Safety First: Essential deck safety tips
Just like a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a deck is only as strong as its weakest board or substructure. When planning and constructing an outdoor deck for your home or commercial space, always make safety your top priority. Below are five essential deck safety tips that will ensure your deck stands strong for many years to come.
Tip 1: Comply with all local safety codes
The red tape surrounding your deck building may seem tedious and cumbersome, but local restrictions, legislation, and safety inspections are there for a reason. Learn what the rules are before planning your deck to save time and money down the road. Allow enough time to accommodate delays in the compliance process and try to remember that these extra steps are meant to help keep you and your visitors safe.
Tip 2: An installation guide is the bare minimum
Decking installation guides outline the basics on what you should do to build a quality deck. However, if you have the means, adding extra substructure and extra fasteners only improves the long-term stability of your deck. If you are combining different decking materials in your plan always remember to build based on the needier of the two materials; use the smaller joist spacing and the larger number of recommended screws. Skimping on your substructure is a sure way to jeopardize the integrity of your entire deck.
Tip 3: Choose safer decking materials
Today’s decking comes in an array of qualities and safety ratings. Opting for decking brands that emphasize safety, like Eva-Last bamboo composite, improves the overall livability of your deck. Some brands, like Eva-Last Apex, boast impressive fire ratings that prove they’re dedicated to making more than just a pretty looking board. Built-in safety features like the slip resistance found in Eva-Last composite, make using and enjoying your deck all the safer. You should also expect a high quality composite to be splinter-free to further protect your family, friends, or clients.
Tip 4: Stop problems before they occur
Moisture is a deck’s worst enemy. It can cause mold or mildew, lead to rot, or create issues like twisting and cracking boards. Avoid all these potential downfalls by installing durable decking, like Eva-Last bamboo composite that offers decay and weather resistance. Top brands like Eva-Last also offer protection against insects to keep away burrowing, chewing, and other destructive bug behaviors.
Tip 5: Look for healthier alternatives
A safe deck means a healthy deck, free of harmful chemicals and toxins that are all too often used to stain, treat or maintain standard wood decking. New-age decking like Eva-Last bamboo composite decking is low-maintenance and does not require any unhealthy, harmful and toxic products to retain its functionality or aesthetic.
These five safety tips don’t just apply to your deck boards and substructure; they’re also relevant to your accessories. When planning for your deck check to see which brands offer complementary products, like railing or cladding, that can match the safety standards of the deck boards. Eva-Last offers a complete range of decking and other outdoor materials, from fasteners, cladding and railing to architectural beams, helping make your entire outdoor project come to life while offering ultimate safety and peace-of-mind.
