When the glare of the summer sun hits the pavement and dads across the country break out their New Balance tennis shoes and pristine spatulas, the deck is the place to be. But as the sun goes into hiding for the winter, so too does Dad and his barbecue tools.
Builder: Gunder Construction
Design: Eric Hedlund Design
These days, however, enjoying time outside on the deck doesn’t have to be dependent on the weather. Thanks to roofs, floor heating, fireplaces, sliding walls, kitchen appliances and a slew of other conveniences, indoor living can be brought outdoors all year long.
And while you could easily break the bank decking out your deck, you can go about it affordably. You just need to carefully and wisely navigate the plethora of materials, stains and trendy extras. Here, home and deck builders show you how.
Before You Begin
One of the more important steps before you even start your deck project is to envision the size and space, says Judson Preece, owner and lead deck builder at Novelbuild509 in Spokane.
“I like to look at [a customer’s]current deck furniture and try to get a feel for how many guests they might have at a dinner party and how frequently the customer might be using the space,” Preece says.
If your backyard gatherings attract a dozen people, the deck should be large enough to fit a table for 12, a few other sitting spaces, a cooking station or barbecue grill and whatever add-ons your heart desires. Preece suggests taking into account the way your deck will interact with your home and yard.
The outdoor deck is not an independent structure — it is an element of your living space, he says.
“A deck should be an extension of the home and take into account the surrounding yard and environment,” Preece adds. “It’s always better to error on the side of bigger.”
Builder: Monarch Custom Homes
Selecting Materials
Bigger can mean more expensive. That’s when it’s time to be selective with your decking materials.
“Selecting the right decking material comes down to budget and maintenance,” Preece says.
Decking materials come in six main categories: pressure-treated wood, composites, cedar, redwood, tropical hardwoods and aluminum.
Often the most inexpensive of the choices, pressure-treated wood is also one of the most popular decking materials. The wood is great for rainy and snowy seasons because it’s chemically treated to resist premature rotting and molding as well as bug infestations, Preece says. However, most pressure-treated woods are made of low quality pine or fir and need a lot of maintenance to prevent cracking and warping.
Builder: Creekside Construction
Developed in the 1990s, composite lumber is a decking material made of wood and plastic. Combining the two elements creates a strong, waterproof material that is resistant to scratching, fading and weathering. Composite decks are the easiest to maintain but can be one of the more costly materials.
“Composite decking has come a long way in the past few years in terms of quality, range of pricing, choice of colors and the number of manufacturers,” Preece says. “Even the less expensive materials come with a 20-plus year warranty, and the most popular styles of composite decking comes with a PVC (plastic coating) that mimics the grain and color of wood.”
For those who dislike the synthetic look of man-made decking materials, natural woods are the way to go. Cedar and redwoods are the most popular but tropical woods are the top choice for luxury buyers.
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Regardless of the wood type, a stain is needed to protect the wood from losing its color or wearing out. Especially for those using their decks in the winter months, a good stain is key to enjoying your outdoor living space year round.
“Don’t try to save a few bucks and use a cheapo stain,” Preece says. “It’s worth it to use a top-rated quality stain since you may be only using one gallon or two. Choosing a [semi-transparent] stain with a little pigment in it will add to the UV protection and life of your deck.”
To ensure decks don’t encounter any premature rotting, Preece also uses a water repellent stain to treat the framing underneath the deck. It’s that extra layer of protection that ensures a deck lives up to its full potential for years to come.
Builder: Selkirk Construction
Decks were once a one-size-fits-all element of the home, but not any longer. Decks come in all shapes, sizes and functions. Ranging from compact dining spaces to 1,200-square-foot outdoor lounges, decks can be anything your imagination — and wallet — allow.
Adding the Extras
Once the layout and materials are selected, it’s time for the fun part: deck add-ons.
At Monarch Homes in Coeur d’Alene, co-owner and designer Shawn Anderson sees and creates unique decks on a regular basis. A popular trend she has noticed is decks functioning as summer kitchens.
These decks are equipped with sinks, bar areas, gourmet barbecue grills, refrigerators, ovens and more, she says. Often, outdoor appliances rival those indoors.
If creating a second kitchen isn’t your thing, the outdoor spa might be the way to go. Indoor-outdoor showers and open-air bathtubs add an element of relaxation to outdoor living — as long as your neighbors aren’t too close. And if they are, no need to worry. You can always install drop-down, remote controlled shades.
To separate the spa area from the outdoor kitchen, many larger decks boast multiple levels for different living spaces (think of rooms within a house). Each level has its own purpose or function.
To keep your guests coming back for more, the entertainment-focused deck is the most successful. Decks can be equipped with televisions or projector screens. Electrical outlets can be added as well as specialized lighting controlled by an app. Surround-sound audio systems can be installed beneath the deck’s floorboards or inside a covered porch — making for theatre-like movie nights.
Builder: Selkirk Construction
The most devoted deck lovers don’t let the outdoor elements stop them from envisioning a year-round living space. With outdoor air conditioners, ceiling fans and fireplaces, the temperature outside doesn’t have to affect deck time.
“(Clients) want to be able to bring the outside inside by using massive sliding glass door systems that allow for an open-air feeling between outdoor space and indoor space,” Anderson says. “To keep the chill away, clients opt for gas or electric overhead heaters, gas, electric or wood-burning fire pits, or fire tables.”
For a modern design twist, Anderson and Preece suggest combining different decking colors and materials to make your outdoor oasis stand out.
“A home should always involve an amazing outdoor deck,” Anderson says. “(These days) there are so many beautiful and sustainable products available to help each outdoor living space take on it’s own feel and help a homeowner’s vision and style come to life.” N
By Rosemary Anderson
Photography By Joel Riner