Now that summer's here, many homeowners are thinking about new decks, which are great additions to any living space.
Before you start looking for a contractor, however, you need to make a call to your local building authority.
There's a good possibility you will need a permit for your deck — especially if it's attached to your house or above a certain height.
And, obviously, you don't want to put out the money for a new deck and then have to take it down.
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If you don't get a permit and you're found out, that's what can happen. Don't take a chance.
There are lots of things you need to be clear about in order to build a safe and well-constructed deck. Do you need railings? Are they tall enough? Is the spacing correct? What about the stairs — are the risers correct?
You also need to think about the material you'll use. There are lots of options.
Pressure-treated wood
This is a popular choice for decks and fences because it's usually the least costly. Pressure-treated (PT) wood is impregnated with chemicals that help it resist rot and insects, making it ideal for exterior projects.
There was a lot of controversy about PT wood in the past because arsenic was used to treat it. But that product was taken off the market in Canada about four years ago. A copper compound is now used instead of arsenic, and it's perfectly safe if you work with it properly and don't burn it.
With copper-treated wood, your contractor has to use the correct fasteners. If the screws and joist hangers aren't specifically labelled for use with PT wood, they will corrode when the wood gets wet. Aluminum and copper don't mix and regular galvanized nails and screws won't hold up for long. Initially, this will cause staining on your deck around these screws and hangers, and then structural failure when they corrode away.
PT wood needs to be maintained because it is not water resistant. You should clean it annually to remove dirt or moss, then apply a sealer to protect against moisture damage and splintering. You can also paint or stain the wood.
Cedar
I love the look of cedar, but it is more expensive than PT wood, no question. One way of saving money if you like the look of cedar is to build the structure and supports out of PT wood, and use cedar for the planks and rails.
Cedar is naturally resistant to insect damage and rot, so it needs less maintenance than PT wood. Unless your cedar deck comes into direct contact with the ground — and it shouldn't if it's built properly — you won't need to treat it with preservatives at all. Cedar can be allowed to weather to a grey colour, or you can stain it. But once you stain it, you'll have to maintain it regularly.
You should wash your cedar deck every year with a mild detergent and water, but don't use a pressure washer on it. Cedar is too soft and can be damaged this way.
Composite wood
Composite wood is made of a variety of materials, usually polyethylene or polypropylene mixed with wood fibre or wood flour. It can look a lot like real wood, with embossed wood-grain patterns and texture. Composite wood comes in a variety of colours, is UV-resistant, won't fade, stain, twist, split or warp, and it's resistant to insects.
When this product first came out, I wasn't really enthusiastic about it, but it has been improved and I'm starting to like it. Composite wood is as much as five times more expensive than PT wood, but over the long term you'll save a lot on maintenance.
A lot of composite wood material is somewhat softer than real wood, and isn't available in long spans, so your contractor will have to place the joists closer together.
Resin decking
This has no wood in it at all, so it definitely won't absorb moisture. It's lightweight and durable, is resistant to mould, won't splinter or crack, and it comes in a variety of colours.
In general, make sure your contractor has lots of experience building decks.
Just because the project is outside your house doesn't mean you should be casual about who you hire. A lot of guys start out in the business by building decks and fences; make sure the contractor you hire knows what he's doing. Check references and get lots of quotes.
Some people say a deck "should be" built for an average of $5 a square foot (labour and materials for the deck surface and structure only). There is no average — every situation is different, depending on materials, access, details, size, and the experience and skill of the contractor.
Mike Holmes is the host of Holmes on Homes on HGTV. For more information, go towww.holmesonhomes.com
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