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Entries Tagged ‘deck’

The 10 Commandments of Deck Planning and Deck Design

Each deck must be designed carefully and consistently constructed of durable material. Winning design deck overlooking all the posibilities. However, there are 10 important principles or orders of the deck design to be considered by any homeowner planning to build a bridge.

Commandment #1 – Try to see the design as a whole. The deck is both part of the house and part of the garden so its size, shape, design and location will undoubtedly have a profound effect on both. This would hold true in terms of affecting the interior view of garden areas, possible elimination of valuable garden or play space as well as accessibility from one to the other.

Commandment #2 – Plan generously and then add up the costs. Creating a strong design will assist a homeowner in distinguishing between the more and less important elements of the plan so that it becomes clear where to make compromises to bring the project within budgetary constraints. It might be decided to have several extra feet of deck surface rather than an area for storage or built-in benches rather than the extra floor space.

Commandment #3 – Rely on familiar shapes. Landscape designs that are based upon squares, rectangles, hexagons and circles almost always generate eye pleasing designs. They are usually the most economical to construct as well. The important thing is to avoid irregular or arbitrarily curved patterns.

Commandment #4 – Think in three dimensions. This will help to balance the design elements and enable a homeowner to visualize the results. It will also keep the designer from confining the design to an endless horizontal plane.

Commandment #5 – Maintain a sense of proportion. The deck should be large enough to suit the various needs of the family. It should be large enough to accomodate outdoor furniture comfortably. However, it should not be so large that it overwhelms the landscape or the home.

Similarly, a deck that is dwarfed by the house and the garden can seem to be overcrowded with minimal amounts of furnishings. Try to size the deck so it complements rather than dominates the interior room or rooms from which it projects.

For example, a deck that wraps around the home may be generously sized where it joins the living room, a bit smaller where it opens off the kitchen and extremely small where it extends the master bedroom.

Commandment #6 – Look for a feeling of unity. Elements in deck design such as the shape, the pattern of the deck surface, the railing system, built-in benches, vertical privacy screens and roofs should look as if they belong together. It is also vital that as a whole the deck should blend with the architectural style of the home.

If the house is built with rustic materials, the deck would be constructed with similar materials. If the home has a formal and uncluttered feeling to it, the design of the deck and its appearance should reflect a simialr feeling.

Commandment #7 – Consider traffic patterns. Family members and guests should be able to move smoothly from the home to the deck and from the deck to the garden. If it is necessary open up a wall to better facilitate movement.

Avoid creating traffic patterns that flow through the middle of outdoor spaces or rooms. Traffic patterns work well when they flow along the perimeters of these outdoor areas.

Commandment #8 – Learn to stretch a low level deck. Make a ground level deck appear to be larger by planning it around 1 or 2 planting areas. A simple 10 by 18 foot deck can appear to be twice as large with the addition of 10 square feet and 2 planting areas.

It is also possible to make the space seem larger by linking the deck to the lawn and a single planting area.

Another alternative would be to connect the deck to a patio or paved area. This will expand living space without having to add to the deck surface or losing the warm feeling of the wood.

Commandment #9 – Look below a high level raised deck. Consider what happens to the space that lies beneath it. The deck will almost certainly have some effect upon the temperature, the view, the amount of light received and the noise level of the area that it overhangs.

A high level deck will affect temperature when it casts a shadow on one of the house walls and cools related interior walls.

It affects the view when looking through a lower level window or patio door especially when the deck’s support structure is exposed. In addition high level decks can block out daylight as well as transmit noises generated by upper deck activities into the rooms below.

These handicaps can be minimized by locating the deck above a windowless wall of the home, building a second deck at the lower level or designing the deck with a streamlined substructure.

Commandment #10- Consult with professionals when necessary. Issues such as proposed deck sites over sand, mud or water, unstable soil, leakproof deck surfaces, high level decks and extensive cantilevering are best dealt with by getting advice and/or on site guidance from those who are trained to deal with them. Failure to do this could very well lead to structural defects and costly repairs in the near future.

Any successful deck design will be the result of the homeowner doing the necessary observation, research and planning work related to creating an outdoor living space that will meet the needs and suit the tastes of family members and guests for years to come.

How to Use 2 Objective Deck Design Factors

Design is a very subjective task. However, there are a number of objective factors that must be considered in creating an aesthetically pleasing and functional deck design:

1. exposure concerns such as weather, sun and wind

2. functional considerations such as connection to the home and traffic patterns

The influence of local weather conditions must be taken into consideration when locating and designing a deck. A deck is a transition area between the environment inside the home maintained and the outer world. It is important to examine how the external elements will affect the use, and the joy of the deck. One of the most important aspects is the position of the platform in relation to the daily path of the sun. A deck that is too warm or too cold is likely to receive less use.

The warm weather can be used to provide shade to the main goals of the year where the deck. It is positioned to take advantage of the shade in late afternoon or early evening, the east side of the house, which means the deck. North face hot climate will cool the house at noon. Since then, the deck during the course of one day will be optimized for heating and cooling should be considered when and how the experience completely different temperature.

With a deck that has a southern exposure awnings or trellises can be used to block the sun overhead, but tend to be less effective when the sun is lower in the sky in the morning and evening. While this may not be a problem in winter can lead to significant warming in the summer.

Sometimes a deck can be designed to make the best of both sun and shade. A wraparound deck that wraps around the corner of a house will generally have one of the 2 areas in shade. Movable screens can be used to effectively screen a small area.

A pergola, arbor, overhead trellis or an awning can each provide shade for larger areas. Trellises can be designed to provide maximum shade at certain times of the day and allow some sun through during other times of the day.

Frequent changes in the strength and direction of the wind can be a difficult element to design for. Well established and large screens are planted as a windbreak in force. Another design idea that works, is the location of the deck on the side of the house is compared to a prevailing wind.

Changes in deck level and the use of railing systems with no openings are features that can create protected areas on lower deck levels and block the wind with an adjacent upper level deck and railing. Large amounts of rain during the warm months when deck use is more frequent might necessitate the addition of an overhead structure.

How does the deck is also related to the house is an important design element. Extension of the deck house – to set out the nature of the transition region between the interior area more secure. Clearly, all out of the deck with easy access, to step in to chat, relax and view, to promote family and guests

Most decks serve several purposes doors so access to the kitchen, living room, bedroom or family room is ideal. Glass patio doors, French doors and screen doors blur the boundaries between inside and outside. If the weather permitting the access points extend the living space. In general, it is worthwhile to add a new door, rather than to live with a door that is badly in relation to the deck.

Besides doorway access, traffic patterns need considerable thought during the deck design process. Stairways should be located so that frequently used areas off the deck are easy to access. On a larger deck this could mean adding more than one stairway.

It is important to analyze existing traffic patterns and important areas of activity to ensure that sufficient access to garages, driveways, gardens, kennels, and garbage storage areas. A ramp can be a useful addition to wheel heavy deck barbecue, garden carts and wheelbarrows or bicycles on the deck.

Taking exposure concerns and functional considerations such as traffic patterns and connection to the home into consideration allows a homeowner to utilize these deck design factors in the creation of a deck that is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.

How to Create an Initial Deck Design

When the best site has been determined for the construction of the deck, it is time to put possible ideas down on paper in the form of an initial deck design. Gather as much information as possible. Study deck designs in how-to-design-it books. Browse through home improvement magazines for additional information and ideas. Visit the decks of relatives, friends and neighbors for inspiration. Take photographs if needed.

The important task is to design a deck that works. Good looks are never enough with such an outdoor living space. The deck must survive harsh weather conditions, blend in with the architectural style of the home, coordinate in some manner with interior rooms and be sturdy enough to last for years to come. To achieve all of these goals it will be necessary to use appropriate materials and construction techniques. Durable and affordable materials that comply with the local building codes and provide the look that is right for the house are a must.

Ensure that the plans are as complete as possible to minimize confusion later no matter whether the construction is being done by a homeowner or by a contractor or builder.

It is not to be an artist to design the deck. This process is more scientific than it is art. The basic pattern and the deck surface of the lower part of the structure plan should be developed that can be seen from above, looking straight down. Deck sub-structure arrangements should draw a blueprint, and the elevation view from one side of it is directly observed. Deck railings and other vertical elevation drawing some of the best views. The details of any attachments or features should be considered, the most clear indication that their building. Three-dimensional sketch the details of the work can often be the best for these.

Paper size, the plan to cut the deck, you will need to be drawn to scale. The actual size of a typical deck of a one-foot drop to 1 / 4 or 1 / 2 inch, may be depending on the size of the deck. The easiest way to do this specific number of square, one on the deck is to use graph paper as equivalent to the feet. Is needed if a large drawing area, together with a sheet of graph paper tape.

Initially, take the time to draw a base map which is a plan of the existing house and property. If it is possible to locate architect’s drawings or deed maps that show the actual dimensions and orientation of the property, this step can be eliminated.

Certain base map data is important. Measure the area where the deck will be located. Make a rough sketch first and then transfer the information to a more refined scale drawing. The dimensions of the lot, the location of the house and other structures such as a pool, garage, storage shed or hot tub, the position of doors, windows and interior house walls, the path and direction of the sun, fencing or privacy screens, utility lines such as water, gas, sewer and electricity, the direction of prevailing winds, existing trees, shrubs and garden beds and any obstructions beyond the lot that might affect sunlight, the view or privacy should be included.

Put a trace on the base map and a possible deck shape or structure of sketch paper. Inspection, and to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Repeat the process to try different configurations or modified, it seems possible. Do not be limited to ideas, rectangle or single-level deck. They may not be in the long run, the best or most interesting choice. Experiment and imagination, will eventually pay off the deck design more satisfactory.

Once a deck shape that seems to work has been created, figure the deck’s actual size and confirm its shape and placement on the site. Refine the scale drawing. Consider traffic patterns. People should be able to move smoothly from the house to the deck and from the deck to the yard. If necessary, open up a house wall to improve circulation. Avoid creating traffic patterns that run through the middle of outdoor spaces. Plan them so they flow along the perimeters of these deck spaces.

The time for research, to do careful planning and a bit of creativity in the first deck design process will eventually lead to the development of housing in the open one, that meet the needs and lifestyles of family members and guests of the year will come.

Choosing The Perfect Deck Railing Patterns

Railing patterns are very important when it comes to deciding how you want your deck will look like fences. There are literally hundreds of designs from, so select everything depends on your personal preference. Do you want your garden look modern or you want it look a little more contemporary? Whatever your style, there is a pattern matches the railing to you.

Keeping the Same Pattern

Whilst there is plenty of different deck railing patterns to choose from, it is important to remember to stick with the same design once you have made your mind up. It might well seem like a good idea at the time to choose more than one design, but generally when you actually get them installed, they tend to look quite odd together.

Is important, but also remember that the model you choose will depend on your use of the material completely railings. All the material given to the different appearance of a garden, they sometimes can even improve your home's value.

So if this is a Western look, stick with a Western theme pattern. Or if you prefer a contemporary look, stick with a Modern style and will not mix with the modern. If you stick with the same standard across the rails, you will end up with a good result.

Why Location is Important

It may not be eliminated at the details is where it may affect the pattern is actually used in which your railings. This is how the size of the home, what size, can be a lot of deck railing is to determine the pattern in turn affects the size of it.

Also the location of your climate is another important consideration. You live in humid areas, especially in life? The sun constantly treble? Each of the different material response to different weather conditions, ensuring you get the material, suitable for your location.

Knowing the Rules

Finally, when choosing the right railing design for sure that you do not break any laws with the designs you choose. It does not always have to enter the minds of men that they may check with their local city officials as they think they can usually do what they want when it comes to lining their own garden. However, it is important to check what rules apply, if at all! If you do not, you can at the end of some very heavy fines and that's really something you want to avoid, as much as possible!

Overall deck railing patterns do come in an unlimited range of both size and shapes so be sure to thoroughly do your research and shop around before deciding upon a final design.

12 Small Deck Design Ideas

A small deck does not necessarily have to remain a small deck. There are a number of techniques to make that less than large area increase in size and become more comfortable. The key to small deck design is simplicity.

1. They create the illusion of a large area from 2 smaller spaces. If your deck is bordered by the backyard lawn then allow outdoor lounge to pour into that open space and create the illusion that it is larger.

2. Create colorful flower or garden beds on 1 or more sides of the deck so that it does not seem to float like an island of greenery from your garden. Instead of the colorful flowers and greenery will work together in order to blend seamlessly into the deck and an integral part of the landscape Backyard.

3. Stressed the deck, rather than the property line. Rather than the property line created by the end of the lawn around the planting beds, will shift to the deck of any external attention. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants in these gardens carefully placed around the eyes will lead back to the deck should be the focus of the courtyard.

4. Use plants with interesting textures in containers on the deck or in flower beds that border the deck. Thus the attention will focus on the deck and not the surrounding landscape. If there stairs or steps, that the deck is used together with the court, you potted plants on the sides of steps to further direct attention to the deck surface.

5. Concentrate color in a particular area do not scatter flowers in the backyard. Groups of flowers in containers on the patio or in the flower bed beside the deck to be more effective than scattered flowers. If color is more than 1 location, then repeat using the 2 or 3 colors to link the areas together.

6. If possible, sometimes seen near the deck point. If there is a water feature, a beautiful grove of trees or a garden close to make sure that from the deck to open and accessible. Move or rearrange furniture and make other objects on the deck to them.

7. Place any type of screening strategically to enhance privacy and block only those sights that are distracting. Movable screening provides a great deal more flexibility than fixed types in enabling this to occur.

8. Installation of water features or hang wind chimes near the deck. They create a mask from the adjacent street or other sounds to ease the voice code. A grid or a grid can provide the vertical part of the intensive green support, not only look attractive but can also filter out sound and snooping.

9. Install built-in outer edge of the deck, because it can not occupy a seat room furniture is unique. Also used a round table, because it occupies less than a rectangular type of space, allowing for dining or entertainment seat increase.

10.Keep decking patterns simple. Small patterns and contrasting textures created a feeling of being hemmed in and add very little to the appeal of the overal deck design.

11.Move furnishings to the side of the deck to open up the central space and create the illusion of size while also allowing for much easier access and traffic flow on and off the deck.

12.Add a patio off the edge of the deck to enlarge the amount of usable space. Link these 2 areas by using:

a) a similar material such as wood, brick or stone in some way

b) by the use of container plants or planter boxes

c) by using a similar color in some way (flower, decorative art piece, etc.)

d) by installing an arbor or pergola to provide shade protection for all or parts of both

Careful use of a variety of simple deck design techniques can enhance the look of any small deck and create the illusion that it is larger than its actual size.