Will Your Deck Keep Standing?

Having a deck or a porch can be an extremely pleasant experience, and can add value to your home. If you’re thinking about adding a deck to your home, either as an addition or as a feature of new construction, it’s critical to consider the structural support needs that come with the deck.

While it’s true that a deck on its own will likely have no problem supporting one or two people, it can be another matter entirely when it’s being asked to support a group of people – especially if that weight is concentrated on a small area of the deck. A similar problem could arise for locations on the deck that hold large appliances or things like a hot tub. Did you know that a typical hot tub filled with water and people can weigh around 5,000 pounds? It’s important to plan ahead of time for where specific weight hot spots might be on your deck, and add structural support when it’s needed.