Your Dream Deck:

A deck sets the stage for outdoor activity and extends the total living space of a house. A properly planned deck forms a focal point in the landscape, redefines grade, and provides new views of the garden and its surroundings. Built to accommodate seating, tables, or a hot tub, a deck can function as an outdoor room. Decks can abut the house or tuck into a remote corner of the garden. The classic attached deck is typically accessed from the house through French or sliding doors from a living room, kitchen, or master bedroom-or all three. So when planning your deck, keep in mind interior traffic patterns as well as outdoor ones. Why build a deck rather than a patio? Your site or the style of your house can be determining factors. A deck can bridge bumps and slopes or "float" over swampy low spots that might sink a brick patio. Decking lumber is resilient underfoot, and it doesn't store heat the way masonry can, making a deck cooler in hot areas. A low-level deck can link house and garden at flower height, offering a new perspective on garden beds. Such a deck makes a good replacement for an existing concrete slab-you can often use the slab as a base for the deck. A low-level wraparound deck links interior spaces with a series of boardwalks or landings.

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You can follow your home's shape or playoff it with angular extensions or soft curves. If you're faced with a hilly site, try cantilevering a deck over the steep slope, or plan on a step-down, multiplatform arrangement. Detached decks form quiet retreats, whether tucked behind lush plantings or elevated to catch afternoon sun or shade. The route to such a deck can be direct or circuitous. You can enhance the feeling of a hideaway with the addition of an overhead, a fountain, or-a spa or hot tub. • Design options include decking patterns and railing styles. Often the railing is the most visible element. The ultimate feel of a deck is determined by the details, and safety is the only limit. Pressure-treated lumber is the most affordable material for building a deck. The wood, typically southern pine, has been treated with chemical preservatives that guard against rot, insects, and other sources of decay. Other options include redwood or cedar heartwood, which are more pleasing visually and naturally resistant to decay, but much more expensive. Coat any deck periodically with a wood sealant or stain to prevent water absorption and reduce the swelling and contracting that lead to cracking, splintering, and warping. Pressure-treated lumber can be stained to look remarkably good--like redwood.