How to Plan for a Deck

In terms of home trends, one that continues to gain popularity is outdoor living. Homeowners want their outdoor spaces to be just as exceptional as their indoor spaces. One way to add versatility is to build a deck. Decks not only add value to the home, but they can expand your living space and be functional for gatherings and more.

While it may seem a daunting task to build a deck for the first time, it can be achieved quite easily—especially with the right help. But first, consider these six points:

Size and configuration

Think about the empty space that will soon house your deck. Do you want an expansive deck to cover the majority of your outdoor space, or would you like a partial deck with steps leading down to the grass? You can add varying heights and layers for a modern design aesthetic as well as opt for non-traditional shapes like hexagons in addition to the standard rectangle. You’ll also want to consider adding side rails if necessary, in your design. This is typically when the home’s backdoor is a floor (or more) off the ground.

Type of Material

Choosing the right material is key when building a deck. There are a few options such as composite like TimberTech, Veranda and Trex, which are made of wood fibers and recycled plastic. They can withstand intense weather conditions and there’s also no risk of warping, rotting or splintering of boards. Another route to take is pressure-treated wood, which can be stained to the color of your choice. While many treated kinds of wood are durable, not all are made the same. Opting for the cheaper option is not ideal in this case. Last, there are natural woods like cedar or redwood that are the most natural-looking.

Lighting

Once decided on shape and materials, lights are next. Step lighting is ideal for easy navigating in the nighttime; there are also handrails with built-in lighting for a seamless design.

Covered or Not

Whether you prefer a covered deck or not is entirely up to you. Take in the full outdoors by going sans to enjoy the sunshine during warmer temperatures. Another option is to do a partial-covered portion of the deck for when climates are less desirable. 

Location of Access to House and Yard

One key point often overlooked is to ensure the location of the deck is central to the back door or another part of the yard. Ideally, the deck should flow with the rest of the home’s floor plan and doorways. In terms of home trends, one that continues to gain popularity is outdoor living. Homeowners want their outdoor spaces to be just as exceptional as their indoor spaces. One way to add versatility is to build a deck. Decks not only add value to the home, but they can expand your living space and be functional for gatherings and more.

While it may seem a daunting task to build a deck for the first time, it can be achieved quite easily—especially with the right help. But first, consider these six points:

Size and Configuration

Think about the empty space that will soon house your deck. Do you want an expansive deck to cover the majority of your outdoor space, or would you like a partial deck with steps leading down to the grass? You can add varying heights and layers for a modern design aesthetic as well as opt for non-traditional shapes like hexagons in addition to the standard rectangle. You’ll also want to consider adding side rails if necessary, in your design. This is typically when the home’s backdoor is a floor (or more) off the ground.

Type of Material

Choosing the right material is key when building a deck. There are a few options such as composite like TimberTech, Veranda and Trex, which are made of wood fibers and recycled plastic. They can withstand intense weather conditions and there’s also no risk of warping, rotting or splintering of boards. Another route to take is pressure-treated wood, which can be stained to the color of your choice. While many treated kinds of wood are durable, not all are made the same. Opting for the cheaper option is not ideal in this case. Last, there are natural woods like cedar or redwood that are the most natural-looking.

Lighting

Once decided on shape and materials, lights are next. Step lighting is ideal for easy navigating in the nighttime; there are also handrails with built-in lighting for a seamless design.

Covered or Not

Whether you prefer a covered deck or not is entirely up to you. Take in the full outdoors by going sans to enjoy the sunshine during warmer temperatures. Another option is to do a partial-covered portion of the deck for when climates are less desirable.

Location of access to backyard/house

One key point often overlooked is to ensure the location of the deck is central to the back door or another part of the yard. Ideally, the deck should flow with the rest of the home’s floor plan and doorways.