5 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Custom Deck in Orange County
Everyone makes mistakes. But you don’t want those mistakes to cause a home improvement project’s cost to skyrocket. Custom decks typically cost about $16,000 in upstate New York. For high-end projects, like many that we handle, that can end up being more like $35,000. Outdoor living improvements are a smart investment, but only if handled properly. At Orange County Deck Company, we are well-versed in helping homeowners create custom deck designs. Based on our experiences, here are 5 mistakes to avoid when designing a custom deck in Orange County.
1. Not Building to Suit Your Lifestyle
A deck should complement and enhance your Orange County NY lifestyle, not impede it. Spend a few days or even weeks tracking your family’s patterns. How would a deck affect foot traffic? Who would use it the most? Do you have small children, elderly relatives, pets or disabled friends/relatives who need access? Will you use it to entertain, or is it mostly for private family time? If you have a pool or a hot tub that you want to incorporate into the design, that’s different than, say, an outdoor kitchen or entertainment center. (To see a simple pool deck plan, check out this page.) For people who love to entertain, outdoor living spaces are getting more elaborate, with full kitchens, bars and other conveniences. But that can really drive up the cost of your space, so evaluate how much you would use that.
2. Forgetting the Landscape/Season
Don’t just think about where the deck fits on your house; think about what your view will be. If all you’re looking at is a water tower or the neighbor’s privacy fence, could a minor adjustment bring you something more scenic? Also pay attention to how the light hits the deck throughout the day in the different seasons. If you’re going to be outside most often at a certain time, how is the sunlight going to affect what you do? Will it be too bright, or too shaded? Are there trees too close, or not any close enough? An experienced deck builder can walk you through how to counter any potential pitfalls of the location you have in mind, but that needs to be done in the design phase. Once you’ve started building, adjustments are much more costly and time consuming.
3. Forgoing Proper Permitting
Every municipality and county in New York has some sort of permitting process for major building adjustments. If you’re in town, you may not be allowed to build within a certain distance of the property line (known as a setback). If you’re in a historic district, there may be strict rules about what you can and cannot add. It takes time and effort to follow the process, but it’s much better to do so at the outset rather than get fined and possibly have to redo work you thought was done. This is where working with an experienced builder like OCD can be helpful, because they already know the process and are familiar with exactly what your project will need.
4. Unsafe Stairs & Railings
Think about how your foot traffic will move around your oc outdoor space. Stairs can add to the beauty of your deck, but they should also provide an easy transition to the house and/or ground. Open space between stairs can be a safety hazard, as can steps that are too steep, narrow, or uneven in size or width. They’ll also need a guardrail or handrail, as will the top level of your deck. Make sure your deck railing designs are the proper height to be useful and effective, which an experienced deck builder like OCD can help you determine.
5. Using Improper Materials
We get our fair share of extreme weather here in Orange County NY, which means you want to choose top-notch, durable materials. Most people focus on the decking, which is important, but you want to make sure every piece of your deck is solid. That includes fasteners, bolts, joists, beams, flashing, and, of course, the decking. Given the amount of moisture we receive in this area, composite materials — we prefer TimberTech and Azek products — may be the best long-term option in terms of bang for your buck. Otherwise, be sure to select a high-quality wood, and don’t skimp on the annual care and maintenance to keep it in top shape.
Now that you know what not to do, here is more information on the right way to build a deck, along with some simple deck and porch plans. Still have questions? Contact our team of seasoned deck builders. We are OCD about decks here.
