SPECIAL SECTION: HOME IMPROVEMENT
EXTRA SPACE IS ON DECK
One of the most inexpensive ways to add living space to your home
is the addition of an outdoor deck or patio. Having a great outdoor
space is like adding an extra room to your house. It can be enjoyed by
the whole family, or experienced in quiet solitude as a retreat to the
Zen of outdoor living.
If you like to entertain, then an outdoor space is a must. Guests can
spill out onto the patio, extending your home to allow more freedom
for guests to mingle, both inside and out.
Though the words “patio” and “deck” are often used
interchangeably, there is a difference. A patio is generally constructed
of stone pavers, tile or a simple concrete foundation that sits
squarely on the ground. Decks are usually made of wood, PVC (also
called vinyl) or composite, which has wood content that has been
encapsulated in a PVC wrap. Decks can either be ground level or
elevated. When considering which option is best for you, you’ll want
to look at the costs and also which one works well with the style
of your home. The good news is that regardless of the option you
choose, you’ll get a positive return on your investment, somewhere
between 30% and 75%.
For a wood frame house, wooden, composite or PVC decks can
match the trim of your existing home. Since wood can be painted,
a wooden deck offers the most color options; however it will also
require frequent repainting. Both PVC and composite decks are
available in a wide range of earth tones to match your home’s style.
Vince Lorenzi, owner of Lorenzi Home Design Center, explains
that there are cost differences, but feels the PVC and composite decks
require less maintenance in the long run.
He says wooden decks will run about $2 - $3 per square foot. These
are attractive, but they do require more maintenance and will have to
be resealed every few years to give them maximum life.
Customer Testimonial for Bill Hudic Tile & Marble Company:
I am more than happy to provide a reference for Bill Hudic Tile &
Marble Company. Let me preface my overview by saying that he
was highly recommended to us by friends who he had done work
for in the past on two separate occasions.
Our experience with Mr. Hudic and his company/employees
was a very positive one. We met with Mr. Hudic and showed him
the space that we wanted updated. He asked questions regarding
our preferences and ideas, and offered his own suggestions and
input based on his experience, which was most helpful. We felt
confident after meeting him that we were in good hands!
He contacted us within a few days to share his designs with us
and made helpful suggestions for improvements to our ideas that
we hadn’t considered. He offered expert knowledge regarding
choices of tile, marble, glass tile, and/or stone and worked closely
with us to choose exactly what we wanted.
When the work began, his crew could not have been more
polite and hard working. Any questions we had were answered
and explained thoroughly