Cromwell Station Homeowners Association, Inc.

Architectural Review Committee

Guidelines and Standards for Decks

General:

Decks must remain the original size and design and in the original location.  Every home originally came with a deck and decks may not be removed.  Decks may not be modified, such as the addition of walls, lattice panels, or stairs.  The original railing style must be maintained as well.

Permission:    

Permission must be obtained in advance from the Architectural Review Committee if you are planning any change in your deck, such as color, use of composite materials, major repairs, etc.  Permission is not required if you are merely planning to powerwash your deck and stain it in an approved color (see below). 

A construction permit is required from Baltimore County to replace a deck. 

Stabilization: 

Homeowners are encouraged to add stabilizers to the decks as an added safety measure.  The following additions are permissible: 

1. Diagonal cross braces attached to the floor joists beneath the deck (either one or two diagonal braces is acceptable).
2. Diagonal "knee braces" bolted at a 45 degree angle between the deck support post and the wide horizontal support beam that connects the support posts. 
3. If you have questions about these, email the Architectural Review Committee for drawings. 

Material:  

Deck support posts and floor joists must be made of pressure treated wood.  Deck floors and railings must either be made of pressure treated wood (redwood is not allowed) or "composite" (a type of plastic) material.  Trex is probably the most familiar brand of composite decking but there are many others.  There are no restrictions on the brand of composite material that can be used. 

Decorative Ceilings: 

It is permissible to install a decorative waterproof ceiling below the deck's floor boards allow the homeowner to sit beneath it on the patio on rainy days.  Ceilings should be designed to shunt water to a drain connected to a gutter attached to one of the deck's support posts.  The ceiling should not be visible from neighboring houses.   

Storage Racks: 

It is not permissible to construct a storage rack beneath the deck, nor to hang yard implements, canoes, bicycles or anything else from the deck. 

Colors, Wooden Decks:  

The deck's supporting system, decking and railings must all be the same color.  The following colors are allowed: 

1. Natural, unstained wood with a clear, protective finish. 
2. Light colored tan/brown semi-transparent stains or water sealants (such as Behr "Natural Cedar" or "Cedar Naturaltone")
3. Dark, semi-transparent stains of any color are not approved
4. Gray colors of stain are not approved
5. Paint of any color is not approved
6. Opaque stains of any color are not approved (unless used to match the color of a composite deck floor and rails)
7. The color of decks and rails must match

Colors, Composite Decks: 

1. Trex:  "Burnished Amber"; "Saddle"
2. Ever Grain:  "Cedar"; "Weathered Wood"
3. Timber Tech:  "Redwood"
4. Choicedek:  "Woodtone"
5. Gray colored composite materials are allowed, but must be submitted to the ARC for prior approval.
6. Rails must be of a "traditional" type
7. The color of deck rails and floor boards must match
8. The visible portion of the wooden base of the deck (support posts and floor joists) must be stained to match the rails and deck boards or clad in a matching composite material
9. New composite decking materials are rapidly coming to market.  Please contact the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) before you begin construction.