| In recent years deck amenities have become | | | | that cast light downward along pathways, |
| more and more popular in bringing many of the | | | | walkways and steps. |
| comforts of the indoors into the beauty and | | | | |
| spaciousness of the outdoors. The ones chosen | | | | A firepit can easily become a cozy focal |
| will depend a great deal upon how the deck | | | | point for family gatherings and guests |
| space is to be used. | | | | providing warmth on cool days and evenings. A |
| | | | fireplace, chimnea or firepit is an addition |
| Outdoor cooking and grilling areas provide | | | | that requires careful planning and |
| opportunities for hosts to enjoy additional | | | | installation. |
| time with friends, family and guests. Outdoor | | | | |
| kitchens with a propane grill and cabinetry | | | | Outdoor fireplaces are generally freestanding |
| will be almost as easy to use as one indoors. | | | | and are usually constructed of mortared brick |
| Entire meals can be cooked outdoors without | | | | or stone. The hearth and fire screen provide |
| moving in and out of the house if an outdoor | | | | fireproof safeguards while a damper controls |
| working sink is available. | | | | drafts. A rotisserie and brick lined warming |
| | | | oven are possibilities too. The fireplace |
| The outdoor kitchen can be equipped with | | | | should blend with the style of the house and |
| facilities ranging from a plain charcoal | | | | the deck. |
| grill to a gas range. Any grill or range must | | | | |
| be located in the best location which | | | | Chimneas are portable fire sources that |
| combines safety and convenience. Whether the | | | | resemble potbelly stoves. These decorative |
| grilling or cooking device is portable or | | | | fireplaces add comfort with their warmth as |
| built-in, it should be out of traffic routes | | | | well as with the sound and scent of burning |
| and views. Consider installing a small | | | | logs. They are not designed for cooking and |
| overhead shelter or locate the grill under | | | | are best stored indoors in colder winter |
| overhanging eaves in case of rain. | | | | months. |
| | | | |
| An outdoor kitchen area needs to have enough | | | | Free standing gas and wood burning firepits |
| room for food preparation, serving space and | | | | are other alternatives that provide |
| utensil storage. Permanent fixtures such as | | | | firelight, warmth and a great place to toast |
| outdoor cooktops, ovens and refrigerators | | | | marshmallows. Safety with these amenities |
| provide a wide variety of options. It's | | | | should be a priority. A fire extinguisher is |
| important to select outdoor grade equipment | | | | a necessity nearby as is a cover for covering |
| that is manufactured to meet building codes | | | | the firepit in case the flames grow too |
| and withstand all weather conditions. | | | | large. |
| Waterproof cabinets are a useful and | | | | |
| practical addition to an outdoor kitchen | | | | Any kind of water feature can add a great |
| area. | | | | deal of charm to a deck area. A small pool |
| | | | with a fountain or a container fountain will |
| The use of outdoor lighting can add many | | | | provide hours of relaxing enjoyment for all |
| extra hours to the enjoyment of the deck | | | | who view them. |
| while also adding decorative appeal to it. | | | | |
| Low voltage systems which are simple to | | | | Many outdoor amenities require plumbing, |
| install are great at creating a special | | | | electrical or natural gas lines. These items |
| ambience, giving a deck an entirely different | | | | should be included in the planning stages of |
| character than during the day. | | | | the deck design. Hot tubs, ponds, fountains |
| | | | and waterfall pumps require electrical |
| Decorative and concealed light fixtures lend | | | | outlets with ground fault circuit |
| style and atmosphere to outdoor spaces. In | | | | interrupters (GFCI). Lighting systems require |
| addition they increase security. Concealed | | | | electrical lines. |
| light sources focus attention on a particular | | | | |
| area or object. They can be stategically | | | | A permanent natural gas line for a gas grill |
| placed among trees, shrubs, plants, in trees | | | | might be a better choice that a propane tank. |
| or at ground level to do the job. Decorative | | | | An exterior phone jack is a useful |
| fixtures project a more diffused light and | | | | possibility as is an exterior cable |
| come in 2 forms: freestanding units mounted | | | | connection if outdoor activities on the deck |
| on short bases or types to be attached to | | | | include watching television. |
| posts or walls. | | | | |
| | | | For safety reasons and to avoid visual |
| Uplighting is a technique in which concealed | | | | clutter, utilities are best run underground |
| fixtures cast light up into an object from | | | | to the deck site. Plan the utility path so |
| its base to draw attention to an area or | | | | that it does not interfere with anything else |
| decorative object. Position the fixture in | | | | in the area. Check with the local building |
| from of the object or area so the beam shines | | | | department to make sure the plan meets code |
| away from viewing areas. | | | | requirements. Rough in the systems after any |
| | | | deck excavations but before any of the |
| Downlighting casts a soft, indirect glow on | | | | foundation is put into place. |
| horizontal surfaces such as paths, steps, | | | | |
| deck floors and tabletops. The fixtures | | | | Luckily homeowners in search of ways to |
| should be located out of sight so as not to | | | | enhance the appeal of their decks have many |
| draw attention away from the illuminated | | | | options available to them. Research, careful |
| object. They can be mounted on arbor and | | | | planning and the use of some imagination can |
| pergola rafters, tree trunks and branches. | | | | assist them as they take the steps to create |
| Path lighting are short decorative fixtures | | | | deck amenities. |