Decks & Screened Porches

Building Decks

DHI has many years of experience in building decks in southern Maryland. Adding a deck to your home provides space for outdoor entertaining or simply lounging and can add to your home's value.

For many years decking was primarily made of wood such as redwood, cedar, pressure treated pine, and even some exotic woods. Wood has some beautiful natural charecteristics but also requires some maintenance.

Decking comes in many forms. There are over a hundred different man made decking products on the market today. Most are composed of composite, vinyl, and aluminum, offer low-maintenance, and a variety of styles.

Wood decking is commonly available in 2x6 and 5/4 x 6 profiles. 5/4 x 6 is produced specifically for decking and is milled with a radius edge or bull nose. 2x6 is thicker and is stronger but is also more expensive.

Wood decking will require you to stain your deck at least every year for the first several years to protect the surface from sun and moisture damage. When the decking is installed it is usually high in moisture content which can lead to cracks in the wood if it is allowed to dry too quickly.

Different decking materials have different installation requirements. Wood decking is usually nailed or screwed to the joists for attachment. Alternative decking products have a wide range of fastening systems. Your choice in decking is very important because it is the surface you will see, walk on, maintain, and live with for many years.

Choosing the right deck railing can add style and personality to your deck's design. Railing can greatly improve an old deck and give added character to a well-constructed design. Deck railings are often the most important part of a deck for safety reasons.

Standard deck railings are most often used by new home builders. Construction is generally done using beveled 2x2 wood pickets attached to a 2x6 on edge at the top, and fastened with deck screws to the outer band of wood in the deck frame.

Custom wood railings come in any shape or size imaginable. Custom railings require professional installation. These railings often match higher-end wood used in the decks or finer woods like red cedar, redwood, or mahogany that add to the deck's durability and richness.

Metal deck railing can be both strong and ornate. Wrought iron, welded metal railings, and coated aluminum are very popular because of durability. Installation is also relatively simple for metal railings, whether produced by welded metal, using pre- manufactured guide strips, or linked into pre-drilled wood using templates on site.

Most composite railing is manufactured and designed to match the same styling as the deck material. and are prefabricated into colonial or modern styles.

Check out our photo gallery for more deck and screened porch photos.

Read about the Benefits of a Screened Porch.