Comprehensive Guide To Deck Designing
It seems that practically everyone you know has recently gotten a deck. Your neighbors, siblings and even your parents are on the deck bandwagon and now you’re ready to join them. But unlike everyone else you have no plans to hire some expensive builder to tell you what looks best in your yard and build what they want. Nope, you plan to design your deck and build it yourself. The only thing you need now is a plan to start designing it.
The good news is that you don’t have to be an architect to design a deck. The bad news is that there are thousands of different deck styles and designs from which you can choose. That many choices can be as daunting as no choices at all, but once you’ve narrowed down a few factors designing will become less stressful.
Why A Deck?
Is there a specific activity or event for which you want a deck? Would you like to spend more evenings enjoying dinner under the setting sun or do you want to entertain in your backyard? Once you have determined the purpose your deck will serve you will begin to narrow down your choices. Rather than letting the deck design determine what you will use it for, take a moment to really consider what you’ll do on your deck.
Once you have an answer, you can move forward.
Attached or Detached?
Where will you put this deck in your yard? Will you put it a distance from the home as a detached deck near a pool or in an open area so you can entertain without disturbing the rest of your family? Or will you decide to attach the deck to your home so you can easily step out for fresh air or a quick hammock nap?
There are tons of different deck designs for attached decks as well as freestanding decks. When you know which type of deck you will be building, you can start sifting through the design options and narrowing down your choices.
Modern or Traditional
You can’t design a deck without thinking about the literal design of the deck. Do you want a sleek deck that will make your neighbors green with envy or do you want an old school cottage style deck that will complement the greenery in your yard?
Some deck builders value unique over matching, while others are set on a particular style. Take a look at the newest deck designs as well as traditional decks to help you determine what your deck style is.
One Level or Two
If you have a large home you may want a multi-layer deck attached to your home. This type of design is very functional as it creates multiple access points and different layers for more socializing. When designing this type of deck you will have to determine what type of steps and railings you want to use, and add extra supports to avoid dangerous situations due to unstable construction.
When you have fully designed your deck it is time to find reliable deck plans that will help you build your deck from start to finish.