Realtors are the experts on what features make a home more desirable. RealtorMag has been tracking trends in deck design. This year, there are two trends Metrowest home owners will want to know about: decks are getting much larger – you might even say they’re monster sized! – and are designed for a leisurely, low-maintenance lifestyle.
Bigger is Better: Since 2014, deck size in the Northeast has grown by 53%. This research is definitely in keeping with what we’ve seen as a Metrowest deck company. Deck size averages locally at just above 400 square feet. Super-sized or monster decks are 1,600 square feet plus.
Family Friendly Deck Features: Larger decks have enough room for an entire family to gather. Families like to have things to do. That’s part of the reason of the surging popularity of fun deck features like hot tubs, lap pools, fire places and fire pits. Built in seating with storage and integrated planters are also top pics. Families with small children have added shade features and screen rooms to their deck design.
Low-Maintenance Living: One of the advantages of choosing a large or monster-sized deck is that it reduces the amount of lawn that needs to be mowed. Low-maintenance living is very appealing to busy people. That’s why PVC and composite decking are top choices in the MetroWest area. These decking materials look great for years without needing to be painted. They also resist damage from mold, extreme weather, and insects, which cuts way down on the amount of upkeep work for the homeowner.
Bring Your Electronics Outdoors: Some families choose to reserve the deck as an outdoor, tech-free zone: it’s nice for the kids to have a place where everyone’s unplugged. Others are embracing the outdoor living room concept and have their Metrowest deck builders create spaces for big screen tvs, wireless speakers and gaming systems.