Top 10 Most Recommended Tips for Building the Perfect Wood Deck
Do you love the idea of sitting on your deck? It's an essential part of summer, and everyone should have one.
But if you're not ready to invest in a solid concrete structure, consider this list of tips for building a great wood deck that will look just as good as its more expensive counterparts. It's the dream of many homeowners to build a beautiful wooden deck outside their property. It's an idea that makes a lot of sense. Imagine spending hours out in the summer sun lounging on your balcony. Doesn't this sound like a great idea? But before you go out and hire professional landscapers and construction workers to build that deck for you, there are ten things you should consider first. This is the perfect time of year to start planning your deck! The Composite Company offers the highest quality decking materials available on the market today.
You will get a beautiful look that lasts longer than wood, but you'll also receive the peace of mind of knowing that your family will be safe from splinters, rotting boards, and insect damage. The best part is that you'll get all of this without sacrificing an ounce of style or luxury!
Top 10 Tips for Building the Perfect Wood Deck
1. Choose Your Decking Material: Wood fiberboard
Choosing the suitable decking material is a critical step in building a deck. When choosing your decking material, the crucial thing to keep in mind is how dry and climate-resistant it will be over time.
For instance, composite decking made of recycled plastic with a polymer coating will be durable and weather-resistant in hot and cold temperatures.
On the other hand, wood fiberboard tends to warp and crack after absorbing water for extended periods, so it should only be used if the area is under shade or protected adequately from rainwater.
When you're building outdoor structures, the material you choose has a lot to do with durability and longevity.
Wood fiberboard is an excellent option for your decking needs because it is sustainable, solid and even comes in various colors. The Composite Company offers exceptional quality and competitive pricing on this material—they'll answer all of your questions about the pros and cons of using wood fiberboard for your next project.
Wood fiberboard may seem like a good choice for an outdoor decking surface because it's inexpensive and readily available at any hardware store. However, it's not as durable as other wood-based materials like pressure-treated lumber or composite decking.
Wood fiberboard consists of shredded paper sandwiched between layers of compressed sawdust that has been soaked with glue. Although this gives it structural integrity, it also means that wood fiberboard becomes extremely saturated when exposed to rainwater.
2. Plan Your Deck with Care
This might seem obvious, but building a deck requires careful planning. Please don't rush into it unless you already have a plan. A deck can be whatever shape or size you want but start by deciding how big and what it will look before you build.
Try to make the deck compliment the house—this is an excellent opportunity to incorporate something unique into your home, like a pergola or an arbor.
You can always build whatever kind of deck you want with the help of an experienced deck builder like The Composite Company, but starting by designing something that fits in with the rest of your home will save you time and money in the long run.
3. Use Plenty of Supports for a Stable Structure
When building a deck, you'll want to make sure that the structure is as sturdy and stable as possible—you don't want to have any accidents or mishaps.
The most crucial thing is to ensure that you're using plenty of supports for a stable structure. If you don't use enough supports, or if your supports aren't strong enough, your entire deck could collapse!
4. Feature Stairs for Safe Access
The next step to building the perfect deck is to plan your stairs. Stairs are an obvious necessity: they're a safe way to get from one level of your deck to another, making it easy for everyone to come and go.
But there's much more to consider than just how vast the stairs should be or whether you want them with a railing. It's essential to think about how you'll use your deck and how your stairs will connect two distinct areas of your yard.
It would help to consider what materials you'll use for the steps and the treads and how much maintenance will be involved when picking out those materials.
5. Create an Outdoor Living Room
One of the most amazing and fun things about building a deck is that you can create an additional living space outside that can be used for a variety of purposes, which means you can set up your deck in any number of ways.
If you envision it as an extension of your home, you can use patio furniture, potted plants, and even add a grill or fire pit for cooking or creating a festive ambiance.
6. Consider Lighting and Other Electrical Elements in Your Plan
Once you have your new deck laid out and planned, consider all the electrical elements incorporated into it. Lighting is a must for any patio, whether you want to create a mood or see what you're stepping on after dark.
If you want to plug something in the right next to where you're working—or even inside the actual deck—there are particular outlets explicitly designed.
They can be installed flush with the wood surface like other outlets, so they don't interrupt the look of your finished product, and they'll give you plenty of room to plug in whatever tools or power tools will be used when building your deck.
7. Include Privacy in Your Wood Deck Design
If you're building a wood deck that will be used for entertaining, you'll want to make sure your design includes enough privacy for your comfort level. This can mean installing pillars to section off parts of the deck or placing the deck in the shade of a big tree.
But even if you're doing all this, there are still ways to make your guests feel comfortable without completely shutting them off from the world. For example, a pergola is an excellent way to provide shade without giving the feeling of being completely isolated from the environment.
The open latticework lets light through, making views possible with strategically placed windows and doors.
8. Build Seating into Your Wood Deck Design
Another benefit of adding a deck is that it often gives you a place to sit outside with friends—and isn't that what the summer is for? If you have enough room on your deck, build in some benches or chairs so that you have somewhere to relax when you're out there.
Even if you don't have that much room, consider building a small bench or installing hooks on which people can hang their beach towels. A little bit of seating goes a long way toward making the space feel like a place where people can hang out.
9. Create a Built-In Grill Area for Easy Entertaining
If your deck is large enough, it can be a great idea to include a built-in barbecue area so that guests can quickly cook their food. This can also be helpful if you don't want the mess of charcoal or propane lying around—store it in an out-of-the-way location until it's time to use it.
10. Enjoy the View with a Rooftop Deck Design
Set your sights on a rooftop deck if you love a good view. These decks take the best parts of a garden and combine them with the freedom and convenience of an open roof.
And they don't have to be just for patios—a rooftop deck can also be a great solution if you live in an apartment building. Thanks to the roof overhead, a rooftop deck is a perfect place to enjoy fresh air and sunshine while still feeling protected from the elements. Instead of leaving all your entertaining outdoor space in the front or back yard, you can invite guests up top for alfresco dining or cocktails on warmer evenings.
If you have a pool or hot tub, you can create an attractive outdoor lounge area with seating, potted plants, and decorative lighting that makes your property look inviting from afar.
Conclusion
Determine the area you want to deck, decide what features and accessories you want, gather building supplies, hire a contractor to do the work, follow proper procedures and give attention to detail.
These are just a few tips for building a wood deck that can be found in this article. Time is the key factor in determining if a deck will be great or just ok when it comes to decks. There is no better finish for a wood deck than The Composite Company.
It's easy to install and provides an unmatched choice of color and design styles. The Composite Company provides the same long-term durability as steel but doesn't have that cold feeling of steel on your feet.
And finally, it's essential to communicate with your contractor and understand their vision for the job. If you can keep those things in mind when building your deck, you'll quickly be on your way to making the perfect wood deck!