Things to Know Before Building a Deck

By Gerry Donaghue • August 24, 2020
Things to Know Before Building a Deck

Adding a deck to your house not only provides you with an enjoyable outdoor space but also significantly increases your home’s value. Before you start, you will want to choose the best deck building materials for your individual project needs.

High-quality materials are essential to ensure the longevity of this new addition to your home. You want your deck to have the same life span as your house.

Types of Building Materials

There are many available decking options for your project. Some possible materials for your new construction include hardwood, bamboo, pressure-treated pine, wood composite, plastic composite, concrete, fiberglass, PVC, stone and rubber. Consult a building professional to decide which product is right for you.

Choosing quality materials for your project is vital for a beautiful, long-lasting deck, but it isn’t the only factor to consider.

Building Material Storage

Your deck building materials first need to be transported from the shop to your home. They will need to be securely strapped to a vehicle and will be quite heavy, which may be too much for your car.

Once the materials have arrived at your house, you will need to store them appropriately during the construction of your addition. Moisture can change lumber’s shape and render laminated plywood useless.

Sheets of decking should ideally be stored flat to prevent warping. However, they can be damaged if stacked improperly.

Composite decking must remain covered with a UV resistant wrap during the construction process. If wrapping is not an option, it needs to be stored indoors.

Hiring a Professional

Choosing the right products for your project and ensuring their quality and longevity can be daunting. A professional builder has the knowledge, skills and experience to help you choose your materials. They can also complete your project quickly and skillfully.

Choose a professional deck building company for the best outcome for your new outdoor space.

February 17, 2025
Welcome to our new website for GT Donaghue Construction & Metal Roofing, LLC! We are so excited to roll out a much needed refresh on our website and share it with all of you. And with a new website comes a reintroduction to us here at GT Donaghue Construction! For those not familiar with us, GT Donaghue Construction & Metal Roofing, LLC (formerly Donaghue Construction) has been in business for almost 40 years working across New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and even parts of New York bringing quality craftsmanship and decades of experience to all the projects we complete. Gerry Donaghue, our founder, started this business out of his house formerly in Nashua, NH and has sustained a quality business over the years through hard work and resilience. We have navigated fluctuations in the industry across the years with some years only allowing for a few members on our crew and some calling for multiple crews and larger partnerships. The one thing that hasn’t changed? Gerry’s commitment to high standard work and building relationships with the folks he serves. A family owned business, his daughter Ashley supports him on his admin team (after she did her time driving the dump truck for him as a teenager!), his brother Andrew works on the job site, and his wife Pat has always been there to help when needed-you can sometimes see her in the office or even at a home show! Gerry has a wealth and variety of experience ranging from ground up new builds, additions and interior remodels, deck installations, siding replacements and installations, and of course his favorite-metal roofing installations. Whether it is a unique custom job or a traditional upgrade, GT Donaghue Construction & Metal Roofing can help you out! We hope you enjoy our new website and feel free to reach out to us when we can help at your house!
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