The Perfect Outdoor Room Hollywood FL

Source: Daily Press

May 28--A backyard deck expands your living space, giving you a place to sit, read, garden, cook, listen to music or just daydream.

You can build a deck yourself or have a remodeler do it for you -- the latter is a wise move if you get into planter boxes, different levels of sitting spaces and a grilling area.

When you consider a deck, first decide whether you want traditional wood or a composite lumber.

"Both materials require maintenance, but there is less care required and a longer life with composites," says David Cross of Cross Remodeling in Hampton. "Composites scratch and stain, but they don't rot. Composites don't have to be stained, but they now make stains for them if you want to enhance the color."

Whether you build your new deck yourself or have it done, keep these tips in mind when you are planning its function and design.

Know your materials. Redwood and cedar are beautiful lumbers but they are pricey and harvested from precious stands of forests.

Treated wood is preserved with chemicals you may want to avoid.

Composites, on the other hand, are recycled from plastics and wood by-products, which adds a "green" value to your home. They also come in a variety of colors that accent your home.

Size it right. A 10-by-10-foot deck gives you little space for a table and chairs and a grill.

Click here to read full article from Replacement Contractor