Do It Yourself Under Deck Ceiling On A Budget
June 28, 2009
When properly installed, under deck ceiling systems can be a joy to look at – and increase the value of your home by leaps and bounds. Nonetheless, many homeowners still would rather not even think about improving this aforementioned space, thinking that this would be an expensive venture. That may be true on more than one account. But you do have to remember that there are very few home improvement projects that can be financed with spare change only.
So, you may want to think of this as an investment of sorts. Still, there are many ways on how to you can install a deck ceiling system on a minimal budget. Here are a few tips how to install your under deck ceiling system on a budget.
First and most importantly, always, always plan ahead. You should consider whether or not the existing deck structure is sturdy enough for the under deck ceiling. Some roof structures may actually be very flimsy, and may not hold up to any kind of additional ceiling installation. Reinforcing the underlying architectural structure will be your first priority. This will ensure that your home improvement project will stand up to the test of time. You can also use these systems on other parts of your home as well. For instance, if you have carports that you park your cars under or use for storage of mowers and other things, this type of system can also work underneath them as long as the structure is in place and is sturdy.
This would also be a good time to check up, improve or replace your gutter system. An efficient gutter system will make your deck ceiling dryer for most parts of the year; and therefore, less prone to wood rot, termite infestation and the lot. The reinforcement of your deck structure (if this area does need one) would be your biggest expense. Other than that, you are almost Scott-free.
Secondly, you may also want to begin tracking down online and brick-and-mortar stores that offer relatively inexpensive deck ceiling materials. Vinyl siding is always a top choice. This material comes in a variety of colors which may help shave off a couple of bucks since you do not need to buy primers or paints or varnish anymore. Natural wood siding can be very expensive, but there are stores that offer discount wood panels if you buy in bulk. In turn, buying in bulk can be a good way to save a lot of money if your deck area is rather extensive; or if you know other people who might be willing to share the expenses with you. Subscribing early to email alerts from online wood distributors might be a worthy investment in this regard.
Faux wood is another great alternative. Faux wood panels are cheaper than natural wood panels, but just as beautiful and just as sturdy. Two other advantages to this kind of wood are: that faux wood panels are extremely lightweight and are usually treated to be less prone to termite infestation. But no matter what kind of deck ceiling material you buy, always get the ones that are already waterproof. This will save you more money because you do not need to buy additional waterproofing pastes, plastic materials, etc. At the same time, you do not have to apply the messy waterproofing materials.
Lastly, the big question of do-it-yourself (DIY) or hire a professional contractor: that is the question. It does not necessarily follow that hiring the services of a professional contractor will be more expensive; or that a DIY project would entail less money. Most contractors will provide a free estimate anyways, so get two or three to compare. Then, compare what your materials cost will be and the amount of time that you are willing to invest in installing the under deck ceiling yourself. Always compare job estimates from various professional contractors and make calculations on all possible expenses when it comes to DIY projects. You might be surprised with the results, so choose wisely.
