Ever watch a spring snowstorm roll across the Yellowstone Valley and wonder what it is doing to your outdoor projects? Here in Billings, we get hit with wild weather swings that can test any outdoor structure. Building or maintaining a deck around here requires paying attention to the local climate, whether you are trying to map out a build schedule or keep last year's wood from splitting apart.
Timing Your Build Around Billings Weather
People often ask Billings Deck Creations when we can start swinging hammers on a new Deck Construction project. If you wait until late spring, you might already be stuck at the back of the queue. We usually aim to get footings poured as soon as the ground thaws out past that 42-inch frost line. Trying to cut corners when digging footings in early spring mud or frozen clay is a recipe for a sagging frame down the road.
Summer brings its own set of hurdles with our dry high desert heat. Lumber can dry out too fast if you leave it sitting in the direct sun before installation, leading to twist and warp issues. Fall is actually a fantastic window for building in Billings. The air cools down, the ground is stable, and we can get everything sealed up tight before the first heavy snowfall arrives.
Protecting Your Investment Through the Seasons
Once your Deck Construction project is up, the weather does not stop working against it. Montana winters bring heavy snow loads and freeze-thaw cycles that push fasteners loose and crack untreated boards. When you are shoveling snow off your deck out on the West End or up the Heights, ditch the metal shovel blade. A plastic edge goes a long way toward saving your surface boards or composite caps from gouges that trap moisture.
- Clear leaves and debris before winter hits so moisture does not get trapped against the wood.
- Check your ledger board and railings every spring for any looseness caused by thermal expansion.
- Apply a fresh coat of sealer to natural wood before the intense summer UV rays start bleaching and drying out the grain.
Billings Deck Creations sees firsthand what happens when decks are built without factoring in our local wind, sun, and snow. Taking care of small maintenance tasks early saves you hundreds of dollars in repair bills later. Keep an eye on how your deck handles the seasonal changes, and deal with minor wear before it turns into a structural headache. For homes and businesses in Billings, Billings Deck Creations provides Deck Construction services.