If you’re thinking about waiting until spring to add a deck to your home, you should reconsider. Many homeowners believe that spring is the best time to build a deck, but the reality is that Winter is a more suitable time to take on this type of project.
Yes, it might seem counterintuitive. After all, it’s too cold to undertake a project such as this during the winter, right? Not necessarily. Contrary to popular belief, there are several reasons why it’s best to build your deck during the Winter so that you can enjoy it when spring arrives. This post will give you five reasons to get started on installing your deck now, rather than waiting until spring.
You Won’t Have To Wait To Enjoy Your New Deck
Building your deck in the winter means you don’t have to worry about it in the spring. You can begin enjoying your new deck as soon as winter has passed. This means your family will have more time to use your new addition.
Also, building your deck in the winter is best because you will have more contractors from which to choose. Since most homeowners wait until the spring, more contractors will be available. This means you can make sure you have access to the most skilled companies in your area. Moreover, since most contractors aren’t as busy during the winter, they might be able to complete your project faster.
Winter Is The Best Time To Stain Your Deck
Contrary to popular belief, spring is not the best time to stain a wooden deck. During the spring and summer months, the weather is typically more humid. Wood tends to absorb the moisture in the air. If you stain wood in humid conditions, it could lead to peeling and cracking. This makes it harder for the wood to absorb the staining treatment. Also, direct sunlight can create watermarks on the wood.
Another reason why it’s not a good idea to stain wood in hotter temperatures is that the stain could evaporate before it sinks into the wood. It’s usually best to stain wood in temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
You Need Time To Secure The Appropriate Building Permits
This is one of the most often-overlooked factors when building an addition to your home. Depending on the county in which you live, obtaining the right permits can take time. You’re effectively at the mercy of the local government.
If you start early, you should be able to secure the appropriate permits in a more reasonable amount of time. Additionally, if there is a setback in the process, it will be less likely to prevent you from enjoying your deck in the spring.
You Won’t Have To Worry About Lumber Movement
Decks are built using pressure treated lumber. This type of wood is imbued with moisture, which means it will experience drying over the first couple months. If humidity levels are high, it could take longer for the wood to dry. When the weather is hotter, the direct sunlight can warp the wood while it is drying.
If you build your deck in the winter, the wood will dry more evenly. This is a benefit because you won’t have to deal with splitting and twisting
You Won’t Have As Much Damage To Your Landscaping
When the spring season begins, there is more moisture in the ground as the result of thawing. Water tends to make the ground unstable, which means that when contractors are walking in your yard to build your deck, they will leave marks on your lawn.
Stable ground means that the workers will cause a minimal amount of damage when they are working on your home. You won’t have to worry about fixing any issues the contractors could cause.
Adding a deck to your home can create a wonderful source of enjoyment for your family. But it’s important that you plan this project the right way. There are many factors involved in building a deck, but one of the most important is the timing. Building your deck in the winter is the best course of action. When it’s finished, you will have more time to relax and enjoy it during the spring and summer seasons.