Custom Deck in beautiful Northwest Arkansas by Pruitt Built Outdoor Living Spaces and Design, your custom deck specialist. Call us at (479)313-3290 to get started on your outdoor living space project.
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Beautiful treated deck in Gravette Arkansas by Pruitt Built Outdoor Living Spaces and Design. This deck took approximately 3 weeks to build. This deck is over 1,000 sq. feet, and has several levels. Lowe's came and quoted an 800 square foot simple square deck for this property, at $22,000. I was able to build several levels to maximize the view of the property through the back windows, plantar boxes, storage underneath the deck, a wrap around section to serve as second access point from the driveway, and many other features and extra touches....for much less than the Lowe's quote. I was able to give twice the deck, in quality and appearance, for 30% less than the competition. The owner's are very excited about their custom built outdoor living space, and the extra space in their wallet! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4333542 When you are taking on the task of attempting to decide the right height and width for your deck, several key things should be considered. 1. How you plan to use the deck. Is the main purpose sunning, cooking, or sight-seeing? 2. How many people do you need to accommodate? Do you have social gatherings often? Be sure to consider the needs of children, especially around swimming pools! 3. What extras do you want added to the deck that will take up space? A fire-place or fire-pit? Bench seating? A swing? Hot tub? Grill? Be sure to consider leaving enough space in between features and extras for the foot traffic, chairs, etc. *I am currently building a custom deck that surrounds an above ground pool. The clients decided they want to hang their hammock from the deck posts on the deck. The hammock needs 12 feet in length to accommodate! Hence, the square footage of the deck had to be slightly increased to allow enough space!* 4. Do you have any specific circumstances, such as the need for wheel-chair access? A small deck designed to accommodate a round table, should be at least 12 by 12 feet. Keep in mind that space should be available for moving the chairs and the people around comfortably! The average deck size is usually 300-400 sq. feet. In general a deck should have a larger width than depth, with the longer dimension running parallel to the home. When a large deck boasts a significant square footage, one technique to enhance the look is to design multiple levels. This helps break up the look of the space, designating certain areas for specific activities, ie the food preparation area, the lounging pad, the sunning deck, the play and swim patio, etc. I have had many clients who selected and built a smaller deck than they really wanted, only to make additions to it later on. This can be a costly and difficult undertaking. On the other hand, I have never had a client who said that they wished they had built a smaller deck! A common mistake, is to select a deck that is not proportionate to your house or property. Too big a deck, can create the illusion of too small a house! At the same time, a deck that is too small, will get lost and have no aesthetic value. Determining Height Deck height is relatively simple to determine. A deck should be built within two inches, of the border of the door that enters onto the deck from the home. So, your deck needs to be the height that will bring it up to that level. If your home is raised, you will need a mid-elevation deck. For a home that is on ground-level, a low elevation deck is appropriate. For split-level or second story decks, a high-elevation deck would be required. Water Drainage Systems If you've decided to hire a contractor to build a high-elevation deck, then you have the option of using the space underneath the deck as an additional outdoor living area. For this to be an option you'll need at least 8 feet of space underneath the deck. You can create shaded and sheltered patio area underneath the deck (even with screen walls, if you wish). In order to take advantage of an under-deck area, you'll need to have a contractor install a water drainage system. A water drainage system will keep the space underneath your deck dry during rain storms. Good luck and happy decking! Tracy Decking material, a dilemma every client must face. With so many choices of woods, and composite materials, selecting one can be a confusing task. If you prefer natural materials, Ipe, as a deck wood is as perfect as wood can get. This amazing wood comes exclusively from South America. Structures built using Ipe materials are hard, strong, naturally resistant to rot, breakdown, abrasion and damage from the elements. In addition to being exceptionally strong, Ipe lumbar is also extremely fire-resistant. Ipe wood is approximately two times denser than most most other woods and up to 5 times harder. Ipe lumbar boasts the highest fire rating, Class A, which is equivalent to steel and concrete. In it's natural state, Ipe wood is dark brown in color, similar to mahogany. This characteristic not only improves the material's endurance, it also enhances it's natural beauty. Ipe decking, even after being subjected to the elements, can still resemble a fine interior wood. The hardness can partly be attributed to the weather patterns in Brazil and other parts of South American where Ipe is found. The lack of distinct seasonal differences in climate, affects the growth patterns, specifically the growth rings in the wood. The trees are not subjected to significant shifts in temperature, or humidity. This contributes to the exceptional density of the material. Ipe lumbar does not have to be stained and sealed the same as other woods, in order to last long and have aesthetic appeal. Ipe decks certainly can be treated, and this does increase the structures durability. However, an untreated Ipe deck will still out last a treated deck, up to 20-30 years. A treated and sealed Ipe structure can last even longer. This is something to seriously consider when selecting materials for your outdoor living space. The natural properties in Ipe lumbar result in a significant decrease in the amount of upkeep and maintenance that will be required over time. Having a maintenance free deck or structure is a tremendous benefit. Although Ipe decking material is two to three times more costly than traditional woods used for decking, such as cedar, it's lifespan offsets the increased cost several times over. Ipe lumbar, in addition to being more expensive than other woods of choice, also requires more intense labor, and specialized tools. An Ipe deck can take up to twice as long as a traditional deck to construct. Budget and resources are important to consider when selecting materials for your outdoor living space. Ipe decking is an excellent choice, that will provide superior endurance, beauty, and stability to your structure. Ipe decking is a smart choice for Northwest Arkansas, since we have various weather issues that can cause significant damage to outdoor structures. Ipe decking naturally withstands the effects of humidity, sleet, ice, rain, wind, and high temperatures, without fading, cracking, or splintering. |
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