Trends in custom home decks 2013

2013- Decks and porches of Custom Homes

Here are some trends in the Decks and porches of custom homes in 2013. Some of the trends have started this year (2013), a lot of trends where started in the 2012 construction year and continued into this calendar year. There are trends that have been sustained year over year as well; they are the long running trends.

Decks and Porches of Custom homes

Here is a list of the trends that have stayed the same over the last several years;

• The structures that hold up decks and porches are still mostly made of pressure treated wood. It is still the most cost effective way to build the frame of a deck and have it last a long time.

• The moving away from natural wood for the top of the deck continues. The past most decks where pressure treated or cedar. Today homeowners are willing to pay extra for something that has the chance to last the lifetime that they own their home.

• Glass railings to increase the view from elevated porches and decks is now more common then wood railings when views are being considered.

• Outdoor spaces have become more important than they ever where before, they are now gathering
areas for family and friends and thus are designed to do more things than ever before. Such as dining areas and lounging areas.

Here is a list of the trends that have started this year and are growing in popularity;

• One of the newest thing going on decks is torrefied wood. This is natural wood like pine or spruce that has been heated and pressurized until the cells in the wood collapse. This process leaves the wood with almost zero moisture and because the cells have collapsed there is no way for it to reabsorb more moisture when installed outside.

• Composite decking has been installed in almost records amounts. This is because the new composite decking is light years beyond the stuff that was first sold decades ago. The variety in color and the durability has made it extremely attractive to homeowners.

• Wrapping the top of wood joists with waterproofing membrane. This creates what we call the “100 year deck joist”, the process waterproofs the top of joist where the fastener penetrates the joist from the topping but allows the bottom of the joist to dry with air movement.

• The decking railings have changed as well. One of the hottest things today is using rot iron railings instead of wood. The sturdy metal can be created in a pattern you desire. It can also be painted any colour that you want.

• LED lighting in the post caps and the decking are popping everywhere. This helps illuminate steps, deck edges and railing tops.

Custom decks have more and more choices every year and the trends seem to be changing about as fast as the materials that they are being built from. The cost of a lot of these trends is high but the longevity that you will get out of most of these new products is impressive.

Rob Abbott
Operations Manager
Village Builders Inc.

In-Deck storage for your custom deck

In-Deck Storage

One of the newest options for people building custom decks is called In-Deck Storage. This is basically what the name states; it is storage that is built into the underside of the deck.

The suppliers of composite decking have invented a plastic storage bin that is installed in between the joist of the deck under the finished decking. They usually have a hinged door with a locking mechanism that is flush with the deck boards or nearly flush, this is to help prevent you from stubbing your toe when walking over it.

This storage area is a great place to store patio furniture cushions, sports equipment, children’s tools, pet tools, garden tools or anything else that can handle being left out side and out of sight. Some boxes are more waterproof then others so be careful what you leave in it.

To install the storage box in the deck you will need to know the dimensions of the box before you finish the framing. You need to leave enough room for the box to fit in between the deck joists, most storage boxes are larger than the 16” centre’s that are commonly used when framing decks. You will have to add support underneath the storage box to re-enforce it, that’s so if you load it right full of heavy items the middle of the plastic box doesn’t break and collapse. You will also have to add extra blocking around the edges of the storage box so that there is proper nailing for your decking above.

The in-deck storage box is a direct replacement for the above deck storage box that you buy from any big box store. Both are made from plastic, the one big difference is that the lid of the in-deck storage bin is re-enforced, it is re-enforced not only to take the weight of a person walking on it but also the weight of the decking material that you are using as the top finish. Installing decking on top of the lid helps hide the storage bin; one of the reasons for it being installed under the deck is not just to create more space above, it is also so that the storage bin is out of sight and out of mind. This is good not only for looks but also for security, people can’t steal your things when they can’t find them.

When you are planning your next deck project think about where you plan to store your items, think about underneath and think about the in-deck storage box.

Rob Abbott
Operations Manager
Village Builders Inc.