One of the most critical aspects that every residential owner should that into account when
building a deck would be the choice of materials to be used in the construction. While there may
be numerous deck materials readily available today, wood is still the unprecedented choice in
offering both unrivaled beauty and longevity. However, even if you narrow your search to
wooden decks, to will probably be confused with the handful selection that you would need to
choose from. So here are some brief descriptions on the different types of wooden deck
materials that you might want to take into consideration:
Pressure Treated Wood – this is said to be the most popular choice of deck materials in the
United States to date, primarily because it comes less expensive than other wood and is known
to be highly durable. About 80% of the pressure treated wood available today is the Southern
yellow pine, which features prominent grain pattern, and with the distinct greenish hue that will
eventually wear off and develop a warm honey tone that creates a striking finish. This type of
wood is almost available in every lumber shops, this search will not turn out to be looking for
middle in a haystack.
Western Red Cedar – the colors of the newly cut cedar would usually range from tan to light
browns, and even salmon pink. If the wood is left untreated, the wood color will eventually turn
to a silvery gray hue to dark brown. While this type of wood falls under the soft wood category, it
is known to be more durable than most of the wooden deck materials that are commonly used
since it is quite resistant to rot and decay but also has the tendency to quickly weather, which is
why experts advise some preservative or sealing treatment to add more protection to the wood.
Redwood – this type of wood is largely available in several grades that considerably vary in
quality and appearance. Colors can range from the dark reddish brown to light red and are
widely categorized in grades such as the clear heart, construction heart, and B-grade. The best
choice is the clear heart grade since it is undoubtedly more durable that all other redwood
grades and displays high resistance to rots and decays.
Mahogany – this choice may present a rather tricky selection, since mahogany is available in
large varieties. However, the Honduras and the Philippine mahogany are known to be the best
and popular choices since it is considered to be the truest form of mahogany that displays the
woven look with coarser grain textures.
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Some Things to Consider for your Deck Design
When doing a deck right at your own backyard, there are some things to consider before finally
doing a deck design.
Location, location, location - In every deck design situations, it is very important to determine
your location. See to it that you and your guests are comfortable enough on your outdoors. In
most cases, decks are normally located at the back of your home where your hose bibs, your
dryer vents and your chimneys are normally located. With that, see to it that you have
determined the clearance you need for your deck design. Also, consider what is buried under
your yard. As much as possible, do not cover your well, the propane tanks or the septic tank so
that you will not end up worrying much about certain problems in the long run.
Size - Your deck design also needs you to consider for the size of your deck. Do not make a
deck that is way too huge for your house. If you have a very small yard, then creating a small
deck should follow. Consider also the number of occupants at your home. If you have a big
family, then it is normal that you provide enough deck space at your yard. Or if you love to invite
your guests for barbecue parties during weekends, see to it that your deck can accommodate
your guests.
Height - The height of your deck design should typically not more than four inches below your
door threshold. It is also preferable that you build step on your front doors and then lower your
deck to about fourteen to sixteen inches below the threshold of the doors.
Enhancements - You should also be aware of enhancements to add to your deck designs.
Since decks are for the outdoors, it is practical that you provide pieces of patio furniture that can
be placed on strategic spots of your decks. See to it that the pieces of patio furniture you will
use can withstand any possible weather conditions. Visit your local home furnishing shops to
learn more about the many choices you can choose for enhancing your deck design.
Cost - This is very crucial to your deck design plans because the outcome of your decks
depend on how much you are willing to spend for it. The more costly you want your decks to be,
the more elegant they tend to become because you will be using top of the line materials for
your decks. However, whether you have a very expensive deck or not, make it a point that you
create something the fits with your taste and your budget.
Before you plan for any deck design, see to it that you are aware of the basic things that you
need to know. That way, your deck design planning will be worry-free and hassle-free.
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Where to Find the Best Deck Design Ideas
In designing your outdoors, or any designing situations for that matter, your creativity plays a
vital role. It takes time and a lot of thinking in creating unique deck designs for your outdoor
living spaces. That is why, it is essential for you to gather the right deck design ideas so that you
will no longer have to think much about what you want your decks and your outdoors to look
like.
There are a hundred possible ways on where you can find the best deck design ideas. The first
and perhaps the most convenient way is thru the Internet. The Internet these days offer a lot of
possibilities to the customers, and one of this is deck design ideas. With just a few clicks of the
mouse, you will be conveniently walked thru to a lot of deck designs that can help you in
deciding which design is better for you. What is good about doing this online is that you will
have the chance to see the designs in very clear pictures that can easily make your decision-
making easier and hassle free.
If you do not wish to browse thru the Internet, another great way to gather deck design ideas is
thru home gardening books. Most of the home gardening books also over your deck design
ideas from the simplest to the most complicated yet still inviting ones. When doing research for
deck design ideas, this is very helpful because you can easily carry around your book while
doing your decks or your gardens. Additionally, they also show you pictures plus step by step
methods to keep your deck designing not only enjoyable but learning as well.
Another practical way to gather the best deck design ideas is to get it from deck design
software. This method is also what most homeowners prefer because aside from unique deck
designs, most of the deck design software suites offer virtual step-by-step instructions to teach
you the basics of deck designing, thus making professional landscapers not that needed.
However, if the Internet, the gardening books, and the deck designing software suites do not
match to your expectations, the last resort would be to seek the professional help and advice of
your landscapers and exterior decorators. These people are generally trained and polished with
the art of landscaping and exterior designing.
Choosing the right deck design ideas can sometimes be confusing because of the many
choices being offered. However, if you think of it on the positive side, putting your own creativity
at your designs can help a lot. Not only will you be able to see and discover the creative talent in
you, but also you can be proud of yourself of what you have achieved.
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A growing number of American residential owners today have resolutely taken up the challenge
of constructing and accomplishing numerous home improvement projects without seeking
professional help. These new breed of do-it-yourselfers have truly redefined the modern
homeowners of today and have taken upon themselves to educate and learn various tricks of
the trade sans the experience and expertise to speak of.
If you find yourself to be among these highly creative individuals, then it’s best to learn a few
handy things about deck construction. Generally, a deck is considered to be a floor structure,
more than just an extension to your living space. Deck construction primarily consists of the
decking or flooring material, beams and posts that holds the whole unit up from the ground.
There are a number of deck designs to choose from depending on your personal preference
and functional requirements. Among the popular deck construction today are the rectangular,
square, free form and the multilevel designs that never seem to add an interesting detail to any
home exterior. As with any other home improvement projects, careful planning can significantly
help in saving time and money in the long run, so make sure to make also the necessary
considerations to avoid making costly mistakes.
Among the major elements that are required in deck construction includes concrete footings,
concrete piers, ledger, posts, joists, beams, rim joists, and decking. So people often opt to
include other structural enhancements such as railings, stairs and benches. Since the deck is
primarily an exterior structure, the materials used should be able to withstand constant direct
exposure to extreme weather conditions. This means that if you want to use wood for your deck
construction, it should be rot resistant. Among the great choices for wooden beams, post, and
joints are the pressure treated lumbers that are known to provide sturdy support. As for the deck
flooring material, the clear winners are cypress, redwood, and cedar, on the other hand, the
piers and footings are usually made of concrete that are precast or those that are poured into
place to effectively support the weight of the structure. If you deck construction is directly
attached to a part of, an end of the deck should be supported by a level pressure treated post,
ledger boards should also be bolted to the frame or foundation of the house.
There are a number of online sites that readily offers step-by-step guides and helpful tips for
deck construction. If you have no experience in construction of any type of structures, then it’s
best to allow the professionals to do it.
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