Home Remodeling & Construction Blog

Landscape design is a specialized field that involves various skills. Knowledge in horticulture is an asset, as is an understanding of how drainage, soil conditions and plantings come together to form a beautiful, functional landscape. Your Virginia deck will fit into a well planned yard. And using software and other high tech tools will help you develop a seamless design.

What Type of Deck Design Software Is Best?

Many of the deck designing programs on the market are limited in their function. Look for software that will provide the most flexibility, allowing you to sketch out and plan for a deck that includes unique shapes and custom features.

Have a look at reviews online to get a better idea of how the program functions. Getting feedback from those who have actually designed their deck or patio using the program is invaluable. Unbiased opinions will help you to see which software developers are delivering systems that work well and which programs are a waste of time.

The ideal deck design software will provide multiple views of the finished design – including a bird’s eye view (from the top) and side view (usually from ground level). You may also find it useful to have close ups of the railing systems, framing and stairs. These closer views will provide the detail needed to assemble the structure as required. Taking a look at the deck from a broader scope will help determine the best size and shape for your yard.

Information That Should Be Inputted

In order to design the ideal Virginia deck you will need to input various pieces of essential information. The dimensions of your yard are important, as are any local building code limitations. Perhaps you must keep the deck a certain distance away from the property line. Or there may be railing height requirements and limits placed on the width or number of rises in the stairs.

Look for a software program that will ask for this information before your design begins. Then you can be assured that the final design falls within the local building codes and will fit well on your property. A bird’s eye view helps to assess this scenario.

High end software and landscape design programs will also allow you to place furniture and accessories onto your deck drawing. This lets you virtually decorate your outdoor living space – it’s also handy when you are shopping for patio furniture.

Devices That Help

Tablets and smartphones are especially helpful when designing your yard. These portable devices can be carried out into the space, allowing you to get a physical view at the same time as you’re designing on the screen.

Look for deck design programs that work on your preferred device. You may even come across decent online applications that utilize the features of your device, such as touch screen capabilities and file sharing. Send your latest design to the decking contractor for a quotation. Or bring the device with you to the lumber yard to help field questions and create an accurate material list.

Consider how a computer program can help you to design the ideal Virginia deck. Planned out to meet the specifications of your property and the needs of your family, decks designed using the latest technology are on the cutting edge of this industry.

Every family and every yard deserves to have a comfortable and well designed outdoor living space. No matter how small or large your lawn is, designing a deck to maximize the area will provide better relaxation. Compact yards present unique issues, but certain Northern Virginia deck designs will work within those parameters to create a luxurious and restful space.

Use Your Home’s Features

The very best deck designs are built to connect seamlessly with the house. Most homes have a rear patio door – often a sliding glass door or a French door. Traffic will flow from this entrance onto the deck, so be sure that the immediate area is open and safe. If you must install stairs, such as on lookout elevations, design them to be wide and incorporate railings for safety.

Are there any walls or other architectural features that can be included in the design? Existing corners and alcoves can serve as natural storage locations. With a professional deck contractor on the job your deck can be built around any feature, including chimneys, trees and basement windows. Be creative and think outside of the box, working with exactly what you have.

Stick to One Level

Multilevel Northern Virginia deck designs are excellent for entertainers. But in a smaller yard it’s best to stick with one level. You can still create the multiple room look using accessories and furniture. Limiting the decking to one level provides more space and eliminates the need for stairs and extra railing, which reduce the liveable area.

Decks in small yards need to find their place right away. If you have a walkout elevation (more than 5 feet off of the ground), install your deck level with the patio door. Stairs can be constructed from the upper level deck, if space permits. Lookout elevations (between 2 and 5 feet off of the ground) can go either way. Decking may be installed at the patio door level with stairs to the grass. Or wide stairs extending from the patio door can lead to a ground level deck. This will depend on your preference and grade, but both work well.

Teach the Deck Features to Multitask

Designing for small spaces means including features that have multiple uses. Wide stairs with deep treads (10″ or more) can be used for impromptu seating. Benches with backs double as a railing and can include planters at one end (or both). You can also build storage boxes into benches or use skirting to incorporate a small shed into the space underneath your deck.

It helps to be creative and spend some time thinking about all of the ways you will use this space. Try to design for every eventuality while preserving neatness and a smooth finish. Hide storage behind deck features and create planter boxes and decorative elements that mesh with the frame of this structure. Built in features make the best use of space and provide more living area.

Building a usable and comfortable outdoor living area is possible, even in the smallest yard. Northern Virginia deck designs maximize the area using built in features on a single level and incorporating the shape of the house. Talk to an industry professional about designing a deck that suits your small yard perfectly.

The beauty and comfort of your backyard will depend on many factors. Size, shape, features and design all come together to create an outdoor living space that allows you to relax and shed the stresses of the day. Your Virginia deck design should be woven together with beautiful landscaping to create the framework and structure for this space. But there are tricks to weaving these backyard elements together properly.

Take Stock of Your Grade

The design of your backyard will greatly depend on the grade of your property. On a walkout lot a deck needs to be at least 8 feet off of the ground and include stairs to the grade. At the foot of those stairs welcoming and seamless landscaping including stone pathways, gardens and soft turf will encourage traffic on and off the deck. But the landscaping and deck surface on a walkout lot do not come together in the same way that they will with ground level homes.

If your rear entrance comes out at ground level you have a little more flexibility in terms of deck and landscaping design. A wooden deck can be easily combined with stone to create a multi-layered area including a variety of outdoor rooms. Those patios could be surrounded by lush gardens and bordered with wood or stone retaining walls to create stability and visual interest.

Ground level grading certainly provides more options, but walkout decks and landscaping can also be incredibly beautiful and comfortable.

Get a Bird’s Eye View

Think of your backyard from a different perspective. Although you will be living on the ground, it helps to make sketches of your space from above. Use these sketches to plan for the location of specific features like ponds, sheds, fountains and that all important Virginia deck. You can even make this drawing part of the overall plan for your yard, only tackling certain stages as they are possible but keeping the end goal in view.

It’s best to draw out this plan on graph paper, since that will allow you to maintain balance and the proper scale. Try not to build a massive desk or a sprawling patio without having decent sized flower beds and other landscaping features to balance the area. Draw in the trees, turf and flower gardens, as well as all of the structures in the yard and both the wood and stone patio areas. Label everything carefully, but don’t be afraid to play around with the design as well. That’s why you have a plan, to experiment.

Consider the Contractor

It helps to use the same contractor for the construction of your deck, patio and any fencing. Find a reputable and experienced pro who can do all of this for you – that will save you time and streamline the installation process. Many decking contractors will be able to handle the hardscaping projects, but they may need to recommend a landscaping firm for the sod, gardening and soft landscaping elements. Be sure that you are hiring the best contractor for every stage of this project .

Your Virginia deck can combine with strikingly beautiful landscaping to provide an outdoor space that is attractive, comfortable and built to last. You’ll want to spend much more time outside when this atmosphere is waiting for you in the backyard.

For a great part of the year your family will enjoy living outdoors. Cooking on the BBQ, sipping coffee on the porch swing, sunbathing, reading the latest summer blockbuster and playing in the sandbox are all common family activities. But none of this relaxation and luxury outdoor living would be possible without your Northern Virginia deck. Make the most of this excellent space with these top three tips.

Design and Decorate the Space

Just as you would add things you love to your indoor space, don’t be afraid to personalize your deck. Furniture and accessories should be well chosen to reflect your tastes and the needs of your family. Hang durable, outdoor art work on the walls, purchase outdoor rugs for a splash of color and include plenty of gardens and flower pots.

If your Northern Virginia deck is large enough consider designing different rooms. The layout could include a kitchen space with your grill and prep area, as well as a dining room with the patio set and some additional storage. Perhaps you could include a secluded niche in one corner for more private moments. Talk to a local contractor about an extension if your deck isn’t large enough to suit your needs.

Invest in Quality

The decking,  furniture and furnishings that make up your outdoor living space will need to be durable. Weather is constantly wearing and if you do not invest in quality brands you will soon need to think about replacements. Remember that although a well made and durable product may be more expensive initially, the longevity and reliability will likely pay off in the end. Invest in what you love and the price tag will mean very little.

Choose materials that are built for outdoor use and protect them as best you can with covers and protective coatings, as applicable. You can liven up the outdoor space with tropical plants and other items more suited to the indoors, but be sure to bring them in once the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Think About Maintenance

One of the major differences between indoor and outdoor living is maintenance. While you do need to regularly maintain the inside of your home, the outside may require a bit more elbow grease as a result of exposure.

It’s best to consider what level of maintenance you are comfortable with. If you don’t mind staining the decking or furniture on a regular basis, then by all means invest in those products that require it. But if you would rather not look at composite and vinyl decking, as well as powder coated aluminum deck accessories and furniture.

Low maintenance fabrics that resistant fading, mold and mildew are often best for umbrellas, furniture covers and other soft furnishings. Investigate the maintenance required for each part of your outdoor living space and decide whether that fits into your work level preferences.

Your Northern Virginia deck can become a hot spot for entertaining, relaxation and casual life. With the right decorating and design, quality materials and a maintenance level you can handle, outdoor living will be better than you ever dreamed.