DECKED OUT FOR SUMMER
A deck should be a natural extension of the home, and can help to create exterior living room. Whether used as an entertainment centre, an eating area with a place for a barbecue or an outdoor kitchen, or a relaxation area around a pool or hot tub, decks come in a wide range of materials and configurations.
Price, maintenance, and function all play an important role in determining the best type of deck.
“The most cost-efficient material for decks is pressure-treated pine, which has a brown or almost greenish-grey tint,” said Brian Hutchinson, co-owner of RenoUbora. “It’s more of the norm because of the (affordable) cost. The only downside is, it tends to split a bit more than cedar.”
Most decks, he explained, are built with a brown treated wood for the frame, and 60 per cent of decks are entirely made with brown treated pine because of the cost. “And people tend to eventually stain that wood, so they can change how it looks.”
Another popular decking material is western red cedar, a premium grade wood that, when properly maintained, can have a lifespan that’s as long as 25 years.
“It also has an anti-rot oil that’s in the wood naturally, which prevents warping and splitting, so you don’t need to treat the wood,” Hutchinson said.
A newer material being used for decks is a composite that’s starting to make its way onto the residential market, he said, but it’s very expensive. “The downside of this material is the cost.
“... Per board (composite wood) is as much as five times the price (of regular wood) ... but if homeowners are going to make that investment in their backyard, they usually go for the higher-end one, which never scratches and can be there 25 years and is virtually maintenance-free,” Hutchinson said. “You have to wash it every year to avoid mould, but (other than that) there’s no work to be done.”
Jacob Gagnon, an adviser with GoSoumissions, agreed that, while it has a higher price tag, composite wood is the best long-term investment for building a deck. While it comes with a heftier price tag, its resistance to water and its durability in general make it an ideal choice.
Gagnon also talked about concrete decks, often made of concrete slabs or natural stones. It’s a durable choice requiring little maintenance, and it’s very resistant to temperature change. The look is less warm than wood, however, and it’s much more expensive to take down if you want to change your patio later.
When it comes to layout, decks can be made in virtually any configuration.
“Mainly, we don’t want decks to be raised too high off the ground,” Hutchinson said. “We want flowing space that’s inviting.”
In many cases, a deck begins about four feet off the ground, level with the home’s back door, and is used for things like food prep or a two-seater table. Then, quite often, there are four or five steps down to a main platform, which is usually bigger.
“The overall layout depends on the backyard space; you want it to be an extension of your home rather than a simple platform.”
One of Reno-Ubora’s big sellers is privacy walls. “If you want to create a nook and have a tea, or have an area where you lounge, we will put that in one portion of the deck so it’s enclosed but so it doesn’t feel boxed in,” Hutchinson explained. “It becomes this privacy nook that accentuates the outdoor space.”
The larger deck platform can be used for entertaining, and quite often this is where homeowners will incorporate a built-in bench.
“This is an area where we can also implement some storage space inside the bench,” Hutchinson said. It’s an ideal spot in which to keep outdoor tools, gardening accessories, and so on. “We want the deck to meet all your needs and reflect your personality,” he said, because a deck is not only an extension of the home, but of your lifestyle as well. Those who love to lounge in summer will add a deck with comfortable furniture, while home chefs may want a deck for outdoor food prep.
With a deck design based on your individual needs, you can take in all that summer has to offer.