Putting in a Deck or Patio

December 20th, 2006

A deck or patio can add a lot of enjoyment to your new home. Most people wait until they move into their new home before starting construction on the outdoor living space. A new wave of maintenance-free and environmentally sound materials has entered the market in the past few years. So if you’re ready to put in a deck or patio, read on to learn more about the options available.

The first thing to consider is whether to build a patio or a deck. Terrain, local building codes and the style of your house will all factor into your decision.

A deck is probably the best choice if the terrain around your house is sloping, rough or irregular. A patio, on the other hand, may be the best choice if you want to avoid the hassles of building permits or if your home is traditional (although the latter is becoming less important as more and more decks are built to mirror house architecture).

If you’re wondering how big is big enough, a good rule of thumb is to plan a space that is one-third the area of the main floor of the house.

Working with what you’ve got

Once you’ve settled on a deck or patio (or both), it’s time to assess your space. Mark your deck or patio area with stakes and string, set up some furniture, and then settle in to start taking notes.

The first thing to consider, according to landscape planner Mary Fennell Gerber, is how you plan on using the space – is this a place for outdoor entertaining or quiet reading? Is this going to be a place for the entire family to congregate or a quiet haven for you to get away from it all? Do you plan on sunning yourself on your new deck or patio – and if so, how important is privacy? These will all affect the final design of your deck or patio.
You also want to consider the way the natural elements influence the space. What is the direction of the wind? How about the sun? What’s the view? Will you need screens or a hedge for shade or privacy? These factors will also influence the design – not to mention the location – of your deck or patio.

Set priorities

It’s important to create a wish list with long- and short-term requirements. How important is that pool? Do you need the awnings right away, or can they wait a year? In addition to your barbecue, do you also want a fire pit (or even a kitchen – the latest in outdoor luxuries)? Deciding what’s necessary and what can wait will help you arrive at a final budget

Even if you’re planning on doing the job yourself, you may want to consult a specialist before starting. Landscape architects, designers, contractors, and even custom deck specialists are all available for consultations – and their advice can save you from costly mistakes.

One word – plastics

“Recycled decking products are today’s big news,” says Alex Wilson, editor and publisher of Brattleboro, VT-based Environmental Building News and its companion GreenSpec directory. “There are over 30 companies now producing all-plastic alternative decking products.”

Ed Repak, Director of Construction and Drafting for Archadeck – a Richmond, VA-based international custom deck franchising company – agrees with Wilson. “Alternatives are coming on strong, representing up to 25% of the decks we are now building – easy maintenance is the big appeal.”

Composite-vs-vinyl

Alternative decking materials can be classified in two broad categories – composites made of wood fiber and recycled plastics, and vinyl-based materials.

The best known alternative decking materials are made of recycled wood fiber and plastic composite planks. Available in a variety of widths and lengths, most recycled wood fiber and plastic composites are limited to a palette of grays and browns (which will lighten with age). These decking materials are an excellent alternative to wood – in addition to the low maintenance and environmental considerations, they’re resistant to rot, termites, warping, splintering, shrinking, and swelling. The downside includes price (these materials tend to be more expensive than most solid-wood decking materials) and aesthetics (many people prefer solid wood to plastic-wood composites).

Vinyl is also growing in popularity as an alternative decking material. Offering most of the advantages of wood and plastic composites (not to mention better color stability), vinyl decking is typically sold in component systems that assemble like a giant jigsaw puzzle. These coordinated kits include everything from railings (which are usually reinforced with aluminum and are available in a number of different designs) to arbors, trellises, and even retractable awnings.

The downside to vinyl, as with the plastic-wood composites, is once again aesthetics and price – vinyl-decking systems cost considerably more than solid-wood decking. But if you’re looking for a maintenance-free deck, you may find the extra money is well worth your while.

Wood decking

“Although the composite wood and plastic field is also growing,” notes Wilson, “the major part of the market is still CCA pressure treated woods – which present environmental problems in disposal.” Those looking for an environmentally sound solid-wood decking material, says Wilson, should consider red cedar, redwood, and tropical hardwood from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Pressure-treated lumber – especially pine and fir – continue to be the most popular material for decks and railings. Low price, high availability and excellent rot resistance outweigh the disadvantages, which include problems with carping, twisting, splintering, and the greenish brown color (which can be concealed with stain or paint).

Exotic hardwoods – including mahogany and a variety of ironwoods – are growing in popularity as decking materials. Relatively maintenance free, these woods are durable, resistant to rot and insects, stable, and offer rich, smooth, splinter- and knot-free surfaces. Higher price, difficult workability and environmental concerns are among the drawbacks.

Redwood (along with cedar and cypress) continues to be a popular decking material, offering excellent decay and termite resistance, dimensional stability, and natural beauty. The main disadvantage is price – clear cedar can cost more than mahogany.

Patio favorites

Dry-laid aggregates (which include gravel and crushed rock) are popular patio materials because of their ease of installation, low cost, and good looks. On the downside, they can be hard to walk on (particles can get imbedded in shoes and animal paws), they accumulate litter, and they have a tendency to shift during weather changes. If you’re installing a dry-laid aggregate patio, make sure you install a layer of plastic first – otherwise, weeds will become a problem.

Brick, stone, tile and concrete pavers are attractive options for either dry-laid or mortared masonry patios.

Dry laying involves laying a substrate of crushed stone and sand before placing the pavers (the cracks between the pavers are filled with sand). Mortaring first requires the installation of a reinforced concrete base (at least three inches thick); the pavers are then set in a mortar bed on top of the concrete.

Brick pavers

No matter what the method of installation, brick is one of the easiest patio materials to work with. Available in a range of styles and colors, brick can be laid in any number if different decorative patterns – jack-on-jack, running bond, herringbone and pinwheel, to name a few. When buying brick, make sure it’s graded for patio use according to your local climate.

Stone pavers

There’s nothing like stone for both beauty and durability – granite, sandstone, slate, quartzite, marble are some of the more popular patio materials. Available in different thicknesses (typically one to four inches), stone can be installed in much the same way as brick. The trick is in fitting the shapes together – irregular pieces will need to be cut either by hand (with a chisel) or with a stone saw. The difficulty of installing a stone patio has been greatly alleviated with the introduction of new kits, which contain pre-fitted modules.

If you’re looking for a more economical alternative to natural stone, concrete pavers are available in a variety of different sizes and guises. New methods of stamping, patterning and texturing (as well as new grout sealers and air entrainment additives) have made modern concrete pavers virtually undetectable from real stone.

Composites

Composites are also beginning to make an appearance in the patio market. Syndecrete, the brainchild of architect David Hertz – whose special concrete faux terrazzo concoctions created for a corporate and celebrity clientele – feature recycled plastics and carpet fibers dashed with fly ash. This innovation, however, comes at a steep price – but it makes for a truly one-of-a-kind patio.

Entry Filed under: Deck Awning