A wood deck in Georgetown is the classic pick, warm to look at, easy to change later and the lowest cost way to add outdoor space to your home.
At a Glance
- Lowest up front cost of any deck
- Needs a wash and sealer every so often
- Easy to repair one board at a time
- City permit and two inspections
Why Wood Still Makes Sense
Wood is what most Georgetown decks are made of, and for good reason. It costs less than composite. It cuts and fastens with common tools. If a board splits years from now, one board comes out and a new one goes in.
Wood also takes stain in any color you like. You can go dark to match the trim or keep it light and natural. When you want a change, a new coat of stain gives you one.
What We Build With
Most of our wood decks start with a treated pine frame. The posts, beams and JoistsThe boards that run under the deck surface and hold up the decking. They sit on beams, and beams sit on posts and footings. are the part you never see, and they matter most. We use ground contact lumber where wood meets soil and coated screws made for treated wood.
On top, you pick the decking. Treated pine is the budget choice. Cedar costs more, smells great and has a fine grain. We can also mix, with a wood frame and composite boards on top.
Built to Pass the First Time
Georgetown lists decks on its permit list. Before we build, we prepare the site plan, the drawings and the Impervious coverHard surfaces that rain cannot soak into. Georgetown asks for this math with a deck permit, and the city sets the limits on its impervious cover page. worksheet. Then we build to the plan and book the setback and final inspections. Read the full Georgetown deck permit guide.
Keeping a Wood Deck Looking Good
- Sweep often. Leaves and pollen hold water against the boards.
- Wash once a year. A deck cleaner and a soft brush do more than a pressure washer, which can tear the grain.
- Seal when water soaks in. If drops do not bead up, it is time.
- Check screws and rails. Tighten anything loose before it becomes a repair.
Questions About Wood Decks
How often does a wood deck need sealing?
It depends on sun, shade and the boards. Here is a good test. Drip a little water on the boards. If it soaks in fast instead of beading up, it is time to wash and seal.
Is treated pine safe for a deck?
Treated pine is the most common deck lumber in Texas. It is made for outdoor use and ground contact grades go where wood meets soil. Use the right screws, because some treatments eat cheap fasteners.
Why do wood boards turn gray?
Sun breaks down the top layer of the wood. The gray is only skin deep. A cleaner and a stain bring the color back, and a sealer slows it down next time.