Add a Custom Deck to Your Home and Backyard

Decks can be a great outdoor extension of our indoor living spaces, encompassing a variety of uses and functions. Designs and materials are limited only by your imagination and pocket book. There are some considerations that should be taken into account before creating your ultimate deck.

Planning & Budgeting

Knowing what you budget is will determine the size, material selections, and special features that you would like to use in your deck design. Whether you design the deck yourself or have it designed for you (contractor or local building supply store) you will also need to take your design to your local building department to obtain a building permit.

Design Elements

Multi-Level – designing your deck with multiple levels is a great way to separate the different uses or functions such as lounging area, dining area, cooking area, or bar area.
Shade Options – building a pergola or installing a fabric gazebo are great ways to add some shade and weather protection to an area of your deck.
Railing Options – wood, metal and glass railing options allow you to personalize your deck to match your home and backyard environment.
Lighting – Creating ambience with in-floor or step lighting extends your use of the deck into the evening. There are many solar, LED and pillar lighting options and styles to add to your look.
Cooking Area – creating a separate cooking area with weather/privacy screens and awning options adds to the comfort of the chef and the guests.
Material Options – the main deck building materials are pressure treated wood, cedar or man-made wood composites such as TREX. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Building a deck may seem like a simple project, but we have seen many instances where a homeowner starts a deck build and quickly realizes that there are intricacies and logistics involved that are fairly complex. This usually leads to the homeowner seeking out a competent and qualified contractor like Alair Homes when they are halfway through the build, or have completed the deck, but feel that it does not live up to their expectations. More often than not, the homeowner’s work needs to be torn out to build it right from the beginning. We highly recommend using a contractor from the start, not only to save time and money, but so that you can fully translate your vision into reality.