Outdoor living is certainly in vogue at the moment with many people increasing their outdoor time when the weather permits it. A deck is one of the most popular home renovation projects currently and demand keeps on rising as new durable outdoor materials enter the market. Read on to find out all you need to know about adding a deck.
One of the first things you need to consider is how you will access the deck. If you already have doors with good door hardware that lead outside, nice one, you’re on the way! If you don’t, you’ll need to add an opening which can increase costs quite a bit. The huge trend – and for good reason- is to install large glass bifold doors, sliding doors or some other form of exterior folding systems that enables you to completely remove any barrier between the house and the deck area. Be sure to select sliding and folding door hardware that suits your house and your deck – best to consult a professional architect on which doors to choose.
The next big decision you need to make is what material the deck will be made from. The main options are natural timber, or composite boards. Previously, timber has been the go to material for decks as it looks and feels great. However, timber requires a lot more maintenance such as oiling and washing compared to composite board. These days, composite boards are about 50% more expensive than natural timber but can pay for themselves over time due to being virtually maintenance free. Whatever you decide, there are a range of exterior folding doors that will match your choice perfectly and provided they use quality stainless steel door hardware, will give many years of hassle-free use.
No matter where you live, you’ll want to consider some sort of covering over the deck, for either sun, wind or rain protection. Shading a deck can be relatively easy, by simply adding some large sun umbrellas which now come in excellent designs to easily retract when not in use. Protection from wind and rain can be more involved however with more permanent structures needing to be built. A great way to maximise the use of a deck can be to include a roof or awning that can be retracted when not needed. The next step is to basically enclose the deck area with large exterior folding hardware or sliding doors that virtually create a multipurpose indoor/outdoor space, which can be used in the nastiest of weather. A good idea if going to this length, is to also incorporate a pleated insect screen in the design to let you enjoy your newly created space rather than being eaten alive by mosquitoes and midges.