Things to Consider While Planning Your Deck Build
Planning a new deck build can be fun and exciting, yet it can also be a frustrating decision making process with lots of uncertainties and a lot of options. To make the process easier, we’re going to go over the things you should consider while planning your deck build.
Let’s Get Started!
What Will I Be Doing on My Deck?
This is a great place to start, what will you be using your deck for? Lounging? Barbequing? Dining? Entertaining? Keeping a small fire at night? A complete entertainment area? Asking yourself this question will help you answer the rest of the questions in this post.
Where Should it Go?
Planning where your deck will go and how far it will come out from the house, will help give you a better idea of what you want to do with it in the next steps.
Note: There are building codes to where a deck can and can't go and how large it can be, we can help with the process if you’re in the Winnipeg area.
What Size Should My Deck Be?
How much room do you need for a table with chairs? A BBQ, a seating area, oh and maybe a pergola, maybe a complete outdoor entertainment area? This is the next step in the planning stage. You’ll want enough room to do thing things that mean the most to you.
Let’s say all you need is a sitting area for a table and some chairs to eat outdoors. A 12'x12' deck may be enough. If you’re looking for a large entertainment area, you’ll need to go larger. Laying out some rope on the ground where the deck will be is a great way to plan your living space in real-time, you can add chairs or other furniture to the area to give you a preliminary experience of how the space can be used.
Laying out some rope on the ground where the deck will be is a great way to plan your living space in real-time, you can add chairs or other furniture to the area to give you a preliminary experience of how the space can be used.
What is My Budget?
It would be nice to make a huge deck with all the bells and whistles, but with a six figure price tag it may not be feasible. Picking a budget and sticking to it will help you ensure you’re completely satisfied with your new deck. In Canada, a small, simple treated wood deck will start around $5,000 - $8,000. A large deck with all the additions, inlays and curves can go into the multiple six figures range.
Should it Be a Multi Level / Tier Deck?
Multi-tiered decks look amazing and separate the living spaces. They can help reduce traffic to certain areas where you don’t want traffic or make for a comfy area. This is where you can start having fun with a design.
What Kind of Frame Do I Want?
There are 2 types of frames in Canada. The standard frame will be built out of treated wood for all decks. If you want to take your deck to the next level, you can consider a steel frame, these frames will last, however come with a hefty price tag.