A deck is far more than just something that brings up your property value and makes your home more beautiful, it’s also a highly-versatile space that you can do all sorts of things with. Whether you simply have a small deck overlooking your property or a large, rooftop space to build to your heart’s content, decks can be turned into nearly anything your wildest imagination can dream up.

Here are five crazy things people have done with their outdoor deck spaces to make the most of them.

Rooftop Pool & Spa

Can you imagine having a swimming pool located hundreds of feet in the air with panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis below? Rooftop pool decks make it entirely possible! You do need to have a roof that’s capable of supporting the immense weight from the thousands of gallons of water fed into the pool and/or spa, but you do occasionally see rooftop or elevated deck installations at hotels, apartment complexes, and other large buildings across the state.

Driving Range

One of the most satisfying feelings as a golfer is watching the ball you’ve smashed off the driver sail out into the distance for sometimes as much as 300 yards or more. And what better way to get more distance out of a shot than to raise the starting elevation? Some driving ranges around the country have started to build double and even triple-deck driving ranges. Not only can these structures accommodate more golfers, but they can also add to the enjoyment of the experience. Some people who live on larger plots of property have even built small driving range pads into their existing home deck or balcony so they can get some extra practice in at home!

Athletic Court

Ever wanted to have a basketball or tennis court on your deck? Thanks a wide variety of waterproof outdoor materials, you can! Athletic court decks are particularly common in hotels and high-rise apartment buildings where space is at a premium, which means you can probably find more than a few out here in the Los Angeles area. They’re particularly enjoyable for residents or guests, who can enjoy getting some exercise and fresh air with a unique view, just so long as the ball doesn’t go plummeting to the ground below from several stories up!

Gardens

A rooftop garden is a great place to not only raise a wide abundance of plant life, but to make your deck space more aesthetically pleasing and even shady. People have built structures for all kinds of plant life on rooftops, including vines, ivy, rose gardens, rare and exotic flowers, and even certain types of trees. A rooftop deck makes a popular spot for events like weddings, corporate mixers, or just a little bit of rest and relaxation surrounded by nature, even if you’re in the middle of a giant city.

Bar

Rooftop bars are exploding as one of the latest trends in high-rise buildings. Not only do these provide an excellent way to bring in extra revenue, but they’re popular social gathering spots that are frequently packed with people during weekends. Bars need to be outfitted with all sorts of added equipment, plus they need to be sealed with non-slip waterproof surfaces to ensure guest safety. However, if your roof is already built to handle foot traffic with a regular deck, adding a bar to it takes very little in the way of retrofitting or additional construction.

Have a crazy idea you want to see about adding to your roof? Call the Los Angeles deck waterproofing experts at Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing at (888) 508-2966 to discuss them and let us help you make that dream come to life!

Your deck is an extension of your home and living space, and like your home, it requires regular cleaning and upkeep to remain safe and comfortable. Composite and natural wood decks may have different requirements, but there are some basics for all decks. Here are some do’s and don’ts of deck care to keep in mind.

Deck Do’s

• Do give your deck a thorough annual cleaning. Your deck needs annual exfoliation to allow protective sealers to seep deeper into the wood of your deck. Choose a dry, moderately warm day to apply a material-appropriate deck-cleaning solution with a sprayer or roller. This will kill mold and bacteria that can speed the decay of your deck. A scrub brush can help the cleaner get into hard to reach spots and crevices to ensure that your whole deck is cleaned.
• Do cover surrounding plants before cleaning your deck. Cleaners and other chemicals can be hard on plants, so it is important to loosely cover them with plastic sheeting or tarps to prevent them from being sprayed. Avoid covering them too tightly, which might restrict air movement.
• Do sand your deck before applying sealer. After washing your deck, allow 48 hours for it to fully dry. Your next step will be to lightly sand your deck to remove splinters or damage due to pressure washing. A power sander may be too harsh, but 80-grit sandpaper should be enough. After your deck has been sanded, apply a sealer to prevent the wood from cracking, cupping, or warping. Tinted sealers and stains can wear down over time with traffic, but clear sealant will last longer.
• Do clean your deck regularly. In addition to your annual cleaning, you should keep your deck swept free of puddled water, leaves, branches, dirt, and other debris. In snowy areas, a plastic shovel can remove snow without damaging your deck.
• Do watch for damage. If your deck becomes damaged, it can become a significant safety hazard and lead to further damage. Inspect your deck regularly for soft or splintered spots, loose nails, boards, or railings, and split or rotten planks. Promptly repair damaged areas when discovered.

Deck Don’ts

• Don’t rely on a power-washer. While this can be an effective and quick way to clean our deck, it can also cause damage. If you do use a pressure washer, keep the stream moving whenever the trigger is moving. A garden hose with a hard stream setting should provide enough pressure to clean your deck without damaging it.
• Don’t use chlorine bleach on your deck. This can damage the cellular structure of your wooden deck and strip it of color. It also can harm the plants growing around your deck. Oxygen bleach is a safer alternative, but it still isn’t appropriate for redwood decks.
• Don’t use paint to seal your deck. New paint can look polished and clean, but it will distress very rapidly. If your deck was painted and you are looking to use a different sealant, you will need to sand off all the paint before you can refinish your deck. Synthetic sealants can prevent mold and mildew while protecting from sun damage and water damage.
• Don’t assume pressure-treated wood decks are maintenance-free decks. While pressure-treated wood can resist rot and insect damage, it still required sealant and cleaning. Be sure to use products intended for pressure-treated wood when protecting your deck from sun and water damage.
• Don’t use natural material rugs on your deck. It is important to prevent your deck furniture from scratching the surface of your deck, but natural fiber rugs such as jute and bamboo can absorb moisture and encourage mildew. Look for rugs made from recycled plastics for an eco- and deck-friendly solution.

Keep Your Deck In Shape with Los Angeles Deck Waterproofing Services – (888) 508-2966

With more than 30 years of experience, Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing can help you preserve the beauty and safety of your deck with a wide variety of waterproofing solutions. Let us help you refresh your deck, balcony, or outdoor stairs with our warrantied waterproofing services. Our Los Angeles deck waterproofing crews are available when you are, with weekend and after-hours scheduling available.

Request a quote today, and learn more about getting the most from your deck. Contact us by calling (888) 508-2966 .

No matter what type of deck you have, wood or concrete, it is important to have it waterproofed as soon as you have it installed. By doing this, you will avoid future headaches and costly repairs. Even though it may not rain as much in Los Angeles, the fact of the matter is that there are still external elements that are going to affect your decking. Taking the extra step to waterproof your outdoor space can save you time and money in the long run.

Waterproofing: It’s Not Just for Wooden Decks

Many people mistakenly believe that their concrete deck is immune to the weather. Just because it is not made of wood does not mean that it cannot still get damaged. While concrete may be more sustainable and less susceptible to water damage, it is still very much at risk.

How Does the Damage Occur?

If you have any cracks in your concrete deck, the water can seep down into the cracks and result in damage. When temperatures dip down low during the fall and winter, the moisture trapped down in the cracks can begin to freeze, causing the cracks to expand. The more cracks that begin to develop and the more water that gets settled into your deck, the greater the amount of structural damage that can occur.

Think of it this way. If the water has nowhere else to go, it will continue to settle below the deck and start softening the ground that the deck is built on. Eventually, when people walk on the deck, the pressure that is created on the softer spots of soil can cause the deck to crack. Once these cracks have built up, the cost to fix all of them can become high. In some cases, you may need a new deck entirely.

Take preventative measures now and waterproof your deck. At Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing, we offer free estimates so that we can accurately give you an idea of the work that is needed and help to create a plan that is right for you.

Call (888) 508-2966 today to speak with our Los Angeles deck waterproofing specialists . We have 30+ years of experience in the business.

Every part of your home should be a reflection of your personality and contribute to your vision of where you want to live, from the master bedroom and the living room to outside decks and patios. It is the outer portions of a home that are often overlooked, though, as people think a house is primarily what is on the inside. To truly create a home that fits exactly what you wanted, consider all the fine and forgotten details. In this blog entry, we discuss different types of outdoor stairs and how they can complement your deck .

Three outdoor stair designs that may interest you or complete your project perfectly are:

1. Spiral stairs: If you do not have much space in your backyard, utilizing a spiral staircase can minimize the footprint of the entire design, allowing you to save deck space for other projects. Even space is not a concern, spiral stairs should still be considered when you want to add elegance to an outdoor deck, or perhaps complement circular designs throughout your home.
2. Cascading stairs: When you have a large deck that you want to seamlessly blend into the surrounding yard, cascading stairs might be the way to go. Each step in a cascading staircase is generally quite shallow and broad, creating a look as if the deck is flowing, or cascading, down the ground. Cascading stairs are typically a finished wood, rather than metal or concrete, to further create the illusion that the naturally look of the yard is part of the deck.
3. Traditional designs: A second-story deck for lounging or barbequing can look like the inside of a home has been placed on the outside. To complement this modern look, consider using a traditional staircase design that mimics the stairs you have inside your home. When constructed and finished correctly, this can really bring the look of an entire home together like none other.

Do you have questions about outdoor stair designs, installation, maintenance, or finishing? Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing is here to help! Our Los Angeles stair waterproofing specialists have been working in the industry for more than 30 years, helping people with countless, complex deck and stair jobs for their homes and businesses. Contact us online to learn more about our services or to get a quote for your project.

When you need a place to relax and unwind, nothing can beat a great leisure deck . When built to your liking, a leisure deck can feel like your private Fortress of Solitude, or it can become the centerpiece of your home whenever you have guests to entertain. But if your leisure deck is missing a few key elements, you might find yourself wanting for more.

To get the most enjoyment out of your leisure deck, include or improve these five things:

1. View: A leisure deck is meant for gazing into the distance, thinking about all the things that make you smile and feel calm. If the view from your leisure deck is lacking, find fun ways to spruce it up. This could mean adding a little garden or a fountain if your deck faces a large yard, or maybe hanging interesting decorations if your leisure deck is in a tight space, such as an apartment complex balcony or rooftop.
2. Furniture: You are going to want to sit and relax on your leisure deck, right? The furniture you have there is just as important as anything else. Find pieces that both complement the overall scene and don’t leave you sore after hours of lounging.
3. Lighting: One of the hardest elements an artist can master is the lighting in their paintings or photography. In this way, building or enhancing a leisure deck is like working on a piece of art. Too little lighting, and you won’t be able to see where you are going for nighttime hangouts; too much lighting, and you can interrupt the relative peace your leisure deck was supposed to bring. Consider multiple options when adding lighting, including where light sources actually go, until you find the right balance.
4. Friends: Does your leisure deck look and feel great but also a bit lonely? Sounds like it is time to get some friends together to liven up the place! You’d be surprised how quickly you can fall in love with your leisure deck once you see a group of friends and family together on it, laughing and enjoying the day or evening. Don’t forget: Los Angeles weather means just about every day is a good day for a barbeque!
5. Deck: Of course, you have to appreciate and care for your deck from the ground up. In order to make a noticeable and welcome improvement to your leisure deck, you should think about staining or weatherproofing it. A new splash of color can instantly create a soothing atmosphere, and sealants ensure it will remain that way for quite some time, even after the sun or rain beats down on it.

At Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing, our Los Angeles deck waterproof specialists are known for providing top-quality craftsmanship at fair prices and always with a friendly attitude. If you want to improve your leisure your deck with ease, come to us to learn about our services . You can contact us online at any time and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.