A large deck with FSC certified Tigerwood decking is designed outside the kitchen and dining room. A Nanawall and window system opens the space to the outdoors. The deck overlooks the private backyard and views to downtown Seattle beyond. Architecture and Design by Heidi Helgeson, H2D Architecture + Design Construction by Thomas Jacobson Construction Photo by Sean Balko, Filmworks Studio

Screened Porch Replacement in Potomac, MD

Design Builders, Inc.

Summer Trees

RT Architects

Outdoor Room & Hot Tub

Zones Landscaping Auckland Central Monique Nielsen

New decking anchors the outdoor living area and is the stage for a large outdoor fireplace and pergola with fully automated louvre roofing, integrated lighting, and an infra-red heater. As well as outdoor seating, the pergola houses a custom-made BBQ bench with integrated outdoor fridge and Weber BBQ, creating the perfect spot to entertain.

Armour Heights - Cozy Backyard

Infinite Possibilities Landscape & Design

Contemporary Pool & Patio

Boyce Design + Build

Overlooking the pool is a stylish and comfortable Trex Transcends deck that is the perfect spot for poolside entertaining and outdoor dining. The black horizontal metal railing, extra-large cedar deck steps and deck skirting add the finishing touches to this relaxing and inviting Atlanta backyard retreat.

Backyard Covered Kitchen

Board & Vellum

Photo by Tina Witherspoon.

Gazebo and Deck in Boyds, Montgomery County, MD

Deck Solid Construction

Beautiful Deck and Screened Gazebo built for a family in Boyds, in Montgomery County, MD using TREX railings and decking boards.

Timbertech Reserve Driftwood and Soffit Lights

Deck & Drive Solutions

This was a complete tear off and rebuild of this new deck. Timbertech came out with a new series and new colors for 2020 this February. The homeowners wanted a maintenance free deck and chose the new stuff! The decking color they picked with their blue house was Timbertech’s Reserve Collection in the Driftwood Color. We then decided to add white railing from Westbury Tuscany Series to match the trim color on the house. We built this deck next to the hot tub with a removable panel so there is room to access the mechanical of the hot tub when needed. One thing they asked for which took some research is a low voltage light that could be installed on the side of the deck’s fascia that would aim into the yard for the dog in the night. We then added post cap lights from Westbury and Timbertech Riser lights for the stairs. The complete Deck Lighting looks great and is a great touch. The deck had Freedom Privacy Panels installed below the deck to the ground with the Boardwalk Style in the White color. The complete deck turned out great and this new decking is amazing. Perfect deck for this house and family. The homeowners will love it for many years.

Outdoor Room

Zones Landscaping Auckland Central Kate Ryan

Creating a clear contrast between work and home environments is always ideal, but it’s almost essential for those who live in urban areas. The pleasant suburb Westmere is close to many of Auckland’s major attractions - from the city centre to Auckland Zoo. While practical and close to both work and play, living so close to a city centre can produce the need for a home that provides a retreat from the hustle and bustle. When Zones landscaping specialist Kate Ryan was contacted by a Westmere family with some exciting landscaping ideas, she used the Zones bespoke design and build process to help them create an outdoor living space that meets their lifestyle needs. Homeowner Matt and his family were interested in creating an outdoor living area that would lead out from their interior living space. It needed to be a space that they would gravitate toward regardless of the season. “The back area was under utilised with a hard concrete pad that wasn’t big enough to sit on or pleasant to look at, and a lawn that didn’t grow well due to the lower position”, explains Kate. “The clients wanted the area to look smart and modern, and for it to link with their house. Creating a space that they would be able to use all year around was a priority.” Kate presented her customers with a design that cohesively featured their ideas. She then worked with them to perfect this design to their specifications. “The process was very client orientated - we worked on the finer details of everything”, tells Kate. “There were meetings making out the space and taking the time to get the proportions right. The design encompassed a new outdoor living area with a large concrete fire, louvre roof, new decking, spa area and artificial turf.” Once the homeowners were happy with the finer details of the design and the related costs, Kate and her team began the construction and installation process. Accessing the site proved challenging, as the landscape is closely surrounded by other houses. “The access was difficult and getting the thick concrete pad out was very challenging and costly”, says Kate. “I found a decking supplier that could fix timber onto the concrete with special fixings so it could be flush with the house floor height. This saved the client money on the excavation and disposal. We still took part of the concrete out to make the lawn area bigger and get the proportions of the decking, louvre roof and lawn looking great.” Every stylistic choice reflected Kate’s customers’ goal to be able to have an enjoyable outdoor area that is functional no matter the weather. Team Turf supplied the artificial turf, which allows the homeowners to live in a mud-free zone throughout the winter. It also provides an easy maintenance solution in comparison to their original lawn. Vitex decking, from HiDeck, now offers an aesthetic contrast between the open and covered areas, while the Eclipse louvre roof allows sunlight to stream through in the summer while providing sealed coverage in the winter. The outdoor fireplace and spa area were the final touches, creating some winter warmth. “Kate was very efficient in coordinating all of the tradies”, tells homeowner Matt. “She had a very good bunch of people working on the project and it all went very smoothly. The Zones project management process was pretty much as I expected. It was quick, efficient and everything was on budget. Kate listened to my ideas, which were ever changing of course. It took the responsibility away from me, which was what I wanted.” Kate and her customers enjoyed champagne by the roaring fire to celebrate the completed result. Kate says working with her customers was great and that, together, they achieved “such a good result!” “It’s all come together really well,’’ agrees Matt. “I would have to say my favourite features are the Louvre and the fireplace. The louvre guys have been really good to work with. All of the suppliers were very accommodating and helped us through some tricky little problems. We’re very impressed!”

Maybeck Twin

Jetton Construction, Inc.

James G. Stavoy, Architect Bryn Brugioni Interior Design Susann Thomason Tunick, Interior Design Randy Thueme Design, Landscape Architect Mariko Reed, Photographer

Logan Circle Row House

Jon Hensley Architects

Photo credits: Hoachlander Davis Photography

302 Orchid

Teale Architecture

Photography: Ryan Garvin

Modern, Airy, Northern Virginia Deck and Porch

Tyrone Mitchell Photography

Photographed TyroneMitchellPhotography Build for relaxation and entertainment

Rocky Mountain Modern

John Dengler & Associates

Poolside Entertainment

CG&S Design-Build

photography by Andrea Calo

BBQ sheds

Atlanta Decking & Fence Co., Inc.

Barbecue shed designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence.

Desai

LaCantina Doors

Build LLC

Deck Design Ideas with an Outdoor Kitchen and with Skirting

Decks are synonymous with Australian and New Zealand outdoor living. It’s out on your deck that you can read the Sunday paper, have a barbecue with neighbours or host a party – and come summer, Aussies and Kiwis swarm to them like mozzies to a bug zapper! Decking is also a popular flooring choice for patios, pergolas and pool surrounds, as well as balconies and verandahs. As an extension of your living space, outdoor decking needs to be ripe for relaxation, handle harsh weather and high foot traffic, and suit the style of your home, too. We are, however, spoilt for choice when it comes to decking options, especially regarding the choice of hardwood, which can make deciding on the right timber decking for your needs tough. Before you start building a deck, browse Houzz photos for design inspiration and check out the Stories section for more ideas. Once you're ready, you may want to hire a Landscape Architect or Gardener to help you complete your project.

How do I determine my deck design?

Decks can be customised to suit your home and landscape, so be open to a variety of designs. On this page, you’ll find the likes of balcony, verandah and patio decking, as well as breezeway decks, low-slung decks (barely raised off the ground) and master bedroom decks, just to name a few. If you have a contemporary home, you might prefer a mixed-materials deck with concrete stairs, for example, or rather a more simple party deck, complete with built-in seating and a barbecue. Decks can also wrap around garden features, like a feature tree, or curve through your garden. If you want to tame a slope in your backyard, a raised deck or platform deck can help with backyard access. It can be covered or left uncovered, but if choosing the latter option, try to add structure to the space with planting. Multi-level decks are also great for sloping lots, and can help zone areas within your backyard. If you want to highlight or make more use of your backyard, consider a freestanding deck, which, complete with an outdoor dining set, seating, a gazebo or umbrella, can be used for entertaining or simply unwinding under the sun. Boardwalk decking is a great way to guide people through your yard, add structure and can help add a sense of design.

What hardwood decking should I use?

Price, appearance and overall maintenance will dictate your choice of hardwood decking. Spotted gum, teak, blackbutt, grey ironbark, jarrah and merbau are all popular hardwood varieties in Australia and New Zealand, while composite decking – a combination of wood and plastic – is becoming increasingly popular, too. Hardwood looks more natural, but does need to be stained and weatherproofed frequently. Spotted gum is one of the most attractive decking materials – it has a lovely grain and requires minimal staining. Teak is the best performing hardwood, but comes with a hefty price tag. If you’re after a red-coloured hardwood, consider merbau, which can handle the harsh Australian climate. Merbau decking will, however, leach tannins, so it’s best avoided near other light-coloured hardscapes. Composite decking is a more low-maintenance option than hardwood decking, as it doesn’t require resealing. It’s also more environmentally friendly: it won’t fade, rot or warp with time, meaning you can maintain the same deck for longer. If you live in a fire-prone area, it’s also less of a hazard.