If your outdoor space lacks a proper “patio” area such as a concrete slab or a group of pavers for example, a wood deck is another option to expand your outdoor living space.
Here is an infographic that explores outdoor living essentials such as patio covers, lighting, and outdoor kitchens as well as popular decking materials. It concludes with some questions you might want to ask before building your deck.
Don’t forget to cover your deck with a custom Alumawood patio cover and to provide additional shading, roll down patio shades work great.
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Via Rick’s Fencing
Build a Deck To Expand Your Outdoor Living Space
Extending a home’s outdoor living potential is quickly gaining popularity. In fact, a recent survey by the AIA reports a 64% increase in this trend. Deck builders find that adding a deck to your home is the perfect building block to begin creating a personalized outdoor area.
Read on for…
- Other in-demand amenities to transcend your living space to the outdoors
- Popular decking materials for the job
- Important questions to ask before building a deck
Outdoor Living Essentials
Decks (Entertainment and Relaxation)
ROI: 85%
Advantages:
- Less expensive than a room addition
- Entertain guests
- Host a BBQ
- Option for even the tiniest yards
- A quick escape to connect with nature
Fences (Privacy and Decoration)
ROI: 50–75%
Advantages:
- Creates privacy from neighbors
- Esthetic enhancement
- Security
- Noise Abatement
- Deters unwanted pests and people
Patio Covers (Beauty and Protection)
ROI: 80+%
Advantages:
- Adds beauty to your home
- Reduces heat that enters home by 50–75%
- Increases functionality of your backyard
- Adds a sense of privacy
- Provides protection from rain and snow
Landscape Lighting (Illuminate and Secure)
ROI: 50%
Advantages:
- Creates a warm comforting ambience
- Crime deterrence
- Adds up to 20% to the perceived value of a home
- Illuminates landscaping
- Increases safety
Outdoor Kitchens (Cook and Entertain)
ROI: 100–200%
Advantages:
- The cook can mingle with guests
- Creates a second kitchen
- Guests and family are more involved with cooking
- Makes entertaining easier
- Reduces heat in the house
Popular Decking Materials
Port Orford Cedar
Native to a narrow strip of the Pacific Coast from SW Oregon to NW California.
Characteristics:
- Moderately light in weight
- Stiff, strong, hard
- Minimal tendency to warp
- Holds paint and stains well
- Lighter color than red cedar or redwood
Benefits:
- Naturally UV-ray resistant
- Comes in a variety of tones
- Natural oils resist decay and insects
- Rated for 20 years of wear
Tigerwood
Beautiful and exotic Brazilian hardwood.
Characteristics:
- A tropical hardwood
- Wide range of color and striping
- Lustrous surface, almost oily
- Entirely natural and biodegradable
- Incredibly strong
Benefits:
- Naturally resists mold and warping
- No regular staining or sealing required
- Slip resistant
- Holds up well to wear and weathering
- Resists insects due to its density
PVC Decking
Newest decking technology offered as a wood alternative.
Characteristics:
- Made from synthetic materials
- Available in various surface textures
- Can be produced to resemble wood
- Available in a variety of natural colors
- Durable and long lasting
Benefits:
- Stain, scratch and slip resistant
- Very low maintenance
- Will not warp, twist, or create splinters
- Stays cool, even in the hottest weather
- Mold and mildew resistant
Other Decking Materials
- Pine
- Douglas Fir
- Cypress
- Ipe
- Pressure Treated
- Mahogony
- Redwood
Questions To Ask Before Building Your Deck
Ask Yourself these Questions
- How big do you want the deck?
- What is your budget?
- What materials and finishes do you prefer?
- Will part of the deck be covered?
- How important is low maintenance to you?
Ask Your Deck Builder these Questions
- How long have you been in business?
- Are you bonded and insured?
- Who will handle any required permits?
- Is there a warranty for my fence?
- What type of maintenance will be needed after installation?
