You don't want a "slab" of concrete -- you'd like your outdoor space to rise up to the level of your back door, creating a near-seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. Sounds like a deck is the right choice for you. Decks work well on sloping, uneven, or poorly draining sites. A wood deck is cool underfoot and also dries quickly
An Introduction to Do-It-Yourself Deck Building
Photo by Lisa Hallett Taylor
This basic, beginner's-level article on deck design and construction is meant to serve as a springboard. "It is beyond the scope of this article to provide an exhaustive treatise on all aspects of constructing decks," writes About.com Landscaping Guide David Beaulieu. "But the article should provide novices with enough information to get them started. I’ll focus on the essential steps in deck building, with emphasis on the initial steps that get the project off on a sound footing." David explains it in easy-to-understand terms, and provides you with a list of materials and tools to get you off on solid ground.
Types and Styles of Decks
Once you delve into the topic, you'll learn that a deck is not simply "just a deck." Among the different types and styles of decks:- Wraparound
- Freestanding
- Attached-to-House
- Rooftop
- Hillside
Best Wood For Decks
"Will your new deck be an enhancement or an eyesore?" asks About.com Guide to Architecture Jackie Craven. "The answer depends on the type of decking wood you use. Pressure-treated pine resists rot and repels pests, but the green-tinged lumber is unsightly and the pesticides it contains are unhealthy."Craven's recommendations for the best woods for decks include western red cedar, redwood, and Ipe.
Deck Design Idea Gallery
A deck is not just a square or rectangular extension off your kitchen or den. Decks can be attached or detached from the main house, and can be built in all sorts of shapes and sizes. David Beaulieu, About.com's Guide to Landscaping, has assembled several deck photos with the help of landscape designer Lawrence Winterburn.Decks for Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas
In this Q&A-format article from About.com Landscaping Guide David Beaulieu, you'll learn all about the possible materials used in pool and spa deck design, including concrete, wood, stone and tile, etc. Also covered: privacy screening; curvilinear and more formal or traditional deck designs; and the homeowner/designer relationship, including design challenges and communication issues. A must-read before launching any deck-related project.Deck Additions and Components
Photo by Lisa Hallett Taylor
Your deck may be a stand-alone thing of beauty and pride, but if it rises 30 inches or more from ground level, it's going to require a railing. Other additions and components you might want or need to include with your deck project: posts, columns, trims, wainscot, lattice, overhead structures, benches and planter boxes.
