An easy way to grow your homes’ value, decks are great to take advantage of views, entertain, or enjoy in most seasons. When you build and design with Hen-House Decks, every deck is unique to fit your needs, but do you know exactly what goes into the design and what options you have?
Purpose
Before beginning a project, it’s important to have the basics – a vision, some measurements, and a photo. Most contractors will ask for at least a picture of the area and measurements to know what area they have to work with. Then come the variables: what do you want to accomplish with this deck? A deck can surround a pool or spa, include a built-in hot tub, a privacy fence, an entertainment area with a fire pit, garden boxes, or an outdoor kitchen to name a few. And that’s just for ‘regular’ yard decks.
Budget
Consider what you expect usually goes into the budget of a new deck – size, design, labor, and materials. That should be it, right? Unfortunately, any additional features may cost extra such as hot tub casings, flower boxes, or features like built-in seating, lighting, storage, and railings. Thankfully, a deck should still be covered under a renovation or home equity loan, so securing financing for a project shouldn’t be difficult and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the great outdoors.
Material
Wood isn’t the only option available. At Hen-House Decks we are certified Trex decks used in the HGTV Smart Home 2021 models. Trex composite doesn’t warp, split, rot, need constant repainting and sealing, or attract insects. For a modern look we recommend PVC or Aluminum decks, but for those without budget limitations, there’s nothing like premium hardwood. Popular and extremely durable are woods like teak, ice, and other Brazilian species. Ask for availability and we’ll be happy to fulfill your dream project.
Style
A deck’s style should complement your home independent of how lavish of a project you have in mind. Make simple matches with architectural highlights. If your home has a brick siding, match with brick pillars or underlayment on your deck. Another option is to match your roof color to the next approximate wood for flooring and create a cohesive style. In the end, it all depends on your homes’ type (craftsman, modern, mid-century modern, colonial etc.) and personal preference.
Lighting
A great addition to any deck, lights can bring a romantic or festive ambiance to your deck with the benefit of added safety as the days get shorter. Depending on the types of fixtures and power source, your deck project might have to make some compromises or creative design changes to accommodate accordingly. The most popular types of deck lighting include steps, well, spot, up-lights, down-lights, balusters, or post caps. While not very bright, recessed lighting underneath your deck steps can go a long way.
Feeling inspired? Hen-House Decks will make your deck dreams a reality!
