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Posts Tagged ‘designing the deck’

Deck Design – Creating the Ultimate Private Getaway

Friday, August 19th, 2016

Enjoy the view as you sit on this Hooker Furniture Living Room Accent Chair. What could be more restful?

Enjoy the view as you sit on this Hooker Furniture Living Room Accent Chair. What could be more restful?

You might have recently installed a deck or refurbished quite an old one. Whatever your purpose in exploring deck choices and ideas, you’d soon find out that there are thousands of possibilities when it comes to materials, style and cost. Looking through these options is just half the fun finishing the deck and relaxing thereon is the ultimate eventuality.

Proper Deck Furniture

The decision-making pertaining to deck furniture is likely to be inspired by the deck style. Have you opted for a modern, sleek, or geometric style? Then, by all means, have the same theme for your furniture. Modern deck furniture is sure to complement the contemporary deck. Just make sure that you contrast the deck’s hard lines with curvy furniture. A great choice here is cast-aluminum furniture pieces. These are lightweight pieces that are modern yet curvy at the same time.

Should you be looking for something more substantial, then you could use wrought iron which is more durable and heavier. It also comes in every possible style from modern to Victorian.

A deck that is more rustic or traditional needs the more grounded wooden furniture. Again, your options are wide and varied which includes redwood, teak, and cedar. These are weather and insect-resistant, durable, and rich in color.

When it comes to design, you would even have more choices from angled pieces to low-slung contemporary ones.

Finally, there are also great choices with wicker. Wicker styles offer an updated look and are often treated to create resistant weather. These are also highly mobile because they are so light.

Your Home as the Basis

Look to the lines of your home. These are inspirations that could tell you where to situate the deck. If you are creating your deck along with the birth of your new home, then make sure to extend the roofline so that the deck will get its needed shade.

Consider Your Privacy

It would also be nice if you put a privacy fence that could block the view.  Instead of having the ground cleared when you add the deck, make good use of what you already have. That old tree might not be just another element of your yard. This natural thing could offer privacy when it creates a soft canopy. Have lush plants all around the edge of the deck so that it would be more secluded.

Add a Pergola

A pergola will give more functions for the deck. It offers a cozier look plus adding that much-needed shade. Enhance the look by adding hanging baskets, light fixtures or planters.

Planting in hanging baskets is a fuss-free way of saving money while offering great colors for the deck.

Add Water Features

There are a lot of background noises that could potentially annoy your restful afternoons and weekends. You can solve these potential problems by adding any water feature for your deck. The sound of trickling water can make a huge difference on how much peace you would eventually enjoy on your new deck.

Evergreen trees are the first choice when creating privacy. They can effectively block any view while offering a green, lush, natural backdrop. Dense evergreens can also help in filtering the noise. There is an evergreen that is suitable for almost any garden. Pick from a wide variety of sizes, colors and shapes including the columnar types which don’t grow any wider than two feet.

Construct a Trellis

More on lush greens – go ahead and up the level of privacy being offered by trees and a pergola. Add a trellis to make the deck even more enjoyable. Have vines planted along the deck then watch them as they grow all the way up to the trellis.

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What To Consider When Designing A Home Deck

Friday, July 29th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Accent Chair

Hooker Furniture Living Room Accent Chair

Do you believe that designing a comfortable and safe deck is easy? Some could answer this positively while others might be a tad more hesitant. Designing a home deck requires that you initially get in touch with your local building department or the homeowners’ association. There are deck restrictions as well as requirements that you should ask about. There are also zoning ordinances that put a cap on the deck size, its location and its general construct. In many cases, you would need a building permit before you can begin constructing or designing a home deck.

That Lovely Sketch

Find a tape measure then go out with a pencil and paper. Sketch your dream deck, don’t be afraid, go ahead. Include your home’s location including the number of doors and windows. Place also the location of trees and other primary landscaping structures. Sheds are also an example of such structures.

The Proper Location

Decide whether the house exit will lead directly to the deck or if it will be located elsewhere.

A freestanding deck comes with two or more beams. This can be installed right next to your house or right by the swimming pool. If it is away from any of these two locations, then make sure that you have a clear path or walkway leading right to it.

Think also of the kind of view that you would want on your deck. If you require privacy, then you can have a wall built for a portion of the deck. You can also use a nearby shade in keeping the deck cool especially during the summer. You can also place the deck away from a shrub line so you can have some cool breeze pass through.

Essential Deck Parts

Attached decks have ledger boards that can replace one of the support beams. This can be attached using bolts; a tool that greatly reduces material costs. This, however, comes with pest or water damage, eventually.

A lot of building codes require metal flashing for moisture prevention between the house wall and the ledger. If you want to prevent this problem, then have the ledger treated for mold or pest infiltration.

If you are thinking of building that luxurious two-story deck, then you have to provide a long stairway. It would help to break up the stairway with a transition deck. Plan the right connection for the stairs and the deck and where this connection would end.

Orient Express Furniture Dining Room Santa Fe Dining Bench 6020

Orient Express Furniture Dining Room Santa Fe Dining Bench 6020

Figure Out the Deck Function and Size

If you are a frequent party host, then you would definitely need a larger deck. This is a place where tables, chairs, a bench or two maybe, and other outdoor furniture can be placed. It’s a place where you grill and drink and have fun so make sure that you turn it into a pleasant retreat, one that is comfortable.

Avoid layouts that put a railing right in the middle of any of the windows in your home. Assure also that the doors swinging outward would clear the railings. Should the need call for it, you should adjust the location and size of the deck.

Pick a Style

Decks with some architectural lines made with lumber and vertical metal balusters are complementary looks. If you want a more traditional or classic appeal, then use lumber with visible grain lines as balusters; as much as possible, choose pressure-treated lumber.

Remember that the deck can be exposed to harsh elements. So in installing wood decking, make sure that you use weather sealants and staining. Redwood and heart cedar are often resistant to decay, hence, they are used extensively. If you use any other type of wood, then have it treated with any kind of preservative.

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