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Every season, home design magazines publish consumer guides on how to maximize your outdoor deck and porch. Many homeowners follow these tips only to undo them a few months later when new seasonal guidelines come into effect.
At GTA Decks contractors, we like to do things differently, which is why we devised a full guide on how to prepare your deck for all the seasons. This collection of tips and tricks on how to take care of your porch should help you ensure that your deck will be in optimal condition all year round.
Equipping Your Deck for the Cold Season
Autumn is almost over, and the cold, nights of winter are looming on the horizon. You might be wondering about the best way to prepare your deck for the harsh weather to come. Also, you may fear that it’s too late to be equipping your outdoor additions for the cold season.
You will be glad to know that we have a solution for both of your dilemmas.
Let’s start with the most arduous of your fears, and let us assure you that it is not too late to prepare your deck for the cold days to come.
The first thing that you should do is use a top-quality sealer to protect the wood from low temperatures, ice, snow, and sleet. A new coating right before the first snow falls should enhance the deck’s resistance to the harsh weather conditions ahead. Generally, you should apply it in the first weeks of autumn, but it might not be too late, especially if you live in an area where the heavy precipitations don’t start until after Christmas.
Secondly, you should check the deck and its additions for any possible problems. Look for cracks and creases in the wood that you can fill up and seal. Inspect the gutters and the downspouts for potential clogging. Also, if your outdoor porch has windows, check for gaps that might need caulking. Remember to always use caulking or chinking when the outside temperature allows it.
Preparing Your Deck for the Warm Season
Deck contractors recommend that you should treat the outdoor deck as a ramification of your interior space in the warm season.
Whether you have a wooden porch or a deck with aluminum railings, your outdoor addition should be the ideal gathering place for your family, friends, and other visitors. By using top-quality materials for sealing, staining, and decoration, you can turn your deck into a welcoming oasis of peace, safety, and entertainment for everyone.
Your deck should spell coziness and relaxation. So, when it comes to the ultimate materials that help you reach that standard, you can have your pick from Cedar, Teak, Mahogany, and a broad selection of composite materials.
The sealant that you have applied for the cold season should protect the porch against the cold showers in spring. During the hot, summer days, take the opportunity of the rain-less days to apply a coating of nutritious oil to your deck. The drought can damage the wood, and without a protective layer, all of its natural oils may evaporate.
Do not be afraid to upgrade your deck to include the latest in outdoor furniture. Sometimes, you might need to overhaul the entire porch, and start again from scratch. However, that’s part of the beauty of owning an outdoor addition and being able to enhance its potential from time to time.
Maintain Your Deck All Year Round
A well-preserved deck is the pride and joy of every hardworking homeowner. When it is this easy to maintain it in optimal shape, it would be a pity not to invest the time, work, and necessary materials.
You can even perform additional steps year-round, like pressure-washing your deck or refinishing surfaces that have visible signs of wear and tear. Inspect your porch regularly and make sure that the gutters are not clogged. Look out for pests, bees, termites, and other insects that may build a nest at one of the joints.
An outdoor deck is a part of your home that requires frequent checkups and maintenance, but it is also the often subject of the most rewarding DIY projects.
