Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Choosing the Right Materials for Your Deck

In many of our deck constructions, we install AZEK Decking, a low-maintenance decking alternative to wood and composite. It’s a superior, stain-resistant material made of PVC that is also resistant to scratches, splits, mold, mildew, moisture, and insects. As a durable, long-lasting material, AZEK decking is an especially smart choice for customers who plan to be in their home long-term and are looking for a way to save on the maintenance costs for their deck.


AZEK’s appeal also lies in their wide variety of decking colors – from white to gray, red to brown, over 10 different shades are available to blend with the look of your home. And because AZEK enables you to avoid wood construction, you’ll also avoid the need for regular staining – your chosen deck color will have the same kind of impressive longevity as the deck itself.

Choosing the right deck materials is just one of the crucial ingredients for your outdoor construction. There’s more: Learn the five most important tips for planning your next deck. 





Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205 Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Decks Building is an Investment

A deck addition is an easy way to add additional living space to your home. In Montgomery County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia homeowners can expect to use their deck for 9 to 10 months out of the year. By using low maintenance decking home owners can expect 20-25 years out of the deck project.

Not only is a deck a wonderful place entertain friends it's also an investment in your home. Installing a deck may be the most cost-efficient way to add square footage to your house, and of all the outdoor home improvements, it may be the most reliable value.

"It's safe to say that a deck is one of the more cost-effective things you can do," says Robert Markovich, home and yard editor for Consumer Reports. "Decks are really a high-return item."

Most homeowners think a master bathroom or kitchen upgrade is the best investment when it comes to remodeling. However, Remodeling Magazine's "Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report for 2009-2010" found that more than 80% of the cost of building a wooden deck could be recouped during resale — compared with 71% for a bathroom remodel and 72% for a family room addition.

Before deciding which home improvement item to tackle, make sure you take into consideration both your long term plans and short term needs. Building a deck might be the most enjoyable short term options and the most best long term investment. To learn more on how to plan your next deck project watch our videos on deck planning.

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=16613127


Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.

Build a Deck and Earn Money

2012 Design Builders Referral Program

Refer Design Builders, Inc. to a friend or family member and earn $500! Here at Design Builders, Inc. we try to find ways to add value to our projects and provide our customers with ways to save on projects. We offer our 5% winter discount for projects sold during the year and built during the winter months(December-February). Customers can save further dollars by following Design Builders, Inc. on Twitter and 'liking' Design Builders on FaceeBook. Now we are introducing our 2012 Referral program starting in December of 2011. If you refer a friend or family member to Design Builders, Inc., and they sign a remodeling contract with a value greater than ten thousand dollars, then you will earn your choice of a $500 Visa Gift Certificate or a $500 credit towards future work performed by Design Builders, Inc. Get the word out to friends and family via Facebook and starting collecting on Gift Certificates for the Holiday Season!



Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Building Decks in Maryland and Virginia

Deck Building Process

When building a deck, there is a specific process that must be followed. There are four  main components  to deck building. These four components include the footings, framing, decking, and railing. Each part of the process is equally important.

The footings are required to be below the frost line set by local code. This will vary based on location. In most parts of Maryland and Virginia, for example, the frost line is between 24”-30” below grade. The building crew must dig footings below this level and ensure that the width of the footings are according to the permitted set of plans. A footing inspection is required prior to pouring the concrete.

Screened Porch in Potomac, MD

When framing the deck it is extremely important to properly flash the ledger board.  The flashing keeps water from entering the house.   The flashing should be one layer of vinyl or copper installed between the ledger board and house.  Flashing is always installed behind the siding.   Most carpenters start by installing the ledger board at the house. The next step is the temporarily install the outside joists.  The beams are then temporarily installed beneath the joists at the precise level.  Once the deck has been squared and the beams and joists are level, the carpenters will install the supportive columns that carry the beams, and install the remaining joists. 

Decking installation is usually one of the fastest aspect of a decking project depending on the pattern. It is important to install any product according to the manufacturers specifications. Failure to do so may result in a voided warranty. Decking should be installed with screws regardless of what type of decking you are putting down. This will ensure the longevity of your deck.

Railing is the final phase of deck construction. Rail post should be bolted properly and any required blocking should be added to the framing below to ensure stability. The standard height for residential railings are 36”common code requires that no space in the railing be greater than 4”.





Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205 Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.

News About Potomac Maryland

Potomac elementary scores well on tests despite a building in need of upgrades

Ranked most in need of improvement, Cold Spring’s students don’t slip up
by Andrew Ujifusa (Montgomery Gazette)
Cold Spring Elementary Principal Martin Barnett stands across from one of the walls that doesn\'t reach the ceiling at his school, which recently was rated as the lowest-ranked school in terms of educational and physical infrastructure by Montgomery County Public Schools. Barnett agreed that the Potomac school\'s design is unusual, but said does not affect the ability of students to learn.

Cold Spring Elementary Principal Martin Barnett stands across from one of the walls that doesn't reach the ceiling at his school, which recently was rated as the lowest-ranked school in terms of educational and physical infrastructure by Montgomery County Public Schools. Barnett agreed that the Potomac school\'s design is unusual, but said does not affect the ability of students to learn.


At Potomac’s Cold Spring Elementary School, some classrooms are separated by walls that don’t reach the ceiling. Teachers are instructed to direct their voices away from the partitions so they don’t intrude on adjacent rooms.

In many ways, the 380-student school, built in 1972, represents buildings from a different generation — those put up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when an echo baby boom took place and forced several schools to be built quickly, noted its principal of 18 years, Martin Barnett.

Cold Spring’s unorthodox design (it’s shaped like an “H”) contributed to its recent dubious distinction — it was recently rated by the school system as having the worst infrastructure out of the 34 county elementary schools that have not been modernized since 1985.
read more...

Four Local Girl Scouts Earn Top Award

Four local girls from Potomac-based Girl Scout Troop 3288 have been recognized by the national organization for their leadership, community service and advocacy.
read more...


Waterproof screen room built beneath a low maintenance deck in Potomac Md

Sundeck and Screened Room in Potomac, MD

Custom decks come in many shapes and sizes.  Screen rooms do not always need to be above the deck.  Screen rooms can be added beneath the deck with waterproofing systems.  If there is space for a patio beneath your deck then you can add a waterproofing system a turn your deck into a roof.  This project features a brick patio paver base with the screen room built beneath an Azek deck.  Shoreline handrails are installed above to keep the deck safe and blend with the beauty and luxury of this Avenel neighborhood. 





Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205 Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.

Deck Lighting

Deck Lighting


A very popular feature on custom decks is accent lighting. This can give your deck a very elegant appearance and provide safety. Accent lighting on decks is generally a low voltage lighting system. This makes installation easier as it does not require an electrical permit. The two most common places you will see low voltage accent lighting is on rail posts and stair risers. Due to recent code changes, staircases on decks are now required to be properly illuminated to avoid safety hazards. This has made decorative riser lights a popular choice.

Screen Porch in Clarksburg, MD

Malibu Lighting is a very popular manufacturer of these products. They offer a wide variety of styles and colors. Malibu has a strong reputation and warranty and their products are easy to install. The light fixtures attach to low voltage wire with a connector mechanism. The wire forms a loop and ends at the transformer. The transformer has a timer built in so the lights can be set to your own customized schedule. Most people set the timer to come on at dusk and off by 11pm-12pm. You are also able to operate the lights by a manual switch in the transformer box. Be sure that the transformer selected is the correct wattage. Each light purchased will have a total number of watts needed to operate on the package purchased. For example: If you have 10 light fixtures and each fixture requires 7 watts each, then you will need a transformer of a minimum 70 watts. It is always a smart idea to exceed the minimum. Take a look at the links below to see low voltage deck lighting options:

http://malibulights.com/home.aspx

http://www.thedecklightstore.com/




Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.