Oakton, VA Deck Builder Sheds Light on Building Decks Around Trees
NOVA Hal Co Fence, a deck builder in Oakton, VA, has had a great deal of experience building decks around trees. Trees – especially the older, taller trees that many Oakton, VA homes have – can be a challenge when building a deck and needs to be handled by a professional deck builder.
If it is a single tree you want to build around, you can have low–level bench seating without encasing the tree, thus allowing the tree to grow as it should. Groups of trees are another issue — they can quickly overwhelm your deck unless adequate space is left to allow for growth. When building around a group of trees, it is a good idea to control how they grow within that area, using fencing or some other supports.
Roots can cause additional problems. For instance, pine and oak can have large, extensive root systems — and as these trees grow, so do their roots. These roots cause issues with deck support beams, making the deck dangerously unstable.
Building around trees that shed leaves in the fall, and grow fruit in the spring and summer, can cause deck staining, mold, and mildew and make the deck surface slippery (causing falls). If you choose to build around these types of trees, you will need to put a lot of effort into keeping your deck clean.
One final note: trees attract wood–eating insects. You should know what these insects look like and inspect your deck regularly to make sure you catch any insect activity as soon as possible.
For more information from a professional deck builder in Oakton, VA, please contact Hal Co Fence. As outdoor construction specialists, Hal Co Fence has years of experience as an Oakton, VA deck builder, working with a full complement of deck and hardscape projects and materials.