Are you building a deck? Do you have any idea where to start? No? That’s what we figured. The hardest part about adding any addition on to your home, whether it’s an extension, a fence, or a deck– you need to know where to start and it can be stressful sometimes. Between picking out a design, choosing products, finding a contractor and making sure it was installed right, there are a lot of things you need to keep tabs on. This is why we are here to help you with these tips for building your deck and giving you a place to start your renovation process.
#1: Inspiration
One of the greatest things about the internet is that you can get as many pictures gathered up as you want for different design ideas. Go on Pinterest, Facebook, or even just Google to try and find a picture that looks similar to the build you want, the products your thinking about and the coloring. This way you can take the picture to your supplier and the contractor so they have an idea of what you need and want.
#2: Think About Your Design
When you are choosing your design, you want to pick something that is going to look good with your home and existing décor, as well as be functional for your daily life. Everyone’s life is different and everyone uses their outdoor space for different reasons. This is why you need to take everything into consideration. Do you use your deck for summer or winter, or both? Do you have pets and children? How big of a space do you need or want? Questions like this are the ones you want to ask yourself when you are choosing your design.
#3: Think About the Traffic
One of the most important things to consider is how much will you be using your deck and how much foot traffic will it see? This will determine how tough of a decking material you need and will determine the budget and the suppliers you work with.
#4: Shape and Size
Now you need to decide how big or small you want your deck and what is the shape of it needs to be. These are important when you are making a budget, because your contractor will need to know how long it will take for install and how detailed you will get with the deck design, so they can determine if they need extra hands.
#5: Are You Adding and Outdoor Kitchen?
If you are adding an outdoor kitchen, you want to make sure your contractor knows to map out where it will be and to leave the proper spacing and spots for appliances and room for cords. This is one of the most expensive parts of a deck renovation, which is why you don’t want to mess it up. Be very cautious and make sure you don’t miss any important aspects of your outdoor kitchen and deck building.
#6: Giving the Deck “Your Touch” After Install
Once your deck is installed, you want to make it blend in with your home by adding some décor such as plants, flowers, and greenery. Purchase seating areas for your fire pit, outdoor kitchen, or hangout spot. Also consider blending the colors in with your home and the surrounding area. You don’t want you deck to stick out like a sore thumb. You want it to look as if it came with the house and wasn’t an add on.
#7: Don’t Forget the Shade
Once your deck is 100% done and ready for you to enjoy, you may want to consider whether or not you want to add an overhead cover like an awning or a pergola. Either one will be a great addition to your deck. It will make it more comfortable to enjoy the warm summer months and protect your from the rain and snow in the fall and winter. You can also accent these covers with décor and hanging lights.
We hope these tips for building your deck have helped you understand the process of building your deck. If you follow these tips, you will in no time have the ultimate outdoor hangout spot!
