Category Archives: Advice

Two-story white deck with greenery.

5 Signs that Your Deck Needs Replaced Rather than Repaired

Springtime is the perfect time to evaluate the health of your deck. The weather is finally becoming beautiful again and you want to have a functional deck area to spend time on this season. You must be thoroughly inspecting your deck at the beginning of each deck-using season for tell-tale signs of wear and tear. Your deck may simply need sanding or a couple of bolts tightened, but if you become aware of these five red-flags it may be time to contact Distinctive Deck Designs to install a brand-new, quality deck!

Test your railings

If your railing posts feel wobbly or loose when you touch or shake them, this is a sign that your deck may be becoming unstable. Railing posts loosen over time so replacing your deck with Distinctive Deck Designs will help to assure your railing is secure for years to come.

Check for discoloration

Wood decks weather over time, even when they’re built with pressure-treated wood and stained or painted regularly. Stains and discoloration are big signs that you should be looking into replacing your deck. Our products are durable and have incredible staying power. You’ll be investing in materials that will keep their color and finish despite heavy foot traffic and other elements.

See if you can find rot

Even if you can’t spot visual rot, a sagging deck indicates its presence. Rotting wood also becomes susceptible to termite damage, which further weakens its stability. When you examine the deck and regularly find more hardware on the ground—or you replace screws that don’t hold the frame or have the same effective purchase—that’s another indicator that it’s time to replace your deck.

Hire a professional if your deck is older than current regulations

Hire a professional to inspect your deck if it’s more than six years old. Someone with prior knowledge of deck aging properties will know what to look for. Since Virginia has dramatic seasonal changes, those temperatures can dramatically affect your deck’s structure and stability.

After the thorough inspection of your current deck, contact Distinctive Deck Designs to request a free, design consultation! Our team is dedicated to designing a deck that is high-quality and matches the design aesthetic of your current outdoor area.

Beautiful modern terrace lounge with pergola at sunset.

Get the Most Out of Your Deck – All Year Round

A common misconception amongst Northern Virginia homeowners is that the summer months are the only window of time to enjoy their deck. Believe it or not, there are certain design elements to add to an outdoor area that will extend the hours of enjoyment. Distinctive Deck Designs offers services that will make it possible to spend 365 days a year on your deck, comfortably.

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Our Favorite Tips for Staying Cool Outdoors This Summer

Family Fun

It’s no secret that Northern Virginia is gorgeous in the summer, but it can also be really hot! You look forward to summer all year long, the cookouts, parties and long sunny days on the patio. However, once the season rolls around you realize that without the proper outdoor living space, spending all that time outside can be brutal. At Distinctive Deck Designs, we are happy to provide our best tips for keeping it cool on your deck or patio. We have seen our custom designs keep customers comfortable throughout the warm Northern Virginia summers.

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