Deck and Porch Builders in Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Deck Installation

A new deck is an excellent investment in Monument City. They're attractive, popular, multi-purpose, and most of all, fun. And in Baltimore, where you're guaranteed to get 10 months per year of deck-friendly weather (if not more), they create quite a bit more living space, as well. Legally you won't be able to count that new deck as added square footage, but when you get right down to it, adding a new deck in Baltimore is a lot like adding an extra room onto your home.

Planning for Your New Deck Ending up with a deck that you can really enjoy and appreciate does take some advance planning. While choosing the right location and style seems like a no-brainer (the backyard, right?), there's actually a little more that goes into the process of ending up with a deck that is both beautiful and functional. Here are a few things to think about as your deck moves closer to becoming reality.

Weather What kind of weather your yard experiences, and where it comes from, can play a role in how you design your deck. Are high winds a problem in your area? And from what direction? If so, you might think about locating your deck on the other side of the house, or incorporating some landscaping into the design to form a windbreak so that time spent on your deck will be more enjoyable.

Sun & Shade No two factors wreak more havoc on how satisfied people are with their decks than sun and shade. If your deck never sees a ray of sunlight because it sits under the biggest oak tree on your property, then it's not going to get nearly as much use as it would otherwise, especially in cooler spring and fall months. Too much of a good thing can be a problem too, since a deck that sits in full sun during the dog days of August isn't a very pleasant place to pass a muggy Baltimore afternoon either. Track the shade patterns in your yard in advance, and plan a deck that takes advantage of a combination of both sun exposure and shade. Finally, consider Japanese arbors or retractable shades to help create the perfect combination of sun and shade on your deck no matter what time of year it is.

Access Access is another issue that homeowners need to consider ahead of time. Not only do you want to leave plenty of space between your deck's exit areas and things like flower gardens, fences, and garages, but you need to remember that a deck will change how foot traffic moves through your home, as well. Access points through kitchens are a must, especially if barbecue is an integral part of your summer diet, but you're smart to add a second access point in the living room as well. If you don't, you'll end up with more revelers wandering through your food prep area at your Fourth of July barbecue than there are fireworks down at the inner harbor.

Design Finally, think about design considerations. The sky is the limit with deck design these days. Multi-levels, raised decks, recessed lighting, and deck/porch combinations are just a few of the options available to you. Of course, as important as visual design is, don?t discount practical aspects either. Is your deck going to sit right outside the baby nursery? Will your built-in hot tub be directly in the line of the sight of a prying neighbor? Anticipating such conflicts ahead of time allows you to re-design your deck accordingly, whether that means moving it to a new location, or including things like privacy walls into the design.

Costs What does it take to hire a Baltimore deck builder to get your new deck installed? Based on the information we collect from homeowners who use our contractor referral services to find a deck builder in Baltimore, the average deck costs about $8,600 in Crabtown. Keep in mind that not all decks price out equally, however. Square footage, design complexity, and most of all, decking material, all play a huge role in what your deck is ultimately going to cost. That being said, talking to a Baltimore deck builder who knows their stuff, and who is willing to work with you and your budget, is the only way to get an accurate estimate of just exactly how much your new dream deck is going to set you back.

One final suggestion: talk to a deck builder in Baltimore sooner rather than later. Deck building season starts early in Monument City, and it's not unusual for a Baltimore deck builder to be booked a full month or more in advance, especially come spring and summer. The earlier you get your name in their appointment book, the sooner you'll be pouring yourself an iced lemonade, firing up the grill, and enjoying your new deck in B-Town.