Exterior Decks
If your're considering a deck to create an outdoor living space for your home, there are certainly many options to compare. Shapes, materials, and the architecture of your home, coupled with your personal tastes, will all factor into what you choose to proceed with your project.
What are home decks exactly?
A home deck is an outdoor platform or structure, typically made of wood, that is attached to a house and serves as an area for leisure and entertainment activities.
Decks can range in size from small, intimate spaces to large, multi-level structures and can be customized with various features such as railings, stairs, built-in seating, and lighting. Decks can provide homeowners with additional outdoor living space, increase property value, and enhance the overall look of a home.
When designing and building a deck, it's important to consider factors such as local building codes, the design of the house, the intended use of the deck, and the climate and weather conditions in the area.
Picking the right style for your Home Deck
There are several styles of home decks to choose from, each with its own unique features and design elements. Some of the most popular styles include:
A classic, rectangular deck with a simple design and straight lines.
A low-to-the-ground deck with a flat surface, often used for sunbathing or outdoor dining.
A deck with multiple levels, each connected by stairs or ramps, allowing for greater space and functionality.
A deck that wraps around the side or back of a house, providing a larger space and multiple access points.
A deck that is not attached to the house, offering a separate and independent outdoor living space.
A deck that is not attached to the house or the ground, appearing to "float" in space.
A deck that is not attached to the house or the ground, appearing to "float" in space.
A deck with a roof or overhead structure to provide shade and protection from the elements.
Deck Shapes
Here are 5 of our favorite design styles at PHI3 Construction.
A high-rise rectangle is a deck built of the second story of your home, perfect for homes with steep natural grades in the rear of the property. They also provide a cover for your patio to retreat from the hot sun in midday.
Adding angled corners in your deck design adds character and dimension to your new deck, as well as providing an area to add other design elements to your garden with a planter or a softcape where the square corner would have been.
This shape allows the increase of square footage, options for where to lounge depending on time of day, or allowing guests to chat of on the side in a quieter part of the space.
A multi-level deck is great for creating different destinations in your outdoor living area, allowing you to define the uses of specific areas, such as outdoor dining, or lounging. And you can create different levels by simply seperataing levels with 1 or 2 steps.
Including a curve or two into your design of your deck will make your deck distinguished and elegant, while creating on interesting aesthetic. It could be the entire length of the deck, or create a destination, like a dining area with a round cafe table.
Deck Materials
Here are 5 of our favorite design materials at PHI3 Construction.
Stated in the name, this decking lumber is treated with a chemical at high pressure. This chemical makes the Pressure Treated Lumber much more resistant to rot, compared to untreated wood.
Cedar wood has been used for ages in deck construction. Cedar's durability is proven in it's resistance to splitting and warping, moisture absorption, and even decay and insect infestation. This resilliance to rot of all forms makes cedar a wonderful choice for your new deck.
The California Redwood make another fantastic decking material. With warm tones of reddish-brown hues Redwood makes a statement of beauty and nature that you cannot achieve with a stain.
Traditional deck framing topped with an underlayment system designed specifically for incorporating porcelain tile, natural stones or other pavers as your walking surface of your deck. The look is beyond elegant, while fully functional and durable.
Composite decks have great durability, with a longer lifespan than wood as they resist mold, insects, and the harsh elements outside. A little more expensive than wood decks, composite decking will potentially have a longer lifespan.