Winter is upon us. You’re looking out of your back window into your empty backyard thinking, “Why don’t I have a deck?” You think it’s too late, that you won’t be able to find a contractor to build a deck in the winter, so you put it on the back burner for now.
Don’t wait until then to start the project. Spring is the start of busy season for deck designers and suppliers. You will end up waiting longer for the finished product, and you might even end up paying more for it. Inclement weather is a little bit of a concern. Major snowstorms can slow down progress on a build. But unless the storm is torrential and the area is unable to be cleared, your deck will be ready by the time spring rolls around.
The Weather Outside Is…
Frightful, right? Actually, no – not if you’re a deck contractor.
Your deck will be in better shape if it is installed during the winter. Excessive heat in the hot Maryland summer can cause wood to expand. This leads to cracking and warping, and ultimately an unsightly product down the road. While we do our best and use high quality products and installers, you can’t compete with Mother Nature.
Not only are contractors happy to install decks in winter, they’re more available to do so. Most people wait until they want to use their deck to think about a replacement or new install. But by that time, you’ll have to wait in line behind all of your neighbors who booked early!
Pressure Treated Decking in Winter
There are many options when it comes to decking material.
If you choose to use pressure treated wood, winter is an especially smart time to complete your project. Pressure treated wood retains moisture more readily than hardwood. During the winter, humidity is relatively low. Therefore, your deck built from pressure treated wood will dry out much quicker than in the summer.
High humidity in the summer months make it difficult for the wood to dry consistently. This is important when it comes to finishing your deck. Pressure treated lumber needs to be sufficiently dry before you can apply a stain or finish.
Not Just New Builds
Winter is also the best time for contractors to replace your deck. Many damaged or weak spots on your deck can be worsened during the winter. Precipitation is high, and with the unpredictably fluctuating Maryland temperatures, moisture can seep into the damaged and porous wood and expand in freezing temperatures.
If you have weak joists, rotting railings, or degraded deck posts, replacing your deck now, before the winter really gets on, is the best solution.
If you have these issues and you wait, you could be at risk of further damage to the lumber and connections, or even collapse.
Call on the Locals to Build your Deck in the Winter
The J.F. Johnson Lumber Company is specifically experienced and equipped to replace or build a deck this winter season for you. We use only the highest quality lumber, fasteners, and hardware. Our experienced deck designers work hand-in-hand with trusted contractors and installers to bring you the quality of work you deserve. We design decks using:
- pressure treated wood
- Cedar wood
- Ipe wood
- PVC and composite
In addition, we carry a wide range of decking accessories, including:
- outdoor railing
- deck lighting
- hidden fastening systems
- underdeck dry area systems
Johnson Lumber has your Back
This will be Johnson Lumber’s 100th winter in Maryland. We’ve seen everything from the most severe to the mildest winters this area has to offer. We’re not scared of a little snow. right now is the perfect time to schedule your deck installation.
Get in touch to schedule your deck design and installation.
