Many people love their decks and who can blame them? They are a nice place to relax with family or friends and enjoy a cool drink on hot summer days. They also make a great place to gather for a barbecue. It may be the envy of your friends. It may even inspire them to build a deck of their own. You can do it yourself or hire a pro but whichever way you go, it will be an excellent addition to your home.

Here are some things you need to know before you start reaching for those tools and calling the local deck building experts!

1. Your Very First Move

Before you do anything, you need to make sure that you are allowed to build a deck. The last thing you want is to have an expensive mistake. Check with your local authorities and make sure that you have permission to build a deck and get it in writing if possible. It may be your home but building or adding something like a deck may have consequences, so get the green light before you do anything else. You don’t want any regrets, do you?

2. The Location

Ah, here we go again. Anything to do with property, you can bet that “location” is going to be a key factor. Well, it is a very important consideration, so you need to take into account things such as privacy, the shape of your house and exposure to the sun. Consider how you would like the seating arrangements. Some people like the sun while others prefer the shade. Think about the little things before you start on your deck.

3. Deck Materials

There is a vast selection from which to choose and it can be pretty overwhelming. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer, but what you choose would depend on you. Some decks are high maintenance while others are not. Some have a natural look with low maintenance. Some wood are treated and there are those that are weather-resistant or insect-resistant.

Composite decking is growing in popularity, though it is a little more expensive but in the long run, can save you money. What you need all depends on you, but the best thing to do is to speak to a deck professional as they can advise you based on experience and feedback from previous clients.

4. Size

Does deck size matter? Actually, yes it does. Too big or too small can both be bad mistakes to make. Again, you need to decide what you want to do with your deck, so have a well-thought plan. Is it going to be for a dining area, a lounging area or perhaps you would like a bar as well? Whichever you choose, it is imperative to have ample space around it.

5. Privacy

This may not be important to everyone, but for some, privacy is a big factor. There are ways to achieve both privacy and to add a cozy element. You could lower it into the ground, use greenery, add a wall, use curtains or privacy screens. Consider privacy and location especially if you have trees as you could use the trees as part of your planning. This can add a canopy as you add plants as well, giving it a wonderful, green, colourful look that looks warm and inviting. There are many other ideas for privacy too.

Building a deck can be pretty overwhelming for most people, so the best thing to do is to hire the pros. With their expertise and advice, you can get a stunning deck with beautiful surroundings to turn your deck into a paradise!