Planning your Deck Project

A deck can be an excellent addition to any home.  A well-planned deck increases living and entertaining space and gives folks a chance to relax in the great outdoors. In this article I will talk through how to plan a great deck that brings you hours of joy in the short summer months.

Municipal Codes

The first place to begin is always with your local municipality office to learn where your deck can be placed and how the height of your deck may affect the proximity to the lot lines.  This is also where to find out what type of footings are required and on what schedule the inspector will need to inspect the various portions of the deck build.  Armed with this knowledge you can head home and begin to design the actual deck. 

Size & Layout

When designing a deck think about how you plan to use the space. Do you want to have a grilling station on the deck? Will there be a large patio table or sectional? You will want to make sure to provide enough room for not only large furniture pieces but the ability to move freely around them. Staking out the deck on the ground will allow you to walk the space and even set any existing furniture or cooking appliances in the space to see if the layout is working.

Ideally the deck will be at the same height as the main living space. This will greatly improve the flow from the home out to the deck and make the transition to the outdoors seamless. Your overall space will appear and feel much larger, even from within the home.

Railings

Railings are a necessary deck safety feature and the height of the railings can vary by municipality. Railings can be a traditional wood or composite material but as of late, we have seen many folks upgrade to a metal cable system that does not obscure the view. Many decks are planned and positioned to capture the best view and you will want to enjoy this view from both a seated and standing position. Clear glass or a cabled railing can solve this problem, but it will be a more costly option.

Lighting

Another thing to consider is how to illuminate the deck and deck steps for enjoyment and safety in the dark evening hours. Standard exterior lighting in the form of flood lights or sconces are a necessity for providing ample illumination for certain outdoor activities.  When the evening quiets down, however, you may want to have a more ambient light option.  Adding post lights and step lights to a deck project is an excellent way to add softer lighting to gathering spaces and walking areas without having bright overhead lights overwhelming the space.

Deck Materials

I am young enough to remember a time when wood was your only choice for decking material. While wood continues to be the most popular material for decking, new composite materials offer low maintenance and long lifespans. Both make for excellent decking. Let’s explore the options.

Wood

Pressure treated wood decking is wood that has been treated with a cocktail of chemicals to keep rot and insects at bay. Most pressure treated wood is made of yellow pine and is readily available at your local lumberyard.  Pressure treated wood decks tend to have a lifespan of about 15 years. 

An upgrade from pressure treated wood is cedar and redwood decking.  Cedar and redwoods come from the same genus of tree and carry many similar properties.  Both are naturally insect and rot resistant and can last for about 20 years. Choosing redwood also means that you appreciate it’s natural color, as it’s oily nature does not allow it to easily take a stain.  Cedar, on the other hand can be stained to the homeowners preferred color choice. Cedar and redwood decking materials last around 20 years.

An interesting option in real wood decking are tropical hardwoods. Woods such as Ipe and Cambara can last up to 25 years.  Tropical hardwoods are extremely dense, and therefore very heavy.  These woods are so hard that they require a screw hole to be made prior to driving in a nail.  If tropical hardwoods are what you have your eye on, talk with your contractor fist to see if this is a material they will work with.

Composite

Composite decking refers to a material that has the texture and appearance of woodgrain but is made of compressed waste wood products mixed with resins and plastics. Available in a variety of colors, composite decking material can last up to 25 years.  This material does not fade in the sun and is excellent under foot, as it does not splinter. You will never need to stain or seal composite decking, but it is a good idea to give it a good scrubbing with a long handled, hard bristled brush from time to time to ward off mildew. Composite decking does carry a larger price tag than all the wood options. If the budget is there, composite decking has been our clients preferred choice now for over the last 5 years.

With the promise of warm weather around the corner I hope this article has provided you with the information you need to get started planning your deck project.  Wisconsin summer days are precious in that they are few. We hope you will be making the most of them on your new, well planned deck.