Looking
at the weather patterns that we have Deck Installation in West Omaha, NE, you might realize that our
climate is a major factor in all the home projects that we take up. One week it
might be sunny and warm, the next week the wind might be strong enough to move
your patio furniture, and then—a spring storm might just come for fun and drops
rain at an angle. A new build or a deck upgrade here is not without its
challenges, but I have learned quite a few things over the years by working on
local homes and having chats with neighbors, which I think are worth sharing.
Whether
you are planning to build a new deck or just want to find out which materials
are suitable for the unpredictable Nebraska climate, the information here is
what I wish every homeowner knew before they took a plunge.
How Our Weather Shapes Deck Choices (More Than
You’d Think)
First
of all, West Omaha weather is not very nice. We have hot summers, very cold
winters, changes in the humidity, wind that feels like it's targeting you
personally, and we get quite a lot of moisture.
I
can recall a project at 168th where the homeowner was telling me, “The deck
looked great for the first year, but after that… it seemed like it just gave up
on life.” It was so obvious why when we tore off the old boards—there had been
direct sun exposure all summer, ice expansion over winter, and constant
moisture along the north side of the yard.
This
is the main point of the argument why selecting materials should not only be
about the appearance. It is about their ability to endure.
Composite vs. Wood: What Really Works Here
Composite Decking: A Popular Pick for Good
Reason
For
quite some time, West Omaha has been embracing composite decking, and to be
honest, our weather is the reason.
Frequently,
people living around me ask "Is composite really worth the money?"
and I respond in the same way every time: Low-maintenance if you live in our
weather is difficult to be better than this.
Here
are the major advantages of composite material for the local climate:
1.
It is moisture resistant, thus it will not warp or rot after a wet spring
2.
It can resist better to the sun rays compared to the traditional stain
3.
No splinters (thank you kids or dogs!)
4.
It does not have to be sanded or stained annually
A
family close to Lake Zorinsky shared with me their experience that after
several years of sanding their old wood deck every May, they finally decided to
make the switch. Now they say that the deck "basically takes care of
itself," which is quite near to the reality.
Pressure-Treated Wood: Still Loved, Just Needs
TLC
Wood
decks can work here perfectly; however, they require a steady hand. I have come
across wood decks that remained beautiful for more than 20 years, but it was
only because the owners were very diligent with the maintenance.
What
you should think about wood in West Omaha are:
1.
It will definitely be in need of annual care
2.
During the wetter months, it is more likely to swell
3.
UV will fasten the staining process of the wood
4.
Freeze/thaw cycles in winter can cause your wood to crack if it dries out
If
you are a person who likes to do the work by himself when it comes to
houseownership, then wood can be very satisfying. However, if you are already
running a few house projects at the same time (which has happened to all of
us), then composite may be a better choice for saving you some trouble.
What Deck Maintenance Really Looks Like Here
Even
a properly constructed deck will require some love to keep it in good
condition.
Spring: The “Reality Check” Season
After
the snow, your deck will show you the direct results of the past few months.
Here
are a few quick things that should be done every spring:
1.
Cleaning the deck of any dirt will help prevent the formation of moisture
pockets
2.
Washing off pollen and dust is also very important (we get a lot of both)
3.
Walking on the deck tighten screws and check for loose nails or boards that are
shifting
4.
Checking the posts close to the ground – this is usually the place where
freeze/thaw problems indicate their arrival first
A
neighbor of mine thought a board was "just squeaking" until we had a
closer look and found that frost extension had caused the joist to be out of
alignment. It wasn't a big fix but it could have been if we had neglected it
for another season.
Summer: Sun, Heat, and Heavy Use
In
the summer, the deck is the center of attention in the area—barbecues, parties,
late-night chillouts. On the other hand, exposure to UV will cause fading of
stain on wood, which is generally when most people decide to re-stain their
deck.
One
good piece of advice: When you notice that water is no longer beading on your
wood deck, it is time to reseal it.
What
about composite? The only thing you need to do is to keep it clean and you will
be good.
Fall: Prep for the Cold
Leaves
can be very beautiful, can't they? Until they have been lying wet on your
boards for several days.
Before
the cold season comes:
1.
Getting rid of all the leaves and other debris
2.
Cleaning the surface
3.
Checking for drainage problems (don't let the water stand!)
During
the last winter, I was at the house of a homeowner whose deck had what he
called a "mini swimming pool" in the corner every time the snow
melted. It took only 20 minutes to fix the drainage problem that prevented the
damage to the joists that could eventually have occurred.
What Decks Really Cost in West Omaha (Without
Getting Salesy)
Without
having the exact figures, you can still get a quite realistic idea of what the
deck costs are about.
The
primary factors are:
1.
Size (the most obvious factor)
2.
Material (composite is more expensive upfront but cheaper in the long run)
3.
Site conditions (slopes, type of soil, accessibility)
4.
Extras such as lighting, railings, stairs, pergolas
There
is a good number of homes in West Omaha with sloping yards—especially if you go
west of 180th—so the talk of ground prep is sometimes intertwined with that of
costs. It doesn't necessarily mean that costs get very high; it only means that
we need to be thoughtful in our planning.
The
best piece of advice that I give to neighbors is:
Consider
the cost further down the road rather than the one that is right in front of
you.
You
won’t forget what you spent on the deck, but you’ll live with it for a lot
longer than that.
Longevity: How Long Decks Last Here (and What
Shortens Their Lifespan)
With
the right materials, a deck that is properly constructed in West Omaha should
be able to live comfortably up to 20–30 years—and a good quality composite
maybe even longer.
What
makes a West Omaha deck a shorter-lived one?
1.
Poor drainage
2.
Lack of maintenance (mostly of wood)
3.
Sun exposure from the west with no shade
4.
Scraping wood with heavy furniture
5.
Not dealing with small issues until they become big ones
How
to extend a deck’s lifespan:
1.
By finding problems early
2.
By cleaning it regularly
3.
Through the use of furniture pads
4.
By selecting materials that are compatible with our weather
There
are the cases of decks that looked worn out after five years and those that
looked perfect even after 20 years. Maintenance habits and material choices
were the reasons in nine cases out of ten.
Final Thoughts: Building a Deck You’ll Actually
Enjoy
In
the end, decking in West Omaha is not about having the “perfect outdoor living
space.” It is more about having the place that you look forward to coming back
to after work or a walk—where you can sip your morning coffee, watch the kids
play, invite friends over or just be outside on a nice breezy evening.
It’s
true that the weather here can get a bit out of hand, but with the right
planning and realistic expectations, you will still be able to put up the deck
that holds up pretty well and turns into one of your home’s greatest features.
Also,
if at any time you need the opinion of a neighbor rather than a sales pitch, I
am always available to talk about what we have learned from the projects going
on around this community. What's worked? What hasn't?
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