Guest Author - Donna Coogan

Are you thinking of adding a deck to your home? Decks today are a common home improvement that can easily be done by the do-it-yourselfer.

Decking comes in several materials to include pressure treated wood, natural redwoods and cedars and man-made vinyl. Do your research to determine what is the best fit for your home’s style and needs. And always make sure your deck follows building codes for best home improvement value and overall safety.

Give careful thought to the style of your deck. The problem with many decks is that they are typically unattractive squares or rectangles that seem to be thoughtlessly tacked onto the back of homes.

When designing a deck, think about different shapes that can be incorporated into it. If it is attached to the 2nd story of your home consider multiple levels or create a gazebo shape at one end. If your deck is high off the ground, make sure the stairs are easy to negotiate. It is better to build a lower level or make switchback stairs than to have one steep descent.

If your deck will be large, plan a design that serves several functions such as seating, dining or sunbathing. The trick to a successful deck is to think of it as more than just a place to sit outside. A deck is really an outdoor room meant to enhance your overall home. What do you want to use it for? Answer that question and design your space accordingly.

Do you have a shade tree that can be incorporated into the deck? You can build benches around it. You can also have built-in seating elsewhere along with flower boxes, a raised garden plot or even a built-in barbecue area or whirlpool spa.

Do you have a particular view you wish to enjoy? Make sure your deck is designed so that this view can be seen whether seated or standing.

Sometimes it’s nice to enclose all or part of a deck as a screened porch. One disadvantage to this, however, is you can lose a lot of daylight. This affects not only the deck, but also the interior rooms of the house that will lose their sunlight.

An attractive option is to create a pergola above your deck. A pergola consists of boards that are openly spaced above the deck. These boards sit on top of columns and usually hang about a foot past the deck. They are very attractive and can provide more architectural balance to a home than just a plain deck. A pergola also provides a way to add hanging plants and porch swings from your deck to make it more enjoyable.

If you prefer some privacy, consider building trellis walls along the sides of your deck. These will still allow optimum airflow to enjoy the outdoors while shielding your personal space from unwanted onlookers.

After you build your deck, make sure you furnish it. Don’t leave it to sit bare with a lone patio table and a few deck chairs. Make it a welcoming area to sit down and dine, read, relax, watch birds, count the stars or to visit with friends. Add some comfortable deck furniture and tables for the different zones you’ve planned. Provide some decorations and potted plants. Make your new outdoor space a place that invites you to put your feet up and stay a while.