Deck

Details and consideration before you built one.

After much consideration, you've chosen a deck over a patio Now what? It's time to figure out the important details that will push your project beyond a sketch on a napkin to become an actual outdoor living space.

Decks can be connected to a house or detached. Decking materials include softwoods, tropical hardwoods, synthetic woods, and pressure-treated lumber. Then there's the type of deck you desire (like wraparound, pool deck, etc), along with shape, size, and even the placement pattern of the wood.

Deck Ideas to Launch Your Project

A picture can spark a great idea and helps immensely when you aren't quite sure how to get started. Perhaps these deck designs will spark the inspiration for your dream deck project.

1-Deck With a View

When planing a deck, one of the most important considerations is placing the deck in a location that offers a great view. Emphasis is on "great," since your deck can have a view, but it might be a view of your neighbor's trash-filled, overgrown or neglected backyard. 

2-Best of Both Worlds: Combining a Deck and a Patio

On the fence about whether to install a patio or build a deck? Sometimes you can do both, and quite effectively. This is a fairly small outdoor space that has been well planned to incorporate a wooden deck area for dining and relaxing, while the raised patio is surrounded by tightly planted containers of various plants like small trees, vines, and shrubs. 

3-Dining on the Deck

This deck has an excellent view, which includes the yard below it and surrounding landscaping. The property is built in the foothills about 20 miles east of Los Angeles. Because the house sits above the yard, it was imperative that the homeowners have a durable wood deck with to-the-code handrails. This deck and drought-tolerant garden were featured on an annual tour offered by the Theodore Payne Foundation.

If you want to see more ideas you can click here.