The right deck design can transform your outdoor living space and add substantial value to your property. New decking trends are brought into the spotlight every spring, ranging from product intros to decor fashions and popular shapes. Consider the top five new deck design ideas for 2012 and start planning your dream backyard.
Deck Design Trend # 1 - Composite Decking
The composite decking market continues to grow every year, with new styles coming from established manufacturers and brand new product lines entering the industry. Although composite products tend to cost at least 50% more than standard treated lumber, the benefits far outweigh any added expense.
Composite comes in a wide range of colors and is now made to look just like wood, complete with graining patterns. Hidden fastener systems provide a smooth decking surface and complimentary colors can be used to create patterns and designs right in your deck boards.
After last year's launch of the Transcends product line, Trex has brought out a new value-priced composite dubbed Trex Enhance. This product is available in limited colors, but offers the same quality and durability that all Trex products are known for.
Other composite decking products include ChoiceDek, made from recycled materials, and TimberTech decking. Look for composite railing and finish components to create a deck that's low maintenance from every corner.
Deck Design Trend # 2 - Outdoor Lighting
Including outdoor lighting in your deck design is not a new trend, but it is gaining in popularity every year. Look for solar powered deck lights that operate without electricity and provide a reliable glow long into the evenings. Or opt for standard low voltage lighting sets.
Deck lights can be mounted on posts, in the deck railing and in the stairs. You can also opt for the more traditional garden lights or torches, as long as they're close enough to illuminate the deck surface.
Low voltage landscape lighting is designed to withstand the elements. LED products tend to last longer without maintenance, but all deck lights will need to be replaced at some point.
Deck Design Trend # 3 - Waterproof Deck Underlayment
This design works very well on walkout decks, those that extend from your second story patio door. Install a deck underlayment beneath the deck boards to create a covered porch below. Arrange a patio set or porch swing under the deck and you have two outdoor living spaces for the price of one.
Traditional deck designs require space between the deck boards for expansion and drainage. Underlayment products are made to redirect water and snow that flows between the boards, keeping the area underneath dry. Trex Rain Escapes is a good example, and can be installed for a reasonable price.
The upper deck surface will completely hide the product from view, and if desired, the joists can be hidden to produce a flat ceiling on the lower portion. Talk to your deck contractor to come up with the ideal design for your yard, using the latest and greatest deck products on the market.
Deck Design Trend # 4 - Water Features
You can add water features to your deck easily, either as a built in feature or something temporary. These elements add beauty and serenity to the space, creating a peaceful atmosphere that blocks neighborhood noise. Be sure to use treated wood or composite products, since cedar and spruce will rot quickly when exposed to standing water or a continual flow of moisture.
Think about incorporating a pond or fountain in the surrounding gardens, or building the deck around a waterfall. This works especially well for multilevel decks, and those constructed above a stone patio. Water features of any size can help create an ultra luxurious atmosphere in your backyard.
Water features can attract pests such as mosquitoes, so be sure to keep the water clean and flowing with water treatment and quality water pumps. You may need to store these features over the winter or cover them for protection, depending on the climate and the strength of the item.
Deck Design Trend # 5 - Outdoor Furniture and Decor
Once your deck structure has been built, it's time to bring outdoor furniture into play. Use your style and imagination to decorate a backyard living space that's comfortable, usable and durable. From patio sets to conversation sofas and bistro tables, you'll need to include enough seating for all of your family and potential guests.
Invest in an outdoor rug for barefoot comfort and consider heat lamps and awnings for better climate control. Decorate the walls with outdoor art and don't forget to include patio plants for natural beauty and freshness. Backyard fire pits perfectly compliment a patio or deck, as long as the unit is set up on a non-combustible surface (setting a patio slab on the deck boards works well).
Quality outdoor furniture and decor items tend to be more expensive than the plastic sets you can pick up at the local big box store. Consider these items as investments in your comfort. Remember that you will get what you pay for, and cheaply made pieces are not meant to last more than a season or two.
Are you planning a new deck or deck extension for the coming season? Consider these top five deck design trends and create a cozier, more valuable space. From composite decking products to deck lighting and waterproof underlayment, your deck structure can be low maintenance, durable and safer than ever before. Water features and outdoor furniture turn a well built space into part of your home, as long as you invest in quality. Design and build the ideal deck this year with these trends and your lifestyle in mind.
Posted by: TrustedPros
