Adding a deck is a great way to add beauty, entertainment space, and value to your home. The first step to building your dream deck is to create the deck layout. An experienced contractor will be able to look at your home, listen to your wants and needs, and help design a deck that perfectly fits your home. Here are some tips for choosing a deck plan that’s right for you:

1. Think about the size of the deck.
2. Consider the shape and orientation of the deck.
3. Evaluate how much exposure your deck will get.
4. Reflect on your preferred deck style and height.
5. Review options for deck stairs and railings.
6. Figure out lighting and other electrical needs.
7. Consider the surrounding landscaping.

1. Think About the Size of the Deck

A deck is one of the remodeling ideas for entertaining at home, and can improve the comfort and enjoyment of your home, even if you aren’t using it for entertaining a lot. The size of your home, lot, backyard, and local building regulations will have a big effect on how much space you have available for a deck.

Outside of that, there are also several questions you should ask yourself before deciding what size your deck should be, including:

• How do you plan to use the deck?
• Will you need to have enough space for different zones to accommodate multiple uses?
• How frequently do you entertain guests outdoors?
• How many people do you typically have over?
• Do you barbecue on your deck, or is there a separate outdoor food preparation area?
• Will your new deck need to accommodate heavy features, like hot tubs, permanent countertops, built-in features, etc.?
• What outdoor furniture and accessories will you want to include?
• How well does the deck size complement your home and property?
• Will you need or want to add a door for direct access to the deck?
• Or, will the deck be a floating or freestanding deck (detached)?

There are many ways to use a deck. You want to make sure the size of your new deck and the layout are proportionate to your house, allow you to have what you want with at least three feet of walking space around furniture, and allow you to do what you want without feeling crowded or cramped.

Answering these questions is a good start and will help you determine how much space you’ll need to be able to use your new deck the way you want to, without overwhelming your home with a deck that is too big or ending up with a deck that is too small.

2. Consider the Shape and Orientation of the Deck

Does the layout of your home or property force you to create a deck of a certain shape? L-shaped decks or custom-shaped decks offer an excellent way to make the most of limited or unusual spaces. You could also build up if you can’t build out a lot and opt for a multi-level deck.

Ignoring the shape and orientation of your deck is one of the mistakes to avoid when adding a deck to your home, so it’s important to think about it. Additionally, consider other things that might affect the shape, location, and orientation of your deck, like:

• Sun exposure throughout the day
• Wind exposure
• Natural shade available on your lot
• Access from the house and from the yard
• Views you want to block or highlight

A reputable and experienced contractor can help you figure out what works best for your home and for your needs. This can help determine the layout and orientation for the deck plan, in addition to other things like where the stairs should be.

Some types of deck shapes and layouts include, but are not limited to:

• Square
• Triangle
• Rectangle
• Multi-level
• L-Shape or wraparound
• Curved or angled designs
• Rectangle with an angled corner
• Custom/Combination layout (e.g., a rectangular deck with an octagonal or rounded bumpout)

3. Evaluate How Much Exposure Your Deck Will Get

The material and style of your deck are some of the many things to consider when adding a deck to your home. You want to make sure the material of your deck will stand up to the elements, is durable, doesn’t get slippery when it rains, and more, in addition to looking great. Aside from that, you also want your new deck to be something you enjoy using.

Although you don’t have to worry about moisture damage, rot, or sun damage with a vinyl deck, which are some benefits of vinyl decks, you still want to make sure your deck will be comfortable to use. The amount of sun exposure at different times throughout the day can be a consideration for the orientation of your deck to make the most of sun or shade, as well as other things, like shade, weather protection, privacy, and more.

Consider Adding Some Cover

How much sunlight does your backyard get, especially during the times you’re most likely going to be out on the deck? If it gets a lot of sunshine, you may want to consider including some sort of cover in your deck design.

Thankfully, there are a lot of options to choose from. You can opt to extend the roof over the deck for full coverage. You could go for something like a pergola that provides some coverage while still allowing light through. Another popular option is a patio cover or retractable awning that allows you to have coverage when you want it and a completely open deck when you don’t.

Think About Privacy

You also want to think about the level of privacy you want and need. If you tend to have nosy neighbors or just don’t want things to be so open, you can add a fence to your backyard, use some decorative screen panels on your deck, or even strategically place tall plants around your deck to give you some added privacy. These are some tips for soundproofing outdoor spaces that can give you some privacy as well as noise reduction.

4. Reflect on Your Preferred Deck Style and Height

When it comes to deck trends and styles, there are many to choose from. Choosing a deck plan and the right style and height for it will vary based on your home, your lot, your backyard, how you want to use the deck, and more.

Deck Style

In terms of deck style, the materials, colors, and styles you choose should match or complement your home’s style. The completed deck addition should blend seamlessly with your existing exterior styles so that it looks like it belongs and has always been an intended part of your home design.

Deck Height

Platform decks are ground-level. Raised decks or multi-story decks are ideal for sloping yards. Multi-story decks are good options for added entertainment spaces. This is one of the popular reasons to add a deck to your home.

There are a lot of options available for deck styles and heights, and plenty of options within each of those things, to help you get a deck plan that works for your home and meets your needs. And, if you’re opting for an elevated deck, you can work with your contractor to explore some under-deck ideas to maximize outdoor space.

An experienced home improvement company can help you determine the right style and layout for a deck plan that will meet your needs, fit your home, and also add value to your home. If you’re thinking about a second-story or upper-level deck addition, they can help you work through extra considerations for second-story additions.

5. Review Options For Deck Stairs and Railings

Choosing a deck plan includes determining stairs and railings. Even if your deck will be ground-level, it may still make sense to have a small set of stairs leading to and from it. There are some types of decks that might not need railings.

However, in most cases, your new deck will need to have railings. In addition to reviewing options and styles for deck stairs, you will also want to review your options for railings. Getting creative with railings by playing around with the look of different materials, finishes, and shapes is one of the ideas for deck stairs that can elevate the look of your deck, while improving safety and accessibility overall.

Also, consider whether you need other features for safety and accessibility. Do you have young children or pets, or will there be young children visiting you? Childproof features, like safety gates or barriers, are good options to consider for your deck plan. You’ll also want to work with your deck builder to make sure that the deck plan and railings do not block windows or doors.

6. Figure Out Lighting and Other Electrical Needs

Knowing how you want to use the deck and an idea of the size, shape, orientation, etc. can help you figure out the outdoor lighting you need for the deck, in addition to other electrical needs. Your contractor can work with you to take electrical needs into account when designing and building your new deck.

There are lighting options you can include later, but it works best if you can work with your contractor to address those needs before the build. For example, if you want to integrate lighting into the deck stairs, there are options that could be applied later, but the best options will be included during the build, for both form and function.

Addressing lighting and electrical needs as part of the planning process is particularly important for larger items and needs. If you’ll need to operate large grills or other things that require steady, safe electricity, you want to make sure you have the power you need and that it is designed for outdoor use without overwhelming your home’s systems or spiking your energy bills unnecessarily. Your contractor can also include other utilities you need during the planning process, like gas lines and water lines.

7. Consider the Surrounding Landscaping

Another one of the tips for choosing a deck plan is to consider the surrounding landscaping and other structures or features, what you want out of it, and how the deck will fit into everything else on your lot. Some questions to think about can include:

• Will your deck connect to a walkway or other path through your yard?
• Are there retaining walls or raised garden beds you’ll need to work around?
• Is your new deck going to be a pool deck or extend into one?
• Will you want it to extend into or integrate with another outdoor space?

Taking some time to look over your current yard and landscaping can help you make choices about your deck plan. Having outdoor living spaces and making the most of them are consistent home renovation trends, but they need to fit seamlessly into your home and yard.

Thinking about what you want your landscaping to be and how your new deck fits into it helps your contractor ensure that your new deck suits your home, your yard, and meets your wants and needs, not only for the deck itself, but also for your yard and your home overall.

Add a Deck to Your Home With Zephyr Thomas

There are many benefits of adding a deck to your home, and choosing a deck plan that’s right for you helps you enjoy all of them. Working with an experienced, reputable contractor will ensure you have the deck you want and need, along with the peace of mind that comes with quality materials and installation.

Reviewing experience and past work, visiting a showroom, and more can all help you choose a deck builder that meets your needs. If you’re ready to add a deck to your home, replace or upgrade your existing deck, or want to start another home improvement project, call Zephyr Thomas Home Improvement at 717-399-4708 to start a free quote!

Take a look at the Zephyr Thomas team building a home addition with a deck for this homeowner!