Aluminum
finance plan for your deck so you can stick to your budget. If you don’t have money saved for your DIY renovation, you may want to consider a personal loan with a fixed rate and flexible repayment. Choose a lender who has your best interests in mind and who will help you find the right loan for your needs so you can plan your finances ahead of time. While considering a loan, you may also want to factor in a contingency fund in order to cover unexpected costs that arise throughout your project. When adhering to a budget, you can never have too much financial advice, so consult a professional before embarking on your building project. The benefits of DIY-ing your own deck are multifold; not only will it save you money, but you’ll increase your home’s market value. If you haven’t yet hopped on the deck- building bandwagon, follow these tips and build a top-shelf deck without breaking the bank — it’s the perfect way to ring in summer and celebrate the great outdoors in the comfort of your own backyard.
a great alternative to high-end tropical hardwood decking in terms of sustainability, strength and slip resistance. Unlike tropical hardwood decking, black locust meets numerous criteria for sustainable wood harvesting and is naturally rot resistant, meaning it does not require chemical treatments. A low-maintenance, eco-friendly choice, black locust only requires an annual washing with a little bleach and water or a power washer. Deck Maintenance Any kind of wood decking requires an annual refinishing to maintain its luster, so you will need to factor this into your budget if wood is your material of choice. Plan on shelling out about $13 per 100 square feet for deck cleaner and $15 per 100 square feet for sealer. Keep in mind that wood of all kinds requires regular maintenance, especially in rougher climates, so you will want to keep on top of things to avoid further maintenance costs down the road.
Another non-wood-based decking material, aluminum is strong, weather-proof, and resistant to rust, rot and pests. At $6 to $8 per square foot, refinished aluminum planks are coated with a maintenance-free, slip-resistant coating. Though the deck boards
are lightweight, they require special saw blades to be cut, as well as special securing fasteners, so make sure to factor this into your budget if you don’t already own the proper materials. Sustainable Decking A more eco-friendly approach to deck DIY, sustainable composites are an excellent choice for the
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environmentally conscious builder. Numerous varieties are available, from bamboo boards made with 60 percent reclaimed bamboo fibers and 40 percent recycled HDPE plastics, to boards made with 95 percent recycled wood combined with recycled plastic film. Some even contain rice husks combined with mineral salts, while others are built from 100 percent recycled carpet fibers or recycled wood combined with post-consumer plastic. Price per square foot can vary depending on the product, so you will want to do your research and plan accordingly. Black Locust Lumber Another eco-conscious decking option, black locust lumber is
Financing your Deck
While you may just want to haul off to the hardware store and get building, you will first want to develop a
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