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Prepping Your Deck for Spring

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Hopefully you’ve winterized your deck and made things easy for yourself come springtime. However, even a well-prepped deck will need a little TLC to be ready for spring.

Start off by cleaning it off, sweeping away leaves, and scrubbing off the dirt left over from the snow and winter elements. Spray off your deck with a hose or pressure washer if it’s strong enough to withstand it. Inspect your deck for any loose boards or tripping hazards.

Once the surface looks good, bring your outdoor furniture out of storage, or take the tarps off if they’ve been out. Wipe it all down and inspect the furniture and cushions for mold. If you have potted plants, scrub the flowerpots off with warm water. Don’t use soap or chemicals that will hurt your plants! Then get your spring seeds or sprouts planted.

Next, take a look at your landscaping. Trim any shrubs or branches that have grown too long or that are spilling onto pathways or seating areas. Check your lighting and make sure all the bulbs are working, and replace broken or burnt out ones as necessary.

Once you’ve ensured that everything is clean, neat, and working properly, you’re ready to go! The last and most important step? Sit back and enjoy being out on your deck again!

Call JRG Custom Decks at 952-688-2141 for all of your decking needs!

Get Your Deck Ready for Winter

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As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, the time you spend out on your deck decreases. Season changes can be hard on decks, especially older wooden ones. But taking the right steps to prepare your deck for winter ensures that your deck will be ready for you to enjoy again next spring! Read on for tips on winterizing your deck.

Start off by cleaning your deck thoroughly, scrubbing away dirt, stains, and remnants of the summer. If your wood deck needs a new stain, take advantage of the nice weather to get that done. After cleaning your deck, it’s important to apply a water-repellent finish to protect it from the damaging effects of winter. A good stain or sealant keeps out moisture and protects your deck from the elements. Ice, snow, sleet, and rain can seep into an unprotected surface and cause splitting and warping. Because of this, it’s just as important in the winter as the summer!

Cover up deck furniture with tarps to keep them safe from the winter elements. Also, bring in any potted plants, seat cushions, and other things that could be damaged from the long, cold winter.

Taking the right steps now saves you a lot of trouble in the future. So winterizing your deck now means you’ll be ready to enjoy it again in the spring!

Call JRG Custom Decks at 952-688-2141 for any of your decking needs!

Make Your Deck Feel Like Home

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Your deck is an extension of your home, and it should feel like one! Building a deck can be a big investment, so make sure you’re getting the most out of it. There are several things you can do to make your deck a place you’ll love spending time on. And your options for outdoor luxury are more numerous than ever!

Outdoor furniture has come a long way. Gone are the days of stiff, boring furniture as your only options for outdoor furnishings. Now you can find outdoor furniture in nearly as many styles and tastes as indoor furniture! There are couches, loveseats, sectionals, tables, lounge chairs, rugs, and even pillows specifically designed to withstand the weather. You can feel just as comfortable sitting around outside as you are in your living room.

Create a Cozy Feeling

Outdoor lighting is always a good idea, increasing safety and allowing you to enjoy your deck after dark. It can create an ambient mood and make you want to curl up and relax on your deck well after sunset. Adding a firepit is also a fun addition. Not only does it create a fun, festive atmosphere in the summer; it’s cozy warmth lets you enjoy your deck into the cooler months too!

Furniture and decor that you enjoy make a difference, too. It just makes sense that if you create a comfy space that you like the look of, you’ll naturally find yourself spending more time outdoors enjoying it. You could even extend the idea of making it feel like home by setting up your outdoor area with different “rooms” just like you do inside. There could be a barbecue area with a grill and table, a lounging area with a firepit and sectional, and so on!

Getting A Good Layout

The way your deck is built and set up is a factor too. Multi-level decks break up a space and create a natural separation between areas. A popular option is placing a barbecue grill and table on the level nearest the house, a seating area on the next level, and maybe a pool or hot tub on the level below that. It creates a nice flow because it leads you from the home to the yard.

However, even if you have a single level deck, you can still easily set up different areas to break the large space into more intimate areas. Especially if you have people over for parties, this allows guests to feel comfortable wandering between spaces and pulling a chair to join the smaller groups. A multi-level deck or the addition of a gazebo or pergola makes a statement and very clearly defines different sections. On the other hand, if you prefer a less-noticeable separation, you can arrange your furniture and leaving spaces between focal points to subtly break up the space.

Whatever you decide to do with your outdoor space, a deck makes a great addition to any home and lets you feel at home both indoors and out.

Call JRG Custom Decks at 952-688-2141 to get a free estimate on your dream deck today!

Creating Your Perfect Deck Design

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With all the options out there, figuring out what kind of deck you want can be a little overwhelming. But there are several things you can do to make sure you end up with the perfect deck design for you! Start gathering ideas by looking at other decks and deciding what you like and don’t like about each. Then make note of any designs you really like. We won’t duplicate it exactly, but JRG Custom Decks can turn your inspiration into a design that works for your house and yard. Does your home have a particular style you want to carry on into the yard? Think about the styles you like in order to create a design that looks like you.

Factors to Consider

However, don’t forget to consider the more practical design aspects, like the size of your yard, the terrain, your budget, and the function you want your deck to serve. What will you primarily use your deck for? Do you have a pool that you want to put a large deck for sunbathing around? Or is a small deck with few chairs all you need? Take into consideration the size of your yard and house and how you want them to relate. Is your yard hilly or flat? Do you want your deck to come up to the back door, or would you like it to connect on multiple stories? How much of your yard do you want your deck to fill? Additionally, would you like a complex, multi-level deck, or a small, simple platform? It can be as extravagant or as simple as you like, depending on your tastes, needs, and budget.

Custom Deck Designs

JRG Custom Decks will help design a deck that works for any yard. Feel free to sketch out a few ideas you have, and we’ll be happy to give input and make suggestions. Try a few different designs, and don’t forget railings, stairs, or a gazebo if that’s something you might want! Don’t worry if you’re not an artist; these ideas are just to help you imagine what you want your future deck to look like. And if it’s still too overwhelming, our expert staff will be happy to listen to your ideas and sketch them up. We’ll create the perfect custom deck design for your family and yard. It’s our specialty!

Call JRG Custom Decks at 952-688-2141 and let us start on your custom deck design!

What Decking Material Should You Choose?

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There are more decking materials out there than ever before. So if you’re interested in building a new deck, you’re in luck! The number of options can be a little overwhelming, but the experts at JRG Custom Decks are happy to help you find the best material for you.

Wood

Wood is the most traditional decking material, and also tends to be the most cost-efficient, initially. Green-treated or treated southern yellow pine are commonly used and most affordable. Then is cedar, which sits between treated-wood and composite decks in terms of price. Cedar is a favorite because of its natural beauty and woodsy smell. But like any wood, it requires staining and occasional treatments. They also require green-treated substructure for safety and longevity.
Wood is classic and beautiful, and when properly maintained, can last for years. Some woods are more durable and naturally resist rot and insects. However, all wood decks require some degree of maintenance to keep them in good shape. Sealing and staining them every few years keeps them protected from the elements and looking beautiful. Regular deck maintenance is necessary to prevent rotting, warping, and splintering from exposure to the elements.

Composite

Composite decking material has a higher cost than traditional decking materials, but for many, it makes up for it in the end. Wood-plastic composite material offers the best of both worlds. Combining wood fibers with recycled plastic, the durable material resists fading, staining, scratching, and mold. Almost entirely maintenance-free, deck owners end up saving time and money long-term. Composite decks typically only require a good cleaning/rinsing off once or twice a year to keep it clean. We build composite decks with whichever material the customer desires, but we recommend Trex Transcend because of its 25-year stain and fade warranty.

For more information on decking materials, call JRG Custom Decks at 952-688-2141!

Custom Deck Builders in Lakeville, Minnesota

JRG Custom Decks has over 20 years experience building custom designed decks and outdoor living spaces for area residents in Lakeville, and other neighboring suburbs of Minneapolis. Our expert workmanship guarantees a contractor you can trust. JRG Custom Decks not only builds one of a kind decks and enclosures, we also offer repairs and maintenance of existing decks.
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SERVICE AREAS

We are happy to provide custom deck building and deck repair services to the Minneapolis suburbs of Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Delano, Golden Valley, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Prior Lake, Rosemount, and Savage including the all areas within Dakota County, Hennepin County, and Scott County

FIND US

17432 Honeysuckle Avenue
Lakeville, MN 55044
jrgcustomdecks@yahoo.com
Tel: 952-688-2141

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