Deck Planning Tips for Savvy Homeowners

Adding a deck onto your home is a great way to add to your enjoyment, livable space, and home value, but the actual planning process can be stressful for many homeowners. When you are designing the perfect deck for your home there are many things to consider, and it is wise to put some thought into it, as it is a substantial investment. Here are some things to keep in mind while you design your future deck.

Consider Your Lifestyle

The design of your deck should be heavily influenced by the function your deck will serve. Do you want to spend hours outside in the evening around a table playing games? Do you want to have your family meals outside in the spring and summer? Or do you want to entertain groups of friends and have a lot of seating. Your lifestyle and the plans you have for your deck are a huge factor in the overall design. If you plan to be eating outside you might consider adding an outdoor kitchen, or a built-in bar. If your plan is relaxation, you may want to add some shaded areas and a hammock. There are endless options that can be designed into your deck if you take the time to plan it out according to your lifestyle and desires.

See What’s Been Done Before

Another thing to do when designing a deck is look for deck plans that have been built before. Seeing what is popular can help you narrow down what you do want in your deck. By looking at decks and decking plans you can easily see which things you like and which things you could do without. There are many deck design plans available on the internet so you can easily find many to choose from as you brainstorm your new deck.

Consider Your Budget

Finally, your budget will be a big determining factor in the deck you end up designing. Budget can impact the size of the deck as well as the materials used in building it. If budget is a big concern consider opting for a smaller deck made of higher quality materials. Conversely, if a huge deck is a priority for you, then you may be able to use less expensive materials on a larger deck. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons along with your budget.

Designing a deck can be exciting but it can also be overwhelming. By taking the time to carefully consider what attributes you’d like in a deck you can make the design process easier for yourself and your builder. If you are ready to start on your future deck call us at North American Deck & Patio today! We are a deck and patio company offering construction and deck repair in Baltimore, MD. We’d love to help you get started designing the deck of your dreams!

“Jim at North American patio and deck's came up with the most ingenious way of utilizing our small very slanted very water drained environment and turned it into a virtual oasis. Making this deck the envy of all our ambitions and gem for the community.”

– C. Cross