(BPT) - According to a recent survey on the latest outdoor living trends, home improvement pros and deck building specialists tell Qualified Remodeler magazine that, âeveryone is thinking about building something bigger, better, stronger and wider,â and that âhomeowners are requesting increasingly larger, more customized decks.â The appeal of more expansive, retreat-worthy decks should come as no surprise considering the unencumbered enthusiasm for outdoor living that has swept the country over the course of a notably unprecedented year.
If you also find yourself dreaming about building a sprawling deck to relax on this summer, first consider the type of building materials youâll need to tackle the project. Lumber has been the traditional deck building material of choice, largely for its low upfront cost and familiarity. However, the series of lumber mill closures in the spring of 2020 wreaked havoc on the building industryâs supply chain, sending lumber prices through the roof. The outdoor living explosion has only further driven up the price. In fact, industry findings from April 2021 reported the price of lumber had jumped to a record-breaking $1,048 per thousand board feet â up nearly 200% from the start of the pandemic. Demand for the commodity product is only poised to grow during peak outdoor living months.