When homeowners think of expanding their living space, one popular way to do so is to extend the home to the outdoors. What better way to do this than to build a deck? Building a deck can be an exciting project, but before you get carried away with building your dream outdoor space, ask yourself a few basic questions first: What design elements would you like to incorporate? What materials should you use? Will they suit the climate and weather conditions in your area? How much can you afford to spend on the project? Can you afford to hire a pro, or is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project more feasible?

In short, you need to decide on the right design and choose the correct materials to suit your lifestyle and your budget—and you need to build a structure that will last.

WHO WILL USE THE SPACE?

• Do you have a large family? Small kids? Teenagers?

• Are there any old, infirm, or disabled family members to worry about? Or is it just you and your friends to consider?

Your answers to this question will partly determine what size your deck should be, traffic flow, as well as any safety precautions and accessibility concerns you need to include in its design.

PART I. YOUR WANTS, NEEDS, AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

WHAT WILL IT BE USED FOR?

• If you’re hoping to gather family around one big table for meals, allow some 4 feet of space all around the table for people to move around freely.

• Set up an area for your prep and serving. A grill area is often also very useful. Or do you need a full-size kitchen?

• Want an area to lounge around in? Space for the family to watch TV or to listen to your vintage vinyl record collection?

• Do you want to create a zone where you can snuggle with your partner, curl up with a book, or get a relaxing home massage? Pick a shaded or sunny area—whichever suits you best—for this purpose.

• Care for a hot tub? Or a water feature of some sort? What about a bonfire pit that can add to the ambiance—a fire pit can be the perfect addition for chilly evenings.

PART I. YOUR WANTS, NEEDS, AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Before you actually start building, take the time to properly visualize the size and shape of your deck and to plan its layout carefully. Outline the area with stakes and string, then walk around to test the views and to check if there’s enough space around your proposed area to allow everyone to move around comfortably.

Also, consider privacy. Unless you want to parade around where your neighbors can watch you like they would a stage performer, think to build screens, fences, or add design elements like lattice screens or arbors to create some privacy.

PART I. YOUR WANTS, NEEDS, AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Now that you’ve carefully thought about what you want in a deck, you need to study the lay of your land and see whether you can work your preferred design elements into the overall scheme of things. If not, what design alternatives can you fall back on?

The thought of hiring a professional can scare off a lot of homeowners who think that the extra expense will be too prohibitive. The truth is, many a DIY-er ends up wishing that a contractor had taken care of the project from the very start. Someone who absolutely knows what he’s doing will trump an amateur any time: he’s likely to be more efficient in running the project and managing workflow, and can save you from making expensive mistakes—in fact, contractors usually have a lot of brilliant ideas to offer to help you cut costs.

Here are some tips from somedesigners who specialize in decks:

• Build when the weather is nice; also, consider doing other complementary projects, such as building a swimming pool, an outdoor patio, or doing a garden or yard landscaping project at the same time.

• Add elements that protect you from both the sun and the rain. Think a pergola, or large umbrellas and retractable awnings that will make the outdoor living space more inviting and livable.

PART II. BEFORE YOU BUILD: TIPS FOR TACKLING DECK DESIGN CHALLENGES

• For sloping terrain, consider building a multi-level deck. Also, use your natural environment to enhance your design—for instance, you can build around trees—just leave around 3 inches’ clearance around the trunk to allow for growth, and make sure that the roots can be watered and fertilized as needed.

• Install privacy screens against curious eyes. Make sure they’re built sturdy against the wind.

• Make sure that your deck has the appropriate load-bearing capacity for its purpose. Shore up the foundation if you expect to hold big bashes pretty regularly, for instance.

• Install good lighting. Plan your lighting needs well so that you can maximize use of your deck. Add practical lighting to stairs and pathways, spot lighting to properly illuminate cooking and preparation areas, and ambient lighting for your lounging and relaxation spots.

• Follow local codes. Make sure to follow local building codes—and secure the necessary permits—before you even start building. Deck additions—as long as they pass code—can be solid investments. Recovery values can be as high as 70 to 80 of cost when you resell your home.

PART II. BEFORE YOU BUILD: TIPS FOR TACKLING DECK DESIGN CHALLENGES

In the first part of this feature, we talked about the important things to consider when picking out your deck design. In Part II, we looked at some ways to tackle deck building issues. Today we’ll look at your decking material options, to help you decide what suits you and your lifestyle best.

Pressure Treated Wood. Most commonly made of Southern yellow pine, this type of wood lasts for around 15 years on average, and gives great value for money; it’s on the lower end of the price scale at around $1.32/lineal ft.

PART III. DECK MATERIALS: PROS AND CONS

WOODWood is still the top choice among homeowners for decking. It’s a strong, natural material that isn’t too difficult to install. However, it can be prone to rot, warping, and splintering. It’s also comparatively high-maintenance, requiring cleaning often and re-staining every couple of years or so to keep it looking good.

TROPICAL HARDWOODSNothing beats tropical hardwoods in terms of density and durability. On the plus side, these hardwoods are extremely resistant to decay and insect damage, and can last as long as a quarter of a century. But they’re also heavy and tough to work with, as well as pretty costly. Tropical hardwoods can be had for between $1.79 to $2.95/lineal ft.

PART III. DECK MATERIALS: PROS AND CONS

REDWOOD AND CEDARNaturally resistant to insect damage and rot, these are softer woods that can be a bit vulnerable to foot traffic. They’re lightweight and stiff, but not particularly wear-resistant, requiring frequent application of sun-blocking finishes. Depending on grade, price points start at around $1.25/lineal ft and can cost as much as $2.75/lineal ft.

COMPOSITEMade from a blend of waste wood fibers and plastic, this is a splinter-free material that doesn’t require painting or staining. Composite boards are, however, heavier and more expensive than many other wood alternatives, and need a good scrubbing on a regular basis to keep mildew at bay. Less stiff than wood, composite moves in response to

PLASTICHomeowners will find plastic a low-maintenance and splinter-free decking option. However, this material doesn’t rank very high on the aesthetics scale—these boards can be squeaky to walk on and don’t look or feel much like wood. Choices include PVC and Polystyrene.

changes in temperature. Composite decking can run to around $2.67 - $2.85/lineal ft., but this usually comes with a 20- to 25-year limited warranty. This type of material also gives homeowners a number of options. Some come with different textures on each side, while others feature a single texture on both sides.

PART III. DECK MATERIALS: PROS AND CONS

PVCSome PVC decking materials are designed with hollow channels that bring stiffness to the boards. For easier installation, the boards feature a tongue-and-groove design; a hidden rubberized strip cuts down on squeaking and noise. Extra traction is also provided by the wood-grain on each material. Prices run from $2.25-$3.50/lineal ft., with a limited lifetime warranty.

POLYSTYRENEPolystyrene decking comes with deep grooves on its underside, which makes it light, yet strong and stiff. It mimics wood very well, and comes in various colors. One great feature is a non-slip surface. Priced $2.49-$2.59/lineal ft., with a 25-year limited warranty.

Picking out the best option for you may be no easy matter; after all, there are just so many things to consider. Sometimes it helps to actually see and touch the materials available to you, to better help you visualize your finished deck.

Work off of samples, and once you’ve found what you want, carefully plan and build, keeping not just your aesthetic but also your practical considerations in mind. That way, you can look forward to enjoying your deck for many, many years.

Up and Above Contractors, LLC

(973) 300-0636

973-531-4225

2 Lower Hill Rd Newton, NJ 07860

209 Main Street Andover, NJ, 07821 United States

UpAndAboveContractors.com