When we had our house built, we didn’t want to spring for the additional cost for a deck (the builder also said it would be wise to wait at least 5 years so the ground would settle), so initially we were deck-less…

I’m glad we waited, because if we did build a deck when our house was built, it would have been made of wood.  And that would mean maintaining it ever year.  While some people don’t mind staining or painting a deck every year or so, I would hate it.

We probably wouldn’t have a deck today, except my wife wanted one.  We had the money saved up, so we went ahead and bought one about 4 years ago.  It has been a great success!  Every year, I enjoy it more and more!  I didn’t have a deck growing up, so it was a entirely new experience for me.

As I mentioned above, I didn’t want to maintain it so I bought one of those composite wood ones!  Buying one of those systems, means that I don’t ever have to stain the wood (yay)!

Reasons why a deck is worth the cost:

• Kids play games on the deck (toddlers basketball, soccer, etc).
• We eat out on the deck all the time when I make hamburgers  from the grill.
• I like to go out late night and sit in the dark.
• We all like to sit in the sun on perfect sunny days.
• When the kids are going crazy inside, it’s an area to escape too.
• When the kids are being to crazy inside, sometimes we’ll send them out onto the deck.
• Great for hosting small get-togethers or small parties
• It’s also a nice location to write a blog entry when the kids are being loud or have friends over

Have you ever resisted buying something because you underestimated the value in it, only to later be surprised and glad that you bought it?

-MR

Related Article:

Comfy Time Out On The Deck