What​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Locals Have Taught Us About Deck Installation in Dardenne Prairie, MO

 

The single thing that you immediately learn when doing deck constructions in a place like Deck Installation in Dardenne Prairie, MO is that no two yards or homeowners are the same. Even though we are all within a few miles of each other, the soil, drainage, HOA regulations, and even the manner in which families use their decks vary from one house to another.

As a result of our deck building years here, we have learned a lot of small lessons - some from the earth, some from the weather and the most from the homeowners whom we are privileged to enter into their backyards. Frankly, it is the homeowners' experiences that influence the way we handle each project nowadays. 

So in case you are planning a deck addition or giving your existing one a makeover, here is some neighbor-to-neighbor advice that can help you keep away from the trouble of "If only I had known it earlier" moments or even save you some time and effort.

The Unique Challenges of Building Decks in Dardenne Prairie

Clay Soil and Drainage That Continuously Confuse Homeowners

Let us begin with the major one: the soil.

Dardenne Prairie is on a substantial amount of heavy clay soil - which is excellent for growing hostas and making your lawn look green, but not always very good when you want to build something stable.

Clay is a very dense and it holds water very well. So, whenever we have heavy rains in spring, the ground will expand. When a dry period is experienced, the ground will contract. And this constant expansion and contraction can cause a lot of pressure on the supports of the deck.

Many homeowners do not understand this until they witness their deck posts getting slanted or their stairs becoming a little off-level every year. It is among the major factors why here we are very cautious with the depth of the footing, drainage, and soil preparation.

Weather Swings: From Hot Summers to Freeze–Thaw Winters

If one has been a resident here for a reasonable period, he or she must have witnessed the typical Midwest weather pattern: the temperature rises up to 95 degrees during a July week and then during winter time the thermometer varies very quickly from cold to warm and vice versa.

Those freeze–thaw cycles can do a number on anything outside—including decks. If snow disappears and then appears again, water that had found its way in very small fissures or imperfections will expand there. The materials will shift. The boards will move. The railings will wiggle. This is the reason why we frequently suggest such materials and designs which are capable of withstanding the Missouri weather roller coaster.

Stories From the Field: Some Homeowners Who Taught Us

The Family Whose Deck Kept Settling Every Spring

We worked with a family near Weldon Spring Road a couple of years ago that had been puzzled by the fact that their deck kept settling every spring. At the beginning, they thought it was “just age.” However, the aging was not the cause—the soil was.

Their yard was lower than that of the neighbors, and thus all the water ran down the area that was the place of their deck footings. Every rainy season, the ground became loose and moved. While every dry season, it again left them.

The takeaway? Even a flat-looking yard can have drainage patterns that you won’t notice until your deck starts speaking.

After footings were made deeper and the water flow was redirected, the deck finally stayed put. That undertaking made us (and them) understand that drainage is equally as important as the deck itself.

The Couple Who Thought Composite Decking Was “Too Expensive” — Until They Saw the Math

And you know the truth? How many people claim that they only want wood—until they go through power-washing, staining, sanding and replacing of broken boards for a couple of summers?

We cooperated once with a couple near Hwy N who could not make up their minds about this issue for a few weeks. They kept thinking that composite was only for the rich and not a handy choice for them. But they had two little children, two full-time jobs, and a dog that was shedding terribly besides.

We were able to change their point of view after explaining what a typical maintenance would look like in 5–10 years. They found out that composite is actually less of a hassle and more cost-effective in the long run.

They told us when we came back a year later that they were most probably referring to when they said: “I didn’t realize how much time we spent maintaining the old deck until we suddenly got that time back.”

Sometimes money is not the issue—it is your weekends that matter.

What Most Homeowners Don’t Think About When Deck Installation

Footing Depth and Location Are More Important Than You Realize

This is one of those things that the majority of people never think about until they see how deep we dig. In Dardenne Prairie, we have to take into consideration the depth of frost - if not, your deck will be moving with the seasons. Also, if your yard is on a slope (even a very slight one), placing of footings becomes a completely different puzzle.

It is one of those little things that are done behind-the-scenes which determine if your deck will last 5 or 25 years.

Material Choices Aren’t Just About Looks

While standing in the yard, picturing your new deck, it is quite simple to visualize the layout or the color. But what should be taken into account in the selection of the right wood for the deck, railing systems, and support structures are factors such as sun exposure, hours during which the deck remains wet, and wind patterns.

A deck located in full shade may remain wet for a longer time, which in turn will affect how the wood ages. A deck facing west may be subjected to harsh rays of the afternoon sun. These small local details turn out to be much more important than most people think.

HOA Rules in Dardenne Prairie May Surprise You

An HOA neighborhood means that you are familiar with the procedure - some HOAs are easygoing and others will notice even if a railing is an inch too high. We have found that it is best to inquire about the HOA rules from the homeowners straight away as it saves a lot of trouble later.

In a number of cases, a homeowner thought they had the liberty to build whatever they wanted… only to find out that their community had very strict limitations on the colors, heights, and designs.

Simple Tips We Often Share With Our Neighbors Before They Build

Walk the Yard at Sunset Before Finalizing a Design

If you really want to find out where you will be spending your evenings, then take a walk around the yard at sunset. What you will be noticing are the breeze, the shade, the privacy (or lack of it), and the places where the bugs are most likely to be. Numerous of our neighbors end up modifying their deck plan after undergoing this small exercise.

Think About Future Use, Not Just Today’s Plan

We came across people who would build a small deck just for the grill… and later wish that they had planned a space for a dining table for when their kids grow up. Or a person who didn’t think he would need stairs and then realized that he uses the stairs more than he thought. The point is that it is always worth it to forecast “five years from now” instead of simply designing for today.

Consider Maintenance Reality vs. Maintenance Optimism

Every homeowner guarantees that they will stay on top of maintenance. Every. Single. One.

However, after a season full of sports, work, and summer vacations, suddenly it is already September and the deck hasn’t been power-washed once. In case you already know within yourself that you are not the type of person to do maintenance, then it is still alright. Just make the decision to pick the materials that are compatible with your lifestyle.

A Few “Wish I Knew This Earlier” Moments From Local Homeowners

Why They Would Go Bigger If They Could Do It Again

The most typical regret that we hear is the following: “I wish we’d made it just a little bigger.”

Not very big—just a few extra feet. Walking comfortably around a dining table would require only that little bit of extra space. The second seating area would only take up that little bit of extra space. A deck seems smaller when there are a lot of people and furniture in it.

The Unexpected Benefits of Adding a Privacy Screen

There is a reason why privacy screens in Dardenne Prairie are at work twice. One is due to the way homes are spaced and the other being the direction the wind usually blows. Besides blocking the view from neighbors, they also stop those sudden gusts that are responsible for dropping your paper plates all over the yard during dinner.

Closing Thoughts: Building a Deck Should Be Fun, Not Stressful

After all, building a deck is not only about the boards and the railings. It is about turning your outdoor space into an extension of your home – something that you will use, enjoy and be proud of.

In case you do not get anything else out of this informal sharing of ideas with your neighbors, then it should be this: Be mindful of your yard, your lifestyle, and the way your family lives. These small realizations can make a huge difference.

Whether you are dreaming big or starting small, the finest deck will always be the one that is right for your home, your habits, and the typical Dardenne Prairie ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌weather.