Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

"Design Drawings and Construction Plans"

Framingham, MA

508-877-1060

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Does Your Deck Need a Roof?

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Soaking up the summer sun is fun – but you can have too much of a good thing. the desire for some shade and a cool place to relax outdoors leads many Metrowest homeowners to wonder: Does our deck need a roof?

Creative Deck Design: Roof Essentials

There are many ways to think about adding a roof to your porch. A screen porch requires a roof, or a roof can be installed over your roof without the need to add any screens or windows. Deck roofs can be of the same material as the roof on your home, or you may choose to use a different roofing surface. Deck roofs can be made of metal – these sound fantastic when it rains and they last a lifetime – as well as shingles.

A deck roof can cover the entirety of your deck, or only a portion of it. When you have a roof put on your deck, you’re going to want to talk to your creative deck design company about how water will be carried away from your deck during a rain storm, including gutter and downspout placement. Gardeners often seek a way to capture rainwater for their plants, and this can be part of your deck design process.

If roofing all or even a significant portion of your deck isn’t right for you, you have other options. Talk to your creative deck designer about the different types of shade structures. Having a screen room built on your deck is one popular option; pergolas, canopies and awnings also all have their fans.

Deck Design Style Options

There are two approaches to adding a roof to your deck. One school of thought holds that your deck should integrate seamlessly with your home and look like it’s always been there. The other approach uses creative deck design to create a space that’s visually distinct from the existing home yet enhances the structure’s overall appearance.

Your creative deck designer will be able to present you with different options, customized for your home, lot, and lifestyle. Choose the look you like best and get ready to enjoy summer even more!

Is an Under Deck Screen Porch Right for You?

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Last year, we saw a lot of homeowners in the Metrowest MA area adding outdoor living space to their homes by converting the area beneath second story decks into screen porches. There are several reasons this is a popular idea:

First, having an under deck screen porch makes use of space that otherwise often gets wasted. If you have a second-story deck right now, what are you currently doing with the space underneath it? You might be storing a bicycle there, or the kids’ outside toys, but is that really adding joy to your family’s life? Converting that space into a pleasant living area gives everyone in the family an extra place to go without having to go somewhere – wouldn’t it be nice to have a convenient place to relax right at home?

Second, having an under deck screen porch keeps the bugs away. Biting insects aren’t just annoying. They can carry dangerous diseases that can make you, your family, or your pets sick. Who wants to deal with that? If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the outdoors bug free, a screen porch is the way to go.

Under deck screen porches add style and elegance to the home. Here in the Metrowest area, there are many communities that are built in such a way that the sides and back of your home may be visible from the street. Having an under deck screen porch put in place beneath a second story deck on the back of the house can result in a more finished, polished look.

Planning the Under Deck Screen Porch

Converting your under deck area into a screen porch is a very ambitious DIY project. For faster results, and to start enjoying your space sooner, consider working with a creative deck design company. They have the expertise to take your project from concept to comfortable reality quickly, and can make design and building suggestions that will add to how much you enjoy your under deck screen porch.

When It Comes to Decks, Size Does Matter

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Stop trying to squeeze your lifestyle onto a deck that’s just too small to take it. That’s the advice from outdoor living experts, who advise thinking of your deck as an addition to your home – an additional room with the specific purpose of making your family’s life better and more fun.

How Big is the Average Deck?

According to Landscaping.com, the average deck is between 300 and 400 square feet. Many builders recommend that the deck be at least as large as the largest room in your home – however, frankly, here in Metrowest MA, the largest room in a home can be fairly small.

Our recommendation as creative deck designers is to invest in as much deck space as you can realistically use and enjoy. If you’ve got a busy active family, with pets, and you know you’re going to spend a lot of time outdoors, go for the 500+ square foot deck. By the same token, we’ve built large decks for smaller families who entertain frequently, enjoy gardening on their deck, do art outside, or have other plans that need a lot of space.

What About Second-Story Decks?

Second-story decks do tend to be smaller, with the local average being between 250-400 sq feet. Again, it’s helpful to be clear on the purpose of your second story deck during the design process. Some second-story decks serve as a private retreat area, accessed through a couple’s bedroom, that provide a setting to sit and watch the stars together or enjoy a morning coffee. These decks can be smaller than the second-story decks that will be used by a family seeking to enjoy the fresh air together.

Planning a New Deck?

If you’re ready for a new deck, or you know your existing deck needs to be bigger, the time to book time with your local Metrowest deck builders is now. Beginning the planning process in February means work on your new deck can begin in the spring and you’ll be able to enjoy it all summer long.

The Dog-Friendly Deck

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Dogs love decks – but not all decks are great for dogs. One of the fundamentals of creative deck design is creating spaces that work for the entire family. In some cases, that means thinking through what makes a deck a safe, happy space for canine companions.

Safety First: Dogs & Decks

In most of the greater Boston area, it’s really important to keep your dog contained. Busy neighborhood streets are no place for puppies to go exploring! Talk to your creative deck designer about your plans for your dog. Smaller dogs can be contained with creative rail and gate designs; for larger dogs, or those that love to jump or climb, a more vigorous design might be in order.

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Dogs spend more of their time with more of their bodies in contact with a deck than their human owners generally do. For this reason, it’s important that a dog-friendly deck be built of material that’s safe for animals, as well as being durable enough to resist being damaged by a dog’s toenails, playful enthusiasm, or wagging tail.

Composite decking fills all the requirements. Available in a wide variety of colors – which your dog won’t be able to see, but people like them – composite decking resists mold, mildew and fungus growth. It’s durable and requires little to no maintenance to stay looking great. Best of all, dogs don’t generally enjoy chewing on composite decking the way they do on wooden decks. (There are dogs who chew on everything – we know! But most dogs don’t chew on the composite decking.)

Other features that are important on the dog-friendly deck: a protected area where the dog can access food and water whenever they’d like. A shaded area is also good, especially during the hottest part of the Massachusetts summer. Many families find that having a screen room built on the porch is an ideal way to allow their dog (and the rest of the family!) to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about sunburn or biting mosquitoes.

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Want a Creative Deck? Hire A Creative Deck Designer

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Think of a deck like jewelry for your home. Just like you choose accessories to complement the look of your outfit, your deck design should enhance your home’s curb appeal. At the same time, your deck needs to meet your family’s needs – whether that’s for kid-friendly fun, gatherings of family and friends, or just a place to relax and unwind after a long, busy week.

Understanding Creative Deck Design

In the beginning, many decks were designed and built by the homeowner, who may or may not have extensive design and construction skills. The result? A lot of sad, square decks that didn’t take what people love most about outdoor living into account.

Today, things are different. Creative deck designers specialize in creating truly wonderful outdoor living spaces. These decks are one of a kind builds, created specifically for your one-of-a-kind home and your one-of-a-kind family.

Boston Deck Trends: 2019 Report

Throughout the greater Boston area, including towns like Framingham, the most relevant deck trends all have to do with making the home a more enjoyable living space for the entire family. Strong emphasis is placed on making home fun – whether that means adding an outdoor kitchen for entertaining friends, a fire feature for serious Smores cooking, built in planters to meet your need for homegrown organic tomatoes, or more. The options are limitless – simply tell your creative deck designer what you’d like to accomplish, and they’ll make it happen.

A big creative deck design trend you should be aware of is the environmentally friendly or green deck. You might think that wood is the most planet-friendly decking material, but that’s not necessarily true. Pressure treated wood involves some pretty harsh chemicals, and without the proper maintenance, a wooden deck might need to be replaced in as little as ten years. Composite decking, sometimes known as PVC decking, lasts twice as long, is weather and warp resistant, and doesn’t require any additional maintenance.