| When starting a deck building project there | | | | more initially. But it will save you |
| are many different aspects that one should | | | | thousands of dollars later in not having to |
| take into account before hitting the first | | | | redo the deck in just a few years. Stainless |
| nail. For example: where are the property | | | | steel hardware, concrete footings, clear BC |
| lines? What existing obstacles in the | | | | cedar and some maintenance-free deck |
| backyard do you have to work with? Do you | | | | materials are just examples of products that |
| need shade? What are the sun and wind | | | | could make your deck last much longer. |
| patterns like for your area? Are you trying | | | | |
| to get a view, or keep an existing one? | | | | The last thing to take into account when |
| | | | designing and building your new deck is your |
| The main thing you must take into account is | | | | personal preference. For example you can have |
| the number of people using the deck. A deck | | | | a deck with railings, privacy screens, or |
| built for a family of 2 will differ in size, | | | | built in lighting. Many people build their |
| shape and design from a deck built for a | | | | decks around their existing landscape or work |
| family of 5. Once you have the number of | | | | in a built in BBQ or bar area. A fire pit is |
| people, you can determine the appropriate | | | | also so something to consider since is gives |
| size of the deck you should be building - | | | | a nice rustic touch and adds an area for the |
| keeping in mind that each person needs about | | | | family to gather around. |
| 25 square feet. How long you're planning on | | | | |
| staying in the house is another important | | | | By looking at many pictures of decks and |
| thing to ask yourself. To make your deck | | | | borrowing ideas from different projects, you |
| last 20 years or more, you'll want to invest | | | | can create your own custom-designed outdoor |
| in good quality materials, so it may cost | | | | living area that will satisfy all your needs. |