Do Concrete Decks Add Value to Home?

More and more homeowners choose backyard decks instead of front porches and patios. Decks are the perfect solution to enjoy the cool summer breeze and to catch up with your neighbors relaxing on their decks. If needed, decks and patios can feature a wide space, suitable for barbecue parties or outdoor dinners. Decks are a lot more versatile than front porches. Besides, they offer much better privacy from passers-by. If you think you might want to sell your home in the future, consider increasing its market value and curb appeal by adding a concrete deck. It should be well worth the effort.

By adding a deck to their houses, homeowners can recover as much as 80 percent of their total investment. A deck that costs about $10,000 to add will increase the value of your home with $8,000. There are architecture surveys that show a whopping 98 percent of home buyers want a deck. Nevertheless, you should be very careful when choosing to build a deck as your next home improvement project. Before proceeding, you should take a look around to see how well your ideas fit into the neighborhood. For instance, adding an expensive wrought iron gate will increase the value of an upscale property, but won't bring any benefit to a home in a working-class neighborhood. Always assess the market value of your area before adding a deck to your property.

Building a deck is a profitable investment because it expands your living area at a very low cost per square foot. The return on the investment depends on the locality where you live. If construction costs are high, your deck will cost you a lot of money to build. In the Pacific West area, on the contrary, people can enjoy their outdoor features all year round. This makes decks a major investment. Always take into consideration the area where you want to build your deck.

A good deck should have direct access from the main living areas. If your deck faces the north, you'll enjoy the sun all day long. However, this might not be an advantage during the summer, when it can get really hot. If there are strong winds in your area, you should either build your deck on the most protected side of your house or add an exterior wall. When building a deck, you should always consider such factors and add extra features whenever needed.

Choosing a design is difficult for most people. To ease your choice, think about the size and the main purpose of your deck. Would you like to host parties there? You should choose a wider design. If you wish to enjoy different viewpoints, build an extended deck that surrounds all your main living areas. You may even build your deck on two layers, to create a beautiful design and to enjoy different privacy levels. Everything is possible, as long as you make sure that the newly built deck matches the surroundings and the design of your house. This is the best way to ensure that your deck adds value to your home.

I am a marketing communications professional and have a flair for writing about many interests that I try to pursue when I am not working. I love a good warm cup of chamomile tea anytime of the day!