Planning The Perfect Deck For Your Home
You've decided it's time to build that dream deck onto your home. Take the time to consider all of the details about the deck, down to the fasteners, to make sure you have the perfect design. Here are the major points to cover when planning your perfect deck.
1. Consider materials that emphasize ease of maintenance.
Spend your time enjoying your deck, not maintaining it. Wood is the common choice for household decks, but you'll spend time every year cleaning and staining the deck to keep it nice. If you don't, a wood deck fades or turns gray and rot sets in. New composite materials, PVC and aluminum planks create a deck that is easier to take care of. Many come with textures and finishes that make them look like wood. They won't fade, rot or attract moss and algae.
2. Use premium fasteners for better safety and less maintenance.
If building a wood deck, cheap galvanized metal deck screws will initially seem like a good cost-saving idea. But these fasteners will corrode and rust faster than more expensive coated screws. Make sure you use coarse screws for a better bite into the wood and get screws long enough to penetrate from one to one and half inches into the framing material.
3. Use multiple levels to break up the space.
A typical plan calls for a single flat surface. Work with a deck builder to come up with a multi-level plan for a more interesting and useful space. Put a hot tub on one level and the cooking and dining level on another. A third level can hold the deck chairs where you and your guests can relax and socialize.
4. Utilize the space under the deck.
This is often wasted space in home decks. Create a secured storage area for chairs, umbrellas and other deck furniture. Use the space to hold gardening and yard care tools. You can even design the space underneath as a sheltered sitting area for use when the weather is rainy.
5. Be creative with lighting for appearance and safety.
Place LED strips under the deck railings and along stair risers to keep your guests safe when walking on the deck at night. Position dimmer-controlled spot lights attached to the house and pointed at the deck to give you more light when cooking and eating, and less light later when relaxing and enjoying your after dinner drinks.
6. Minimize the impact of the deck railings on the view.
Thick wood deck rails block much of the view through a deck. Make it a more open space with thinner composite, glass or metal rails. You can have the same safety for your guests without blocking the view of the landscape.
For more information and ideas about building a deck, contact a company like Rossmonster Designs.