Harry Truman—the White House Deck Builder
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of putting a deck on your house? Adding a deck is definitely a major decision for a family. You need to check your budget, decide where to put it and find the best deck builder available in Manassas, VA.
Imagine the problems involved if your house was the White House! Harry Truman decided he’d like a deck as part of major renovations on the mansion. It caused a storm of controversy, a multitude of meetings, questions in Congress and angry letters from citizens.
Hal Co is a reputable deck builder serving Manassas, VA residents for over 33 years. We offer:
- Quality design, selection, installation and related services for your deck in Manassas,VA following the highest safety procedures and industry standards.
- In partnership, we will evaluate your deck project requirements and develop a comprehensive installation plan.
- Personalized customer service before, during and after installing your deck in Manassas, VA to minimize your disruption and maximize your comfort.
Here is a look at what Harry went through to get his deck, and an overview of how an experienced deck builder in Manassas, VA, can simplify the process for you.
The President’s Porch
Harry Truman was from Missouri, a rural state with small towns. He and wife Bess lived in quiet Independence before coming to Washington, D.C. to serve as senator, then vice president, and unexpectedly president.
Both missed the pleasure of getting away and relaxing in the evening on the deck in a comfortable rocking chair. The White House was a very formal dwelling, with little in the way of casual and private getaway spots. Bess, especially, was a very reserved woman, one who hated being stared at.
At that time in the White House, family members had to make their way through public rooms just to get outside for a breath of fresh air.
Tourists flocked to the public rooms during the week. In essence, the First Family was on display every time they entered one. This lack of privacy frustrated Bess and took away from the pleasure of family time.
Let’s Build a Deck
The solution, President Truman decided, was a deck on the White House. As soon as people heard he was planning on changing the historic structure, the complaints started.
Editorial cartoons and commentators told him he was only a tenant, not the owner. And he wasn’t even elected—he was president only because Roosevelt had died. They said he was acting like a little dictator. How dare he make changes! This building was historic. The balcony would destroy the look.
Truman was taken aback by the controversy, but did his research and came out swinging. An amateur historian, he checked out the original plans for the White House. He found examples of other structures from that time period that did have balconies. In fact, balconies were used by architects at the time to break up the look of too many columns.
And the White House certainly had an abundance of columns. To Harry’s eye, the balcony would fit in nicely. He and Beth wanted a deck. And he was President.
Remodeling Nightmare
Just a simple deck, he thought. But like many homeowners, he discovered it’s never that simple. Engineers came in to draw up plans. In the process, they discovered that the entire White House was literally falling apart. In fact, the leg of daughter Margaret’s piano actually fell through the floor.
Truman and his family had to move out of the White House over to Blair House for the rest of his term. The White House was basically gutted and redone to make it safer and current with safety codes.
He moved back in when the renovation was completed. By then he had won the popular vote and become president in his own right. And he had his deck.
Does It Have To Be That Complicated?
Every homeowner has heard horror stories of a simple addition to a home turning into a complicated nightmare. Or it’s actually happened to them. Perhaps the hassle wasn’t quite as bad as getting the Truman Balcony built at the White House. But whatever size the house, home improvements can be a real pain.
The idea of sitting outside on hot summer nights on your very own deck is certainly appealing. But it could be you’re putting it off because you just don’t want to go through the aggravation that comes with any home building project.
Good news! The process can be streamlined and even enjoyable. In its favor, adding a deck is one of the quickest of all home additions. It can be an fun to plan the deck. The actual construction can be done quickly and without inconvenience.
The essential element is an experienced deck builder in Manassas, VA. He knows how to guide you through the design process, choosing the best shape and size to enhance the look of your exterior décor. He can help you select the right materials to fit your budget and to fit in seamlessly with the surrounding landscaping.
An experienced deck builder in Manassas, VA, can proceed with the job quickly and with a minimum of fuss and aggravation for the homeowner. In just a week or two, an underused area of the yard can be turned into an oasis of relaxation for family and friends.
6 Benefits of Building a Deck
A deck adds functionality, beauty, and value to a home when it is constructed by an expert deck builder in Manassas, VA. Here is a closer look at six reasons to install a deck.
Curb appeal. Decks routinely make Top 10 lists of what homebuyers are looking for in a new house. It adds value so you can sell your home for more. And it makes it simpler to sell your house.
Since buyers look for homes with a deck, having one makes it is easier to get them to look at your house. In a crowded marketplace, it can be the feature that gets them out of the car and into the house for a tour, instead of just driving by.
Entertainment hub. Every member of the family can enjoy a deck. Kids can spend time with neighborhood buddies. Teens can have cookouts. Adults can enjoy parties or just a cup of tea with a friend.
Beauty. An experienced deck builder in Manassas, VA, knows how to design a deck with the rest of the home and property in mind. The result is an addition that brings out the beauty of both. With the right materials, a deck will enhance the landscaping and complement the architecture and appearance of the house.
Speedy home improvement. Most decks take just a week or two to build. Compare that to adding a living room or sunroom to your house. With a deck, you don’t have to contend with noise and mess for months on end.
More living space. When you construct a deck, you increase the livable area of your home. Dress it up with furniture, a grill, lights, and plants, and it becomes a very practical addition to your living space.
Relatively inexpensive. Decks are less expensive than many other home improvements. You can improve the look and value of your house without needing a loan to finance it.
Trust Experience
The deck builder of choice in Manassas, VA, is the team at Hal Co. Serving the community for over three decades, our company is family-owned and operated. We are proud to say we have a small town attitude, just like Harry Truman. The designers and builders at Hal Co understand the joy that a well-built deck gives a family. It’s a place to socialize, entertain, dine outside in comfort. And simply relax in the old rocking chair.
Hal Co is the premier deck builder in Manassas, VA. We specialize in a variety of wood and composite decks, suiting a range of budgets. We know that a deck is only as good as the quality of the materials used in constructing it. That’s why we search out the best materials on the market. The deck you get will provide many years of outdoor comfort and functionality for you and your family.
As an expert deck builder company in Manassas, VA, Hal Co keeps the entire process in-house. An experienced estimator will give you an accurate quote. Skilled designers will consult with you to make sure the deck matches your lifestyle and complements the look of your home and yard.
Once you ok the design and select the materials, our team of craftspeople will come out to construct the deck. We are known for how clean we keep our work sites.
From start to finish, you will be included in the process. We know how critical open communication is to a successful building project. There are never any unwelcome surprises when you work with Hal Co, especially over deadlines and costs.
Hal Co has a reputation for quality craftsmanship, superior materials, and excellent customer service. Our prices are competitive, and we work comfortably with a wide range of budgets.
Hal Co is not only a deck builder in Manassas, VA. We also handle a wide range of outdoor projects, both residential and commercial, including:
- Decks
- Residential Fences
- Fences for athletic fields
- Fences for kennels
- Fences for industrial perimeters
- Fences for security and safety
- Fences for special events
- Screened porches
- Roofing
- Gazebos
- Porticos
- Other outdoor specialty structures
Call Hal Co today, the deck builder experts in Manassas, VA, for a free, no-obligation quote.