WORKS Enhances Safety and Beauty of a Deck
In this case, as you can see from the top photo on the right, the deck had worn flooring and damaged balusters, creating issues with both appearance and safety. Poor flashing contributed to this deterioration.
The WORKS construction crew took up the worn decking and replaced it with Ipe decking, a hardwood that resists rot and decay naturally, without preservatives. They removed the damaged balusters and installed nine new mahogany balusters. They also worked on the sliding doors to the deck, replacing the kicker and door casings.
New flashing went onto the pressure joists and the ledger board that attaches the deck to the house. The decking ends were sealed. The balusters were primed and painted. As shown in the bottom photo, the result was a beautiful and safe deck that can better withstand attacks from weather and should give the homeowners pleasure for years to come.
When you consider replacing your decking, you have several options:
Even a contemporary home that is less than 20 years old may have a weak spot, and for an Essex, Massachusetts, home that weakness was the deck. While most new decks today are built with treated lumber, deck maintenance and deck repair are still needed, especially with the weather extremes we experience on the North Shore of Boston.
In this case, as you can see from the top photo on the right, the deck had worn flooring and damaged balusters, creating issues with both appearance and safety. Poor flashing contributed to this deterioration.
The WORKS construction crew took up the worn decking and replaced it with Ipe decking, a hardwood that resists rot and decay naturally, without preservatives. They removed the damaged balusters and installed nine new mahogany balusters. They also worked on the sliding doors to the deck, replacing the kicker and door casings.
New flashing went onto the pressure joists and the ledger board that attaches the deck to the house. The decking ends were sealed. The balusters were primed and painted. As shown in the bottom photo, the result was a beautiful and safe deck that can better withstand attacks from weather and should give the homeowners pleasure for years to come.
When you consider replacing your decking, you have several options:
Pressure-treated lumber is the least expensive but requires the most maintenance as it is subject to warping and the rich look fades over time.
Composites, made of wood fiber and plastic, are very weather resistant and require little maintenance. They are also low-cost. However, many people object to the look and feel.
Redwood and cedar have natural resistance to weather and bugs, but that resistance varies with the amount of heartwood (from the center of the tree). The rich color is likely to fade with time unless the wood is stained.
Tropical hardwoods, like Ipe, also offer natural resistance, but are more expensive and harder to work with. Please make sure the wood was harvested in a legal, sustainable manner.
Aluminum decking probably has the longest life and lowest maintenance, but it is also the most expensive and a novel choice that might not fit everyone’s style.
Whatever your choice, WORKS is ready to help with design, installation, and maintenance. Contact us today.