By Melissa James
Exterior Enthusiast
Adding a deck to your home is an affordable way to both extend your living space and enhance your back yard. This dynamic space can be both a private spot to relax and enjoy Mother Nature, and a lively entertainment venue. It can also be a perfect play space for young children. At my house, the deck is where my kids first scooted around on ride-on toys and splashed on their water table; where they jumped rope and blew bubbles. Today, I have a large circular daybed where any of us can nap, many potted plants and a fire table. The point is, a deck is the canvas for a lot of living!
Quality Built Exteriors does a wide variety of exterior jobs, but the number one thing they said customers want is a new or upgraded deck! Oftentimes, however, they don’t know what size and haven’t thought much about how they plan to use the deck. There are so many options to consider.
Not sure where to start? Quality Built owner Mike Reedy recommends this thought process:
- Identify the desired use
- Determine the available space
- Find a balance between budget and desire when deciding on materials, finishes and fixtures
If you’re about to embark on a new deck project, check out these important suggestions on what to consider before you begin.
How do you plan to use your deck?
Start by considering how you want to use your outdoor area, and let your needs guide the design. You might be envisioning a space for cookouts with your neighbors or family. Or it might be your personal outdoor sanctuary. Do you need to include a wheelchair ramp for easier accessibility? Depending on your vision, consider the following:
- Entertaining: Incorporate features like built-in seating, an outdoor kitchen or a fire table.
- Relaxation: Consider comfortable lounge furniture, a water feature or a shaded pergola.
- Accessibility: If you have small children, elderly visitors or mobility-limited family, avoid multi-level decks and even low decks without railings that can be a falling hazard.
“It helps to sketch out what you want as a first step, since people are visual,” said Reedy. “At Quality Built Exteriors, we draw out a plan with them. We suggest elements that previous customers have loved, and advise on features to avoid that people have found to be problematic. Sometimes simple and efficient is better than some grand design. The more elaborate decks are complicated to build and less functional to use.”
How much space do you need?
“For any deck project, we aim for 200 square feet minimum,” said Reedy. “We also suggest topping out at around 400 square feet, as you won’t find much use for more space than that.
“For the homeowner who simply wants to set out some plants and a couple of seats to be used occasionally, a small deck is enough. But in our experience, the rule of thumb is ‘the bigger, the better.’ We have had customers who look back later and regretted making it small.”
Another factor to consider when planning your deck is whether you want it to be one level or multi-level. Homeowners love the look of multi-level decks, but once they have them, they often realize how impractical they can be—the levels create tripping hazards and limit furniture placement. You also lose useable space.
Should you use composite or wood decking?
Whether you go with a wood deck or composite Trex decking, the structures below them will all be wood. In addition to wood or composite handrails, you can add vinyl railings or aluminum railings.
Wood Decks:
A wood deck addition is timeless in appearance and economical in cost.
Advantages include:
- More affordable than composite
- Can be stained or painted
- Can be sanded (if stained)
- Naturally occurring and sustainable
- Pressure-treated for durability and pest and water resistance
Composite Decks:
Composite decks are low-maintenance and available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, designed to suit your home and your needs. After Quality Built finishes constructing your composite Trex deck, it won’t need more than an occasional washdown. In Hampton Roads, Trex decks are ideal because they’re unaffected by moisture or termites. Trex composite decking pairs well with either aluminum or vinyl railings.
Advantages include:
- Complements aluminum railings and vinyl railings
- Looks like wood
- Low maintenance
- Pest and moisture resistant
- Many colors and types to choose from
- Can combine color patterns and create borders
Should you paint or stain your wood deck?
If you stain a wood deck, the color absorbs into the wood. If you paint it, the paint sits on the surface and can peel or chip because it doesn’t bond to the wood.
“Because stain bonds better with wood, we recommend it over painting,” said Reedy. “The only real disadvantage of stain is that once it is done, you can’t really go back and change it to a different stain color. With paint, you can paint over it if you want a different look later down the road.”
Pro Tip: Regardless of whether you choose stain or paint, it’s vital to wait until the wood is fully dried out before you try to add anything to it. Reedy explained:
“During the drying time, the chemicals in the wood come out. Wood is going to check (split) as it dries out. The best way to tell if the wood is ready to be finished is to throw some water on it—if it beads up, the wood is not yet able to take on stain or paint. If it absorbs the water, it’s ready. If you try to paint it too soon, you’ll find green stains starting to appear on the paint as the chemicals come out!”
Whether you decide to paint or stain your new deck, you should put a clear sealant on it annually to protect the color and the wood.
What features should you add to your new deck?
Layered Lighting:
Good lighting is important for increasing the usability of your outdoor space beyond daylight hours. Quality Built Exterior offers a range of lighting options that not only enhance the safety of your outdoor spaces, but add a touch of ambiance to your evenings. Their team can integrate lighting seamlessly into your deck or porch design, ensuring that your space is both visible and inviting after sunset.
- Ambient lighting: Select overhead fixtures or string lights to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
- Task lighting: Be sure functional areas for grilling, reading or eating outside have adequate lighting that includes pendant lights.
- Accent lighting: Highlight architectural features or landscaping with LED strips or landscape lights.
- Stair lighting: Illuminate your deck or porch with lighting solutions that ensure safety for your family and friends.
Functional Furniture:
The wide variety of outdoor furniture available can help complement your space while also providing comfort and functionality.
- Seating: Be sure to choose weather-resistant materials and incorporate a combination of sofas, chairs and built-in benches, if possible.
- Tables: Consider versions with extendable features that you can utilize for larger gatherings, but put away for smaller ones. Also consider stackable designs for easier storage.
- Storage: If possible, incorporate benches with storage or outdoor cabinets to keep the area tidy.
Landscaping and Greenery:
Plants and targeted landscaping can add to the visual appeal and overall ambiance of your outdoor space.
- Planters: Vertical gardens or hanging pots add to the visual look while taking up limited space and even creating privacy screens.
- Garden Beds: Consider adding a border around your deck with flower beds or shrubs. Ground covers like creeping thyme or moss can help to create a more natural look.
Shade Solutions:
Shade is crucial for comfort and can add architectural interest to your space. Depending on your budget, there are many options to provide shade for your deck.
- Pergola: More affordable than a covered deck. Add-on options include lattice, plants, curtains or screens to enhance privacy, making it an outdoor retreat regardless of the nosy neighbors.
- Trees: A simple tree shadowing the deck can provide needed shade on a budget.
- Umbrellas: Provide more flexibility in adding or taking away shade as needed.
- Shade sails: An affordable and modern way to provide coverage while adding a unique design element to your deck.
- Covered decks: A less flexible and more expensive option, as it requires proper footings to be installed.
Outdoor Technology:
Depending on your budget, integrating technology can add convenience and entertainment to your outdoor space and help to make it a year-round experience.
- Smart controls: Today’s smart home technology can control lighting, irrigation and even outdoor appliances.
- Sound systems: Install weatherproof speakers for music and ambiance.
- Heating: Use outdoor heaters or fire pits to extend the life of your space into the cooler months.
Finish your deck with a personal touch
As with any home renovation project, you’ll want to put your personal touch on your space to make it uniquely yours. This can include rugs, throw pillows, lanterns, outdoor sculptures or wall art, a bar area, candles, accessories, or anything else that suits your style.
Quality Built Exteriors specializes in designing and constructing decks that blend seamlessly with your home’s architecture, providing the perfect backdrop for relaxation and entertainment. Our team of experts works closely with you to choose materials and designs that reflect your personal style and meet your functional needs, ensuring your new deck is everything you’ve envisioned. With a focus on quality craftsmanship and durable materials, from wood and composite decking solutions to vinyl railings and aluminum railings, we guarantee a stunning, long-lasting addition to your outdoor space.
Call them today for a free design consultation and quote for the dynamic deck of your dreams.