| Interested in expanding your living space? If so, you | | | | The size of your deck is the next important factor. |
| may want to consider building a deck. When done | | | | Put careful thought into the size of your yard with |
| correctly you can create a great transition between | | | | relation to the size of your prospective deck. Also, |
| your home and your backyard. But you are not | | | | consider how many people will be using your deck |
| limited to just that because decks can be built | | | | regularly. Furthermore, when deciding on the size of |
| anywhere in your yard if you please. However, | | | | your deck, be sure to use two foot increments |
| regardless of where you place your deck it is | | | | because lumber is cut to 8', 10', 12', and 16' lengths. |
| important to build it with the proper planning and | | | | You will save yourself money by making the lengths |
| design. Below you will find some helpful tips to building | | | | exact, not to mention the scrap materials that you |
| a successful deck. | | | | won't be bothered with. It's a good idea to drive |
| You should begin by choosing your deck type. You | | | | 4-foot stakes at the approximate corners, and then |
| have a plethora of options when choosing a new | | | | tie string between them at about the height of the |
| deck. You may choose to have an outdoor patio | | | | railings to give you a visual idea. |
| deck attached to your home or perhaps a multi-level | | | | As far as materials are concerned, you have several |
| deck that is attached to the family room or kitchen. | | | | options. The most common material is a wood deck, |
| Common types of decks include above ground pool | | | | but be prepared to put lots of time into maintaining |
| decks, composite decks, and roof decks. | | | | your wood deck. If you do decide to go with natural |
| Furthermore, destination decks are another option. | | | | wood for your deck, high-end lumber options with |
| Destination decks are detached from your house and | | | | quality performance include cedar, redwood, ipe and |
| generally located in a special place with a view. Often | | | | mahogany. If wood isn't the route you want to take, |
| time's homeowners will have winding paths leading to | | | | other materials include composite decks, aluminum |
| their destination decks and have connector decks | | | | decks, and concrete decks. Trex and TimberTech |
| joining the pathways. For most yards, you are only | | | | are common brand names for composite decking. |
| limited to your imagination with the type of deck you | | | | Lastly, you will need to decide on whether you will be |
| build. | | | | designing and building your deck yourself or hiring a |
| Before deciding on your deck design, it is important | | | | professional. Regardless of who is building it, it is very |
| to consider how you will be using your deck. Will your | | | | important to first check with local building code |
| deck be a place to grill and barbecue, tan and | | | | requirements, permits and inspections that may be |
| exercise, or a quiet place to sit and read a book? Will | | | | needed. You will need to contact the local building |
| you be having lots of deck parties with lots of family | | | | department to find out whether you'll be required to |
| and friends? Do you want to include a hot tub on | | | | have a building permit, and what kind of plans you'll |
| your deck? Will you need privacy? If privacy is an | | | | have to submit. Keep in mind, not every township or |
| issue then you will need to plan the proper | | | | county requires a permit. One major advantage to |
| landscaping around your deck. Regardless of how you | | | | having qualified deck builder work on your project is |
| plan to use your deck, it is essential that you take | | | | that they understand the legal side of how to build a |
| some time and think through what type of deck | | | | deck and can help ensure building code requirements |
| design will perform the way you need it to. | | | | are met. |