A good way to enhance your homes functionality and it's value is to add a deck. If you are the creative type or on a tight budget then you may want to design a deck yourself. There are multiple ways to do this. You can use specialized software or you can create hand drawings.
First and foremost you must create a plan. When you design a deck you will need to consider what purpose it will serve? Is it for cookouts and large social events? Will the deck surround a pool? What type of seating arrangements will need to be made? Do you want to include seating around the edges or use freestanding tables and chairs? Do you host parties in the evening that would need outside lighting? Be sure to accommodate for those instances.
Once you've discovered the purpose, it's time to decide on location. This is all about availability and size. What are the dimensions of your yard? Do you want to be as far away from the road as possible? Does the location include having to connect the house to a pool? These are all important considerations when you design a deck.
Another important issue is what the neighborhood has to say about your new addition to the house. Depending upon the different zoning laws or the neighborhood bylaws there may be restrictions as to where and what size your deck can be. You will want to make this one of your first research steps in regards to planning.
Once you have the all-clear it is time to design a deck on paper. This can be done through your own freehand drawing or special software such as Timbertech or the Deckorators. When creating a hand drawn design be sure to include correct measurements.
Now that the design a deck basics are out of the way, you can look at the more detailed decorative issues. This includes such items as the type of railing you want to use, the height of the deck as well as the stairs, the shape of the entire project, the pattern for the wood to follow and what type of wooden planks to use.
If you aren't sure how to build a deck then perhaps your contribution is simply to design a deck. After doing this you can hire an experienced craftsman to complete the project to your specifications. You may even wish to consult with an expert in regards to your design so that they can record the proper measurements.
