Tips for Building by the Sea Northampton MA

New England coastal weather calls for added attention to flashing, fastening, and furnishing

by Robert Arnold



I build decks in Rhode Island, the Ocean State, and I regularly work on the coast where high winds, constant humidity, and wind-driven rain take their toll on decks.

Always in the front of my mind is that as deck builders we are responsible for keeping people safe during evening cookouts, family gatherings, and even wild college parties that exceed design loads. In addition to the obvious joist, beam, and footing sizing, we need to make sure our decks are fastened and flashed to the house to withstand the extra demands of a northern coastal climate, and we need to use fasteners that will hold up not only to wet conditions but to salt water, even though that sometimes means spending more money.

Fortunately, the extra cost of using the right material isn't usually a problem with coastal decks. They're typically high-end jobs — which also means that I can add all the bells and whistles and walk away from the project with a fair degree of pride.

Design in Practical Extras
Wind whipping off the water is a constant, even when the sky is blue. During the design stage I try to sell the client on building as many seats and pieces of furniture into the deck as possible (Figure 1). The built-in furniture may not be as comfortable, but it's much more convenient than chasing a wind-blown chair across the lawn.

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