18 Aug Building Your Dream Outdoor Space with the Best Deck and Patio Materials
Creating functional exterior space is a top priority for modern homeowners. With more and more people working from home, it is important to find ways to create some changes of scenery after a long day. Even if you still travel into the office every day, functional exteriors are a great way of maximizing the square footage of your property and helping it stand out on the real estate market.
To help you create the ideal deck, patio, or any other outdoor hangout, keep reading as we explore some of the best ideas for constructing spaces that will make you want to spend more time outside.
Establish Aesthetics
Ambiance is essential for enjoying outdoor spaces. Cluttered spaces littered with overgrown vegetation are a wonderful incentive to stay indoors. Choose decking materials that match popular siding colors of the home. Look into window and door trim to provide some contrast with the home’s cladding and decking materials. Equip the space with comfortable, stylish furniture. Water features are also important. Small fountains at the edge of the patio or rain chains hanging from the roof gutters are great ways to capture the tranquility of flowing water.
Provide Shade
Even the most stylish outdoor hangouts will become severely underutilized without adequate shade. Pergolas are a popular choice for providing sun protection. Partial pergolas can attach to the side of the home to shade decks, while stand-alone pergolas can be erected over patios or outdoor kitchens. There are even louvered pergola options that allow for greater adjustability of sun transmission. Decorative screen panels and retractable awnings are some other ideas for shading outdoor hangouts.
Create Transitions
One of the key aspects of enjoying an outdoor space is being able to blend seamlessly between the home’s interior and exterior. Even though it is outside, the exterior should still feel like home. A large sliding glass door that opens onto the deck or patio is a great place to start. It really enhances the visual connectivity between the spaces. Many homeowners are choosing 12×12 wood flooring tiles that are used in both the interior and exterior. This helps create a truly transitional effect. Carefully placed plants and stone accents are other great biophilic principles that enhance the transitions in a home.
Next-Level Safety
Safety cannot be understated when constructing decks and patios. Outdoor spaces will be in direct contact with the forces of nature. They must be able to withstand moisture, wind, and ongoing UV exposure without diminishing structural integrity. Areas that host fire pits, grills, and other forms of outdoor cooking equipment must have elite fire resistance.
This is underscored when constructing rooftop decks and other types of upper-level exterior hangouts. Injury and death from collapsed decks has led some states to tighten building codes for these types of areas. Make sure there is adequate railing around the perimeter and stairways. Hog wire is a great choice because it is highly protective without encumbering views.
If necessary, rent the best scaffolding for construction to assess the quality of a rooftop deck railing system. Be sure that the deck pavers are durable enough to withstand traffic but light enough to limit the load on structural supports. Regularly inspect all pavers and decking boards to ensure that they are in top condition.
Popular Materials for Decks and Patios
Although there are dozens of deck and patio materials on the market, wood, composite, and stone products are some of the most widely used.
Wood
Wood is the most iconic deck material. It blends the lines between home and nature quite unlike other materials. Wood decks mesh seamlessly with virtually any style of home. If there is a downside to wood decks, it is that they tend to be a bit high maintenance. They must be stained regularly for optimal sun and moisture protection. To help avoid some of the upkeep requirements, many homeowners are turning to robust ipe wood decking instead of basic cedar or redwood options.
Composite
Composite decks and patio pavers are gaining popularity due to their functionality and outstanding durability. Fabricated from a “composite” mixture of sawdust, plastic polymers, additives, and adhesives, composite products are extremely lightweight, easy to work with, and resistant to mold, fire, pests, moisture, and other forces that typically wreak havoc on standard wood decks. The good news is that homeowners do not have to sacrifice aesthetics when choosing composites, as many can be engineered to closely mimic the appearance of wood, stone, and other rustic exterior building materials.
Stone
Like wood, stone is a popular outdoor material that establishes a sense of home while remaining connected to nature. It is a very versatile and durable material for creating patio floors. The main downside to stone is that it is heavy. Robust structural support will be necessary to incorporate natural stone into elevated areas, making it a better choice for lawn-level outdoor hangouts.
Spend Countless Hours in Your Dream Exterior
Creating stunning outdoor spaces starts with choosing the right materials. By carefully balancing aesthetics, comfort, and safety, you can build a dream exterior that makes it difficult to ever go inside. If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and looking for more trending exterior remodeling ideas, explore the resources at Big Texas Home Buyers for the leading market insights!
Author Bio
Andrea Erickson is a freelance writer who loves sharing her knowledge and expertise in renovation and Interior Design. She lives in her hometown of Austin, Texas where she enjoys spending time with her husband and decorating with her children. Andrea’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.
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