There’s nothing like a balcony or deck when it comes to enjoying the warmer weather. Since it’s continually subjected to intense foot traffic, however—not to mention wear and tear caused by alternating weather conditions of sunshine, rain and snow—your favourite outdoor living space may be due for renovations. If so, the Association provinciale des constructeurs d’habitations du Québec (APCHQ) has some information and useful tips to help make sure your balcony or deck renovations are tastefully done, safe and long-lasting.
Choice of materials
Your balcony or deck may have reached the end of its useful life (15–20 years), be damaged, or be too small for your needs. Whatever the reason for your decision to renovate, you can’t forget the crucial importance of using the right materials.
Given the controversy surrounding treated wood and its health risks, it is strongly recommended that you modify the surface covering of your deck so that your children are able to play safely by avoiding direct contact with parts of the structure that do contain treatment agents.
While treated wood can be used for structural elements, there are substitute materials for the surface covering. According to André Gagné, the APCHQ’s Technical Director, the quality of the material chosen is extremely important: “If you choose wood of lower quality, you might run into a few problems, like splinters projecting from the structure of the flooring, which can be dangerous,” he stresses. Among other species, he recommends using Western cedar, which by nature doesn’t have this problem. Fibreglass, concrete panels and recycled materials, including plastic compounds, are other alternatives; while a little more expensive, they will ensure your balcony or deck lasts longer, help prevent accidents, and are low-maintenance.
A comfortable space
Normally, to ensure enough room for a comfortable, pleasant living space (including garden furniture, a barbecue, etc.), a balcony or deck should measure at least 10–12 feet x 12–14 feet (3–3.7 metres x 3.7–4.3 metres). Plan wisely: one day you may regret having built small! Since the traffic space between your patio door and the steps down to the ground can’t be used for anything else, you’ll want to plan for enough space on the rest of the deck to really enjoy it to the fullest.
Safety first
Preventing falls is undoubtedly the most important safety aspect to consider. If the surface of your balcony or deck is more than 24 inches (61 centimetres) above ground, you must install a guardrail. It may be of wood, aluminum, recycled plastic or wrought iron, and must be at least 36 inches (91.5 centimetres) high. It must also be child-safe, equipped with vertical bars no more than 4 inches (10.2 centimetres) apart.
Furthermore, if you plan to run your deck up to the edge of a pool, it is very important to plan for a protective perimeter at least 42 inches (107 centimetres) high, along with an automatic door-closing mechanism and padlock. The guardrail, including the portion along the section of the balcony or deck beside the pool’s protective perimeter, must not contain any horizontal component that young children could use as a ladder. The APCHQ reminds consumers, however, that the safest option is to put the pool as far away from a balcony or deck as possible.
To avoid damage to, or shifting of, the structure, it is also a good idea to sink the posts into the ground, where they will be impervious to freezing of the ground, rather than having them rest on the ground. This protective concept also applies to stairs. If you decide to have the stair posts rest on the ground only, avoid attaching the stair rail to the balcony or deck guardrail; this way, the structure will be more flexible.
Some tips for basic maintenance
A balcony or deck has a hard life: it can deteriorate rapidly if it is not properly maintained. Remember that it is not recommended, however, to paint or stain a wood balcony or deck immediately after it is built. New wood still contains a good deal of moisture, so you want to wait about a year for it to evaporate before applying the necessary treatment products. Regular, proper maintenance will keep your balcony or deck looking young for years to come.
Entrust the work to a Réno-Maître!
Look for a contractor certified under the APCHQ’s Réno-Maître banner, which represents Québec’s finest home renovation contractors. To find a Réno-Maître near you, browse through the directory of contractors on the GoMaison.com website, or contact the Referral Service at (514) 353-5069 or 1 800 361-2037, extension 222.
About the APCHQ
The APCHQ is a network of some 13,000 companies grouped under 15 regional offices, asserting its leadership position in the home construction and renovation industries. In 1976, it introduced a private warranty program for newly constructed residential buildings, from which the Québec government drew heavily in defining standards for the mandatory warranty in 1999. Proactively, the APCHQ had in 1986 created a warranty plan covering renovation work. It also created the Réno-Maître banner in 2002. The Association and its members now perform 76% of residential construction and renovation work in Québec. Since 1997, the APCHQ has also been the largest manager of prevention mutuals in the provincial construction industry. As the only management-side labour relations bargaining agent in the residential sector, it defends the interests of some 12,000 employers and 25,000 workers.
Source: Association provinciale des constructeurs d’habitations du Québec (APCHQ)
Information: Mélanie Saulnier
Communications Advisor
APCHQ
Phone: (514) 353-9960, ext. 270
Cellular: (514) 951-3493
E-mail: msaulnie@apchq.com