Home Remodeling & Construction Blog

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.

Residential properties comes in a variety of layouts and designs. Some homes are bungalows or ranch style, while others are two or three-story designs. Your house may be built on a concrete slab or feature a walkout basement. Split foyer homes also allow for plenty of exterior design and landscaping options. Whatever the configuration of your home, it is essential to come up with a Virginia deck design that takes full advantage of it. On walkout lots there are a variety of options that can turn your deck into a truly luxurious outdoor living space.

Stairs or No Stairs?

It’s always a good idea to install stairs on your walkout decking, if only to provide a fire escape. However, this pathway will provide access to another entrance and some homeowners prefer not to allow that. Find out whether stairs are required by building code and consider all of the options if you are undecided.

Stairs are convenient and can be built in various configurations to make the most of your backyard space. Leaving the stairway off creates more an intimate, balcony feeling, but it may almost limit the use of your deck in the long run.
If you do decide to include a flight of stairs, be sure they are wide enough and that the rise and run (height and depth of each step) are comfortable and safe.

Keep the View

The height of a walkout deck often creates an attractive view. Make sure your deck design will not detract from that view by installing tempered glass railings or other styles that provide the safety required without blocking your line of sight.

Glass railings can get quite expensive when installed down the stairs, but thankfully thin, black aluminum pickets will create an almost invisible look down the stairs as well. This matches perfectly with the tempered glass railing on the main deck. Choose the same style of frame for the entire railing and you will achieve a seamless look.

What’s Underneath?

Make good use of the space underneath your Virginia deck. Some homeowners close off the sides and create a built in storage shed. Others install a vinyl matting underneath the deck boards to provide weather resistant roofing that creates a well protected space underneath. (Remember to slope the deck slightly away from the house and account for drainage, otherwise you can end up with water problems near the house and in the space underneath.)

Maybe you could build a play area for the kids or design a small, shaded dog run for your pets. In any case, it is wise to use this space as much as possible and design the upper deck to accommodate that use. Think about adding some lighting as well, to help make this area comfortable and safe.

If your home was built as a walkout or you are planning to build a deck off of your second story, take the time to design the space well. From the stairs to the railing and even underneath, this area will be much more comfortable and usable when you take the time to design it right. Browse through the latest home and garden magazines and contact your expert Virginia deck contractor for ideas, options and innovations. Make the most of your investment with a walkout deck that truly shines.

Homeowners love their outdoor living space to look just as stylish as their indoor living space. That requires comfortable furnishings, high quality materials and installation techniques that will provide the smoothest finish even when exposed to harsh weather conditions. Specialty fasteners are available to make the surface of your Virginia deck look sleek and feel comfortable no matter what the weather throws at it. There are also design ideas for the railing and stairs that will help create a more luxurious space that truly feels like an extension of your home.

Common Construction Techniques

Pressure treated wood deck boards are most often nailed or screwed through the top of the board – commonly two fasteners per joist, resulting in multiple nail or screw heads on the surface of your deck. You can opt for colored screw heads, which hide the fasteners a little, but this type of finish is not nearly enough for some homeowners. They are looking for a more permanent and fool proof solution.

Solutions Available

Many composite deck boards on the market are installed using a clip system. Clips are attached to the joist and deck boards are held in place thanks to a groove carved down the bull nose on each side. This tongue and groove design allows for solid construction and provides a fastener-free finish on the top of the deck boards.

Unfortunately the same system will not work for a wood deck board, unless the groove has been routed in. Some cedar products include this option, but that product isn’t commonly found in Virginia. For wood decks (either cedar, pressure treated or another type of timber) the contractors must rely on a different system in order to ensure the deck boards are secured and the fasteners hidden.

There are certain products on the market that allow wood deck boards (and solid composite decking without the groove) to be fastened from the bottom, which provides a smooth surface for walking. Most often these are attached directly to the joists and present a lip that can then be nailed or screwed in from the bottom – through the plastic or metal strip and into the deck board. It is a difficult process to do for ground level decks, but if you have the space and inclination these products can provide a beautiful finish on your Virginia deck.

Added Expense

Be prepared for a fastener-free system to increase the cost of your deck project. Not only will you need to buy this product, but the use of clips or strips will require more fasteners as well. Labor is another factor to consider.
Installing your deck boards in this way is very time consuming, so you can expect that your professional decking contractor will charge more for their services. If a smooth deck surface is important to you, the added cost is certainly worth it.

Railing and Stairs

To make your deck look more like a luxurious indoor living space choose maintenance free materials for your railing. Aluminum, composite and vinyl deck railing will provide attractive textures and color without the need for staining or painting. They can also be cleaned up with a hose and will last for years.

Stairs should be wide and inviting where possible. This helps them to look more like a stylish entranceway or hall than an utilitarian pathway onto the deck. Close off the faces (space between the treads) with wood or composite to hide any unattractive framing underneath. And small details like trim and rounded corners allow your stairs to look finished and sleek.

If you are looking for a Virginia deck that creates a true extension of your well designed and comfortable indoor living space, consider adding hidden fastener systems and low maintenance railing solutions. Ask your contractor which options are available and look forward to a smooth, luxurious finish on your new deck.

As much as we long for the summer sun, when it finally gets here we find ourselves looking for a shady spot to relax in. For your health, as well as for more enjoyment in your backyard, incorporating a shade structure into your Virginia deck design is a wise plan. Whether you are adding to an existing deck or building from scratch, there are a few simple and affordable ways to make sure your deck can be comfortable even in the hottest days of summer.

The Covered Porch Look

There is something undoubtedly quaint about a covered porch. With a few rocking chairs set up or a porch swing swaying gently in the breeze, this style of deck on the front or the back of your home is functional and attractive. Consider how adding a roof structure over your deck would make it much more useable and cozy.

If you already have an overhang on your home design the deck space to fit underneath. You can certainly extend it past the roof to provide an area for sunbathing, but why not take advantage of the roof area that currently exists. Incorporate the support posts directly into the decking by bolting them to the deck surface. If space permits, use these existing posts as part of the railing system as well.

On homes without a sufficiently sized overhang one must be built. Roof extensions can be tricky depending on the roof line, so it’s best to ask your Virginia deck contractor for recommendations about the placement, size and style of roof before getting your heart set on this particular design.

Pergola Power

A pergola offers dappled shade and an attractive structure to grow vines and other greenery on. Made out of wood or composite, a pergola consists of posts and beams, as well as slats laid across on a perpendicular angle. You can layer the slats to create even more shade and some homeowners choose to cover the top with a solid material – like plexiglass, outdoor quality tarp, etc. This will provide better protection from the rain and more shade.

Pergolas can also be dressed up with scrolls and trim. Hang flower pots from the beams and place benches or patio furniture underneath for a beautiful scene. This shade structure can be as fancy or as plain as you like and a pergola will fit seamlessly into your deck design. If you prefer, pergolas can also be set up in the yard away from the patio. A smaller model works well as an arbor over your walkway or in the garden for climbing vines. The possibilities with this shade structure are nearly endless.

Awnings For Every Occasion

An awning is an excellent option for those homeowners who may want shade some of the time, but still desire occasional access to the full sun. Smaller decks work well with a retractable awning that can be opened and closed as your mood dictates. Be sure to install a model that has heavy duty mechanisms that will stand the test of time and operate efficiently.

Whether it’s a covered porch, pergola, awning or some other structure, adding shade to your Virginia deck design will allow you to enjoy the deck space more this summer. Well worth the investment, these additions will compliment your deck when designed and built by a professional.