Here are some of the extra expenses that come with a deck.
Isn’t it great to have a deck in your backyard? It’s a great way to expand your living space while giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outside weather to its fullest. If you’re willing to put the money forward, you can get a lot of value and enjoyment from a deck over its lifespan. With that said, the money you spend isn’t as straightforward as you may think. There are a few extra expenses decks have that you need to keep in mind. We don’t mean to tell you that you should avoid buying decking. We just want you to be aware of every expense before you invest so that you aren’t faced with any surprises later. Here are some of the extra expenses that come with a deck.
Types of Boards for Your Deck
The two main kinds of decking materials are composite and timber. Each of these types comes with its own list of expenses.
Composite decking comes at a higher initial cost because the boards themselves don’t need oiling, and they are not as likely to suffer from cracking. There also aren’t as many maintenance concerns with composite boards.
Timber boards, on the other hand, tend to be more maintenance-intensive, and it’s likely that you will be replacing boards more frequently if you go down this avenue. On the upside, timber boards aren’t as expensive upfront, and you are left with decking that has a wonderfully natural feel to it.
Getting Your Deck Oiled
This is a concern that mainly befalls timber decks. For these types of decks, oiling is a standard part of maintenance and an important step at that. It helps restore all of the natural oils the timber had, and it helps to weatherproof your decking. Failure to oil a deck means it will begin splintering, warping, and cracking.
You have to consider the cost of oil when installing decking. If you have a 5x10m deck, you’ll have to spend around $150 getting the ten liters of oil necessary for the job. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, you can call in professional help, but there will be additional costs for the service fees. Generally speaking, the larger the deck, the more money you will need to spend.
Rotting, Mold, and Mildew
If mold and mildew are allowed to accumulate on your deck, the structure will become unsafe. Because of this, regularly cleaning your boards is crucial, and this is best done with the help of specialized deck cleaners.
You should do this annually at least, and it should be done more often if you notice any buildup taking place. A liter of deck cleaner will usually cost around $20.
Contact Albaugh & Sons
Since 2003, Albaugh & Sons, LLC has been dedicated to meeting the fencing, decking, and home remodeling needs of homeowners throughout the greater Frederick area. All of our team members are experienced, well-trained, and committed to exceeding the expectations of every customer.
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