Deck Planning 101

How do you plan to use your deck?

Dining? Relaxing? Entertaining? All of the above?

Everything tastes better outside.

• If you're thinking about outdoor dining, consider keeping your deck close to the kitchen to minimize long trips back and forth.
• Consider the table size you'll need to seat family and friends comfortably, and make sure there’s enough room on the deck to accommodate it.
• Bench seating works great for larger groups, while using space efficiently.
• If you're building a deck to feature an incredible outdoor kitchen, make sure you shelter the grilling space from the wind.
• You may want to invest in a grill mat to avoid getting stains on your deck.

Want to include a swimming pool or hot tub?

• Trex® is water and slip-resistant – the ideal surface for lounging by the pool.
• Be sure to plan enough space for any lounge furniture, like a chaise.
• Hot tubs can be heavy, so make sure your deck's foundation and framing are built to handle the load.

Nothing says summer like the perfect deck party.

• Building a multi-level deck will allow you to create zones for dining, lounging or even a private space for a hot tub.
• As you plan your deck, make sure you have enough room for your guests to walk around and mingle. You'll also want to think about where to put tables and chairs and additional seating.
• Give some thought to what sort of lighting you might want. Do you want citronella torches, built-in lighting, solar lights or strings of lights that need to be plugged-in?
• For that final touch, consider an outdoor stereo and speaker system that can be wall-mounted or built into your deck.

<< Previous | Next > >