If you’re looking to add some extra useable space to your swimming pool area in Dutchess County, NY, a deck or a patio can provide a solution, but how do you know which one is right for you? In this article we’ll weigh up the pros and cons of each to help you decide based on your own unique requirements.
Custom Trex Deck project by Harmony Hill Landscaping
Not many experiences can beat enjoying the Hudson Valley’s gorgeous scenery from the comfort of an outdoor deck. A top choice of homeowners, Trex decking is known for its unmatched durability and low environmental impact, going beyond what standard wooden boards can offer. Not all Trex decking is the same in the Hudson Valley, however, as the region’s four distinct seasons can cause extreme wear and tear, depending on which product you use.
Adding a deck to your Dutchess County, NY home can add a whole new dimension to your life. It enables you to spend far more time outdoors in the sun than you would otherwise, as now you have somewhere to sit, to cook barbecues, to entertain your friends, or simply to relax with a couple of glasses of wine. So, having decided to build a deck, what choice of materials do you have? Really, this boils down to either wood or composites.
Today, many outdoor living projects include many building products working together to achieve the homeowner’s goals. For instance, an upper level deck may wind down to meet a patio at ground level that includes a fire pit and outdoor kitchen. Just like with the many choices available for concrete pavers for patio installation, the options for decking materials can also be dizzying. Along with the expanded design possibilities that come as a result of these choices also comes hard decisions.
While Hudson Valley homeowners often like the natural beauty and look of traditional wood decking, research also shows that they are looking to reduce—if not eliminate—home maintenance requirements and their associated costs. Tropical hardwood choices such as Ipe offer a bit of relief in the area of increased durability, but they are expensive and far from maintenance free. The most economical choice is traditional pressure treated lumber. This tried and true option is still installed day in and day out here in Dutchess County and all across the country. The obvious consideration here is durability and required maintenance. Anyone who has spent hours and hours every few years power washing and staining or painting there wood deck or porch knows all to well the maintenance involved with traditional wood decking. In In fact, these cons of traditional wood decking are the very reasons companies like Trex exist and thrive.
Composite decking from manufacturers like Trex offer a maintenance free—with the exception of a good cleaning every now and again—option with many design possibilities. While Trex and other manufactured composites are certainly a much larger investment at the time of installation, the lifecycle cost is where the homeowner really wins. Without the need to stain or paint every year, or replace damaged boards due to rot or insect damage, Trex is a clear winner in terms of ROI.
So while your neighbors are busy working in their decks next year, consumers who choose composite can invite the kids and grandkids and enjoy sitting on—not working on—the deck. The best part? Have those kids kick off the sandals because there are no splinters to be found!
Looking to install an inground swimming pool or an above ground pool? Much thought and planning needs to be put into the design and material choice of the pool's deck or patio.
Here in the Fishkill, NY, many homeowners choose concrete pavers as the surface for the patio surrounding their new inground pool. Pavers from manufacturers like Unilock, Techo-Bloc, and Cambridge are perfect for pool patios as they are durable, flexible, smooth, and beautiful to look at.
Above ground pools are very popular in some neighborhoods in Dutchess County in NY. Depending on the lay of the land where the pool is installed, a custom deck can do wonders for creating unity between the house and the pool. If designed and installed correctly, a custom deck can make an above ground swimming pool feel almost like and inground pool! Consider composite decking materials like Trex, Fiberon, and TimberTech as they can add longevity to your project, while also greatly reducing maintenance costs.
Outdoor living areas are an amazing way to extend your home's livable spaces. By choosing the proper patio or deck around your pool, yours can be inviting and functional.
Photos: Project in Fishkill, NY by Harmony Hill Landscaping
