A custom deck will add living space to your house and provide a practical, low-maintenance surface for seating and alfresco meals. Properly designed and constructed, a deck will also improve the look of your backyard or, if it’s built in front and can be seen from the road, will increase the curb appeal of your house.
A deck is also the ideal solution for sloping lots and can successfully introduce the idea of terracing without requiring expensive excavations. Ultimately, whatever its size and style a well-planned, well-built deck will increase the value of your property.
What Type of Deck Do You Need?
Often the design of a deck will be based on function. For instance, if you have a swimming pool or spa, a deck will extend the poolside area and provide a safe, stable place to sit. Attached to the house and leading to a living area, it will immediately offer the opportunity for increased outdoor living. It will also visually enlarge the overall living space.
Natural Enclosures Custom Deck Gallery
The lie of the land and way your house is configured will determine to some extent the type of deck that will work best. For instance, if the ground is flat, a low-level deck may be built alongside the house or even as a freestanding structure in the yard. If the house is a double story then it might make sense to take the deck upstairs and take advantage of a view if there is one.
Multilevel decks can be particularly attractive if you have space. They also provide a versatile solution on steeply sloping ground that is difficult to incorporate in the overall garden plan and inevitably becomes wasted space.
Steps and Rails for Decks
Whether you are planning a low-level or elevated deck, consider steps and rails for convenience, safety, and for design purposes.
While steps are a necessity for a custom deck built on an elevated level, even so-called ground-level decks often require two or three steps, especially if the ground is not completely flat.
When it comes to railings, even a very low-level deck will usually benefit from railings, if not for safety reasons then for aesthetics. Somehow an imaginatively designed railing adds that always important finishing touch. But certainly, if your deck is raised even just one foot off the ground, railings are essential.
Deck Design and Construction
Many people tackle decks as DIY projects, but unless the design has been carefully planned and executed it can be disastrous. It isn’t just issues like proportion and balance that are important, there are also regulations relating to building that must be conformed to. These include building codes that call for plans and zoning ordinances that specify building setbacks from property lines as well as height restrictions and lot coverage requirements.
You may think the DIY approach will save you money, but other potential pitfalls to consider involve specifying, estimating, and buying the materials required for the job.
Custom Deck Installations by Natural Enclosures
At Natural Enclosures we don’t only build fences. Our deck builders and contractors have many years experience in designing, constructing, and installing custom decks. We also offer deck staining services to ensure your new deck is well protected.
If you have pictures of decks you like the look of or ideas of what will work in your yard, we can certainly use these as a starting point. You can also check out the photographs on our website gallery or pop into our showroom and explore our fence walk that features garden-sized outdoor features and custom decks.
Otherwise just contact us now for a free estimate.
