How to design and build the ultimate deck project

by awright | Aug 18, 2021 | Outdoor Living

Having a deck can improve the enjoyment of your outdoor living space.  It can become a treasured area to spend time with friends or watch the stars.  Here are a few things to consider when building a deck. 

Plan Your Space 

The first step is deciding what you want the deck to do.  Is this going to be an intimate area outside your bedroom door or a large place to party?  Here are some questions to answer to clarify your vision. 

How many people will be using the deck at a time? A deck for two is very different from a place to entertain friends, family, or even potential clients. 

What room or rooms will have doors onto the deck?  Decks coming off living rooms or dens are more likely to be used by more people than a deck coming off a bedroom or garage area. 

What furniture will be on the deck?  A few chairs and a grill have a different footprint and vibe than a large table and chairs for dining. 

How do you entertain?  This helps determine how large the deck needs to be. 

Do you need steps or a ramp from the deck to the rest of the yard?  If you need a ramp, it needs to slope no more than one inch a foot, or it will be too steep for wheelchair access.   Stairs need to be 7 ¾” rise or less to be to code and be easily accessible.   

Do you need railings on the steps, ramp, or sides of the deck?  Having a railing will enclose the space more than a deck with no railings.  Decks above 30” require a railing, but if it is lower you can avoid railings all together.  If a railing is required and you want a more open look, there are cable rails and even glass rails that can open up the views to the backyard, lake, or swimming pool. 

How much privacy do you want when you are enjoying your deck?  Decks can be less private when they are high than when they are ground level with trees around.  Privacy screens can also be added to screen between your neighbors. 

Do you want the whole deck to be one level, or do you want different levels for different functions?  There could be an intimate deck off the bedroom with a lower deck that is expansive and ready for a party.  If there are different levels you can also have more shade and possibly waterproof below. 

Laying Out Your Design 

Now that you have some idea of the size and shape of the deck, it is time to work out a design.  The easiest way to do this is to get some graph paper and draw your deck out to scale.  It is best to use graph paper as it is big enough to see what you are drawing.  Make each square a foot and draw what you want.  For smaller projects, 10 squares per inch may work, but for larger decks, with more detail, you may need 4 squares per inch.  

To make sure the design will accomplish your goals, draw furniture to scale on another page and cut it out.  Lay the furniture on the draft of the deck until you are satisfied you have enough room for it.  We recommend a minimum width of 14 feet if you are going to have a dining table for six or more people.  Sixteen feet is even better.  Make sure you leave pathways that are at least 36 inches wide to get around all the furniture and people. 

Materials For Your Deck 

Next, decide what materials you want to use to build the deck.  There are several choices here, each with some tradeoffs. 

Wood is the classic deck material.  It comes as pressure-treated or rot-resistant, such as cedar. Right now, lumber is expensive and can be hard to obtain.  Wood needs a lot of maintenance to stay nice.  It will have to be sanded down once every few years and stained for a dark-colored appearance.  If wood is left to weather it will turn a grey color like tree bark.   

Composite decking is more expensive than wood but requires less maintenance.  It is not as strong as wood.  Some composites can weaken and warp, mold can grow on it in shady areas, the color can fade in the sun, and if it is scratched it cannot be easily fixed.  Of course, these things can happen with wood also. 

PVC decking is all plastic, although it can be made to mimic wood.  It does not grow mold, weather, mildew, and resists moisture.  It is more expensive than composite decking.   PVC decks can shrink and swell with extreme temperature changes.   

Pavers are very durable and look very nice when made into a deck.  The effect is partly because they are an un-common deck material.  We can custom build a paver deck and it will outlast wood and most other materials. 

Wooden frames are often used, regardless of the decking material.  They are cheaper than steel, but even pressure-treated wood eventually fails.  Wood also fades and can look bad without frequent maintenance.  Wooden frames are also vulnerable to termites. 

Steel frames are more resistant to weather damage than wooden frames are.  They are sleek and modern-looking.  They are stronger than wood frames.  They also keep wood out of contact with the dirt, which makes it less likely to get termites.  Of course, they are also more expensive, but they are usually worth it. 

Railings come in steel, cable, and wood.  Wood railings look good with wooden or composite decking.  However, they fade, are negatively affected by the weather, and have to be replaced more often than cable and steal.  Cable railings look sleek and modern, however, if the cables run horizontally they can sag over time if users put their feet on them constantly.  Steel lasts the longest and can be a good choice for a deck with a steel frame.  Glass can also be used to keep open views to the surrounding landscape. 

Roofs or Pagodas Both roofs and pagodas provide shade in the summer.  A roof can also be used to keep the deck and the stuff on the deck dry.  This means you can have some nice extras installed on your deck. 

Neat Extras For Your Deck 

If you have a roof, you can have things that will ruin in the rain.  These include: 

Fire features can be nice to sit around at night.  They can be used to grill food and marshmallows, to keep warm with, or just to watch. 

Built-in heaters can also keep you warm and toasty during the winter.  They can extend the seasons for your deck into late fall.  Electric infra-red heaters are pretty common in our area.  

Television A large screen television can be installed into a covered deck.  Think sports-watching parties during the season. 

Fans With fans you can be outside and cool at the same time.  You can get fans to fit any decorating scheme. 

Kitchens Homes in the South used to have summer kitchens in the back of the house so that the heat of the oven and stove would not heat the whole house.  You can do the cooking on the deck and keep the house cool. 

Lights can keep the party going after dark or start it early in the morning.  There are lots of styles to fit a variety of decorating styles. 

Electrical outlets Electricity and rain do not mix.  A deck with a roof makes it possible to have outlets in a variety of locations.  Everyone can charge their devices while enjoying the day on the deck. 

Screens A screened-in deck can keep the bugs out of your hair while you enjoy being outdoors.  With all the mosquitoes it will be nice to watch the sunset without getting bitten. 

Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping has lots of experience working with property owners to help them envision the deck of their dreams.  We can walk you through the choices at each stage and, when you are ready, we can have our Blue Crew install it for you.  Schedule a consultation with Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today to get things started.