For Canadians – especially in our seemingly endless winter months – there are very few escapes more pleasurable than dreaming up backyard deck designs. We dream of those fleeting months when we can take our food, drink and family out the back door, sit on a deck and appreciate nature in its summer glory. For the lucky among us, those backyard deck designs can come to fruition. All it takes is money and ingenuity – and some advance planning.

 

1. The last thing you want to do when you have a deck is spend a lot of time NOT relaxing on it. Pick low maintenance decking materials. Composite decking has become very popular in recent years and combines durability with a variety of colour choices. And there are no splinters!

2. Don’t Fall in Summer! Deck railings are essential for an elevated structure. They can be combined with seating, come in a range of designs and, of course, add to the safety of your summer refuge.

 

3. Don’t Do It Yourself. Hire a contractor. If it’s a really big job – perhaps combining a new deck with an outdoor kitchen– consider hiring a design-build firm. A custom home buildercan take work with you on an innovative, lasting design and then take that concept to completion.

 

 

4. Why Not Sit Under Your Deck Too! Too many backyard deck designs forget about the space underneath the deck, which often becomes a dirt-floored catch-all for broken tools and dead lawn mowers. There are days when rain can restrict your open air deck use – but you can still have a view of nature from underneath. Take advantage of it!

 

5. Light Up Your Life. Deck lighting can turn your backyard oasis into a romantic and exciting part of your home. And, speaking of romance – what about a hot tub?

 

6. Benches and Planters will liven up your deck and add to its functionality. How about a little herb garden just outside your kitchen?

 

7. Shape It Up! Make your deck’s shape exciting! Wrap it around the house and get different light exposures.

 

 

As mentioned, an increasingly popular choice for decking material is composite wood. Composed of "wood flour” (sawdust), PVC or wood fibres and polyethylene, composite decking has many advantages over conventionally treated wood.

 

First and foremost is its durability. Composite decking for use in a residential setting often comes with a twenty-five year warranty. It is mould, rot and fungal decay resistant. It is also splinter and crack resistant.

 

It is easy to install – and even easier to clean. Just hose it down!

 

Along with its durability, composite decking comes in a variety of colours; this versatility can be incorporated into the deck design. Higher traffic central areas can be a lighter colour, surrounded by a dramatic accenting edging in dark wood. Composite decking will fade slightly, though not to the degree of treated wood.

 

The main drawback of composite decking is its price – up to 100% that of treated wood. But, as you create that perfect backyard deck design, it should be given serious consideration.