Outdoor Deck Ideas

If you’ve already got your landscape lighting Boca Raton covered and you want to add to your backyard flavor a little more, consider what building a new outdoor deck could do! Every homeowner is constantly in need of space, especially in the summertime when the weather is nice and there is no reason not to be outside.

Here are a few things to consider when starting your outdoor deck project.

Pick the Right Material

While it might seem okay to just use whatever cheap or free wood you can find, if you want your deck to last you have to use the right material. There are 4 common types of decking material readily available at your local stores.

The most popular and cost-effective material is pressure-treated lumber. Its appearance is similar to genuine hardwood but generally requires more maintenance and certainly several coats of deck paint. 

Redwood and cedar are also great choices for an outdoor deck because they can stand up to weather and years without much maintenance. However, going this route is more expensive.

Composite or plastic material is certainly more durable than wood, but you are often limited by color and style choices.

Aluminum is by far the most durable and expensive.

Find Your Focus

Which door do you want to access the porch? How many? Will there be outdoor dining or just a few porch chairs? Although it seems like so far in the future, you’ll need to think about what you intend to do with the deck before you go and build it.

When the deck is finally complete, many people will find that it immediately becomes a huge space for activity. You’ll want to use it a ton right? Make sure that you leave ample walking space, maybe running space for kids, and that the functional areas and pathway areas are clear and well-defined. This makes for a much more comfortable overall experience when you are outside using the deck.

Knowing what you want ahead of time can also help you plan your deck around entertaining guests or your family since that is what decks are most often used for.

Get Creative

Now that you know what you want to use your deck for and how much space you’ll need, get creative in how you link those things together. Maybe you add a set of stairs at the far end or several large levels and landings to give it some depth.

Whatever you end up choosing to do with your deck, remember that the best ones should seem like they aren’t even there.