In
the Minnetonka region, outdoor spaces are rarely used for extended periods
except for a few warm months of the year. As the snow melts and temperatures
start to rise, people naturally want to spend as much time outdoors as
possible. Morning cup of coffee on the deck can rapidly evolve to family meals,
graduation parties, grilling weekends, and relaxing evenings after work.
Nevertheless,
over time, what we have seen is a trend among homeowners all over the west
suburb area that the deck that perfectly met their needs sometimes stops
matching the way they actually live.
It
can be the case in many ways. Deck boards start to splinter after another harsh
winter, railings become loose, stairs get slippery every spring. At other
times, it's more about the function than the condition. Families grow,
entertaining habits change, or homeowners simply realize that they hardly use
the space because the deck layout was never really appropriate from the start.
Doing
deck remodeling in Minnetonka, MN has made us realize that most homeowners are
looking to fix their practical, day-to-day frustrations rather than create some
kind of magazine-perfect backyard.
Actually,
these are the ones which make the best outdoor spaces.
The Moment Most
Homeowners Realize Their Deck Isn’t Working Anymore
Many
homeowners will tolerate a deck that frustrates them for longer than they
probably really should. Minnesota’s cold season has a way of gradually wearing
things down, year after year, until the problems become so visible and
unbearable that people simply ignore them at their own peril.
We
have experienced going on decks where the stain peels off in a few months
because of the moisture getting trapped under snow piles all winter long. We
have witnessed stairs shifting due to repeated freezing and thawing of the ice.
In older neighborhoods of Minnetonka, decks were built decades ago for a
completely different lifestyle than that of today's homeowners.
One
family we talked to recently shared that the realization that their deck wasn't
functioning came to them on a Fourth of July barbeque. Everyone naturally ended
up sitting on one small corner because the furniture felt awkward everywhere
else. The grill was blocking the stairs, there was no shade in the afternoon
sun, and half of the yard was completely disconnected from the deck.
Actually,
it's a fairly common situation.
Just
like houses, outdoor spaces also change with time. What worked for a young
couple twenty years ago probably won’t work for a family with teenagers, dogs,
or grandkids coming over every weekend.
One Remodeling
Challenge We See All the Time in Minnetonka Backyards
If
there is a single problem that repeatedly shows up in this neighborhood, it is
drainage.
Minnesota’s
weather is perfectly designed to cause water problems in the backyards. Snow
stays piled up for months and then spring melt conditions usually result in
heavy rains. Over time, repeated water exposure starts to reveal the grading
issues that homeowners have not only overlooked but possibly ignored.
In
particular, older decks tend to demonstrate these problems quite clearly.
We
have witnessed situations where water collected under the deck for years
without anyone's knowledge until boards started to warp or the lower framing
began to deteriorate. Quite often, the deck is not even the problem—it is the
surrounding landscape that directs water towards the structure.
The
solution is usually not about tearing the entire yard apart.
Most
times, simple modifications bring about huge improvements. Redirecting water
flow, increasing air circulation underneath the deck, enlarging stairways, or
making smoother transitions into the yard can completely alter the look and
functionality of the area.
Something
that we have realized is that homeowner’s fixate mainly on surface materials
when remodeling. In contrast, the areas that end up being the most delightful
are normally the ones where layout, drainage, sunlight, and traffic flow have
all been taken into account simultaneously.
Why So Many
Minnetonka Homeowners Are Switching to Composite Decking
Recently,
we have been hearing more and more people complaining about maintenance—or in
fact, not wanting to do it.
Life
is hectic. Apart from work, children’s extracurricular activities, weekends at
the cabin, and the desire to simply enjoy the few warm days of the Minnesota
summer, the majority of homeowners have no desire to spend each warm weekend
sanding or staining their decks.
That
explains one reason composite decking has surged in popularity throughout
Minnetonka and Minneapolis neighborhoods.
People
love the thought of being able to spend more time actually enjoying their
outdoor space rather than being engaged in its maintenance. After going through
years of dealing with peeling stain, warping boards, or faded wood, many are
willing to try something that lasts better through wintry cold, and humid
summers.
Of
course, the truth is that no material can be labeled maintenance-free,
particularly in the case of Minnesota. Snow, ice, moisture, and temperature
swings will eventually get to everything. However, generally, homeowners find
that composite materials do a better job at handling moisture and seasonal
expansion.
We
always encourage people to be honest with themselves about their outdoor space
utilization realistically. A deck is supposed to ease life, not add a tiring
seasonal chore to the calendar.
Remodeling vs.
Rebuilding: The Question We Hear Constantly
Undoubtedly,
this is one of the most important points where homeowners tend to get stung.
Quite
a few need nothing more than a face-lift. Others, however, have layers of
underlying structural issues masked by years of surface improvements.
We
encountered decks that were still structurally sound even though their surface
boards had been heavily exposed to the elements. Therefore, simply resurfacing
the deck while enhancing the railings, stairs, and other layout features was
the correct solution.
At
the same time, there are some who go on endlessly fixing the same problems time
after time.
Loose
railings are being tightened every spring. Boards are replaced one section at a
time. Drainage issues continue to cause shifting below the structure.
Eventually, the fixes become more of a source of frustration than relief.
Generally,
homeowners are well aware of these deep-seated issues without having to be
told.
One
Minnetonka resident jokingly recalled that they had spent more weekends
“fixing” the deck rather than actually relaxing on it. This memory stays with
us because it is, in fact, very widespread.
Well-designed
outdoor spaces should invoke a feeling of relaxation, not be the source of a
never-ending “to do” list.
The Outdoor
Features Minnetonka Families Are Actually Using Right Now
What
we have observed as a definite pattern in Minneapolis-area neighborhoods is
that people desire outdoor spaces that are not only the most aesthetically
pleasing but also the most functional and therefore habitable for a longer
period during the year.
Covered
sections and pergolas have gained a lot of traction. This is also the case for
installing exterior lighting. This has also become increasingly popular because
the Minnesota weather can be very unpredictable. One moment it is pleasant and
sunny with hardly a cloud in the sky, and the next moment, unexpected rain or
scorching heat reflected off the windows occur.
Outdoor
lighting is another aspect that many homeowners end up wanting more of than
they expected. Lighted stairs, post lights, and ambient lighting all make the
deck area so inviting and cozy that one can easily spend long time enjoying it
even during late summer and early fall when the daylight hours are much
shorter.
Besides
that, more and more homeowners have been observed opting for multi-level deck
designs, especially in smaller or sloped yards. Dividing the area into smaller
units often results in the yard feeling better connected and more functional,
rather than one huge oversized platform dominating everything.
Frankly,
the outdoor spaces that turn out to be the greatest successes more often than
not happen to be the smallest ones.
What
makes them great is that they are designed based on how people actually spend
time outdoors.
What Homeowners
Usually Wish They Had Planned Earlier
The
retrospective addition of a few key points to the outdoor living areas by
homeowners appears to be a recurrent theme on which they express their wistful
feelings.
First
and foremost, it is about furniture placement.
Typically,
people not only fail to allow for sufficient room for dining table, lounge
seating, grill and walkways but a deck is truly large enough while still
feeling cramped once everything is put in place.
Another
factor that often surprises homeowners when their deck becomes really
functional and the summer heat of Minnesota is present, is the fact that they
underestimate how much sun exposure affects the usage of their deck. A
noon-perfect deck could become an extremely hot dessert by the time the dinner
is served depending on the orientation of the deck.
Storage
reveals itself to be a problem area that most often gets neglected until the
situation becomes desperate. Homeowners realize that there are many things
requiring storage areas such as cushions, gardening tools, barbecue utensils,
children’s outdoor toys, etc.
The
most effective renovation efforts are normally those done by property owners
who take time to carefully break down their standard daily activities rather
than just emphasizing aesthetics.
Outdoor Spaces
Tend to Become the Most Used Part of the Home
Working
on deck remodeling in Minnetonka, MN for years, we have seen that outdoor
living areas, once properly designed, often become the core of the home.
It’s
not due to their having a perfect appearance but rather the fact that they
facilitate and enhance day-to-day living.
It
is the spot where a person has a cup of coffee in the morning. Where neighbors
drop in casually on summer evenings. Where children run and frolic in the
garden after being sprinkled. Where families make the most of every possible
moment outdoors before another winter in Minnesota arrives.
Besides
that, in a place such as Minnetonka, where warm weather is always somewhat
short, having an outdoor area that really works makes a difference that is even
greater than people sometimes realize.
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