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Today’s Decks are a huge addition to a home giving us the extra living space need and deserve. If a deck, or a deck remodel, is in your future, here are some initial points to consider on both design and construction:
* Uses - Think about whether this deck is just a spot for a hammock or whether you'll be entertaining there. Will it also be a cooking center? A kid's play area? Will it include a spa? Does it need to offer access to the rest of your yard? How many people will it need to accommodate regularly? When you entertain? Etc. * Placement - Most decks are attached to the back of the house near the home's kitchen, but they can also be used in a side yard or built freestanding as a retreat in a more secluded part of your landscape. * Size and configuration - Decks shouldn't dominate your yard, but you need enough room for all your activities and traffic to and from the deck. Consider a multilevel deck to naturally separate activity areas and to make your deck look more interesting. Curves and angles also help vary the look and draw people out. Consider very broad steps from the house to the deck or the deck to the yard-they not only look expansive but serve as natural seating. * Built-in amenities - While you're at it, consider built-in seating, planters, and especially lighting. You will probably also want some electrical outlets on the deck (GFI-protected with approved outdoor covers), as well as a hose bib and even piped-in natural gas or propane for a cooking center. If you don't have natural shade from overhangs or trees, also consider awnings or a permanent shade structure for part of the deck. * Materials - Most decks are supported by a pressure-treated wood structure of piers, beams, and joists; but you have much more choice in the materials when it comes to decking and railings. Pressure-treated softwood is the least expensive option, but naturally decay-resistant species of softwoods (redwood, cedar, and cypress) and exotic hardwoods (ipe and many others) are more elegant and longer lived. The fastest growing category is various composite and "plastic" (fiberglass and resin) options that are splinter-free, won't rot, and require almost no maintenance. |
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Custom Deck Building |
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