If
you live and work in Suffolk County for a while, you get to know the ways in
which things go. The weather changes, the houses age, the families grow, and
almost everyone sooner or later starts thinking about their outdoor space,
especially their decks.
Deck Builder in East Hampton, NY don’t see decks simply as an extra feature. They are the place
of summer dinners, the place where children shake sand out of their shoes, and
the place where you have your cup of coffee when the morning air still smells
of the sea. Given that decks are so much a part of everyday life, the
homeowners learned through experience a few lessons related to building or
rebuilding one.
These
are some of the things we have witnessed our neighbors being surprised by and
what normally works better in the long run.
Why do deck projects here feel different than
almost anywhere else?
A
deck in East Hampton differs from a deck inland. It is a fact that people do
not always realize initially. Due to the coastal air, fluctuating weather, and
the combination of old and new houses, the outdoor structures naturally suffer
a different kind of wear and tear.
Most
of all, the salt in the air has an impact. Even if your property is not right
on the water, the marine humidity is carried. It penetrates into the metal
parts of the deck, is deposited on surfaces, and breaks into very small cracks.
And it is through these avenues that over a long period of time, the wood
warps, the screws fall out and the rails get an aged look quicker than
expected.
Besides
the weather, the temperature also goes up and down. The summers are hot and
humid whereas the winters come with cold and wet conditions, which means there
is constant expansion and contraction of the materials. The signs of this fact
will become visible if the deck is not constructed or kept properly on the
premise of these factors, sometimes just a few seasons later.
The repeated questions we hear
The
starting point of almost all discussions is the same - someone has a picture in
their mind and all they want is an answer if it is feasible here.
"Will
this weatherproof?”
It
is a question that pops up immediately and with good reason. Usually,
homeowners tend to think that all decking materials wear out at the same rate.
They don't. What appears to be stylish in the very first year may turn out to
be a maintenance nightmare by the third year if the material is not compatible
with the coast.
"Are
permits really necessary to this?"
This
one often surprises the people. The Village of East Hampton has an array of
zoning regulations, setbacks, and guidelines that could affect even minor deck
projects. What a homeowner perceives as a "small" deck might actually
require permits based on its height, location, and property line proximity.
It's not about bureaucracy - it's about ensuring proper drainage, respecting
neighbors' properties, and safety for the long run.
"Why
is the placement so important?"
Where
a deck will be most functional is determined by factors like sun exposure, wind
patterns, and even the movement of sand and water over the property. We have
witnessed that decks which looked great on paper were either useless in the hot
month of July because they were too exposed to the sun or so exposed that they
couldn't be enjoyed in the evenings.
A backyard story we see more often than you’d
think
This
family in town pretty much had a straightforward plan: demolish the old wooden
deck and install a new one of the same size and location. The old deck stood
for a really long time so it was assumed that the new one should be built the
same way.
When
we toured the site together, several factors were immediately clear. After
heavy precipitation water collected under the deck. The setting that got the
most of the afternoon was directly under the deck and it was therefore very
unpleasant during the summer. Besides, the railing obstructed a beautiful view
of the trees beyond the yard.
Rather
than scrapping the whole plan, they made couple of changes such as moving the
deck slightly, giving the railing a more open look, and picking materials that
don't require frequent sealing. Not much. However, after the completion, the
space seemed totally transformed. More usable. More comfortable. More like a
place they wanted to be.
That
is a narrative which has been repeated countless times and is typically
concluded with: "I wish we had thought of it at the start.”
Materials that tend to make life easier here
Material
choice is a factor that most homeowners consult online for exhaustive
information, but the value of local expertise is equal.
Wood
decks, especially for those who like to do the maintenance and appreciate the
natural look, still have a place here. Nevertheless, in Suffolk County close to
the sea, they demand a lot more from you. You have to be prepared for the
eventual of sealing regularly, conducting thorough checks and being willing to
handle the wear and tear.
On
the other hand, for various reasons, composite decking has become very popular
lately. It copes better with moisture, doesn’t fragment, and generally, it
stays pretty much the same through changes in the weather. Of course, this does
not mean that it doesn't need to be looked after but there are usually fewer
surprises in the situation.
Around
here the biggest misconception is that "low maintenance" means
"do nothing." In fact, it means less sanding, less sealing, and fewer
repairs after a rough winter.
Things we gently encourage neighbors to think
about first
Before
laying even one board, it is a good idea to pose a couple of questions not as a
tick list but as a reality check.
How
do you use the space? Not in the way you would use it if everything was perfect
and magnificent that summer's evening but these days, most of the time, that's
how you end up using it. Having your first coffee. Children playing in and out
all the time. Quiet nights when it is only a couple of chairs and the wind.
It
also makes sense to look six months or a year ahead. A family unit changes. The
way we entertain shifts. A deck that is perfectly in line with your current
needs has the potential of being too small and inconvenient if there is no room
in the design for flexibility.
What homeowners usually say once it’s done
Most
of the time after all the upheaval goes down and the deck has become part of
the routine, people tend to have something in common in their reflections.
One
of the top things on people's wishlists is more shade, better air circulation,
or just thinking about how the deck relates to the yard. Very few regret
spending the time on planning, the majority is just wishing they had taken more
time in the very beginning.
On
the one hand, a deck project is not just an outdoor project - it is something
that will be integrated in your home for a long time and on the other hand here
in East Hampton where outdoor living is such a big part of the lifestyle, those
early decisions turn out being more important than people expect.
A final thought from a local perspective
Decks
in Suffolk County shouldn’t only be visually attractive on the very first day.
They need to survive nor'easters, humid summers, salty air, and families with
many members. The best ones are neither the biggest nor the most luxurious –
they are the ones that are so natural, cozy, and easily liveable.
If
there is one thing we have learned working in our own neighborhood, it is this:
in most cases, the best advice does really the sound like it comes from a
neighbor. And most of the time, listening to the yard, the house, and the
people who live there will lead to better results than simply following the
trends alone.
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