At Creative Concepts and Design, we build decks year-round. In fact, winter is a great time to build decks and pergolas. Many people are surprised to hear that. If you’re one of them, we’re about to let you in on a little secret that will save you time, money, and hassle. There are many advantages to building a deck in the winter but people just don’t realize it. We wish more people understood that winter is the best time to build a deck, so we thought we’d share why.
Why People Think Decks Can’t Be Built in the Winter
First, let’s address the reason that so many people think that you can’t build decks in the winter. After all, to build a deck you must dig holes and pour concrete for the piers and footings. You can’t pour concrete if it is below freezing, right? Yes, but here’s what people don’t realize. Piers and footings are below the frost line, so as long as it is above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, we can pour concrete. Plus, concrete produces heat as it cures. We can add hot water and calcium to increase the heat in cold months as well. Effectively, there are only a handful of days in the winter in the Kansas City area that are “too cold” to pour concrete.
4 Reasons Winter Is the Best Time to Build a Deck
There are actually quite a few advantages to building a deck in the winter in the Kansas City area. Here are some of the best reasons to build a deck in the winter:
1. Less Mess and Damage to Landscaping
Lawns are dormant and the dirt is more solid in the winter months, so there is less damage to the turf from any large machinery and even all the extra construction foot traffic. Lawns recover naturally in spring so you’ll barely notice any disruption.
Conversely, spring construction usually means a muddy mess due to spring rains and soft lawns. Additionally, landscaping plants are smaller and easier to work around in the winter as well. And like the lawn, they will recover naturally and quickly in the spring if there is any damage.
2. Lower Cost
Due to supply and demand, the lumber prices typically recede during the winter so you save money on material cost. Plus, we offer financing to help spread the cost out to make budgeting easier.
3. Ease of Scheduling and Availability
During the high-demand months of summer, it may take weeks to get your deck started because you are behind other projects that got on the schedule before you. But because schedules are usually slow over the winter months, you can get right in and get your deck built quickly.
4. No Waiting in Spring!
This is the best reason, in our opinion, to build your deck in the winter. Your deck is ready to use come the first day of spring! Instead of waiting, you were smart and used those boring winter months to your advantage. Now that spring is here, instead of calling us and getting on the schedule, you’re enjoying a hot morning cup of coffee on your finished deck and looking at your schedule to find a weekend to have friends over for a proper deck-warming party.
Let Creative Concepts and Designs Build Your Deck This Winter
If this all comes as a surprise to you, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Most of our customers have no idea that not only can you build a deck in the winter, it’s actually an ideal time for many reasons. So now you’re smarter than the masses. You know that you don’t have to let the time of year dictate when you can build your deck! This secret gives you an advantage over all the others patiently waiting till spring to contact a contractor (and get on a list). Jump the line and have your deck finished by spring!
