Is Your Home Ready for BBQ Season?

After a long, hard winter, homeowners in New Jersey are getting excited for warm spring and summer weather. There is nothing quite as nice as relaxing with friends at a backyard BBQ, while the kids play in the yard and the sun sets over the trees. If your home isn’t ready for BBQ season, our team at Tom Madsen LLC is here to help! Let us start planning your deck or patio addition today, so you’ll be ready when the weather warms up!

Designing an Outdoor Living Space

The first step toward making your backyard entertaining dreams come true is deciding between a deck and a patio. Designing an outdoor living space is like an art form that requires steady hands and an eye for design. Our builders can construct a screened-in sunroom, add ivy-wrapped pergolas above a wicker seating arrangement, or install an outdoor kitchen on a beautiful patio for entertaining.

Pros and Cons of a Deck

A deck is a wooden, open, outdoor porch or platform without a roof, that extends from a house. Here are a few pros and cons to consider:

• Pro: Decks can be installed on any type of land, even if your yard isn't level.
• Pro: Since a deck can be built off the ground, it serves up a better view, which can increase your home’s value.
• Pro: A wooden deck is easily customizable as it can be painted or stained the color or shade you desire.
• Con: Depending on the material, decks need to be power washed, stained, and sealed every couple of years.
• Con: Wood is more susceptible to weather and can rot over time, as well as fade or become discolored if not properly treated.
• Con: While the price depends on the material, decks are usually more expensive than a patio.

Pros and Cons of a Patio

A patio is a paved area situated directly on the ground, which can either be attached or detached from a house. Here are the pros and cons:

• Pro: Installing a patio flush to the ground can cost much less than a deck.
• Pro: Patios don’t require regular maintenance. While you may choose to seal your patio, it’s not necessary, since pavers and stone patios are extremely durable.
• Pro: Patios are lower to the ground and have more flexibility in design and landscaping for privacy.
• Con: Patios are best suited for even ground; the cost of creating a level foundation is very high.
• Con: Since a patio’s surface is exposed to harsh weather, it can become stained with mud, mildew, and other natural stains, such as leaves.
• Con: Patios may require more intensive construction and can take longer to install, particularly in areas with a lot of ground movement and/or where reinforcement is necessary.

Tom Madsen LLC

Whether you choose to install a deck or a patio this spring, our team at Tom Madsen LLC is excited to work with you. To get your home ready for summer, contact us today at (973) 875-9716. We would be glad to give you a free, no-obligation quote for your deck, patio, or any other home addition.