DIARY of a DECK

Welcome to our overview of the deck restoration process, showcasing how we bring a deck in disrepair back to life.

Who Restores Their Deck?

• Anyone who is comfortable with a restored deck instead of a new one.
• Anyone who appreciates the idea of restoring their deck and saving 50%-75% off the cost of a replacement.

What’s the Scope of a Deck Restoration? Simply put, we remove all rotted wood from your deck, replace it with new material, and apply one or two coats of stain.

This particular deck was in poor condition, but your deck may require significantly less work and a smaller investment. If you currently have a quote for a new deck in the range of $20,000, the restored deck showcased at the end of this diary might bring a smile to your face—the entire job was completed for well under half of that amount.

How Do We Restore for Less Than Replacing? The framework of your deck—joists, beams, support posts, and ledgers—is protected from the elements (sun, wind, rain, garden hoses, and sprinklers) by the deck's rim joists, decking, stairs, and other components. Constructing this framework requires extensive excavation and the use of expensive materials and hardware, typically carried out by highly skilled professionals who are compensated accordingly.

When only parts of this framework need to be replaced due to rot and wear, much of the costly work is already bypassed. The restoration process typically involves replacing stairs, rail posts, rails, rim joists, and decking—cheaper materials handled by carpenters with a smaller skill set.

How Long Does the Process Take? Assuming no weather delays, the average restoration takes five working days from the removal of the first rotten board to the final pass of the spray gun.

Take a look at the photos and captions below to get a general idea of the process in two minutes or less.