If
there's one thing we have discovered after working on decks around Deck Builder in Sherburne County, MN and the greater Minneapolis area, it is this - a stunning catalog image
doesn't always translate into a durable product, especially after experiencing
a Minnesota winter.
The
majority of the homeowners with whom we discuss, they all begin the same way:
just a little thought. Perhaps it is a summer grill area, or an outdoor coffee
spot in the morning. However when you start to focus on the aspects, especially
in this region, these things usually get a little more complex.
In
fact, it’s not something bad at all—it only indicates that we’ll be thinking
smarter while planning.
Initially
everyone thinks a simple idea ... but then the Minnesota weather gets involved
We
have talked to many people who start off saying, "We just want something
simple".
While
in Minnesota, “simple” has to consider a lot of things - snow laying on the
ground for months, muddy spring thaw and those temperature fluctuations that
can go from extremely cold level to the level of a warm day in a matter of
weeks.
One
of the client we assisted had a very good deck, the only thing was, that it was
good for couple of years. After that time, the boards started warping, the
stairs moved a bit and by the time it was the third winter, the deck didn’t
feel solid anymore. It wasn’t major but that little feeling that something was
wrong was there.
This
is the main point where we are usually brought in—not to totally change
everything, but to identify what weather has been doing silently over the
years.
The major problem
we notice: ground motion and seasonal changes
By
staying here for some time, you must have seen how the earth moves along with
the changes of season. And no, it’s not your mind playing tricks on you—it’s
one of the largest reasons why a deck fails.
Frost heave: Why it is a bigger problem than
what people imagine
Frost
heave almost always turns out to be a surprise for the property owners when it
comes to their first problem with the situation. While the ground is getting
frozen, it is expanded. When frozen ground is thawed, it is contracted. Each
year this process is repeated.
When
the deck footings are not set at a sufficient depth or the footing is not
designed such that it is able to handle such movement, the problem starts
showing up. Posts move around, deck surfaces get uneven and for a small time,
railings are loosened.
Since
it doesn’t happen right away, it is quite normal to be caught off guard.
Consequences of turning a blind eye
We
entered a deck where a corner was just slightly lower than the rest. Or a stair
that used to be quiet and solid is now creaking and tilting. The majority of
the time, there is no question of shoddy workmanship. It is more about the fact
that our freeze-thaw cycles can be so intense, which means that the very first
build did not really find the full measure of these cycles.
Usually
the solution isn’t simple, but the moral is always the same: what occurs
underground is really important in the same way as what is visible is
important.
Material Decision
Making: What Sounds Like a Good Idea & What Will Actually Work Here
Another
area where the idea in your mind and in reality don’t always match up is the
choice of materials, especially when there are so many options to choose from.
Wood Decking: The Traditional Choice But High
Maintenance In Our Area
Natural
wood is certainly beautiful and this close to the heart of so many people
nature, wood is not easily pushed aside. It has that hospitable classic look
that a bunch of homeowners tend to be drawn to.
However,
in our region, we have to say that it requires quite a lot each time.
Between
snow moisture, spring rain and summer humidity, a wood deck gets its share of
strain. Without consistent sealing and treatment, you will start noticing
cracks, discoloration and in some cases even decay in parts most exposed to
elements.
We
have heard neighbors say: "\We did not think that taking care of this will
require so much time and effort.\" And this is one genuine response as
sometimes the implication is hidden up front.
Composite Decking: The Reason why more Neighbors
are Making the Change
In
the last couple of years, we have seen a shift toward homeowners who are opting
for composite deck materials. This is not just for the sake of it, but mainly
because it is slightly more resilient to the elements.
They
are not as susceptible to water absorption as wood and generally maintain their
original form much better across seasons. Although they are not totally
maintenance-free, they do significantly decrease the year-to-year workload.
Often,
this ends being a decision to how you want to divide your time: keeping the
deck in shape, or enjoying it.
Frequently Asked
Question: “Is it Possible to Use My Deck Year-Round?”
The
short reply is: Not without some compromises, but you can actually get quite
close to it.
Small Changes That Lead to Big Improvements
There
are some really imaginative ways that we have seen owners of homes that are
pushing the boundaries of their outdoor waiting periods. These include the
likes of partial covers, windbreaks or even built-in seats that can be
converted into storage.
One
of the families simply added a pergola and the space that small addition it
still gave was more defined and more usable even not with weather turned out to
be ideal.
Thinking about the Future vs. Having a Make-over
Later
This
is one of those cases where even a little planning will pay off in huge ways.
It just so happens that it is a lot easier to build in features such as
lighting, structural supports for coverings or privacy elements when you are
doing the initial construction, instead of you trying to add them on later.
We
have rehabbed a number of decks and while it is certainly possible, it is never
really as smooth as when you have planned for it at the very beginning.
Permits And Other
Local Factors In Sherburne County
People
usually get surprised by this part, not because it is difficult but because it
is so easy to forget.
Most surprising things for homeowners
Each
city or town has its own rules and requirements and the timing can also depend
on the weather and the busiest times being from spring to early summer can
indeed cause a bit of a slowdown.
We
have seen homeowners take it for granted that there is no need for permits. But
the thing is that they need approval before starting. It is not a very big
problem but you do need to plan for it in your timeline.
A Project That
Made a Lasting Impression
A
homeowner that was just a little outside Sherburne County had a small backyard
that was on a slope. It was nothing extreme but enough to make a standard deck
look out of place.
Their
deck was basically a platform that didn't quite connect with the yard - it felt
separate, almost like an afterthought.
Instead
of trying to cover up the slope, we embraced it. The revised deck design
featured a gradual lowering of the deck, which created separate seating and
walking areas. It wasn't a huge deck - it was just a different way of looking
at the space.
What
really caught our attention was that it was not even a great design, but their
reaction. They expressed that it was the first time that they felt that their
backyard was “making sense”.
Generally,
this is what you are aiming to do - not just making something, but creating
something that really fits.
Things We Usually
Recommend to Our Neighbors
Over
the years, a couple of pointers have become staples in our conversations.
Maintenance: Think About It Before the End,
Rather Than After
Right
after the construction of a deck, it is so easy to be obsessed with how it will
look. However, the real matter at hand is whether you and others will
appreciate its looks and feel, maybe after 10 years.
Having
a clear beginning about how much maintenance you are going to be comfortable
with, will help figure out a lot of the issues straight away.
Don’t Make It Only Look Good—Build It So That It
Fits Your Lifestyle
Walking
through some beautiful backyards our attention was caught with great decks that
stayed unused simply because they were not built around the external activities
of the owners.
Consider
how the sun lights the deck area, the direction of traffic in the backyard and
which features would be the most practical to use for the family. Most people
are not aware how important these things really are.
Emergencies Will Cost More If You Ignore Them
Now
Footings,
framing, permits – these aren’t the things that excite you the most but these
are the things that make everything else work.
Choosing
to ignore or cut corners here will obviously result in even bigger problems in
the future, especially since ours is a pretty tough climate to live in.
Being a Deck
Builder in Sherburne County, MN: Thinking That Will Last
Here,
building a deck is not just about getting something done that will look nice
for a couple of seasons. It is creating a product that will withstand a whole
lot of factors and changes - the weather, the movement of the ground and of
course, the normal wear and tear.
In
our capacity as deck builders in Sherburne County, MN, we have discovered this:
the greatest projects are not necessarily the grandest ones or the most
detailed ones. Instead, they are the ones that can adapt to the environment
over time quietly without battling it.
Closing Remarks
From Our Side of the Fence
Most
often, at the end of the day, the typical homeowner is not aiming at something
very lavish. Their only desire is to have a space that is comforting,
dependable and where they will feel like spending time.
And
for a place like Minneapolis with four very distinguishable seasons, it means
that you need to think in a slightly different way when it comes to building
stuff.
The
lesson in the nutshell would be: make plans that will be relevant in the
future. Because here, the weather is not only a part of the story, but it is
telling us the story at every step of the way.
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