A custom deck installation can take your outdoor living space from ordinary to extraordinary. A do-it-yourselfer can create a fully functional deck. However, a custom-built deck by a skilled craftsman unites artistry and function, adding warmth and welcome to your outdoor living space.

Homeowners have options to build with manufactured decking kits or materials from the local hardware store, but taking on a DIY project like this requires knowledge, special tools, due diligence, and time–ingredients the average homeowner might not have. While furniture, plants, and fabrics can dress up any space, cookie-cutter kits can still leave you wanting.

Custom Deck Factors You Simply Must Know

(arealgirlfriday/Pixabay)

Designer Distinctions

Custom carpentry is like a fine-tailored outfit. An off-the-rack ensemble may look good, but when tailored to the individual, the look goes from good to outstanding. Like fine tailoring, a skilled carpenter can transform a ho-hum backyard that’s lacking character into an inviting and appealing getaway.

Customizations liberate the homeowner from manufactured-looking designs and allow them to incorporate the house’s style and architecture into the landscape for a unified and well-defined motif. If, on the other hand, a vintage habitat could use a facelift, a custom carpenter can weave in modern elements without having them look out of place.

DIY projects typically utilize synthetic decking, but custom decking options are more diverse. The beauty of natural or exotic hardwoods can take center stage.

Manifesting Impeccable Views

It can be challenging for novice DIYers to see the potential of their outdoor space, but a professional decking company can cultivate what’s possible. For example, a professional can recognize and take advantage of attractive views the homeowner may not have considered. They can utilize the existing terrain or design the flow of the deck to reveal more of what a homeowner would want (Hello, purple mountain majesties!) and less of what they wouldn’t (Goodbye, unsightly trash cans!).

Adding custom privacy screens to your deck can give you a space that feels more secluded and less public. You’ll think you’ve stepped into the lap of luxury or a priceless work of art–a vacation atmosphere in your backyard.

Out With the Old

Sometimes, tired decks or patios need a total overhaul before proceeding with a rebuild or add-on. A custom carpenter can determine if your existing outdoor structure needs a complete redo to make way for a safe, new surface.

Parts of a Deck

If you want a customized deck, you’ll likely want to familiarize yourself with the different parts that make it up to know which elements are customizable. Understanding these components will also help you communicate the customizations you want with your deck contractor. Below is some essential terminology to keep in mind:

Footings are the base of the structure. You or your installer must dig holes to the appropriate depth and pour concrete to establish the footings. Frost depth and local building codes determine how deep these must be.

Posts, or “legs” of the deck, are cemented into the footings and hold a deck’s support beams off the ground. They provide critical airflow to the deck and access to the underside of the structure for maintenance purposes.

Beams frame the structure and support the deck.

Railings aren’t always necessary for low-to-the-ground decks, but they are for decks over a certain height. Carpenters and homeowners can get creative with rail styles and colors to achieve one-of-a-kind features.

Stairs are customizable to a point. Your deck contractor can play around with placement and width sizes, especially if there’s a chance of them obscuring views from a ground-level patio underneath. Consider rounded and wrap-around stairs to add pizzazz.

Joists support the deck from underneath. Ledgers attach the structure to the house. Because these boards are partially or wholly concealed and secured with the narrow side up, they don’t succumb to water absorption the way broadside boards do, so pressure-treated lumber is a suitable material for these components.

Fasteners are nails, screws, bolts, hangers, and other hardware that hold your deck pieces together. In a lot of cases, homeowners have the option of choosing a hidden fastener system for a smooth look.

Deck boards make up your deck’s walking surface and come in various materials and color options. Deck boards typically need to sit uncovered outdoors for a few days before they are installed. With adequate acclimation, you can avoid having them warp after installation.

A drainage system is necessary to carry off water that seeps through the spaces between your deck boards. Your property may sufficiently slope away from the house without requiring an additional drainage installation.

Custom-built Decks

Personalized design elements like privacy walls, hidden fastener systems, exotic hardwoods, rounded railings, stairs, and edging can take your outdoor living space from ordinary to extraordinary. Simple kits and average tools can’t produce the same tailored and sleek details as a custom decking builder. A professional can also ensure that your deck is built according to the most current safety standards for a structure you can safely enjoy for years to come. Talk to our Denver residential deck installation team to explore the possibilities.

Author

  • Nate Barrett

    As the President of SRI Decks, my greatest satisfaction comes from the immediate sense of fulfillment that our work brings. From the initial design discussions with our customers to the moment we capture the final project in photos, I feel an immense pride in my team for their dedicated efforts. My passion for hands-on work and outdoor projects is matched only by the joy I derive from seeing a delighted customer when we’ve successfully completed a job. Fun Facts: I like hot chocolate in my coffee. I’ve been with SRI for 12 years, prior to ownership. I have a daughter, 3 dogs and a loving girlfriend.

    View all posts