Backyard Decks

When designing backyard decks, most people want to do it themselves, but don't know where to begin. There are three issues to concentrate on.

Your Wants and Needs

Use a broad brush. Don't get hung up on details - that comes after the overall shape and size of the deck is determined. Every situation is unique. Don't try to make a deck you once saw and liked into your ideal layout.

Consider your family size, the height of the deck off the ground, the types of activities you will have on your deck, and so on. Backyard decks should be designed to suit the specific needs of the family that will use them.

The height will determine whether or not you will need terraces. If so, they should be proportionate to each other, and roomy enough for a specific use. As an example, the family can prepare food and eat on one level (this area should be 12 ft by 12 ft in order to seem comfortable), and later relax around a fire on another level.

Giving your backyard decks a unique atmosphere that appeals to you will lead to better results than trying to duplicate your neighbor's deck. Keep in mind the essentials.

You need access to the yard, through the deck, from your back door. You need a place for the grill, a place to eat, a place to relax. All while you entertain, so allow for traffic flow.

You could consider attaching a gazebo somewhere along the perimeter of your deck. There might even be a backyard kitchen in your future.

Stand at the far end of your yard and visualize how all of this might work. The only possible restriction to your ideal layout will be your budget. Hopefully, that's not something you have to worry about at this time.

The Appropriate Size and Shape

A backyard deck's scale should be proportionate to the size of the house, and the yard. Again using your ability to visualize, determine the limits of the deck within the overall size of the house.

If your yard is wide from side to side, but short from front to back, the deck should follow the proportions of the yard. If the yard is square, make the deck square as well. A deck that is too large for the plot will often appear overwhelming and out of place.

If you feel your deck might be too large, ask yourself: "How much space do I need?" A thoughtful design can increase your perception of the overall space. Try to eliminate spaces that aren't necessary. In this way, you can begin to streamline the design of your backyard deck.

Creating Traffic Flow

Here is where we start to think about those details mentioned earlier. Items like railings, planters, benches, grill location, storage units, etc. will enhance the overall look of your deck, while performing the function of dictating how people move across the deck.

Rails will define the perimeter and add a measure of safety to the structure. Subtle details like the direction of the decking can subconsciously direct motion in a certain direction. The boards act as lines on a highway, and people are used to following them.

This method can also be used to focus attention toward a particular part of the yard, away from the house. Benches and planters can express a barrier to movement so that people aren't coming into one space from several directions.

There are many tools like this which you can use to keep people moving comfortably in and around backyard decks and patios, and to create boundaries for social areas.

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Once you've completed your deck (and if you used wood), you should protect it. Go to this page to see a discussion about best deck stains and best deck sealer.

If you're looking for someone to help you add a deck to your home, Try Angie’s List. You get a real person who is actually helpful.

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Here is a short video that you might find interesting.

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