Unique Decks Ideas

8/8/2019 Unique Decks Ideas

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A PORTFOLIO OF

NQUE DECKDEAS


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WHAT MAKES A DECK UNIQUE?

A deck is one of the most useful homeimprovements you can make. Decks add beautyand value to your home and offer a way toexpand your living area into the outdoors.Every yard presents a unique ituation whenyou are can idering where and what type ofdeck to build. A great deck design will make thebest possible use of available outdoor space whilemeshing gracefully with the surroundings, Thebest decks all deal with unique situations andenhance the beauty and functionality of the houseand landscape adjoining them.Instead of settling for a flat, simple surface,design your deck to incorporate a large tree,

boulders, shrubs, a pond or a landscaped slope.It will become the focal point for your yard.Decks provide solutions for almost every houseand lot configuration-from wraparound decksthat take advantage of small yards by using thepace surrounding the house, to detached decksthat can be located anywhere inthe yard tocreate a private sanctuary away from the busyhousehold and the rest of the world.There are no ready-made olutions to creativedeck design. Your house, lifestyle and familyneeds are unique. By studying the ite and planningcarefully, you can make good decisions that are thefoun dation of great deck ideas.

An appealiltgislan,d deck is o ne w ay to f ill an o utlyin g area o f the yard an d m ake it more f imd ' ion t 11 . I71 i s raised deck c rea tes a c om fo r ta ble s pa cefo r sun nin g o r j ust enjo yin g an eo en in g o utdo ors.

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A sm a.r tly d esig l1 l! d deck is d iv id ed i nt o threeseparate areas to b ren k th e s hm p angle oflhe slope.Wide , g en tly a ng le d s fa ir w ay s liu k ti m t h re e a rea sand gu id e t i r e IISeI' easily a/ollg t h e i n c li n e.

An e le va te d d ec kextends o u! o ver a steep,rocky h i ll si de , c r e at in ga sp ac io us d ec k ar ea witha spec tacu la r view. Asta ir w ay w in ds itse lfaround a fowerlikeportion on file side o fth e h ou se to IIslI1allrooftop d ec k th atresembles a craw's ne s ton a sailing ship.

Make themostofamagni f icent vie w. T hise xp a nsio e 1W 0 -sf O lY d e c kextends th e len gth o ftlte h o u se an d c an b ea cc es sed fr om any a reaillsidev i t i n!llI/erous setso f p atio d oo rs. A slm ded ,more sheltered a re a iscrenfed b y f il e o ve rl ll m go f th e s em n d -s to r y d ec k.


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M ake a m ap o f H iefeatures o f y ou r bouse and yard. Inc lude I lnyfe atu re s th nt m ig ht a ffec t I !m o yo u. b uild a nd u se y ou r dec k. F ara cc ur ate m e asu rem en ts u se a lo n g fa pe m ea su re an d hold itleve/andp er pe nd ic u la r to t he hOl l s e .

Explore your options. Besides the basic squaredeck off the back of the house, there are manyways you can create a deck that enhances youroutdoor environment tremendously, One of thebenefits of building a deck is the way a deck cantake an unmanageable part of a yard, such as asteep slope or rocky hillside, and make it useable.Decks can be designed to any size or shape, sothey can take advantage of odd spaces that wouldotherwise go unused.Some common types of decks include: decksthat fill the space created by an L~or If-shapedhouse, where the structure already forms apartially enclosed area; wraparound decks, whichcreate a level walkway around the house even ifyour yard slopes and rises; detached, or islanddecks, which create quiet retreats away from thehustle and bustle of the house; and multileveldecks that take advantage of large lots and areideal for yards with varied elevations, This typeof deck is often multifunctional. Each level can be

PlanningEVALUATE

designated to an activity such as dining,entertaining, sunbathing and recreation.You will also need to observe and evaluatethe influence of environmental effects beforebuilding a deck. Study the way the sun movesacross your property. A deck facing north maybe too cool to provide the enjoyment it wasbuilt for if factors like these are not taken intoaccount. Conversely, a deck that faces south mayget too much SWl to be enjoyed all day. Theeffects of snow, wind and rain are other factors toconsider, as well.To evaluate your site, create plan drawings ofthe building area before designing a deck. Thisplan should show all the details that may affecthow you build and use the deck, As you createthe drawings, consider how the features of theenvironment, house and yard influence the deckdesign. By taking into account these naturalinfluences, you will be able to get the most outof your new deck.


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(ta p le ft) A su nn y spotw a s c ho se n liS t he p e r fe c tp la ce f o r a sp a o n th isd ec k. T o Ie sse n th eill t e n s it y o f t h e sIUWrler51 1 1 /, . a l1 o v er h ead a rb o rw a s a dd ed . T h e a ttr ac tiv eIIrbor f t . ! fe fS th e 5u n (I/Jdc a s t s til i n s lm d m u s f o rthose who want a b itafshade.0 0 1 ' r ig ht) A r ais edd ec k o ff th e se co n dstan) o f tl1 e 1 1 0 1 1 5 e createsa no th er s ittin g a re a int he a lc o v e b e n ea th . SUIlworshippers call en joyt h e hM t o n th e u pp erlevel, while t h o s e whod e si r e c a n en joyth e s ha dy c om fo rtunderneath .Oefl) T I I . e design o f th issingle-level deckfo llo w s th e IUwsuaIsh ape o f th e h ou se .an dc re a te s a s pe ct l l c u la rv i e ' l. u i n g a r e a . T he lo w,w i d e s te p s c re a t e 1 1w a c e fu l t r a n s it i on f r O I l !f h e h ou se to th em a n i c u r e d lawn.


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A deck has seven major structural parts: the ledger , decking,j ois ts , o n e o r m o re b eam s, p os ts , s fa ilW ( lY s tr in ge rs a nd s .ta ir w ay tr ea ds .T o c reate a working desigl1 plan , you must know th e s pa n lim i ts ofeach part o f t he d ec k.

Whether you are building a deck yours ell orcontracting with someone to do the work for you,knowing the primary elements of a deck and itsbasic construction will be helpful to you.Decks can be freestanding structures, orthey can be attached to the house ..Elements thatare integral to a deck's framing, such as built-inbenches, ra i l ings and steps, should be incorporatedinto the original plans, if possible.Structural elements of a deck include posts,beams, ledgers and joists. They support anddistribute the weight of the deck Because of itsdurability, some codes now require the use ofpressure-treated wood on these parts. Checkwith your local building inspector for currentcode information inyour area. The visible partsof a deck include the decking, facing, railingsand stairways, Fascia boards, skirts and othertrim details can be used to dress up a deck. Useredwood or cedar for these parts, which must bevisually pleasing, yet strong,Ledgers anchor an attached deck to a house.Ledgers support one end of all joists, Concretefootings with post anchors support the weightof the deck and hold the deck posts inplace.They are made by pouring concrete into tube

PlanningANATOMYOF A DECK

forms. Local climates and building codesdetermine depth of footings. Post anchors shouldbe made of galvanized steel to resist corrosion.Posts transfer the weight of the deck from thebeams to the footings. They are attached to thepost anchors with galvanized nails and to thebeams with lag screws.Beams transfer the weight of the joists anddecking to the posts. Joists support the decking.For an attached deck, the joists are fastened at oneend to the ledger, at the other end to the headerjoist,and they rest on the beams. The outsidejoists can be covered with redwood or cedarfacing boards for appearance.Decking is the main fea-ture. Decking boardsare attached to joists "Wi th galvanized screws ornails. Railing parts include railing posts andbalusters attached to the header and outsidejoists, a horizontal rail and a cap. Building codesmay require railings on decks 24" or more aboveground level.Decks often include a stairway made from apair of stringers fastened to the deck side and aseries of treads attached to stringers with metalcleats. Stairways provide access to the deck fromthe yard or patio and help establish traffic patterns.


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Typically decking is constructed with 2 x 4 or2 x 6 lumber that is screwed or nailed to the joist .Beams are usually made from pairs of 2 x 85 or2 x las attached to the deck posts. Verticalwoodposts are supported on concrete footings orpoured tubular pads.

Minimum sizes and other code issues varyfrom area to area; elevated deck require railingwith specified spacing between the balusters.Check with your localbuilding inspector for thespecific code requirements for decks in your area.


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T he reddish h eartw oo d o /b oth redw oo d an d cedar h ave n atu raldecay resistance. T h e s apw o od , 01 1 f he o th er I w u d, is l igh t ly c o lo r ed andhas less r esista nc e to d ec ay . S ap w oo d m u st b e tr ea ted w ith a c lea rsealer-preservative if u s ed ou tdo o r s.

The lumber used in building a deck must beresistant to rot and insect damage. The three mostcommon types of wood used for deck constructionare: redwood, cedar and pressure-treated lumber.Other woods durable enough for use outdoorsinclude exotic hardwoods, such as Bangkirai fromIndonesia and Ipe from Brazil.Pressure-treated lumber is the strongest andleast expensive choice for deck lumber. Althoughnew, less toxic processes are being explored, thepreservative most often used for decking lumberis chroma ted copper arsenate, identified by thelabel "CCA." Treated lumber is created by forcingchemica) preservatives into itunder highpressure. The preservative usually gives thewood a green color, which fades with time. Youcan stain pressure-treated wood in a variety ofcolors. Pressure-treated lumber is rated by theamount of chemical retained by the wood. Fordecks, the lumber should have a retention level of.40, approved for direct ground contact. This issometimes signified by the code "LP 22" stamped01the wood.Because of its durability and resistance todecay, many building codes now require thatpressure-treated wood be used for the structuralmembers of a deck. In these instances, moredecorative woods, such as redwood or cedar, can

PlanningSELECTINGMATERIALS

still be used for the visible design elements, suchas decking, stairways, facing and railings.Redwood is an attractive and durable woodpopular for use in outdoor structures. Becausequality redwood is a bit expensive, using it onlyon the visible parts of the deck is one way toachieve high-quality result at a lower cost. Cedaris also recommended for decks. As with redwood,you can save on costs by using cedar for the visible.surfaces of the deck and pressure-treated lumberfor the structural members.

Be sure to follow th e safetl) recommendations fo r h and li n g t re at edw o od . W e ar g lo ves to h e lp av o id splinters. T r ea te d w o o d should neverb e burned in o p en f ir es , s to v es o r fireplaces. W h en sm u in g an dma cn in in g tr ea te d , I J O O I i , w ea r a d ust m a sk : W a sh . w o rk c lo th ess ep ar ate ly f rom o th er h o u se ho ld c lo th in g .


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1 .2 C LEAR M C 1 S(WJ V G IWil~ H E A R T ~

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G rade sta mp far; c edar' l ! 'SQ; f he sp ec ie s, f ile lu m be r g ra de , t hem o istu re c on ten t, th e fu m ber m ill n um aer an d m em b ersllipaseo ciatio . W e sfem r ed c ed ar (W R C D R or W E e ) or i ncensecedar (INO lIMd ill d ec ks s ho u ld b e g ra ded a s h ea rtta oo d( HEART ) w i th a m a xim u n m oisfu re c onte nt o f1 5% (M e 1 5).

G rade sta mp fo r fedzl)ood l ists wood d,yUC5S, lumber grade lindlllaJlll1r m ; h i p a5SrKifltiQII.I~ed,(!ood s ho u ld b e c (! I' t i j i e ri "KJ INDRIED" or "D RY" lind graded I1 S c lea r r eth va ad ( CLR RWD ) ,cons/rudiol1 I l l I fl rhvrJod (C a NS T HT), merc1u1 l1 t ab le henrhJ.l (JQd(MRCH H I) or amstmct io /1 r edwood (CONST R W D ) .

Grade stnl1lp fo r presslwtreate,d lu m ber lists th e ty pe ofp reseF / JI Jt iv c used nnd f ile c !m m im lr ete I1 IT O Il le rr el o f th e wood . Lookfo r "eCA "label iudicati l lg t im! chrolllnted copper msenat is .thcPl'esCrotIt ivc, Make sI~re I II /nbc ,. enr !" i ! ! 5 file label "U' 22~"or "4 0retention." O Ilier in fo rm a tio n J ou lld 011gr ade smm p in clu desproper e .~ "u re r atin g, OIu l n am e and Ioau ion ( l j . l -renfing wmpr l l 1Y ,

( ab o ve ) F or b ea uty an d durability, not/ling is comparable to im po rte d h ar dw o od s liketh e Ta ta jl lba (B raz il ia n t ea k ) a n d Ip e (Brttziliml w aln ut) u sed in this daz z li n g d ec k in g .Surprisingly, using im po rted w oo ds do esn 't add th at m uch to th e o verall co st b ecn us:the wood is so h ar d, th e II I mba Cllt! be e ll t thinner, so le ss w ood i5 needed.(left) Exotic imported wood c r ea te s a u n iq u e v lI .r ia fio n o f w o od to n es.


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P lan n in g a head an d m a kin g d ec isio n s th at in c lu de id ea sf or th ef i . ture a re th e k eJ js to d es ig nin g a d ec k th at f its your u n iq u e s it ua ti ona nd s pe cif im t io l1 !; , n o w a n d i n y ea rs to came .

DesignDESIGN FORDISTINCTION

Instead of a simple rectangle attached to theback of your house, a deck can be a personalizedstructure of unique shape and size, custom-builtspecifically for the layout of your house and yard.Any basic deck plan can be modified to create aunique deck. that matches your specific needs.Patterns and shapes can be carried throughoutthe design elements of the deck, such as railings,balusters and stairways, to establish continuity.The design of the deck elements shouldcomplement the style of your house and blendwith the surrounding landscape. For example, ona low ranch-style house, use a railing with wide,horizontal rails. On a Tudor-style horne with asteep roof, choose a railing with closely spacedvertical balusters. . ..

T his w ell-plann ed deck su rro un ds an L - sh aped p o o l an d b eau t ifr lly flo w s fr om o ne ac tiv ity a rea to a no th er . 1 1 1en at ur al s to n e su rr ou nd in g th eh ot tu b b len ds beauti f r l1ywilh t he r edw o o d d ec k in g .


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C Q m bin itig tw o deck design ideas cr eates an e ff ec ti ve ou tdoor ac tivi ty area . T h e space created b y [ h e s hape of th e house is filled b y th e to p level ofth e d ec k. A se co nd level. ele va te d a bo ve u ne ven te rr ain , wmps a ro un d a n e xte nd ed b ay t o indou : to create a separate s it ting area .


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DesignPATTERN & SHAPE

Repeating patterns in the design of your deckis one way to establish a distinct style and createcontinuity. Patterns can be found in the style ofthe railings, stairways, benches and especially inthe decking. Decking is a design element thathelps estab1ish an overall look and influences theeffect a deck has on the outdoor environment.The decking pattern determines the spacing andlayout of the joists.Decking can be installed using a variety ofboard sizes and design patterns. Try experimentingwith various decking patterns to determinewhich patterns provide the most visual appeal

A par qu et pattern requ ir es do ub le jo ists fin d b lo ckiliR to p r o v i d e {Is u p p D l t i n g swince J o r I 1 t t a d n ' n g th e b !/ tted en ds o f t i l e d e c k i n g boards.

C r ea tin g .a f ra m ed o pe niltg f o r a tree r e q u ir e s e x tr a blockingbetween joists . 5110rtjoists are a ttached to blocking with j o i s . t Imngers.

while still fitting with the structural and designdemands of your situation.A diagonal pattern adds visual interest to

a deck. Diagonal patterns require joists tha tare spaced closer together than for straightpatterns. A diamond-pattern deck needs blockingadded to provide surface for attaching edgesof decking.Parquet patterns and some other specialtydecking designs may require extra support, likedouble joists or extra blocking. For sturdy, flatdecking, use 2 x 4 or 2 x 6" lumber. Thinnerlumber ismore likely to twist or cup.

A d ia go n a l pattern. a d d s v is ua l b r l e re st fa a d e ck . . D ia g o na l p a tt e r nsr e q u i re j o is .t s thai a r e s p ac e d closer t o g e t h e r t /J a l l fo r s tr a ig h t p a t t e r n s .

A b o r d e r patten ! gives a fin ish ed lo ok to a d e c k . Tr im joists a re u se dt o exte/Jd th e j oists to ! ' / f i p support t he h a rd er d ec kin g { Iu d p r ov id e m o renailing surfoce.


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(top left) Th i s featu re dec k, w ith its b eau tifu l star bu re: deck in gdesign, is IIshining SIiCcesS. I 71 is u n iq u e d ec k design is t he pei fe c ts o ll l. ti o n f o a problem y ar d th ai c o nsis ts of 0 n arro w space on a rooo)h i[ ls id e. V a rio u s a re as of th e d ec k a re d iv id ed b y subtle s teps f r omer ne level to an oth er . T he dm nges in l e o e l s are ind ica ted b y obviouschanges in the d ir ec ti on o f t il e d ec k in g .(to p righ t) A u niqu e starburstpaJtern is u sed in the co nstru ctio n o fth is m i li l1 g . T h is distil/ctive design h as a dram atic im pact o n th e lo oka nd feel o f th is d ec k.(bot tom) T h e gelttle, c ur vin g edg es o f th is un iq u e s ta r b u rs : deckdesign en han ce tile sm oo th flo win g effec t o f th e dec kin g po ttern . T hecurved b tmd l to p r ef lec ts th e sw eep in g im ag es j ou lld f hr ou .g ho uf th isd e ck de si gn .


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T his dec k takes advantage of ti,e natural a lc ov e c re a te d by f il e s h a p e o f th e house . T he open a rea afyard created b y this L-shapeti house ise nh an c ed w ith a [un, fUl1ctiollulllllllfile-vel deck. Ills tend o fb llild in g o ne I i1 rg ed ec k , t hi s e ff ec tiv e d ec k creates as mud: spa ce, us ing ' l ess ya rd a rea b t lurealdug t ile d ec k i nt o tw o levels.

DESIGN

Effic ien t u se o f en clo sed spac esDecks that fit inside the L- or U-shaped spaces created by the layout of a

house make efficient use of space that might otherwise go unused.Decks are a natural fit within these paces. Surrounding house walls

enclose the space, creating privacy and shelter from the elements. This type ofdeck can be accessed from many parts of the house, expanding the practicalityand efficiency of the living pace.


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(above) Tucked into a tight place, t/lis space-savi l lg deckUSES a 11 !Iiq ue s ha pe , u ar io u s le ve ls . l 1 n d s ub tle c hang es in th edirections o / t l t e decking p a t t e r n , to m ake th e l I I o s . t o f til isslIIalloll tdoor space. T he s ep arate . leve ls crea te a ll d def inein div id ua l a ctiv ity a rea s. A b u ilt-in bend, a ls o d ef in es th e e dg eo f t i l e deck an d c reates a c o m f o r t a b l e sitting a r e a .(right) A oieuifrom inside lookillg out r ef le ct s h ow bea u tif u llymid e ff ic i en tl y til is d ec k I r la k es a rl11d li fu l l c tioll IIlactivi ty area 0tito f II .slJIlllIb a ck y ar d c om e r.


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A d istin ctiv e d ec k de sign i nc r ea se s t he u sab le l iving a re a in th e f ro l1 t y ar d w ith ou t c om pr om isin g th e o rigin a/ ar ch ite ctu ra l in teg rity o f thishistoric f a m l ll O u s e . I ns te ad o f IIstee p s et o f step s e xte nd illgfr am th e s to op, th e d ou m um r d s lo pe is b ro k en in to d es ce nd illg d ec k le ve ls , a dd in g in te re st(IJld elegance 1 0 th is olltdoor m o e a .


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DESIGN

F an tastic fron t yard decksA1though most decks are located behind or OIlthe side of the house, it l s possible to utilize thespace in front of your house as well. An entrydeck expands your usable outdoor space andextends an invitation to guests.

Decorative elements, such as an arbor ortrellis, can be incorporated to add any neededprivacy and be a part of a creative landscapedesign that creates a delightful deckscape inyour front yard.

(below) Aftiel1dly 'W a lk w ay gr eetsg uests r md gllides th em o ver a steepm o in e an d all to an elegan t f r O l 1 tell tr y deck.


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DESIGN

W iden you r h orizon sw ith w ra pa rou ndsA wraparound deck enlarges the perceivedsize of a house and can be accessed from practicallyany part of the house. The wraparound design isideal for a yard with limited space for a deck.The wraparound takes up minimal yard spacewhile creating a substantial amount of usable deckspace, Rise above the grade with a slightly elevatedwraparound deck These decks can be built on levelor sloping lots,

A c ce ss ib le fr o m a ll sid es,th k ; s ec o nd -s to r y w r ap ar o un d c re ate sem o u td o o r a c ti vi ty a r ea or "yard"on Q s ec o nd l ev el. T h e r ais ed d ec k o ff er s a s pe ct ac u la r v ie u: in an y d ir ec ti on ,


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(left) A raisedwrapamu l 1 d j o l l nws th eu llt lS u al s hape o f t lt ehouse . A n ex pa l1 de d d ec karea il l th e fro nt o f th ehouse mi1'1 '01 '5 t he s lopeo f th e dram atic peak int he roo fl ilie.

(rigftt) F a b u lo u s ( m d f u nc ti on a l, this t ompe ro u n ddeck bleludes la rg e a c ti vi ty a reas t ha t ttre linkedb y fh e deck as it flaw s from o ne area to th e ned.


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DESIGN

Sim ple so lu tio ns fo rsma ll spac esSmall spaces seem larger andmore functional with the creative useof a deck to fill the space. One waydecks create more space in a smallarea is by expanding vertically. Notonly does this draw the attentionupward, but it creates the illusion ofspace. Make sure you can access thevarious levels of the deck adequately.Preferably the largest level of thedeck is accessed by the house.A small side yard can provide

a private spot for a smaller, morein-timate deck, or it can be usedfor an extension of a larger deck.A sm all dec k is su rro un ded hl) a r ed w oo d p riv aC l )fe nc ea nd a n ove rh ea d a rbor to c re ate fh e intim a tl! ou td oorenVil'Ol1ntCl1t th at f ills th is sm all s pa ce .


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o~~,"~, :ucoc.:Eooc:;l~(top le ft, a bau e) I nte res tin g u se o f sh ape , space a n d m aterials c reates a u niqu e dec k design . T he sm all redw oo d platfo rm dec k m ak es w ise u se o fl im i te d spa c e b y ex pa lld in g u pw ar d u sin g dijferen t l ev el s t o c r ea te addi ti onal a c ti vi ty ar ea s. N ar um ; s to ne Im d b r ic k p av er s a re IIsed 1 0 c r ea te a patioarea o n th e gro un d lev el o f this setting,


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DESIGN

P riv aC l J is anotherb elle fit o f n r oo fto p deck.This rooftop deck crea tesa su nn y sp ot elev atedw ell a bo ve eve.iythingelse. S U . 1 7 w o rsh ip er s a menj fJy themselves in to ta lsec lus ion.

The roo f o f a g l! ls s~enclosed hot ru b area i salso th e flo or o f th esecond-story d ec k. 7 17 ehot tub sits in .a cornet,tu ck ed u nd er th e u pp erde ck to p rese rv e pr iv aC lf

D eck s tha t rise a bove the rooftopsRooftop decks take advantage of another source of

unused space-a rooftop that can hold a deck. These uniquespaces expand upward and offer a new vantage point nevernoticed before.Rooftop areas such as the space over a garage or carportare other possible locations for a rooftop deck. They are anexcellent way to provide additional outdoor living space inacramped environment. Most rooftop decks use lightweightmaterials, such as vinyl or acrylics, to decrease the weightplaced on the roof. If you have a suitable roof, these deckdesigns are ideal.


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A spe c ta c u la r v iew ca nb e e njo yed fro m a decka bo ve th e rooftops.A cc es sed fr am a n . a t t i caddition, t l l is elevatedd ec k ove rlook s a largerground-leoe! d ec k . B o tha re l in ked b y a largestairway allowingconvenient use of t h i ssmal l, v er ti ca l s pa c e.


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DESIGN

M a gn ific ien t m ultilevel deck sMultilevel decks are the masters of outdoor

space management. They can be used to tacklealmost any uneven or unmanageable terrain youm ay encounter. By using different levels, thesedecks effectively break an outdoor area intoseparate activity areas.Multilevel decks are ideal when you want adeck that can serve many functions. These deckdesigns often include a number of deck and patioareas that are linked by steps or stairways.Multilevel decks are your best option whenyou want to create usable living area on a slopingproperty or to maximize the usable outdoor spaceyou currently have. They provide an easy way toaccess different areas of the house and a way toenjoy many activities at once inyour personaloutdoor environment.

This sprawling "multilevel decki ncludes a large ,open level , access ib lefrom the house, a/ th e lop o f aslo pin g b illside. T he dec k designtackles th e s lop ing yard by breaking.it up witll a n um b er o fp la tfo rm s,or levels, l inked by IIs er ie s o fstairw ay s O m l descendgradually downthe s lope .


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A slo pin g, overgrown hillside;s tr an sf or m ed in to (I hlSh, g ree n o u td oo r I iv il1 g a rea b !l a c le ve r 1 1 Il llt ik u e! d ec k tl m t winds its '1J .myaround tileh ou se. SllO l't, w id l! step s a nd sw all p la tfo rm s a re u sed lit v an jil1 g lew ls to c ap e w ith tile I I/ WV !'/ / ter rn in .


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DESIGN

(righ t) In stead of o nelong, steep stairway,the indine o f th is slo pe isb ro ken in to shorter' ,traversing stairwayslinked b y small openlandings. As t h e . stairsdesc en d fr om th e toplevel, u se rs have t heo ptio n o f continuingdo wnw ard or veering o ffonto another level.

A sm all b .ac ky ar d is b righ ten ed b y th e a dd itio n o f a lattice-trimm ed, mu ltif un c tio n al, m u ltile ve l d ec k . End t level isd esig na te d f or a s pec ific a ctiv ity , in clu din g a h ot hlb, ye t th e e niir e s ettin g h as a n c o er all o ld -f o. sh ia ne d a pp ea l.


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A beau tifu l lan dscaped slo pe cen ter aro un d a retain in g w all filled w ith color fu l f lo w er s, an d a m ea nd er in g l I Iu l ti le v e l deck . TI le to p Ieoei u se th ed esig n id ea s m e ntio n ed e ar lie r f or f illin g th e L - o r U -sh ap ed spa ce c reated b y th e lay ou t o f a h ou se. F ro m th e to p, a ser ies o f sh or t stait1 vm js leadsu se rs d ow n the hi l lside, th ro ug h v ar io us o pen levels, to a f inal g ro u nd le ve l. B r ea kin g th e d ec k in to these mild- levels creates m an y d iv er se a rea s f org ath er in gs a nd otha a ctiv ities. T he g ra du al slo pe o f tI Tesm all sta ir wa ys m ak es it ea sy to a cc ess a nd I( se a ll a rea s o f th is d ec k.


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DESIGN

(right) Wh e n you. don't haue the space t o e xpan dG u f : ! { J I 1 r d , mu i til l! lJ e i d e cksmake t h e m os t o f th e sitrmtiolla nd e xp and u Jlwa rd . Th is multi level m a ro e; u se s il su niq ue s lla p e a nd windillg sta irw ays fa clis/om:fil intofhe su rrou nding setting.(bot tom)MIIltilevel doesn.'t always mean II sharpvertical rise; ill this rose , alurge deck I ISe s only asillgle s t ep 01' two fad if f er en ti at e be tween Vlll'iOlIS levels.O n e step d ou m th e 1 !:o .:p an siv l'dec k tu ck s in to th e nicheo f this L - sh r rp e d h o u se , d e si , ! ,> 1 l1 1 fi n ga no th er le ve l, th endescends file h il ls id e t ui tl : l ar ge , w i de p la tf o rm l eo e is .


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SPECIALFEATURES

Special features that are incorporated intodecks, such as built-in benches and planters,gazebo , arbors, hot tubs, barbecues and fire pits,allow decks to take on the character of an interiorroom, when thoughtfully designed. The style ofde ign used inthe basic elements of the deck,such as stairways and steps, can be carriedthrough in many of these special features.(left) A lar ge, cu sto m-design ed ar b0 1' was dcsign!!rlto g iv e d ec ku ses r elief fr om th e I l lm t o f th e SlIll. T he o pen d esig ll o f th e str uc tu reallows cool breezes to j l c n v f r ee ly t hr o ughou t.

T h e s pe ci al f ea tu r es included il l th e design o f tlli d ec k c u stom i ze it to f it th e lifestyle alld everyday a c tiv it ie s o f i ts USL'I 'S. G ue cu sto m ar ea o f tltedeck f ea tu r es a n e la b or ate I . : o o k i l ' l g area w itll a gas gr il l an d lots o f counter space. Al lotl ter special feature o fU l is d ec k is th e large outdoor spa.Situated 0 1 ' 1 a r aised p la tfo rm , th e uot t ub o f fe rs u s e r s 1 1 1 1 o o er u ie u: o f th e en tir e sening.


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Gazebos and arbors are enclosed or overheadstructures that enhance a space with a romanticflavor. These elegant edifices are often accessorizedwith amenities such as decorative outdoorlighting, built-in benches, fountains, ponds orspas. They even contain the occasional fire pit.

.; '"E c.-0.iii ~J! l., "~ e~'" f- f :?"c "0. .0 i;'E .,. . '".o 8s 900 .


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SPECIAL FEATURES

( rig ht) T h is tm iq llepedestaJ des igt lp reser ves th e o pen a reaI m d e r th e d e c k an d isju st as stu rdy as ifc O l l v e n t io n a l p o s ta ssem bly ' W as u s ed . T h ecantileoered d e s i g n givesd e c k I I s e r s I he f e el i l l g o fb e in g s us p en d ed OI l J o v e rth e IIil iside.

A splash of water adds a specialsurprise to an outdoor setting. Alwaysan interesting addition to a deckenvironment, water can turn an ordinarybackyard into an amazing oasis. Otherlandscape settings also can providespecial visual features, creating adramatic environment.

A sooth ing h ot tu b hold s c en te r s ta g e ill th is o re n 0 1 0 mUlt ipurpose d e c k. A s m a l l f l lcove f e a t u r e s a l 'I I is ed /(!"()ellilllt e n c l o s e s tile / 1 1 / 1 a l l aile s i d ea n d 1 1 1 a k e s it e as il y a cc es si b le f r om f l u ! lop level.


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All in tr ic ate la nd sc ap e desig1l-1Ises n atu ra ! r oc kjommt iol1s lind v eg eta H on to so fle n tile hard edges o fthis deck. TlII! r ic h b eau ty o f th e w oo el is f ramed wifhIlIlfllml c o lo rs a nd textures.

( top l ef t) IIIe large,wide ste ps u eed fa ta methis rllgged terminal/owu ser : to s top an d enjoyth e view a long th e way .T he steps mak e this steepdescent I II l1 ch smootheand easier to handie :(left) A uniquecombination ofdecking and naturulstOlle is u se d to crea ft ! ad ra matic , y el s af e. andd u r abl e, p o a /s id e p l a ya re a. T ile su btle c han geilllc r; eis a llo w s u se rs o fth e p ool a nd h ot tu b 1 0f a ke a d vant a ge of nsp e cf a c! ll a r v iew .


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SPECIAL FEATURES

B eau tify w ith b u ilt-in sBuilt-in structures supplement patio furnitureand create more open floor space for other

activities. Benches can be built into wide steps ortransitions between two levels of a deck. A small

landing can be converted to a quiet alcove byadding a small built-in bench. Creative designideas for built-ins can be made into delightfuldeck designs.

(tap) In an o dd c o u pl in g, tile beatify a /n atu ra l r ed w oo d issu rpr isin gly en ha nc ed b y th e sm o oth , clean l in es o / tl re metal r ai li ug s i nth is u n iq u e d ec k design, A bll i l f - in bendl i s beml fi jl Jl ly incorporatedin to th e mili'ng assembly,(left)A c lev er c om b in atio n o f c olo rs a nd m a ter ials is used toc r ea te t hi s c o z y b u il t- in comer. TIle tr ian gle h ape 0 / t he s ea t o ff er sm o re sittin g a rea w ith ou t fak in g lip v alu ab le dec k spa ce.


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The b ea ut 1j o f this redw oo d dec k can b e e nj 0 1J ed from th e c om fo r t o f this b u ilt- in b en c h. A n a rc h ed a rb o r, with an open lat ti ce r o o f, i s a ls o b u il tin to t h is o rig it Ul I d e sig n,


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SPECIAL FEATURES

Built-in planters and planting areasare a colorful way to coordinate andaccent different areas of a deck.Planters can be built into benches,steps and railings inways that enhancethe overall appearance of the areawithout using any valuable floor space.Built-in planters are an excellentway to indicate a change in levels orthe edge of a stairway or landing, aswell as bring bright colors to the setting,

(right) B u ilt-ill pian tet lin e th e edges o f {lIe landingsa s t h ls s I J l . i .I ' 'W ( / ! I descends d O ' W 1 I 1 1ill, TIll! s tl l r d y p I a Ht e rb o x es a ls o s e rv e ro i n d i e s t e t h e e d g e o f t h e stair a n d1 7ff ! 't Je n la l l y o ll e f r o m s tC 1 7 l7 i f l g o ff t h e e dg e.

"::r, ac r8t:

~9.

, '"a~'"3":i". .

Bui l t li p against a retaining wall, th e b ac ks o f t1leseb en ch e: a ls o s e rv e a s la rg e p la nr e r . v V h en f i l l r ! d witltf l o w e r s a nd lush l ie g e f a tion, I I ! i s b e nc h becomes a IIi n te g r al p a r t o f t i l e l a m ts cn pc

A number ofbasic elements, such ( 1 5 th e / ' I I i i ; l I gs , s ta ir s, b en c h es a n d p la n te r , a re a llin t er c on n ec te d w ith ill f il e o o er all d r! 5ig ll o f ti l is d ec k C on tin u ity o f d' '5igll flawssmoa li ll y f h nmg ! lO / lt n il t h e e l emen t s.


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(above) Abtdlt-in. plante .boxa dds a b rig ht a cc en t to th e e nd o ff/ Iis bend1 .

( [ r i f t ) Th e b ea' ll tJ j a /we ll- de si gn ed b u il t- if 1l1 c c es so r ie si s d i sp lm J ed i n t he s imp le eleganCE a nd fla w o f t he b en dJ es,r a il in g s a n d p la n te t .

S ta ck ed in . y o u .r ja vo r, an interestillg I1l igl1luen t o f d ec k a ng le s al lOI I IS acclJ.>'" 'Sf ro m th r ee d if fe re llt le ve ls OHm th is sm all p la tf or m a re a. Using th esm all edg e side o j tire wo od f or f h e b enc n to ps c re ate s a n in te re stin g d es ig n r i f fed th at differ en tiates th e b en ch es v isu ally fr om th e o th er lev els o fIhedeck .


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When elements such as built-inbenche and planters are included inthe design, the transitions betweenlevels are more Interesting andfunctional, and they can help levelsmore effectively separate a deck intoactivity areas.

(above) A d ra m atic . effe ct is achieved w ith u n iq uem ater ia ls, su ch a s th e w h ite p ip in g a nd c lea r P lexig la sused in tllis d ec k d esig n. Sta in .in g th e u pp er lev el ad ar ker c o lo r d ef in es th e d if fe ren t lev els . T h e c le arP lexigla s r ailin g g iv es d ec k u ser t: a n u no bstr uc ted v iewo f th e en tir e a rea .(righ t) T rian gle shapes tw ist an d tum th ro ug hD u t th isd ec k d esig n. T h e tr ia n. gle th em e is ca r ri ed t h roughou ttile b u ilt- in b en d Ies a nd p la nte r b o xe s.


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'""'"'ill'"0, 3"'0'"0''0,. .'". .1::":3.90.c0-

(tap) A ll o v er h ea d ar bo r an d tw o large built- in planters createanen clo sed a lc ov e th aJ h o uses a c om f or ta ble h an gin g h amm o ck c ha ir .( left) A tr aditio n al to u ch is bu i l t into t h is d el ig h tf u l d ec k w i th th ea dd itio n o f th is b ig , sturdy b e n ch . T i le s ca ll o pe d det ai l 01 1 th e b a ck g iv es itan old-fash i01mdappeal .( r ig h t) A day at th e b ead: is t he t h em e of th is su n -lo vin g d ec k, A u n iq uebench design im it at es t he l o o k o f seaside l o unge d lC l ir s.


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SPECIAL FEATURES

Eating & e nte rta in in g o utd oo rsThe outdoor kitchen comes to life on a deck.Cooking outdoors has evol ved from a basicbarbecue to a fully operational outdoor kitchen.Anything you can think of doing in a kitchenindoors you can do out on your deck as well.

The cooking area should be located inan areaof the deck convenient to the house a well as theoutdoor eating area .. AJso consider the needs formaintenance and torage, both temporary andseasona1, for this space.

Enjo y eating a1 fresco in the Still o r tile shade all th is v er satile v er an da . A n m tin g ar ea is lo ca te d ju st o utside a set o f p atio d oo rs , a llo w in g e as yac cess to th e in side o f th e h ou se . T h e o pen -w eav e latlic e u se d il l t il e a o er h ead a rb o r l et s a l it tl e sU l ll ig h t s h in e t h ro l lg h .


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amt l l p ll o to s ) Specia l features a r e f o un d t !Ven)wl tere01 1 th is elaborately embellished deck. T I l e variouse lemen ts i nc lu d e: ill Ihis d ec k d es ig n h elp to expandareas o f ac ti v it ie s l / o l " ! l l f 1 1 1 y r ela ga te d to th e in do o rs tm dr : :reaJ c fimc ti onal a rea s t il al sen ' f as an 01 1 Moo r k itc h en ,b nth an d din in g r oo m .


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SPECIAL FEATURES

(r igh t) B uilt-in b en ch es fin d m ov ab le ta bles let y oue n jo y e at in g a u m o o r e a lmo s t n n yw lle re YOII l i k e .(b olto m) O utdo or co ok in g is e as y a nd a cc es sib le w ithth is b u ilt-in c oo kin g c ou n ter . T h is al l - inclusive centeri nc l u des I !1 . l r yt h ing yOIl migh t need to produce cul i / laryc r e a t io n s o u td o o r s, i1 lc ludi l lg th e kitel ,el l s i n k .


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SPECIAL FEATURES

D eck s th at ligh t u p th e n igh tOutdoor lighting lets you enjoy the uniquebeauty of a deck at night. Lighting will alsoexpand the usefulness of a deck to includenighttime activities. Well-planned outdoorlighting focuses on the be t features of the deckand leaves those you wi h to conceal in the dark.A well-designed lighting plan can shape theview and mood of any outdoor environment.With the proper lighting effects, you can make asmall deck seem larger and more pacious, or anexpansive deck smaller and more intimate.Outdoor lighting fills an area with light and

helps indicate where railing, teps, level

change or other possible hazards might be. Italso discourages intruder by illuminating thearea and eliminating shadow near the house.Lighting allows you to use the deck after dark formany activities, from relaxing to entertaining.Many lighting technique can be applied toan outdoor lighting scheme. The differences arein the position of the light source and whether itis aimed up, down or across a surface, Use acombination of lighting techniques to bring lightto different parts of your deck and link itwith there t of your outdoor lighting.

T he lise o f o utdo or liglftillg h elp s illu m in ate th e la rg e I Ip pe r~ le vel d ec k a nd th e e xte nsiv e a re a u n de rn ea th . C a rif "il'la cl'l1 Ic llt o f p ro pe r f y p t ' S o flighting Cfil1 create al l e ff ec t Nm t is qu it e d rama ti c.


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e ."I zr0ao0c::lI < >en-caorr : t. !l l~:c0; :00 ~a ie-, ail l Cot: >::I e8 l"1 5.I::a. :J

(to p p l/ oto s) D e co ra tiv e f ig htin g f i.r tu res en h an ce th eove r a ll n p pea r f11 lCe o fa deck au d give if a f in ish ed lo o k.P rop er p la cemen t o f l (, ?h f f ix tu r es Ildps to i llumina tet dt er e ra il ings , step s a nd le ve l c h an ge s a re .

(bot tom photos)Salen) is on e of th emos t im p o r ta n t reasonsfo r i ! lcb. fding lightingillyour outdoore n o ir anme nt . P r ope rl yplanned ou tdoo r liglrtillgdi rec ts deck users whe reto g o a nd in dic ateso b sta cl es to a vo id .


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SPECIAL FEATURES

Downlighti:ng is a general term that involves thelighting of an object from above and is often used to describea number of lighting techniques, including spotlighting,accent lighting or contour lighting. Uplighting is anothergeneral term referring to lighting something from below.Shadowing, mirror lighting and silhouetting are examplesof up lighting. Safety is another important reason for outdoorlighting on a deck. It directs users where to walk and allowspeople to feel more comfortable on the deck.

T h e l ev e .l s o f brightness should be var ied in lin outLIoor l ighti !1g scheme . Br igh ter lights are used along walkwaysfo r safety, a nd d imm e r lig htsJ or m o re in t imate areas.


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Post lights, lik e th ose fea tu red o n l 1 1 i $ d ec or ativ e d ec k, a re th e m o st coumton type ~fal l tdcor l ight ing ftxt ll re. They ma ke a s tr o ng a rc h iie ciu r a!staiemen t b y /ie/pi/If; s / m p e t he s pa c e lit n ig ht, a s w ell /1S pr ov id in g flte ar M w ith ligM an d illuminalil lg II pll.tl lway. T he d es ig n o f th e p osts a ndtile lig h t f tx hlr es c o or din ate s w ith th e a rc h if ec h lr n l d es ig l/ o f tile d ec k.


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A few p otte d p la .n ts o r w e fl~ pla ce d yard stones c an h elp a dec k b len d in to its SlirrOlll1dil1gs to c re ate a m o re nafIJml feeling o f c om fo r t.


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PROBLEM SOLVINGUnique decks are designed to adapt to aparticular yard or family situation whilemaintaining an individual personality. A gooddeck style can make all the difference for thehome itself. Space issues are the most common

problem indesign, but even a tiny yard can befully utilized and enjoyed with the right kind ofdeck. Huge yards can be made more beautiful,and uneven or sloping terrain can be enjoyed tothe utmost. An unusually shaped deck can turna problem space into an enjoyable nook. Best ofall, deck space can expand interior rooms intopleasant outdoor living areas ..Multilevel decks offer the advantage of twoor more decks in one. Upper levels provide acomfortable area near a doorway while the lower

levels hug the ground, providing easy access tothe yard. Stairs link the levels and can also serveas extra seating. Higher decks have a dramaticeffect as they tower above the ground.Lower-level decks act as wide steps to the yard,while offering great relaxation areas. They can bebuilt anywhere, from private backyard corners tofront entries, and can take advantage of spaceaway from the house. A lower-level deck is also asafe and convenient play area for children.For people with extremely limited interiorand exterior space, wraparound decks may be thekey to expansion. Even small-scale wraparounddecks provide walk-out space to extend livingareas. In addition, these decks can serve as visualtransition zones from the indoors to the yard.


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PORTFOLIO

( r i g / I t ) TttiS 11111 / tileoeld ec k d iv er s ij ia s s pa cea ll d c rcafes fl rm iq u l! a re afo r {II 1 ) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 / b er o fnctioi t ies.

( be low) A raised deck c om pen sates fo r tu e slo pillgte r ra in a n d a v is ll al i{UP il l th e hOllse desigl / , allmvillgth e ow ner s .1 0 enjoy fh e o utdo ors an d im p rOll!! thea pp ea ra nc e o f th eir h ou se.


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PORTFOLIO

Photo W< J r te sy ol S t le ks a nd S to ne s I n n. ov aJ iv e D Ei' Ck sa nd landscape D es ig n


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PORTFOLIO

TIl ls m :m bling w raparound deck u ses stn ir wn ys an d tIIulNp.le levels t o b r idge .the g l l J l between an espec ial ly f la t p iec e o f la ud a nd I1 l1 l11wsual lyd e si gn ed h o n te .


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( ab o v e) Sh o u ld yo u build 11 d ec k w i tli II seclllriedv ietll, o r o ne w ith c on ven ien t ac ce5S to fim I1 ctir 'ities?T h is d ec k d oes b o.fh b y . linkil1g a serene plat fo rm 01 1 tirelake w i th 1 1 1 1 11U(I / l tmsive stairway.

A w raparo un d deck takes filII ari,'alltage o f eve/!tilly yards. If S p l i c e is a c on cetn , c on sid ertomparouruis, which hug fhe h O l / s e profile tom a ,. . im iz e YOII r u s ab le a re a .


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PORTFOLIO

TIl is incollspiawU5d e.c .k b le nd s w ith th earch i tectura l sty le o f fl' i!h om e to appear as !II!e xte ns io n o f th e bui ldi l lg,1 'IIth er Hu m a la tea dd itio n to t he l al 1d sc ap e.

~r tII>"'"o'"'fl.'""


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PORTFOLIO

B y i l1corporati11g th ed e c k i nt o yard space ,rather f J u m forcing 1/des ign upon it, you amma ke th e d ec k b len d in toit s natural surrOtmdings.


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A large deck w ill frequen tly com e in CO i l ta ct w i th n at ur al o b st ac le s, like t r ees l ind boulder . I n ste ad o f rel1lavill~ t h em , why n o t e n ha n ce tile deck b tJiw:arporatil1g n atu re in to th e d es ig n?

Pro blem areas lik e slo pin g y ards am b e s alved w ith raised d ec k s . T h i s call t i/ rmercd design is a s o rig in a/ as it is practical.


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O verh ead c an stru ctio n em ph asiz es th e plac em en t o f th e po ol an d c eleb rates if 115 th e f1I fm l featu r e o f th is r ie c k . W i t/ I /m rder il !8 benches (II Ir ic h air s, t hi s IIInjestic badaJl1rd scene is idenllor r/JCfcnHolllllld socializing.


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RECREAT IONAL DECKSFor pure relaxation and enjoyment, decksare simply unbeatable. In today's world, evensuburban communities are getting very crowded,and recreational space is inhigh demand. Luck i ly ,large families and single homeowners alike can

fully enjoy a deck if it's built to suit theirrecreational needs.A large, rambling deck offers a lot of roomfor games, dining and socializing. Such decks areobviously well suited to active family life. Ratherthan limit yourself to a large, Single-level deck,however, you might want to consider a linkedcollection of variously sized smaller decks, whichlend a natural feel to almost any setting.W a terside decks are natural settings forentertainment and recreation. Decks can rame

the settings for pools, artificial and natural watersources, and hot tubs while providing nonslipwalkways and convenient drainage. One of themost common deck features is the hot tub, whichCal. be either the centerpoint of the deck or a veryprivate spot sequestered in a corner. SWimming-pool areas are usually great deck locations. Fromthe safety of the deck, you can enjoy the beauty ofthe pool and monitor the day's activities.Decks can be so much more than simplerelaxation platforms. A fire pit or barbecuesurrounded by built-in benches, for example,is the ideal entertainment area. A perfect settingfor outdoor parties, a well-designed deck savesyou the trouble of extensive set-up, and allowsyou to bask in the glory of the outdoors.


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C om bin e a f ire pit wifl1 II Iw t tu b IIlld /,iel l ty o f deck space /: 0 c re ate a r ea ea tiona! ho t s p ot . W h e t h er g a t/ u :r in g quietiy around tilefire pit with th efamily or ente r ta in ing a lro ll se f1 l1a lgues ts , YOI lwi ll /ave th is deck sh jl r. Noti ce f i le benches, wltich arc placed conveniently amI /Tid th e p it f or g reatcol lversa l iOl I.

A h igh van t age po in t al.lowsYOll to eJljoy th e w e af he r w h i le keep ing tab s a ll IJ le action be lou :


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PORTFOLIO

Id ea l re cr ea tio na l d ec ks lik e th i!! a ile a re nb le 1 0 s up p or t a v ar ie ty a /a c ti vit ie s wh i le mainfa in ing a 1 I ni t y o f style.


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PORTFOLIO

A dram atic ser ies o f m i l / i - d e c k ' S seroes IT S a n a c ce ss s ta in v ay to a b e a u ti fu l po ol. T he m ail! d e c k is C ! r u e r c d f o r c om fo rt w h en r e / a x i n , ! ? o r c o ok in x a lit.


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PORTFOLIO

(above ) This s o l id , wa t e r si de deck I IS r s ( 1 wm rb y tr ee fo r o cc asio nal sh ade an drf(n'ide.~eleg.al1f nccesc~ to taa ter ac ti vit ies dn y a nd lI iX h l.

( ab o ve ) A m u ltilev el d es ig n al/oIDS seoera! a c f iv i fi es t o t a ke p la c e at o n c e wit/Wilti s o J ( 1 t i l 1 . ~ all!! particular ;? I "OUp.


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PORTFOLIO

You I I Iay c ho ose to desigu !! derk JaI' a ve ry spec ij ic p l lt pOSe . Secure m il il lgs, {I pr iv ate settin g an d go od ligh tin g ar eth e Jaw s po in ts fo r th is 1 10 01deck .

Euen t1 lOugh nlis h ot h lb is slin k in to t he d ec k s ur fa c e, it is strll!! very p ro m in en t v isu al fo atllr e o f th e n ee k d esign .


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F o llo w in g t he COli t ou r s o f tl Jepoo l, t hi s la rge, sweepi ng dec k o c centuat es i ts r ef re sh ing b eaut y.

PORTFOLIO


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PORTFOLIO

A ng.les spread ou t il l I I U 1 I I _ 1 Jdirections t o c r eat e t il e i ll u s io l l o f s pa ce , w h ile s te ps p r ov id e a d d ih a rm l s ea h 'l Ig . W l le ll 5 p ll0 ' is l i l l l ifed, t n is angu la rI : y ) _ J I ! o . f d e c k call be O i l ! i de . a / SO/UtiOIl.


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PORTFOLIO

W oo del1 pool decks are generally favo red over cem ent b ecallse they heat up I I I l1ch m o re slo u_ liy . H e re a lar ge dec ksurrounds IIbllcl':-yllrdpool, ( ' ad, c om plem en tin g th e o th er .

A se clu de d, sh ad ed d ec k p osif io ll CQ I I b e a gr en t plac e fo r II I/O t tu b. T his !to t tu b is po sitio lled m o rr y fr om lite m n ins oc ia li zi ll g a rea f o r i nc r ea sed prioao].

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Outdoor dilling is (I pleasure 01 1 a well-desigllcd rieck., Th is b i~ l ev el c el eb ra te s f ll e eat il lg a rea by surrrmnding it w ith h en c he andJlC1Wt1rs.


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INCREASING LIVING SPACEYou can literally expand your rooms intoindoor / outdoor living areas with a wen-designeddeck A stationary barbecue, for example, transformsdeck space into an outdoor kitchen. Since mostbarbecuing is done while shuttling to and fromthe indoor kitchen for supplies, it is important toplan the grill location carefully to make efficientuse of your deck and home.Even in small yards yom living space can be

increased dramatically by decks. Wraparounddecks, which hug the profile of the house/arecommon in such areas. These designs open upinterior living rooms to extend the range ofusable footage. Even small-scale wraparounddecks increase living space dramatically. Fromindoors, these decks give the visual impression ofan indoor / outdoor room that extends beyond theboundaries of your home's walls and windows.Certain features can help to make your decka viable extension of yom home. Good outdoor

lighting will increase Y0tH actual time on the,deck by making the area as useful at night asit is during the day. Good outdoor lightingemphasizes the beautiful aspects of the deck andde-emphasizes the undesirable characteristics.Attractive railings and benches offer a furnishedappearance and visually unify the deck with itssurroundings. Additionally, wall-type railings thatcircle the entire deck add privacy to make the areaeven more a par t of youx home.Finally, good storage space can transform thedeck into an outdoor living area by decreasingthe time spent running in and out of the house.Storage doesn't have to be obtrusive. Benchescan be made to open and store lawn or cookingequipment. Cabinets can be attached to existingwalls, and raised decks can have convenientstorage space built underneath them. Even spaceunder stairways, often useless for other functions,can be turned into storage areas.


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(b e low) The u ieu : alo n e m ak es th is dec k a b eau ty . W i thth e n gh t I D C I I t ion, 1 1 1 1 tu r e its elf b ec om es II bri ll ia II te lem en t o f th e h o use.


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The broad, fiat featu res o f this deck f it pe rf ec . tl y w ith the sty le o f t/w home , makin,'? it s eem lik e a true e xte nsio n o f t he i n te ri o r lining space.


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PORTFOLIO

A Irnv-lyillg d ec k p ltltu 'S o u! fr0 1l/1 I ba ck ellf ra il C I ? ,extcudilW ih e n ea re s! in fe rio r r oom well into till! ba c ky a rd J o r iI /c r ea s ed open- a ir en joyme l lt .


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Even ill th e d e.( I.d ofw in te r th is b ellu tl1 ul d ec k seem:;.11 part 0/ t h e hOl li e' s bas i, s tr u c tu r e , Wil l I a v ft'w lik e th is , wilDtoouldn'! take I Idvnl l tnge o f tile increased l iv il lg space th e deck pravirit'S?

T his im pr essiv e side dec k o pen s 11]1th e in ter io r r oo m s a nd , w ith its stu n nin g v iew o f till! countryside, t:llcullragesc on sta n! s um m er tim e lise .


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PORTFOLIO

E as in g th e tr an sitio n f ra m i n d o o rs t o o u td o or s, th is des ig l ll l lf Jves th e l ivil1g s p a c e f rom t h e h o m e, to th e SUII r oom ,t o . t h e d ec k . S uc h a d t!SI~ '{11p r o v i d e s i nf e re s ti ll g v nr ie t y t o y o u r n om e .


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Rai se d c o n s tr u c ti o n ; combil led 'with a d ra m atic w a ll a fw in do w s, d ra w s p eo ple fr om file interior l iving space i n io t h e e x pa n se o f na tu re .


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PORTFOLIO

H u ge w in d ow s en C lm r ng e a feelin g o j o pef leS 5 an d ar e th em selv es a b ea utifu lfea tu .r e o j th is w ra par ou nd dec k,


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Lightiltgfixtllre5 a lla wy ou to ta ke a dv an ta ge a /y ou r deckspacerr t a ny h ou r. 7 1 1 i s lig ht is u n ob tr usiv e y et effective,h elp in g to b rin g th e in do o rs ou te id e:

A go od view draw s peo ple o utside. H ere, a s m all po nd co mptem en ts IIp r nc ,t ic al d ec k d es ig n . RE ct ang u la r benchesl in d p lan te r p r o vi de a flmctinnol f m m ef or th e settin g, w lr ile th e lIen rb y tr ees a nd si1 1 '1 1 bsaI/oIl ' t h e dec k fa b le nd i ntoth e l .andscape.


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1 1 1 1 5 im pr essiv eg ru eb o pr ov ide s s he lter Gild lends 1111 i ndoor J e e l to !III ou tdoo r se tt ing . W i . th ti,e c o m jo rh lb /e s ea tin g a nd s olid r oo f, this I ' edwooddeck set ti ng is tr uly a n. o u td oo r l iv ing 1 ' 0 0 111 .


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CREATING COMFORTA deck is useless if you don't enjoy spendingtime on it . Sometimes it's the final touches or a fewadded features that make the deck an enjoyableoutdoor living area.Planters can ease the visual transition between

the bouse and lawn, while framing the deck "initssurroundings. Plants spilling forth from these openspaces dull the hard-edged boundaries, lending amore natural feel to the setting.When temperatures rise or rain comes pouringdown, a covered deck or a gazebo can be a blessing.But overhead deck construction can do much morethan offer protection; it can celebrate the area itself.A slotted overhead construction creates interestinglighting while keeping the deck cool. Overheadstructures can incorporate removable plastic screens

or vegetation, and a canopy with hanging plantsdraws attention upward to create the illusion ofspace. A gateway arbor can announce the entranceto a yard with elegant style.A trellis is an open latticework structure forclimbing plants that lends privacy and a feelingof enclosure to the deck while letting light filterin. It is important to make sure the trellis blendsinto the architectural design of the deck and thehome to achieve visual harmony.Gazebos are genera1Jy freestanding structuresthat offer a separate outdoor space while remainingan integral part of the deck structure. They offerboth visual drama and physical practicality. Ifyouwant a secure feeling of enclosure while enjoyingyour deck, a gazebo may very well be the solution.


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T h is h illsid e dec k features a/ np p oo l an d ellr omg d es ig n I h at b lends pe r fe c tl y w ith th e su rr ou n din g v eg eta tio n a nd COI l IItlyside.


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PORTFOLIO

(left) Lush greellenj5 1 1 / '/ 'o l ll ld i ng t !l is g a z .e b oh eig hte ns th e d e c k ' sa ttitu de o f s e c / J 1 ' i ~ j an dcomfori .

(b elo w) F or a f eeliJ 1g o fenclosure 0 /1 th e de ck , agazebo may be th e p fl til tot ak e . T his g az eb o is fullye m : lo s ed fo r a ll -w e a th e r1! I1 j o y m e n t. 1 7 1 .e m ' b O Ta dd s to fill! enc losedd e s i g n p e r s o l l a l i ty .


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If privacy is not auissue, you m ay chooee toplace !lOll I'h ot tu b in am o r e a c ii u e a re a , w h e r e itwill get th e mo s .t 11 se.


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A com fo rtab le dec k s/ lQIildftellike a p art o f 1 I . r e home envi ronment . Th i s deck se (! IY IEsuch a p arr o f fh e hOl lse s truc ture tha t it's neatly impossiblet o fe ll w he re tile s un r oom e lld s a ud fh e d ec k be gins.


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Gazebos s ll O l Il d b lend in w ith th e o rd tite cna a! a m i ~ !I Iv ir o! lm e nta lla nd sc np e. T h e g az eb o f ea tu re d a bo ve a vo id s o is ua l iso la tio n b y meehingp er fe ctl y w it h its surrolllldings.


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(left) This stlJlish ands tu r dy g az eb o d es ig no f fe rs b o th v is ua l d ramaand physicalsccurity .


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.2D.c'


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RIiShil lg w ater len ds n so oth irlgfo el to an y ou moor set ti ng . T h is sm n ll .fin m fn in d rm v s th e a tten tio n r lo w m ur tr d, w h ile th e s im p le O l.,er iI ea dstruau re b r iHRs th e eyes 1 Ip< ! 'I 1 fd. 1 1 1 this '1.uny,11 SIIII1I/ d ec k n pp e ar s milch latf(er.


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S ec ur e fen dn g do esn 't n eed to b e o b tr usiv e. H er e a lar ge, b lan k w all is made mo te a tt ra cti ve . b y in te ri or f ol io ge ; and t he f en c in g it se lf serves as abac k re st f o r t he sur reunding b en che s,


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PRIVACYMany decks go unused because of a lack ofprivacy. When designing a deck, be sure toconsider neighbors, street noise.air conditionersand hedges. It's usually a. good idea to build adeck on the least exposed side of your house.Railings, fences, vegetation and arbors are allexcellent ways to ensure privacy. With the propercombination of these elements, a deck can seemlike a private room while still maintaining aconnection with the outdoors.

By building around existing foliage, you candecrease bothersome noise and ensure visualprivacy. Lattice-work stuctures with climbingvines also help to shield outside noise and probingeyes. However; remember that a deck is a naturalopen-air spot The greater the closure, the lesslikely the deck will remain expansive, natural andenjoyable. Try to design the deck to strike a goodbalance between your ideas of privacy and thefreedom of the outdoors.


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Varyillg liue il l tllis felice des.ig'lare visunlly p le as in g { m d I re lp to ma ke e ae n filii; fi l ly corner s~'ellllm'8ermul more secu re .


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( lef t) A ith o llg h th isw hir lpo ol is a/m ostc om ple te ly s lr u t o ff f r omth e o utsid e w o rld , th eo pen -a ir en vir on m en t ispreserved with slattedw alls a nd ceil i I1g5. T hec ir cu la r h oles o n th e b ac kw a lls a re a g re at c on tr as tto th e lin ea r d esig n o ft he a r ea .

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