 

Decking Material
The first step in the deck inspection process is to consider the type of wood or other material your deck is made from. This is an important factor when assessing the condition and safety of your deck.  Real wood will show different signs of damage and wear and tear than will composite decking material. Wood decks often suffer damage from insects and may become warped in some areas that are used the most and/or areas that are exposed most frequently to outdoor elements. Composite and vinyl decking can often become faded in some areas. Knowing and understanding the type of decking material your deck is built with will help you determine whether a repair is needed or maybe some board replacements are required or if a larger scale deck replacement is required.

Post Inspections
The next step in the deck inspection process is to look at your deck posts. Take a look at the base of the deck posts since those areas tend to collect water. Dig out any dirt that you find there and look for rot or water damage. If present, you will need to replace the posts because the deck’s structural integrity is compromised. If you find rot in only one or two deck posts it is possible to replace them, however if every deck posts shows signs of rot damage it will be time consider a total deck replacement.

Joist Inspections
In addition to the deck posts, the joists are also a vital component in the structural stability of your deck. It is important to inspect each joist for water damage and rot. Deck joists can also be damaged by insects as well as simply the wear and tear that come with age. The best way to do this is to use a screwdriver to push into the wood. If it gives way or is soft you will know that the joists are rotted.

Unfortunately, if your deck joists have rot damage it is difficult to replace them without completely tearing up your deck. If joists are damaged it is best to go ahead and replace your deck. If you are unsure about the extent of joist damage it is best to call in a professional to inspect your deck.
 
Railing Inspections
If your posts and joists pass the inspection test the next thing to do is to move on to the deck railings. You will want to inspect the railing for any obvious water damage or rot. If there is no water or rot damage the next step is to lean on your railing and see if they are wobbly or unsteady in any way. Deck railings tend to be where people congregate and lean on railings so it is important to test them out on a regular basis to ensure that they are stable and sturdy. If you do find that the deck railing is decayed or unsteady in certain spots the good news is that you can often easily replace them without tear up or replacing the whole deck.

Age Is A Factor
As with most things in life, age is a factor! New decks that were build well should only need minor maintenance and repair, however as a general rule decks over 6 or 7 years old should be inspected by a professional to ensure safety and longevity.  Geographical area and weather element exposure will also have an affect on the health of your deck. In areas of the country where there are extreme temperature swings from season to season or an abundance of exposure to water it is best to schedule an inspection with a professional deck builder in your area. 

Finally, check the ledger board
Not even sure what a ledger board is? Allow me to explain… the ledger board is the board that attaches the deck to your home. If the ledger board is pulling away from the house it is a sure sign that your deck may need to be replaced. If the ledger board is not structurally sound the deck and collapse in heavy snow or gusty winds from a thunderstorm. In conclusion, it is best to inspect your deck on a semi-annual basis so that damage is caught early. When in doubt, contact a professional deck builder to inspect the deck. Many problems and deck damage can be repaired easily if they are caught in time. 

There are still many homeowners who are just now digging out from the impact of the housing bubble that burst in 2008 and the pain is still very fresh in their minds.  New homeowners who did not feel the impact of those troubled times are just as cautious to protect the value of their homes and make the right decisions regarding how we can increase the return on our investments.  So, with that thought in mind, the question would be would adding a deck on to my house help or hurt the property value.  By most measures the answer is yes however there are varying responses as to just how much.  Depending on the search input or the browser that you use.  Any web search will return a multitude of blogs, articles or sites that will provide a varying range of expectations of the impact that a deck will have on the value of your home.   Overall most estimates show that the homeowner can expect a property value increase anywhere from 70% to 107% of the cost of the deck installation.  Compared to the return on investment of other home improvement projects decks are a very sound investment for the homeowner.
   
Now that we have established that decks are sound investments, what other items should the homeowner consider when taking on a project like this.  One thing to consider will be the size of the deck.  One mistake that homeowners will make is overbuilding the deck.  You need to take the size of the yard into consideration when planning the size of the deck.  Filling too much of the yard with deck can have an opposite effect in this case.  Maintain the proper balance between deck and yard to maximize the overall enjoyment of your outdoor space.  Your professional deck contractor can assist in your design planning so that the final product will be the right size for the space.  Another consideration will be materials.  Wood, composite, and exotic hardwoods are all great options.  The Boise deck builder will be able to walk you through the choices and help you decide the best option for your outdoor living space.  These materials will have a unique return on investment factor.  The Boise deck contractor will also assist with the evaluation of that as well. A third thing to consider will be the deck accents.  Everything from deck lighting to fire pits, outdoor kitchens and covered sitting are all great choices.  All of which will have a similar impact to the overall value of the project.  The deck builder will walk you through all of the options.   

With all of that being said, you can see that there are many reasons to add a new custom deck on to your home and enjoy the expanded living space but the knowledge that you have added to the overall investment that you have made in your home.  Contact our Boise custom deck builders today for a free quote on your next project.