Add Value by Adding a Deck or Patio
Home improvements increase your home enjoyment, but they also affect your home’s value. Adding or upgrading a deck or patio can yield a 50 to 75% return on investment at resale*! These tips will help you plan for your deck and patio improvement needs, with a focus on resale value:
Assess – Decide what the main purpose of your deck or patio will be: for entertaining, relaxing, or simply to improve the look and landscape of your yard. This will help determine the size, layout, and need for things like eating areas and built-in seating.
Research – Understand whether you require a building permit to meet fire and structural safety standards, even if you’re just upgrading an existing deck or patio. Contact the zoning department to help locate any underground utilities if you plan on doing any digging.
Materials – Determine the right kind of deck or patio to fit your needs. Wood is ideal for design flexibility, vinyl is durable and low maintenance, and composites look great and are eco-friendly. For patios, brick, flagstone, cobblestone, and concrete all offer durable and cost-effective solutions.
Shape – Create a deck or patio that looks like an extension of your home. Right angles convey a strong, sturdy look while soft or round angles help create a casual, relaxed atmosphere. For patios, allocate space in your design for gardens or flowerbeds.
Location – Situate your deck or patio adjacent to an entry door of your home as this will make traffic flow easier when serving a meal or entertaining outdoors. Decrease the elevation of the deck or patio from the door threshold approximately 10cm to allow for snowfall.
Enclosure – Consider building an enclosure for your deck or patio. Enclosures made of mesh, glass, or aluminum can help provide shade, protect against insects, and allow you to enjoy your space in the rain and in colder temperatures.
Accessorize – Complement your deck or patio with stylish accessories like wicker chairs, cedar benches, hammocks, wind chimes, and lounge chairs. Install outdoor electrical outlets so you can enhance the mood with lighting and music, or utilize other electrical devices as desired.
Maintain – Replace rotting boards and rusty nails, and treat wood decks with a water seal each year. Use a polyurethane compound to minimize the appearance of cracks in your patio and apply a concrete sealant to protect against moisture and UV rays.
A deck or patio is like adding another room to your home. They’re a great way to expand your living space, get a little closer to nature, and entertain outdoors.
*Appraisal Institute of Canada