deck design Archives - Decks, Decks, and More Decks

Wood Rail vs. Metal Railing for Deck: Which Is Right for You?

Choosing the right railing for your deck is crucial in defining its overall look, safety, and durability. Wood and metal are two of the most popular railing materials, each offering unique advantages and aesthetic qualities. This blog will compare wood railings and metal railings, helping you determine which is the best fit for your outdoor space.

Wood Railings

Aesthetics and Style: Wood railings provide a classic and natural look that seamlessly blends with outdoor environments. They can be stained or painted in various colors to match your deck or home’s exterior. Wood railings also offer a traditional charm that many homeowners appreciate.

Benefits of Wood Railings:

Customizable: Wood can be easily customized to match your design preferences, whether you prefer a sleek modern look or a more rustic appearance.
Warmth: The natural grain and texture of wood add warmth and character to your deck.
Cost-Effective: Generally, wood is more affordable than metal, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious homeowners.

Drawbacks of Wood Railings:

Maintenance: Wood railings require regular maintenance, including staining or painting and sealing, to protect against weathering, rot, and insects.
Durability: Over time, wood can warp, crack, or splinter, especially if not properly maintained.
Susceptibility to Elements: Wood is more susceptible to moisture and temperature changes, which can affect its longevity.

Create a versatile outdoor space with a mixed deck, combining wood and composite materials for a stylish and durable design.

Metal Railings

Aesthetics and Style: Metal railings offer a sleek, modern appearance that can complement contemporary home designs. They are available in various finishes, including powder-coated colors, stainless steel, and wrought iron, providing a wide range of design options.

Benefits of Metal Railings:

Durability: Metal railings are highly durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions without warping, cracking, or rotting.
Low Maintenance: Unlike wood, metal railings require minimal maintenance. Occasional cleaning and inspection for rust are usually sufficient.
Strength: Metal provides superior strength and stability, enhancing the safety of your deck.

Drawbacks of Metal Railings:

Cost: Metal railings can be more expensive than wood, especially for high-quality materials like stainless steel or wrought iron.
Heat Retention: Metal can become hot to the touch in direct sunlight, which might be uncomfortable in warmer climates.
Limited Customization: While there are various styles available, metal railings may not offer the same level of customization as wood.

Low-maintenance decks offer the beauty of wood without the hassle, thanks to durable materials that resist staining and require minimal upkeep.

Choosing the Right Railing for Your Deck

Consider Your Budget:

If budget constraints are a significant factor, wood railings may be more appealing due to their lower initial cost. However, consider the long-term maintenance costs associated with wood.

Think About Maintenance:

For those seeking a low-maintenance option, metal railings are a clear winner. They require less upkeep and tend to last longer with minimal effort.

Evaluate Aesthetic Preferences:

If you prefer a traditional or rustic look, wood railings are the way to go. For a modern or industrial aesthetic, metal railings are more suitable.

Assess Durability Needs:

If your deck is exposed to harsh weather conditions or heavy use, metal railings provide superior durability and longevity compared to wood.

Safety Considerations:

Both materials can provide adequate safety, but metal railings generally offer greater strength and stability.

Conclusion

The choice between wood and metal railings for your deck ultimately depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the specific needs of your outdoor space. Wood railings offer a warm, natural look with the benefit of customization, while metal railings provide durability, low maintenance, and a modern appeal.

Real Decks for Real Nebraskans

Online, your decking options seem limitless. You may have jotted down notes on every kind of construction material as you feasted your eyes on decks from all over the world.

We’re glad you’re having so much fun. Just remember: this is your deck, not somebody else’s. We’ve had clients who have shown us deck designs they saw online—but those decks were built in Florida or Arizona. They wouldn’t last here in the Cornhusker State.

You deserve to make this a reality. And that means you deserve a deck custom-made for Omaha, Nebraska.

Decks for Nebraskan Weather

Whether you’ve just moved in or lived here all your life, you’ve probably noticed that the weather here is a little crazy. The temperature fluctuates, and the wind is unpredictable.

Some people have augmented their DIY decks with shade sails or flexible awnings—only to find themselves chasing that fabric down the street!

Rookie mistakes aren’t always that obvious, though. Building in Nebraska means planning for the deck to expand and contract—just a little—with humidity and temperature. It means choosing materials that can outlast the occasional hailstorm.

You need a deck company that knows Nebraska.

Avoid Costly Deck Mistakes

We’ve been designing and building Omaha Decks since 1980. Right from the beginning, we’ve insisted on creating decks that last. And they have lasted.

If a deck can be built in Omaha, we know how to build it. And if it can’t, we’ll let you know—always. Helping our clients avoid mistakes is a mark of professional pride.

But that doesn’t mean squashing your creativity—far from it. With our expertise, we’ll help you expand on your original idea—and we’ll make sure it can stand the test of time.

Call us today to make your deck dreams into a reality.

Spring Deck Time is Here

Thinking about finally getting that custom deck for your Omaha home for next Spring? Believe it or not now is the time to plan, purchase, and schedule your deck. If you wait until Spring arrives you will be clumped into the Spring rush of people wanting a new deck. Locking down your elite custom-built deck now ensures that you will not only have it when you want it, but you will beat the annual price increases by decking material manufacturers like Trex, TimberTech & Azek.

Planning Takes Time

A durable great-looking deck takes planning. It’s not something you want to rush into. There are several factors you need to carefully consider. The big two are design and materials. A deck is like an extension to your home. Getting the design exactly how you want it from a functional and aesthetic standpoint is critical. Then there are the materials. Choosing the colors, textures, and actual decking takes time and careful consideration. If you’re not sure about what you want stop by our showroom and we can show you firsthand all of the design options and materials available. The entire process of deciding on the final design and materials may take weeks. A new deck you’re going to love is never an impulse buy.

Scheduling Takes Time

Want to have your deck ready for graduation season? Or just outdoor weather season? Now is the time to start scheduling. Building permits can take up to two months to get! Deck builders are busy building pre-scheduled decks come Springtime. Get your deck construction schedule now and once Spring comes you won’t be scrambling like everyone else who waited.

Lock in Good a Good Price

The end of the year is always the best time to get the best price on nearly any good or service. The same goes for custom decking. All manufacturers like Trex, TimberTech & Axek raise their prices in the New Year. Not only will you beat the crowds and get your deck built on time, but you will also save money by getting it now.

Your Omaha Custom Deck Builder

We’ve been doing this for a long time. We appreciate our customers and want to give them the most value we possibly can. Getting your Spring deck plans in order now is the best way to save money and get what you want when you want it. Come into our showroom the next chance you get and we’ll be happy to discuss design and materials options for your elite custom deck. You know, the one you want ready for next Spring. See you soon!

Avoid the DIY Deck Building Trap

If you have the time and energy a do-it-yourself project can be very rewarding. Whether it’s changing the brakes on your vehicle instead of taking it to a mechanic or designing and building your own garden, it feels great to do things yourself. The sense of accomplishment is immense, especially when you succeed. We don’t want to knock people who take a do-it-yourself approach, in fact, we encourage it, but not when it comes to building a deck. Building a deck in many ways is like building a miniature house. Maybe because it’s an extension of your house. The skills, tools, and knowledge needed to get the job done correctly, efficiently, and in a cost-effective way takes years of experience. We’ve been building elite custom decks in Omaha for a long time now, and want to emphasize the importance of working with professionals when it comes to deck building in Omaha.

Mastery Takes Time

Your deck is literally an extension of your home. Would you attempt to build your own home? Maybe you would if you had mastered the skills of homebuilding. But would you build your home as a DIY project if you had minimal experience as a builder? Probably not. The same goes for decks. Although a deck may look simple at first glance they are a compilation of master planning, elite carpentry skills, and experience. Decks are not simply boards and nails if they’re any good.

High Tech Materials

When you decide to build a deck yourself, you’re excluding yourself from using the best materials on the market. You’re stuck with low-grade materials like the ones from box stores or pressure-treated decking and railing from the local lumber yard. You can certainly build a deck with these materials, but it’s going to be of lesser quality, require more maintenance, and the life will be short. When you work with a professional deck builder you get the most up-to-date decking materials that are designed to last multiple years and require little to no maintenance.

Design Matters

Designing a functional aesthetically pleasing deck that’s going to last is not easy. It takes skill and know-how that you can only get through multiple years of experience. Knowing the angles and weight distributions and all the geometric complexities that go into deck design is not something you master on the weekend. Even if you could source the best materials possible, being able to design a deck that takes in all the variables necessary to make it work and last is nearly impossible for the average DIY project.

Don’t let your next deck project last the entire summer and end up a disappointment. Work with Omaha’s elite master deck builders and get the deck you want in a time and cost-efficient manner. And rest assured knowing it’s going to last years with minimal maintenance. Call us today and let’s talk about your vision for the deck you’ve been dreaming about. (402) 690-1050

Choosing TimberTech Products for your Low-Maintenance Deck

At Decks, Decks and More Decks (DDMD) our custom decks are unique and built to fit your family and your needs. All of our customers want a beautiful custom deck that requires little year-round maintenance; DDMD specializes in just that.

Decks, Decks & More Decks is Omaha’s only TimberTech Gold Contractor® & TrexPro®Elite Member. TimberTech composite decking and railing products are low maintenance, safe, and durable. It maintains its color and beauty without the work of annual painting or staining. Additionally, it will resist mildew, warping, and insects; so there’s no need to replace rotting, uneven or termite-damaged boards.

timbertech custom deck TimberTech’s products offer our Omaha customers a wide variety of colors, styles, and deck accessories – which allows for our custom decks to truly be an extension of our living space. All of TimberTech’s products come backed by an excellent warranty.

This summer, allow our custom deck experts to provide your family with low-maintenance enjoyment in a custom deck.

Crafting Decks To Fit Your Home

Let us help you envision your custom Omaha deck before you purchase it. State-of-the-art 3D modeling before purchase allows you to adjust layouts, colors, and styles in advance, leaving you without regrets! There are decks and then there are well-designed decks that look like an extension of the home! Mixing colors, levels, and stair placements all factor into a “wow” deck versus simply a “nice” deck.

Outdoor Living Rooms

A well-built deck is an extension of your living area, an Outdoor Living Room! Create a space that features the outdoors and takes advantage of the views. Soft curve fronts can help add to the flow of your deck project and break up hard home lines. Spice things up with metal balusters in the rail and optimize your viewing area. There are decks, and then there are well-built decks!