Turning your backyard deck into an outdoor living retreat is one of the hottest home improvement trends among American homeowners.
Your family will love the time spent together cooking out and relaxing on your deck. A back yard deck brings the family together. Quality time can be spent with your children, enjoying outside activities that all too often get put off.
Deck Planning
Todays backyard deck serves many purposes, not only are they perfect for sunbathing, grilling and entertaining they also provide a quiet space that's perfect for relaxing after a stressful day. In developing your own concept for an outdoor retreat, be sure to consider the following
Start planning your backyard deck by understanding what activities you and your family will want to use this space for. Having those activities in mind can help you divide the backyard deck into different zones -- one for the grill, one for the hot tub, one for a sitting area, etc.
- What size area is needed to accommodate every activity comfortably?
- The average size deck is built to be 300 to 400 square feet, but the more activities you plan to enjoy on your deck, the larger you will want your deck to be.
- You may want to consider different levels for each activity. Levels are a great way to define deck areas -- a few steps up or down gives the illusion you've entered a new space.
- Another way to distinguish deck areas is to change the deck board direction; a unique board pattern or an angle change will add a subtle indication that you're in a separate deck area.
- You will want to pay lots of attention to traffic flow when designing your deck. For example, grilling areas should be close to the kitchen so you're not running back and forth more than necessary. A conversation area with a warm outside fire pit would be cozy for people to gather around, make sure you will have enough room to move around safely and comfortably.
Deck Furniture
Place some patio furniture just outside the main deck entrance to provide a smooth transition between spaces and it helps guests to move freely between the indoors and outdoors.
Cushioned fabrics will visually tie the interior and exterior together for a cohesive look. Built-in benches will add both function and style to your deck..
Adding planter boxes at select locations can create focal points. You might also choose to add a birdbath to bring another dimension of enjoyment.
When your deck is planned just right, you'll have created an outdoor living area that will become a welcome respite from the hectic pace of everyday life.
The patio is no longer viewed as just a concrete slab there are lots of ways to update it making it an integral part of the home.
Deck & Design
Spring is a great time for inviting friends and family over for a nice backyard cookout. Below you will find some helpful tips you should consider when designing your outdoor space
Deck Material - The first step is to consider your environment when choosing the materials you will use. Consider the color and surface texture of the wood. Always take into consideration that pets, children and furniture may scratch the surface. Try to choose deck material of a quality that is easily maintained and scratches can be masked or reduced in appearance.
Entertaining - If you plan to use this space for entertaining, you will want to choose materials that will be low maintenance, so you can spend more time enjoying and less time maintaining. Choose a design that will allow easy flow from the deck to the house, including wide stairs to any garden areas or exits. Create an inviting space for family and friends, by choosing decorative planters, benches and other outdoor accessories.
The position of the access to the house is how you determine the height of the deck from ground level, this will also affect the look, design and function of the space.
Construction - The height from the ground is determined by the position of the access to the house, which will affect the design, function and look. From second story walkouts to low lying areas, choose your material to fit the form and functionality. Manufacturers have traditional 2 by 6 and 5/4 Radius Edge boards as well as a newer 5/4 Tongue and Groove flooring. All boards have their appropriate applications. Proper joist spacing and installation will ensure the board will perform to the best of its ability.
Choosing A Contractor - When choosing a contractor make sure you see previous projects and ask for references you may contact prior to hiring a professional installer. Make sure the contractor has experience with the product you choose, or similar products, to ensure they will be capable of completing the project correctly.
Retailers and contractors must set the right expectations of the exterior materials you choose for your building project. After it has been properly installed, be knowledgeable about the product so that you know what to expect in the years to come. All exterior products are subject to wind, sun, rain and snow, make sure when choosing your product that it will endure all of these elements.
