A good designed deck can add so much to your home plus increase it’s value.  Check out the following tips to make a deck more attractive:

 Add other designs to create a contrast.  Such as linking your deck with a walkway made of brick, stone or a concrete patio.

 Cosmetic use of trim boards such as fascia outlining the  outside edges or skirting around the deck.  In other words, give attention to small details around the deck.

Make your deck compliment your house.  For instance, choose the color of the deck to match your house color or compliment the house color.  Or match the style of the railing to emulate the house trim. 

 Natural rock formations, tress, terrain and streams can contribute to the beauty of your deck.  Or let a tree grow up through the deck’s surface providing shade.  Then build a bench around it.  Also benches and planters can be used to break the open expanse of your deck, or how about a wood bench in the corner away from the main part of the deck.

Use benches and steps to create a transition between areas in the backyard.

 Deck angles.  These can make the deck interesting visually.  You can create octagons from square edges of the deck, by cutting off sharp corners.  Deck board direction can also add to the interest. The direction you run your deck can draw attention to other areas in you backyard, such as the view, or a gazebo.  You can also create patterns by changing the direction of the decking.

Do you hire someone who is a deck designer?  Should I buy pre deck plans?  Or should I design my own deck?  Interesting questions indeed. The benefit of buying deck plans, is that it has been successfully build before and will be for you.  Such plans though may need some tweaking to fit your needs, still making this an good  economical pursuit.  next the building department, with these plans check with them to find out what requirements or restrictions your local building codes may involve.  Most important, cover all the bases and plan ahead to avoid future problems.

Finished Product: Now that your deck is built how will you access it?  Does the deck draw people to want to go outdoors?  A French door or glass doors in the home can make that deck even more appealing.  With a little imagination your deck can be a showplace.

Composite Deck Considerations and Maintenance

Selecting right nails, screws, fixtures

Decking ChoicesDeck Design Considerations

Composites- the Pro's and Con's

How to Plan Your Deck and Design

© 1996-2005 American Floor Coverings Inc.  All rights reserved.  

Other Links of  related and unrelated sites: and More links