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The Fashionable Housewife

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7 Key Factors to Consider Before Building a Deck

Modified on March 23, 2021 at 9:10 PM

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There is a lot of decision-making and planning that goes into designing and putting together an outdoor deck that you can enjoy at your home. You will need to think about the size of deck that you want, how much you are going to spend on it, the materials that you want to use, and whether you are going to build it yourself or hire a professional to carry the work out for you. Before planning, designing, and building your deck, keep these important factors in mind to help you avoid mistakes and ensure that everything runs smoothly. 

Function and Purpose

Consider how you will want to use your decking before choosing the type of materials and size that you want to go for. A deck is often the solution to getting more enjoyment out of outdoor living during the summer months, so decide how you are going to use it – will you be using it for relaxation, for placing a hot tub, barbecuing during the summer months, or hosting outdoor parties? Once you have a clear picture in your mind of how you are going to use your deck, it will be easier to put together a design that works well for you and your needs. 

The Location

Sometimes it is clear to see where your deck should go, but in some cases, there might be more than one possible location to choose from in your outdoor space. If this is your situation, think about how you want to use your deck and where the most suitable location for this will be. Consider the environmental aspects of each suitable location in your garden and where the deck will be most comfortable. For example, if you want to use it primarily for sunbathing, choose the area that gets the most sunlight. Consider scaling the deck to your property’s size and choosing an area where you will get the best view. Depending on where you live, creating some privacy in your deck might also be another important factor to consider when choosing where to place it. 

Your Budget

Decking materials are available in a wide range of options that are suitable for all budgets. Before you get started with planning, it is good to have a clear budget in mind since this will help you determine a number of important factors such as the materials that you will use to build your deck and the size of the deck. If you want to have your decking built by a professional, don’t forget to account for the cost of labour. It is a good idea to have several different companies offer you a quote before you decide which one is the best option for you. Don’t forget to ask to see examples of past work either in photos and videos or in-person wherever possible if you want to hire a professional to build your deck. 

Choosing a Material

Wood is popular, but it is not the only decking material available to choose from. When choosing a material, consider several factors including the cost, ease of installation, and maintenance over time. Wood, metal, plastic, and composite decking materials are all popular choices. If you want the appearance of wood but with lower maintenance requirements than premium or tropical hardwoods, it’s worth considering composite decking. This is made from a combination of wood and recycled plastics and often has the appearance of a wooden deck thanks to the natural colour options and embossed wood grains. However, thanks to its artificial makeup, it is not as susceptible to as many of the problems that homeowners often face with wooden decking such as warping, splitting, rot, or splintering. 

Ecoscape UK produce an award-winning product with their composite decking and offer a huge collection of decking boards for you to choose from. You can choose from a huge range of different colours to find something that suits your outdoor space, and get stain-resistant decking that is designed to retain its appearance for longer and look as good as the day you installed it for many years. 

DIY or Hire a Professional?

If you can build the deck yourself, the overall cost of the job will be lower, allowing you to allocate more of your budget to getting higher-quality decking materials, for example. Simple platform decks can look great and they are also fairly easy to build for anybody who has some basic DIY skills. However, if you want something a little bit more detailed or complicated, it’s probably worth getting a professional in to help. It’s also worth considering how quickly you want the deck building. If you don’t mind working a little on it when you have free time then it may be worth doing it yourself. On the other hand, if you want it put up and ready to use as quickly as possible, hiring a professional is your best bet. 

Consider the Style

There are various different decking styles to choose from, which might be dictated by the style of your home. Ideally, your deck should complement the design and style of your home rather than clash with it. Round or curved decks with intricate details might look better on older and more traditional homes, for example, while sleek and modern decks go well at new-build and more modern properties. Consider the proportions, lines, and architecture of your home when building a deck to create a seamless extension. 

Consider Lighting and Accessories

Finally, consider how you are going to make the deck more homely and comfortable. Often, the best way to do this is by adding lighting, which can create a comfortable atmosphere and ambience while making the deck safer. There are many different ideas to consider for deck lighting including both wired and solar-powered light options. Path lights, overhead lights, post- or wall-mounted lights, outdoor kitchen lighting, and landscape spotlights are all ideal choices for creating just the right amount of lighting on your deck. 

A deck can create a stunning outdoor space to relax or entertain friends in the summer, but with so many options available for creating one, there’s a lot to think about before you get started building a deck. 

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Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on March 23, 2021 at 9:10 PM
Filed Under: Outdoors
Tagged With: backyard, backyard space, deck, deck building, decking, outdoors, patio, patio area, porch

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

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Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

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That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
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The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
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It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
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The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
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Considering he was my 6th child, it's possible he would have been here by now. It’s been extra hard for me this week. 

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In an instant, my baby was gone and there was nothing I could do to change that. 

It doesn't matter how much time passes or what else happens in life, I will always miss him. My heart with always long for my baby. 

Those who haven't experienced loss tell you that "Don’t worry! Things will get better, just focus on the positive!" but people who actually know this grief and what it actually feels like to lose a baby, won’t tell you that. They know this hard road. They understand that unfortunately you don't just “get over it.” 

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It’s been 137 days I’ve had to live without my baby. 

Lord Jesus, please… hold me extra tight tonight. 

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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