When we think of wintertime projects, most of us think of building snowmen or stoking the fireplace—not investing in an outdoor entertainment space. But contrary to common assumptions, winter time can actually be the perfect season for building a new deck!
From cooler temperatures to off-season pricing, homeowners looking to add a deck to their home might be surprised to learn that the chilly season provides a great opportunity for knocking out this outdoor project. Keep reading for five surprising reasons why you may want to go ahead and prioritize building that deck now, rather than waiting for spring.
5 Reasons Why Winter Is the Best Season to Start Building a Deck
1. Building Permits Sometimes Take Longer Than Expected.
A common mistake many homeowners make is to wait until they want to use their new deck to start constructing it. This frequently creates issues because obtaining the proper permits for your new deck may take longer than expected.
Especially during the spring and summer—when construction projects are at their high—securing a permit can be a surprisingly lengthy process. Starting that process in the winter time gives you an advantage because:
- There aren’t quite as many people applying for permits.
- You won’t feel like you’re running out of time to use your new deck.
2. Building In Winter Means More Sunny Afternoons on the Deck.
On a similar note, building your deck during the winter also means it’ll be available to use as soon as the sun starts peeking out. On the contrary, if you wait until spring to even get started on your deck project, you could easily wind up waiting until early summer (or later!) before your deck is completely finished and ready for use.
3. Colder Temperatures Can Prevent Landscaping Damage.
Like it or not, building a deck means a construction crew will be traipsing around your yard for some amount of time. In the spring and summer, the ground is softer—which can mean more damage to your lawn or nearby plants and shrubs.
Conversely, the ground tends to be harder when temperatures are colder, with less plant life out and about. This means you won’t need to stress so much about potential damage to your grass during your project.
4. Decreased Humidity Makes Drying Stain a Breeze.
Many people assume that because spring and summer are hotter, these warmer months are the ideal time to stain a deck. However, that’s not necessarily the case.
In West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and our surrounding regions, our springs and summers can be quite humid … Which might actually create more difficulty when trying to evenly stain or paint a deck.
Provided that you don’t try to stain on a rainy or snowy day, dry, cool winter air can create an ideal atmosphere for stain to dry without the risk of peeling, cracking, or watermarks created by high humidity.
5. Dryer Conditions Prevent Lumber Movement.
Speaking of problems caused by humidity … One of the biggest risks of building a deck during the spring or summer is that the wood will splinter or twist as it dries out during seasonal transitions.
While wood used in the outdoors will inevitably weather over time, building a deck in the winter means the wood will dry faster and more evenly. This minimizes the risk of premature wear to your new deck.
Planning to Add a Deck to Your Home?
Whatever the weather, we’d love to help! Get in touch with us HERE to learn more about working with us on your next renovation, restoration, construction, or addition project.
