| ALL AMERICAN EXTERIORS - PROFESSIONALORIGINAL
AND REPLACEMENT DECK CONTRACTORS IN CENTRAL IOWA |
 |
| Enhancing your exterior always
adds value to your home. Whether it’s residing your house,
windows and doors a new deck or porch, it's never a bad idea
to invest some money in your backyard. However, the one snag
that comes with landscape investment is the fact that it's
a seasonal asset: you only get to enjoy the great outdoors
during the warmer months. And if you live in Des Moines or
Indianola Iowa, those warmer months are sometimes fewer than
we like. Therefore, many people wisely limit their exterior
expenditures, never blowing their budget on elaborate designs.
However, one outdoor remodel to consider is a deck hot tub.
With this particular add-on you can enjoy your backyard year-round
while creating value and living space to the landscape. |
|
| Deck
Information & ideas... |
|
| Current Deck Building |
|
| If you are currently researching
into the world of decks, this information can help you to
better understand what goes into current deck building. Decks
are basically frames with decking and rails attached. While
any deck can have extra items like benches, privacy screens,
and pergolas added, the deck basics remain the same. |
|
| The Deck Frame |
|
| In most cases, we pour footers
to ensure that the deck will never move. This not necessary
when the deck is not attached the house and is only a couple
of feet off of the ground. Footers are bell-shaped concrete
forms that serve as anchors for the deck. The posts support
the weight of the deck. Some contractors choose to sink the
posts into the concrete. We prefer to pour pylons, then install
galvanized steel brackets between the post and the pylon.
This keeps the post sitting on top of the poured concrete
pylon, thus preventing rot. Either method works, but there
is a school of thought that claims that the pylon method keeps
the posts from rotting. |
|
| Once the concrete
is dry and the posts are solid, the frame is built. The ledger
board is first attached to the house so that the house acts
as part of the anchor. The joists are built out from there
and attached to the rim joist with joist hangers. Once this
is completed, it's time for the decking. |
|
| The Decking |
|
| Attaching the decking is both
the best and worst part of the deck building process. On one
hand it is great to slowly see the deck come together piece
by piece, but on the other hand it is long, arduous work on
your knees attaching all the screws. Decking has traditionally
been made of treated lumber, but composite decking is rapidly
growing in popularity. With the improvements in stains over
the last decade cedar and redwood are also growing in popularity. |
|
| Rails & Spindles |
|
| Rails are then built up not only
to provide barriers so that people don't fall off, but also
as a place to lean on and sit drinks. The small, vertical
slats that run from the top of the rails to the decking are
called spindles, just as with staircases. Spindles not only
provide a design element, but also provide a safety component
in keeping people from falling through to the ground. |
|
| Deck Building Basics |
|
| As mentioned, there are many extras
you can add to your deck. What is here is just the deck basics
so that you understand the process a little better. You can
call or email us for an appointment to explore more options
with both materials and techniques. |
|
| Hot Tub
Additions |
|
| Where it goes |
|
| Unfortunately spas often sit by
themselves, off to the side of the yard, resting on a concrete
slab or wooden platform. Though most people don't complain
about location when it comes to pool parties, letting a focal
point go adrift can actually hurt the overall appearance of
your exterior. Many people even erect a fence around their
"floating" spas in order to hide the eyesore. Instead,
why not embrace the thing and make it part of the landscape.
Most homeowners try to install them right off the deck anyway
so they seem adjoined, so plant one right in the decking itself
and let it become the highlight of the patio instead of the
ugly outcast of your yard. |
|
| Deck Hot Tub Enhancements... |
|
| To make the most of the investment,
any hot tub addition will need a little creative pre-planning.
As you design the space, here are some ideas to consider beforehand. |
|
| When investing in a deck hot tub,
there a few considerations to keep in mind. First, are you
building a deck around the spa, or are you installing a new
unit into a preexisting structure? If adding new construction,
the tub is probably sitting on a concrete slab and you won't
have to worry about special modifications. But most people
already have a deck, and so accommodating a new hot tub addition
will require additional support in the frame. They're heavy
when empty but filled with water and people they can weigh
several thousand pounds. So to avoid sagging, cracking, or
other mishaps, always fortify the center of your decking with
extra braces. Also, you'll need other forms of support in
your plans, including electrical service and plumbing. For
this, you should hire a professional who has experience with
these remodels and can properly calculate the project's requirements.
For help with this you can drop us an e-mail or call the office. |
|
| Privacy |
|
| Install the top of the tub flush
with the deck's surface in order to hide it from the neighbor's
view. Also, privacy screens or raised seating around the spa
helps to create a relaxing, secluded mood. |
|
| Built-in Seating |
|
| Built-in benches and planters
can dress up any deck hot tub. Plus, it offers a place for
guests to hang out whenever the spa gets full of bodies. |
|
| Lighting |
|
| Soft light always enhances the
mood. Whether it's a soft glow for a romantic getaway, or
bright beams for a summer pool party, it's always smart to
illuminate the space. Also, plan to have low-level lights
around the area so you can get to and from the spa safely
while still enjoying the starry skies without a light bulb
glaring in your eyes. |
|
| Keep
It Safe |
|
| Hot Tub Enclosure |
|
| Building shelter helps to protect
your spa from outdoor elements. Heavy rainfall can overflow
the unit. High winds blow the water around. And sometimes
the sun is just too hot for the occasion. So maybe build a
hot tub enclosure, such as a gazebo or pergola, above your
spa. Or install plexiglas around it to screen the wind without
blocking the view (though this will require special supports
as well). |
|
| Childproofing |
|
| If you have small children,
it may be safer to elevate the spa in order to prevent accidental
trips, spills, or plunges. Also, if you have teenagers, elevated
units can be easily seen and monitored so you can keep an
eye on it at all times. |
|
| Waterproofing |
|
| You always want to waterproof
your decking against rain and snow, but it will now be even
more vulnerable to water damage so make sure to keep up on
the maintenance of the wood and treat it as often as possible. |
