Having the ideal home with a yard and a deck has been an integral part of the American Dream for decades. Decks offer a connection to the nature, warmth from the sun and entertainment space for family and friends. Many factors go into making this space ideal, and the key to the deck of your dreams is taking into account the all the critical design elements. These include picking the right material for your budget, what climate you live in, lifestyle, and a building structure that compliments the space the most. Here at Hewitt and Danese Contractors and Builders, we consider every factor to turn your deck into your new favorite space.
The first factor to consider is the decks primary purpose(s). Is it for sunbathing? Eating family meals on a beautiful day? Hosting barbeques or outdoor parties? Or laying in a lawn chair, while getting some sun and drinking some lemonade? Answering these questions will help determine the decks size, shape, and features. If it’s primarily for eating, design a space that fits a full size table and chairs, with room for walking around it. If you want to host large parties, leave room for a grill and prep areas. For optimal sunbathing or lounging, build the deck around shaded areas.
The next big step is selecting the materials that fit within your budget. Pressure-treated wood is on the cheaper side, and it’s easy to work with. Anyone who has worked with this material before knows wood absorbs stains and waterproof sealants easily. The downside to this option is wood corrodes faster than other options and warps and cracks. Also the upkeep is more demanding than others. Another option is composite which costs more than wood, but it lasts longer and comes in a range of colors and textures. It is 75 percent wood fiber and 25 percent polypropylene and functions a lot like wood. Composite won’t warp or crack either, however some composite boards look less like wood than others. Like composite, PVC is another great wood alternative, and won’t swell or crack. It’s also prone to bugs like termites, and is very easy to clean.
Once you have the material, the next decision is choosing a pattern for the boards. After all, if you’re going to put in the effort, why not have some fun and give your deck extra appeal? A basket weave design involves cutting short boards so they form squares. Lay the squares in alternating directions to achieve the ultimate basket weave look. Aside from the basket weave, another neat idea is incorporating accent pieces. This could be a piece of decking that is cut differently than the rest, or bringing in totally different materials, like tile for example.
Following the materials and pattern selection is deciding how to build the deck that best compliments the space and functions properly. For a slopped yard, building a multi-level deck maximizes the space without using extra tall posts everywhere. Plus, each level could be used for a different activity, which makes it multi-functional. For sunny areas, a pergola gives shade and protection against the damaging UV rays. Plus a pergola is a great structure to plant ivy or other winding plants and it can be decorated according to season.
The great thing about decks is they can be built to accommodate any space. For crowded neighborhoods like Lambertville, NJ, privacy screen or walls create a visual and acoustic barrier from neighbors. If your yard has a lot of large trees like in Solebury, PA, no problem. As long as the trees are healthy, the deck can either be built around them, or designed to incorporate them. Whatever the case may be, Hewitt and Danese Contractors and Builders are ready to make your deck the ultimate space to hang out and relax.