Latest Trends in Deck Designs

As homeowners look to enhance their outdoor living space with outdoor amenities like kitchens, fireplaces, furnished living rooms and spas, the deck continues to be a major design factor in new home construction.

Since most people spend the majority of their day at work, school or inside their home, they want a place to escape and unwind or have fun. What better way to enjoy all the same great amenities you have inside your home than by designing a stylish and functional outdoor living space on a customized deck.

Here are some of the latest trends in decks that can help you create an exciting backyard retreat:



Larger Decks

The biggest trend in decks right now is increasing the square footage. Homeowners that were once satisfied with a 20 x 10 foot deck for a grill and some patio furniture now want a deck design that rivals their homes square footage. You'll find many larger homes are being designed with a multilevel deck for different functions like an outdoor kitchen or sun deck and spa. Many designs use pergolas and walls to add privacy and lots of built-ins for extra seating, storage and planters.



Outdoor Living

With all the latest products available for outdoor lighting, appliances, fireplaces and pits, homeowners are extending their outdoor living well past the spring and summer. Where temperature is not such an issue, people are designing their decks as an addition to their home. Gone are the tiki torches, today's low-voltage lighting is much more sophisticated and can be wired into the steps and posts of your deck to extend the time you spend outdoors and create ambiance.



Outdoor Kitchens

A big trend is creating an outdoor kitchen that has all the amenities of its indoor counterparts like a grill or cooktop surface, cabinets, countertops, refrigerators and sinks. Outdoor furniture has taken on a whole new look with tables and chairs being constructed of weather-resistant materials that mimic the look of classic indoor designs.

With so many options available, homeowners are literally creating an outdoor home where the deck is the focal point for adding a kitchen, dining room, living room, spa and even an entertainment area. The only limitation with designing your new deck is your imagination and budget.



Affordable Green Decking Materials

The demand for sustainable materials and the popularity of outdoor living areas such as decks has led to a growth in "green" decking materials. One of the most popular and affordable sustainable materials is composite decking, which blends wood fiber and recycled plastic to create a highly durable and beautiful product.

Thanks to products like TimberTech's® ReliaBoard® your dream of enjoying a low-maintenance outdoor retreat is well within reach. There's no reason to settle for the concerns that come with a traditional wood deck — sealing, staining, splintering and rotting — when you can have all the benefits of composite decking at a surprisingly affordable price. ReliaBoard® looks like real wood and is perfectly complemented by TimberTech® composite railing.