4 Popular Decking Options for Home Improvement

A deck can increase comfort, living space as well as your property’s value if you get the right material that fits your needs. Check out 4 of the most popular decking options for your home improvement project:

1. Wood

Pros:

·         Non-toxic

·         Cheaper than other options

·         Rustic and natural look

·         Comes in variety of shades and colors

·         Does not heat up easily

·         Can be easily worked on to comfort to your design

Cons:

·         Easily stained

·         Rots, cracks and splinters over time

·         Can be damaged by bugs (e.g. termite)

·         Not fire resistant

2. Composite

Pros:

·         Not susceptible to staining

·         Easily cleaned

·         Doesn’t rot, crack or splinter

·         Easy to install

·         Durable

·         Resistant to fire

Cons:

·         Expensive

·         Can easily get hot

·         May not be appealing as wood

3. Plastic

Pros:

·         Easy to clean

·         Quick installation

·         Not susceptible to staining

·         Doesn’t rot, warp or crack

·         Durable (can last up to 50 years)

·         Slip-resistant

Cons:

·         Expensive than wood deck

·         Non-biodegradable

·         Not comfortable in hot weather

·         Less choice of design

4. Metal

Pros:

·         Very durable (can last a lifetime)

·         Ideal in hot weather (does not heat up easily)

·         Flexible and can be bent easily

·         Environment friendly

·         Free from chemicals

·         Fire-resistant

·         Slip-resistant

Cons:

·         Comes in limited colors

·         Not so aesthetically appealing

·         The most expensive type of deck

What is a Home Improvement Project?

Home improvement refers to any project that involves making alterations, repairs or improvements to a residential property. It includes projects aimed at improving a house as well as outdoor structures like pergolas and gazebos.

Purpose

There are many reasons why a homeowner should undertake a home improvement project. Among the most common reasons for home improvement are the following:

·         Add more space—can be attained by converting attics and other marginal areas into full-blow bedrooms or extending house area to add more rooms;

·         Improve aesthetic—commonly done by installing new flooring, living room furniture, and kitchen cabinets as well as adding external decorative structures like gazebos;

·         Repair damaged, faulty or worn out facilities—usually involves replacement of roofing, electrical and plumbing fixtures;

·         Improve comfort—this is done by installing new HVAC systems and improving design of existing structure;

·         Decrease energy consumption—achieved by replacing old appliances with new HVAC units, redesigning existing ventilation systems, and installing energy-efficient windows;

·         Increase house security and safety—generally involves installing fire alarms with sprinkler systems as well as setting up burglar alarms, security doors and windows, and storm shelters.

Benefits

Any home improvement project can be costly. However, money spent for this project will lead to many long-term benefits, especially if you hire a reliable contractor. Among these benefits are:

·         Increased value to the property;

·         Less expense on energy and maintenance;

·         Healthier and more comfortable home;

·         Safe and secured home.

Types of Patio Covers

Top 3 Outdoor Patio Cover Types

Patio covers come in all shapes and sizes and they may be permanent and temporary. Sometimes just deciding on what cover to add to your patio is stressful and confusing. To help you out, here are some of today’s most popular patio covers:

1.     Metal

More often than not, this is made out of aluminum metals. This is probably the easiest patio cover to assemble and some homeowners can actually do this by themselves. They will definitely look nice on any patio and house design and at the same time, they will not break your bank. This type of patio cover is perfect for any outdoor condition since metals and aluminums can withstand any exterior situation.

2.     Vinyl

Vinyl is a perfect material for homeowners who want to use wood without having to worry about the maintenance of an actual one. Vinyl can look exactly like wood but is made out of plastic. Maintenance for this type of material is a no brainer because you only need occasional washing and you are good to go. Most vinyl manufacturers also make sure to create such products by using recycled materials.

3.     Wood

This is a good patio cover to use if you want to easily match the material that your home was built. This is still a popular choice among homeowners even up to this very day. Other homeowners prefer to use eco-friendly and sustainable wood materials. This type of cover is also perfect for plant lovers who want to have plants all over their patio. Climbing vegetables and plants can easily grow all over a lattice patio cover. 

Common types of home improvement projects

Some of the most common home improvement projects can do a lot more than just enhance the look and overall appeal of your home, it can also increase your home's value if the time ever came that you decided to put it up on the market. Even if no such plans are intended, improving your space simply for aesthetic appeal can improve your overall happiness about your living environment.

Walk-in closet.
Women, and men, enjoy their space, especially when it comes to their closets and having a place to put their clothes, shoes, and other such accessories. Sometimes, the closet that came with the house isn't big enough for their liking and it has to be expanded. Or, maybe it was an already decent-sized room, and they need a bigger one to accommodate their expanding wardrobe.

Extra bedroom.
An attic bedroom can be a great addition to any home, it's also a feature that can allow homeowners to raise the asking price for their home shall they ever decide to sale it. While the nationwide average for such a home improvement projects estimates around $50,000, homeowners are estimated to earn 72.5% of that money back if they sell.

Extra bathroom.
Once upon a time kitchens were potential buyers main focal point in choosing their home, but within the last few years that has changed to the bathroom. Adding an extra bathroom, even if it's just half off one (No tub or shower), can substantially increase the home's value. While adding half a bathroom may give up to a 10.5% increase, adding a full bathroom to the home can add up to 20%

Upgrading the kitchen appliances.
Although kitchens may have fallen behind to bathrooms for potential home buyers focal point, they still prefer their kitchen to contain stainless steel appliances simply because they make the kitchen more aesthetically pleasing. When getting rid of old appliances and bringing in the new, they're likely to be stainless steel. And new. Potential buyers want new stainless steel kitchen appliances.

Depending on your budget, there's no limit on what home improvements projects that you can garnish your home with in hopes of giving life to old spaces. You don't always need to move to find a place that's currently better their your own. And if you do ever decide to sale, nearly every improvement made on your home will get you extra money on the closing price.