When we first moved into our Bennington home, I dreamed of summer nights spent grilling on a beautiful new deck. But between Pinterest overwhelm and contractor horror stories from neighbors, I kept putting it off. Was composite worth the extra cost? How long would installation really take? And most importantly - how could I avoid ending up with a deck that looked like a DIY disaster?
That's when I found Hunt Home Remodeling's Deck Installation Guide, and it answered every question I didn't even know to ask. Here's what every Bennington homeowner should know before building a deck.
The Rise of Outdoor Living Spaces
Recent surveys show 63% of homeowners now consider outdoor living areas as important as indoor spaces. In Nebraska, where we cram a year's worth of outdoor time into about 8 good months, this makes perfect sense. What surprised me was learning that:
Properly built decks can return 75-100% of their cost in home value
Composite decking (once considered "cheap looking") now comes in stunning wood-like finishes
New hidden fastener systems eliminate those ugly screw heads we all remember from 90s decks
What Professional Deck Installation Actually Entails
Hunt's guide broke down the process in a way that finally made sense:
Site Evaluation - They check soil type, drainage, and sun patterns (something I'd never considered)
Material Selection - From weather-resistant Trex to low-maintenance PVC options
Structural Engineering - Proper beam spacing and footings for our frost-prone area
Custom Design - Not just size/shape, but flow from house to yard
What impressed me most? Their emphasis on "invisible" details like:
Flashing to prevent water damage to your home
Proper stair rise/run measurements (a big safety factor)
Local code compliance (did you know Bennington requires 36" railings?)
Why DIY Deck Building is Riskier Than You Think
I'll admit - I briefly considered the DIY route after watching some YouTube tutorials. Then I learned:
1 in 5 DIY decks fail inspection in our area
Improper footings can lead to frost heave damage in just one winter
Material waste from mistakes often eliminates any cost savings
A pro like Hunt gets it right the first time with:
Proper permitting (yes, you need one in Bennington)
Commercial-grade tools for precision cuts
Experience navigating tricky installations (like decks on slopes)
What Makes Hunt's Approach Different
Their Millard installation page highlighted three things I loved:
Trex Platinum Certification - Meaning they're trained in the latest composite techniques
27 Years of Local Experience - They know exactly how Nebraska weather affects decks
Transparent Process - From 3D designs to clean worksite policies
Bennington-Specific Considerations
Hunt's guide taught me location-specific factors like:
Wind Patterns - Our open spaces mean railings need to be extra secure
Soil Types - Clay-heavy areas require deeper footings
HOA Rules - Many Bennington neighborhoods have strict design guidelines
A Surprising Cost Insight
While composite costs more upfront, Hunt's analysis showed:
15-25 year lifespan vs wood's 10-15 years
Zero staining/sealing - Saves $300-$500 annually
Higher resale value - Buyers love low-maintenance features
Final Thoughts
After reading Hunt's guide and seeing their portfolio, we finally took the plunge. Six weeks later, we've got a deck that's hosted everything from birthday parties to quiet morning coffees - with zero worries about safety or maintenance.
The biggest lesson? A good deck isn't just built - it's engineered for your specific home and lifestyle.
Tags: #DeckInstallation #BenningtonLiving #OutdoorSpaces #HomeImprovement #NebraskaHomes
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