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Now Is the Time to Buy a Low-Maintenance Deck

You’ve wanted a deck for a long time, but something is holding you back.

You’ve been following the price of lumber throughout the pandemic and it isn’t looking pretty. It’s gone up and up and up some more. If you were forced to buy a wood deck now, it would have you biting your fingernails.

We have good news for you. The cost of composite decks has not matched the spike in cost compared to all-wood decks. In fact, now is the perfect time to invest in a low-maintenance deck that will last for decades.

Low-Maintenance Decks Aren’t Affected by the Price of Lumber

We build most of our decks with a composite material that’s part synthetic and part recycled wood. They’re beautiful, they’ll outlast your neighbor’s cedar porch, and they won’t give you splinters.

The boards don’t split or warp, and their price has stayed stable rather than soaring into the stratosphere like wood decks.

Environmentally Friendly Decks 

Even more, composite decking is the most environmentally friendly option on the market. The wooden component doesn’t require cutting any new trees, and the synthetic part is recycled, too. Unlike wood, composite materials don’t require staining or chemical treatment, so there’s no risk of contaminating the environment.

Of course, if you really must have lumber as part of your deck plan, you can always mix and match. We’ve built hundreds of lovely mixed decks–you can find our favorites here.

Beautiful Decks to Last a Lifetime

If you want our opinion, composite decks look so good that most people never notice the difference. And you won’t have to worry about screws and splinters snagging on your socks. In fact, you won’t have to worry at all. We call our decks low-maintenance for a reason. Many composite decks will last as many as 50 years.

Your grandkids will thank you.

So why wait? Contact us today, and together, we’ll develop a deck plan that’s right for you.

Now is a Great Time to Invest in Your Home with a Custom Deck

Since the beginning of 2020, people have been spending a lot of time at home. The entire pandemic experience has transitioned many Americans into permanent or at least partial work-from-home employees. More time at home and little ability to travel comfortably have led a lot of homeowners to put more resources into their homes. They’re making it a more comfortable place to relax and entertain while adding value at the same time. One of the most popular investments among Omaha area homeowners is a custom deck upgrade.

Types of Custom Decks

The two most common types of decks are wood and composite. The type of material you choose will directly affect the durability, maintenance requirements, and budget needed to build it.

Wood Decks

There used to be a time when redwood and cedar were your only options for building a week deck. Today, you have more choices with pressure-treated wood. A lot of people like natural wood because it’s durable and looks great. The downside is that it requires the most maintenance. You need to put a lot of time into cleaning and re-sealing it.

Pressure-treated wood is the most affordable, but a lot of people are wary of the toxic chemicals used to treat it. Redwood and cedar are beautiful options that are bug-resistant, but they’re softwoods and are easily damaged.

Composite Decks

Composite decking is a popular alternative to natural wood. It’s made from a blend of wood fibers and plastics. The composition makes it resistant to rotting and wear while closely resembling the look of natural wood. Most can’t notice the difference in appearance.

Composite decks come with nearly unlimited color and texture options. You can choose the color you want and never have to worry about painting, staining, or re-sealing it for the remainder of its life. The day-to-day and yearly maintenance is minimal.

Composite deck installations leave a clean and seamless look upon completion. Wood decks leave the hardware holding the boards together visible. The clips, deck screws, and fasteners are all hidden with composite decks.

Different Styles of Decks

Wraparound
This is a traditional style of deck and is often called a wraparound porch. Unlike a porch, though, your deck can have varying shapes and levels. The benefit of this style deck is that it gives you plenty of usable outdoor space and is easily accessed from more than one entry point in your home.

Multi-Tier
If your property has hills or isn’t perfectly level, then you have the perfect setup for a multi-tier deck. You’ll build one level that’s attached to your house and level with your exterior doors.
Then there are steps that lead up or down to another flat deck area. You could have multiple levels of different sizes to suit different uses.

Attached
An attached deck is one that’s built directly off of your home. You’ll be able to open the exterior door of your home and step directly onto your deck. They’re typically a square, rectangle, L, or U shape.

Detached
If you have a large backyard, you could build a deck that’s detached from your home. This is a floating deck level that’s accessed by a path or walkway. These decks are perfect for creating usable areas on your property that have poor drainage.

Omaha Custom Deck Builders

Want to find out more about how you can invest in your home with a custom deck? Give us a call today and schedule your deck build. If you’re not sure what you want, come by our showroom and see what we can offer in person. One of our deck-building experts can walk you through all your options and give you a free quote.

Best Practices for Hiring Contractors

The construction world is filled with an assortment of different contractors you can hire for specific types of home projects. There are custom deck contractors, remodeling contractors, general contractors, and many variations in between. Actually, there are contractors in nearly every industry. A contractor is a person or company that engages in a contracted agreement with you to provide materials, services, or both. Whether you’re hiring a contractor to build you a custom deck in Omaha, or a contractor to build a pool, there are best practices you should follow to protect your investment and increase the odds of a good outcome.

Do Your Homework

Always do your homework before hiring a contractor. Start by checking the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB was founded in 1912 as a private, nonprofit organization that focuses on providing marketplace transparency to identify good and bad companies. Angie’s List is another great resource that provides verified reviews and comparisons of local companies. Last but not least, check Google. All businesses today should have a Google My Business account and a good amount of Google reviews.

No Deposits Necessary

If you do a little digging, you’ll find countless stories of people giving money to contractors who never complete the service or disappear altogether. Established companies generally don’t need a deposit to get started. Some companies may ask for a deposit to cover material costs, but be wary, because it’s a sign they’re either new and don’t have enough capital to get through a job without a deposit, or they manage their finances poorly. If they get into a pinch, you can’t depend on them to fulfill their contract.

Years of Experience vs. Years in Business

If you see a company that started a few years ago claiming to have 90 years of experience, that’s a red flag. They may have 20 employees, and altogether their experience adds up to 90 years, and who knows exactly what the “experience” was. The smart and safe thing to do is to go with a company that has been in business for decades. If they made the “years of experience” claim, you’d see “we have 500 years of experience.” If a company has survived for over ten years and has good reviews, they’re a solid choice.

Beware of Fly-By-Night Contractors

The fly-by-night contractor may someday literally knock on your door and make you an offer that sounds too good to be true. And it almost always is too good to be true. Fly-by-night contractors usually don’t have a website, are not local, and often can be spotted by the following:

• Solicits door-to-door
• Only accepts cash or asks for full payment up-front
• Pressures you to make an immediate decision
• Offers discounts for finding other customers
• Asks you to obtain the building permit for the project
• Can’t be found online or in a local directory

Looking for a Custom Deck in Omaha this Summer?

Decks, Decks, and More Decks is a local family-owned custom deck-building company. Since 1980 we have been adding beauty to backyards all over the Omaha, Nebraska area. But don’t take our word for it.

Check out our Google Reviews

Check out our rating on the BBB

Look at our Angie’s List profile 

Avoid the DIY Deck Trap

DIY decking materials from large box stores are tempting because of their low price point compared to the high-grade warranty-backed materials used by professional deck companies. While the brand name is recognizable, the reality is the manufacturers have produced watered-down versions for the DIY box store customer. The result is you save more now and pay more later.

Adding a deck to your home should be viewed as an investment in your home. Good investments take the long view. Hiring a custom deck builder is the safest and wisest way to add a custom deck to your home. We’re going to take a closer look at the risks of DIY decks and how they actually cost you more than using professional-grade materials and professional deck construction companies.

DIY Decks – What Could Go Wrong?

The deck is one of the most common DIY projects. However, many things can and do go wrong with decks. There’s the footings, lack of permits, the height, quality of materials, clearance from property lines, and a lot more. One of the biggest issues comes with that attachment to your home. If it’s not attached correctly, you may find yourself dealing with water infiltration and costly damage to doors, windows, flooring, and sub-flooring.

Deck Design and Planning

Before you start sourcing your materials, you first need to design and plan your deck. Where do you want it? Is where you want it feasible? How large will it be? How tall? What kind of railing, lights, and stairs will your deck have? If you’re already overwhelmed, don’t feel bad. Designing and planning a deck is difficult. There are more variables to consider than most people realize. When you go with a professional deck builder, you know you’re getting a deck that’s going to work from a structure and aesthetic standpoint with your home. Professional deck-building companies have software that can render an accurate picture of what your deck will look like, and give you an accurate number of material costs and time to complete the project.

DIY Deck Construction

Putting all the materials together correctly to build a functional and aesthetically pleasing deck will require a massive time investment if you’re not trained in the deck building. Everyone’s time is worth something. If you want to turn your building deck into a several-month project and chip away at it after work and on the weekends, you can. However, for most people, the time commitment in fixing mistakes, making repeated trips to the hardware store, and getting people to help aren’t worth the extra resource costs that come with DIY deck construction. You will save money on materials, but spend more on everything else, and your deck will not be the same quality as a professionally built deck.

Omaha Custom Deck Builders

Give us a call today and schedule your deck build. If you’re not sure what you want, come by our showroom and see what we can offer in person. One of our deck-building experts can walk you through all of your options and give you a free quote.

(402) 690-1050

Why Avoid Hardwood Decking?

If you’re thinking about building a custom deck in Omaha, you’re going to be faced with a choice – hardwood decking or composite decking? In the past, hardwood decking materials were the only option, and they did a good job when properly maintained. But today’s technology has given deck buyers an alternative with composite decking, and with continual innovation over the years, it’s now far surpassed the benefits of hardwood decking in all categories.

Hardwood Vs. Composite Decking

Many homeowners choose hardwood decking because it sounds familiar and is easy to find. What they’re not aware of is the wood decking problems like splinters, staining, rot issues, hours of maintenance, and high cost. Homeowners who are not familiar with composite decking and all of the innovations it’s undergone since it first emerged over 30 years ago are afraid composite decking will not look as nice as wood. Let’s take an in-depth look and see how today’s composite decking compares to wood decking. 

How do they Look?

It’s true that early-generation composite decking looked artificial and plastic-like. But today’s composites are nearly indistinguishable from wood decks, and many argue much more beautiful. They have grain patterns, so no two boards are alike. They can mimic any hardwood on the market in appearance and do a lot more when it comes to getting the exact pattern, color, and finish.

Moisture Factor

One of the biggest problems with natural hardwood decking is that boards absorb water. Without frequent applications of stains, sealers, or paint, wood decking will warp, splinter, crack, and rot. Composite decking, on the other hand, is fully moisture-resistant, eliminating the need for repeated sealing applications, and can be installed in high moisture conditions with no issues.

Maintenance

To extend the life of a wood deck, homeowners are tasked with regularly painting and staining to keep the deck sealed from moisture, as noted above. It’s a battle that continues for the lifespan of the entire deck. A composite deck only requires sweeping and an occasional wash to keep the boards looking new.

Insect Damage

Insects love natural hardwoods. Termites and other wood-loving insects can do a number on a natural hardwood deck and render it unusable or fill it with unsightly holes in little time. Composite decks are insect-proof – you’ll never have insect damage with a composite deck.

Final Breakdown  

  • Appearance – Hardwood timber fades over time. Composite has the beauty of natural wood with high-performance durability.
  • Moisture – Hardwood doesn’t hold up well with water lots of water contact. Composite can be installed with water contact and is moisture-proof.
  • Maintenance – Hardwood requires 16-32 hours of cleaning, painting, and staining per year. Composite requires 2-4 hours per year.
  • Durability – Hardwood decking is susceptible to rot, splintering, warping, and termite damage. Composite resists rot, warping, splintering, and termite damage.
  • Price – Hardwood decks have a lower initial cost, but it varies depending on wood species. Composite has a higher upfront cost, but a much longer lifetime.

Deckorators Composite Decking

Go beyond the ordinary with Deckorators composite decking. Deckorators is one of the composite decking industry leaders. They offer a high-quality product and a vast line of colors and styles for your custom deck. After all the years we’ve spent deck building in Omaha and surrounding areas the Deckorators brand has emerged as one of our most recommended. Let’s take a look at the different types of low-maintenance composite decking they offer and find out which one is right for your home.

Voyage Decking

Deckorators is known for its water and ground-friendly decks. Voyage decking can be installed in or in contact with the ground or water. The deck absorbs no moisture. It will not splinter, sag, chalk, or crack. It’s finished with a stain and fade-resistant cap stock. Deckorators Voyage Decking features vertical grain deck boards that are designed with textured embossing for enhanced traction. Get your Voyage Decking in one of  four beautiful finishes:

  • Costa
  • Mesa
  • Sierra
  • Tundra

Vault Decking

Deckorators’ Vault family is made with patented Eovations technology, which provides the industry’s best strength-to-weight ratio. This technology allows the decking to have virtually no thermal expansion or contraction. It makes for a powerful and stable deck that absorbs no moisture. The Deckorators Vault Deck is similar to the Voyage Decking but without the enhanced traction. It’s still a great deck that can be installed on ground or water surfaces. Colors for the Vault Decking lineup include: 

  • Dusk
  • Mesquite
  • Hickory

Frontier Decking

The Frontier family is a non-variegated deck board for those looking for a more traditional look for their outdoor living space. Like Voyage and Vault, Frontier is also made with Eovation technology providing a superior strength-to-weight ratio, and is rated for water and ground surfaces. The lightweight boards are easy to handle and make a great option around pools, spas, or decks. They never splinter, sag, chalk, or crack so you never need to worry about walking around with bare feet. Color choices for the Deckorators Frontier family include:

  • Summit
  • Woodland
  • Prairie

Heritage & Vista  Decking

The most popular lines within Deckorators are Heritage and Vista. These lines include the top-selling colors of:

  • Ironwood
  • Smokehouse
  • Riverhouse
  • Ciderhouse

Ready for Your Deckorators Low Maintenance Deck?

You can’t go wrong with a Deckorators custom deck. Deckorators offers a few more families of decks not covered in this article. They also provide premium deck railing that comes in a wide variety of styles and colors. If you have questions, give us a call. If you want to see what Deckorators decks look like in person stop by our showroom. We’d love to help you see what is possible with a custom-built low-maintenance deck. 

Trex Custom Built Decks

Are you thinking about transforming your Omaha outdoor space with an elite, custom-built deck? We’ve been deck building in Omaha for nearly forty years and have found Trex® materials to be some of the most outstanding low-maintenance decking available. Let’s take a more in-depth look into what makesTrex® an excellent choice for your Omaha custom deck.  

What is a Trex® Built Deck?

Trex® has been an industry leader for low-maintenance composite decks since 1996. There are four highlight features theTrex® brand is famous for. 

  • Protective shell – Nobody likes a deck with scratches.
  • Deep Wood Grain – The texture of the wood grain is deep and looks authentic.
  • Eco-Friendly -Trex® decks are made with 95% recycled materials.
  • Dozens of Rich Colors and Textures – An expansive catalog of colors and textures ensures you get precisely what you want.

An Industry Leading Warranty

A Trex® deck will not rot, warp, crack, or be eaten by termites. AllTrex® products come with a 25-year  limited residential warranty against material defects, fading, and stains.Trex® can offer such an extended warranty because they make a product that surpasses the warranty. It’s that good. 

Trex® vs. Wood

A low-maintenance custom deck made withTrex® comes loaded with benefits that make it a superior choice to wood decking. First off, it’s stain and fade-resistant. It’s not going to warp, rot, crack, or split like wood. Mold and mildew are never a problem. Termites are never going to make a meal out of it. It’s splinter-free so the kids can run freely without you worrying. It’s easy to clean – just use some soap and water. 

Trex® Composite Decking Lineup 

Trex® decking has options for all aesthetic tastes and budgets.  

  • The TrexTransend® line has elevated aesthetics paired with the highest level of performance. It comes in earth and tropical tones. Some Tropical tone favorites include Havana Gold, Spiced Rum, and Island Mist. If you’re looking for a more earthy tone try Gravel Path, Fire Pit, or Vintage Lantern.
  • The TrexSelect® line is the perfect pairing of price and minimal maintenance. This lineup comes in some stunning earth-tone colors that include Pebble Grey, Saddle, and Woodland Brown.
  • The TrexEnhance® lineup offers an authentic wood-grain appearance for the beauty of wood with the ease of composite. The Enhance color lineup includes natural colors like Coastal Bluff, Foggy Wharf, and Toasted Sand.

More than Decking

Trex® offers more than just decks. Their same low-maintenance innovations are available inTrex® railing and outdoor lighting. When you get your custom deck through us, we can put together a complete package that includes the deck, railing, steps, and an®y exterior lighting. Everything is custom-designed to your liking.  If you’re not sure which combinations of railing and lighting are best, we can show you what all your options would look like.

SeeTrex® Decking in Person

If you’re sold onTrex® or on the fence, we recommend you come to see it in person to truly appreciate this state-of-the-art maintenance decking material. Everyone is amazed at the engineering and beauty once they hold a piece ofTrex® decking material in their hands. When you come to our showroom, you get to see up close how a custom-built deck can transform your outdoor space and become an additional living room for you and your family.

Investing In A New Deck Adds Value To Your Life & Your Home

A new elite deck adds tons of value to your lifestyle.  Not only that, but investing in a new deck adds value to your home. Decks are typically in the top three for return on investment. Compared to an addition or attic, building a deck costs a lot less, but provides one of the top ROI’s of any remodel project. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, a homeowner can recoup an average return of 80% on a new deck. A family room addition averages only 69%. We’ve built plenty of custom decks in Omaha over the years, and have seen what it can do for resale value.

4 Factors That Impact Your Deck Return on Investment

Decking Material

Using high-quality composite materials create a deck that will pass the test of time. Composite materials add significant value because of their durability, aesthetics, and low maintenance requirements.

Deck Size

To get the greatest value, your deck should be big enough to use as a comfortable entertainment space. Most people want a deck to enjoy barbecuing and sharing relaxed outdoor time with family and friends. It should have enough space for a grill and a large table with chairs, and some storage space doesn’t hurt.

Easy Access

Making your deck easy to access helps improve its value. A deck that can be accessed from the first-floor kitchen or living room is a lot more impressive to people than a deck built off a master bedroom on the second floor. Kitchen access is desirable because it makes it easy to bring food and other items in and out when you’re entertaining family and guests.

Wow Factor

If your deck has an impressive design, with custom railing, and a strategic layout it’s going to be more fun for you and attractive to future potential buyers. The wow factor of a custom built deck can often be the tipping point that will influence someone to want to buy your home.  

How to Get the Best Value Out of Your Deck

Remember, when you’re budgeting for a deck make sure to factor in a recoup value of 70-80%. Take into consideration the size and value of your house pre-deck. Choose a deck design and size that makes sense for your home’s size and style.  Before you sign with any deck builder go to their showroom and see the materials in person. It’s one thing to see pictures online, but when you see it in person, you can touch it, and see how it looks in different lighting.

If you stop by our showroom, we can walk you through all of the best options that will fit your budget, and even show you how our design models work. You might not commit to a new deck, but you’ll leave with a lot of knowledge that will make you an informed buyer when you decide to move forward with your new deck construction.

Spring is Around the Corner

Although it feels like warm weather is far away with all the freezing temps and snow Spring will be here soon. Now people are hustling with planning. Home shows are already beginning. Outdoor events are getting placed on calendars. The new year is in full swing. If you’re still thinking about finally getting that custom deck built it’s not too late. A custom deck in Omaha can be enjoyed for most of the year, and with cover year round. 

4 Reasons to Build a Deck Structure this Spring

A Deck Increases Your Home’s Value

Like a remodel or any home upgrade, adding an outdoor living area adds immense value to your home. You’ll get back everything you spend or more with the additional curb appeal. It will also increase your chances of selling, when and if you do sell.

Decks Built for Parties

If you enjoy having friends and family an elite custom-built deck is the perfect way to add functional space where people can gather and enjoy one another. Decks are open and in the fresh air – so much better than a claustrophobic crowded room. Clean-up is easy on a deck, and everybody loves a good barbecue. 

Modern Decks are Amazing

Far from porches of the past, modern decks offer designs and functionality that have to be seen in person to believe. They’re low to almost no maintenance. The longevity of a custom-built deck can be 20-30 years based on the materials used.

New Decks Offer New Looks

Not only are modern decks durable and functional, but they also come in nearly any look and structure style you can imagine. Using state-of-the-art materials, you can have anywhere from an exotic hardwood look to rustic pine and more.

Omaha Custom Deck Builders

Give us a call today and schedule your deck build. If you’re not sure what you want come by our showroom and see what we can offer in person. One of our deck-building experts can walk you through all of your options and give you a free quote.

The Good Life Just Got Better with Fiberon Decking

To keep a reputation as one of the most trusted elite custom deck builders in Omaha, we have to stay current and only work with the best materials on the market. Everything Fiberon produces is made in the USA at either their North Carolina or Idaho facility. They introduced the industry’s first 25-year stain and fade warranty.

Fiberon Good Life Decking

Fiberon offers a vast lineup of composite decking options. Their latest roll-out is called “Good Life Decking.” It offers all of the low-maintenance benefits of composite at a price that’s closer to wood. Fiberon Good Life Decking is capped on three sides with a durable protective finish that resists staining and fading.

Fiberon Good Life Decking is available in three multi-chromatic colors as well as original solid shades.  

New Colors:

  • Beach House
  • Bungalow
  • Tuscan Villa

Original Solid Shades resemble traditional painted wood:

  • Cabin
  • Cottage

Fiberon Decking Benefits

  • Maintenance Free – Say goodbye to staining and waterproofing.
  • Industry Best Warranty – 25-year stain and fade performance warranty.
  • Environment-Friendly – Made from recycled materials, composites are toxin-free and produced sustainably.
  • Cost Effective – With a long life span and low maintenance composites are hands down the more affordable option.
  • Safe – Composites don’t splinter or crack keeping bare feet big and small protected.

Industry Recognized

Fiberon has built an excellent reputation over the years and has been recognized for its quality products. A few of the accolades include:

  • Most Valuable Product for Building Industry Professionals – (Building Products Magazine)
  • Top Product – (Professional Builder magazine and Residential Design and Build Magazine)
  • 2015 Eco-Leader (Green Builder)
  • Houzz Influencer and Best of Houzz Design

Are You Ready for the Good Life?

There’s no better time than now to get your new deck underway. Beat the Spring rush and have your deck ready for the first days of deck weather. We carry all the leading composite deck brands and can help you choose which brands and designs will work best for your unique home and style. Come visit our showroom in person to get the full composite deck experience. You have to see it to believe it. See you soon!

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