Don’t just design a deck, design an outdoor living experience.
Planning Tips for your Humboldt Redwood deck
Once you’ve decided to add a deck to enhance your outdoor living space; there are some important things to consider that go beyond the size and design of the deck. Here are five tips to help you get the most out of the design and placement of your Humboldt Redwood deck.
- Easy access. Free-standing or attached, make sure the deck is easily accessible and integrated into the design of your house and yard. Traffic patterns on and off the deck and into the house and yard need to be simple and logical.
- Optimize for sun, shade and wind. Check the seasonal and daily sun patterns and prevailing winds. It’s no fun reading the morning paper on a windy deck or sunbathing in the shade. Simple shifts in the site plan can make a big difference in the quality of your deck experience.
- Balance privacy and view. Consider the view onto the deck as well as the view off of your deck. Depending on your site, you may want to add privacy screens or greenscaping. Well-placed arbors or other garden structures can help block views and create a sense of privacy.
- Know what’s underneath. Decks cover ground, so it’s really important to know what’s in the ground beneath your deck. The location of utilities such as power, cable, water, and sewer lines should all be identified before you break ground.
- Safety. Decks are supporting structures with load-bearing responsibilities. There are codes that govern the construction of decks. They are not just suggestions or good ideas. They are critical to the safety of all who use the deck. Be sure to know and follow all local deck-building codes.
Of course to truly get the most out of your backyard deck, be sure to choose naturally strong and durable, FCS certified Humboldt Redwood. Tips and information to Build a Redwood Deck are available, and Humboldt Redwood lumber is readily available at a number of fine lumber yards and home improvement retailers throughout the western United States. Visit our Where to Buy Humboldt Redwood page to find a stocking location near you.