weatherbest composite decking Decking Plan

Decking Plan

Bryce Werlington

Quality Timber Decking
You're all comfortable in your favorite lounge chair, reading your latest novel with a cool beverage nearby... the aroma of your favorite BBQ .....

Designing Your New Decking Plan

So you' ve got a nice back yard, but want to get more use out of it - why not add a deck? A good deck starts with a good decking plan, and the first thing you need to do is decide how much you can spend, what kind of material you want to use, and what design elements you want to incorporate.

Cost

A basic deck is not very expensive to start with. If you are looking for just an area attached to your house to give it a little extra room and a better design, you are looking at minimal costs for materials, and probably about as much cost in labor as the actual deck itself. The fancier you want your deck, the more you are going to have to pay for it, as with anything in life. Before you decide that you want to go more cost effective and just throw up a basic deck with a basic decking plan, be aware that most states require a building permit for a deck to be added onto a house.

A good resource on figuring out costs and checking out design ideas is www.deckplans.com, where you will find an assortment of frequently asked questions, links to permit resources, and even some free deck plan designs with cost calculators. These designs are based on the floating deck design that allows for greater flexibility in usage once your new decking plan has been chosen.

Decking System
Decks are one of the favorite family hangouts during spring, summer and fall months. Enjoying the open air and barbeques is often creates .....

Materials

Decking materials are very important when choosing your decking plan, as the material will decide what you can and cannot do with your deck once it is completed. Also, the design itself depends on the materials you use. For example, if you are going to be using 5/4 inch and composite decking material, they need to be supported on 16 inch centers, while the 2x6 decking material can span up to 30 inch centers. The hardware that will be used also differs based on the material you choose to build your deck with.

Design Elements

Garden Decking
Metal Decking: The Choice for Bridges and Roofs

Metal decking is usually made of corrugated steel or aluminum, and is used for roofing and floors. It also .....

Your decking plan should include all the elements you want before you start construction, this includes all stair and ramp plans and any aesthetic design touches you want to incorporate. The types of decking you choose, whether they are natural wood or composite decking, will change the design elements you want to use during the designing phase. Keep in mind all the little touches will make your decking plan unique and, in the end, it will be your deck, whether you do the actual construction or not.