All You Need To Know About Building And Caring For Your Outdoor Deck

By Simona Ganea

Simona Ganea Interior Design & Content Contributor

Simona is an interior design and décor writer for Homedit. Since 2011, she has been writing about interior design, DIY solutions, and the latest trends in home architecture.

Learn more about Homedit's Editorial Process

| Updated on Dec 19, 2022

of 45

Floating deck bench - Add color and texture to a deck with beautiful accent pillows and planters.

Small front house deck - Small decks can also be charming, especially when they have a traditional design

Enjoy beautiful views from a modern deck - To maximize a beautiful view from the deck, choose glass railing or thin rods

Crazy rooftop design with floor pillows on deck - Treat the deck as an extension of your living room. You can even decorate it with area rugs

Contemporary deck in New York - Because comfort is important, consider a sofa or a sectional instead of chairs

Traditional deck for outdoor - The furniture you use on the deck has to be suitable for outdoor spaces

Outdoor kitchen design with a brown wood deck - If the deck is large enough, you can even have an outdoor kitchen or a bar

River rocks and wood deck for a tiny backyard - For a zen and relaxing ambiance, find inspiration in japanese gardens

Individual planters for gardening - You can either choose to display individual planters or large boxes that hold multiple plants

Planters can be a beautiful decor accent for balcony - Planters can also be used in a similar way. They also add color and texture to the design

Corner outdoor deck bench - This is another example of a bench designed to outline the deck

Large backyard deck - Instead of railings, you can line the deck with a raised platform that doubles as a bench

Romantic ambience with a firepit on deck - A fire pit or a fireplace can also be a source of light, mostly at night

Small backyard deck with accent lights - Accent lights are great at creating a pleasant ambiance. They can also be use to highlight certain features

Modern outdoor furniture for deck - Fairy or string lights can be used to give the deck or garden a magical look

Create a beautiful deck with light - Another important aspect linked to the design and ambiance is the lighting on the deck

Railings used on a deck often change the whole look - The type of railings used on a deck often change the whole look

Large and covered deck - A large and covered deck can accommodate an al fresco dining area and a lounge space

Elevated wood deck for backyard - A raised deck becomes a separate zone by itself, standing out from the rest of the space

Indoor deck extension - It’s possible to turn the deck into an extension of the indoor social zone

Give a paint protection to your deck - If you want to put furniture out on the deck, it would be nice to have a roof above for protection

Combine deck with lawn and concrete pavers - A deck can be small but the surrounding area can serve as an extension

Small rooftop balcony with deck floor - This strategy is great for rooftop decks which are not directly connected to a garden

Decorate your deck with fresh and green plants - Decorate the deck with greenery and planters in order to give it a fresh look

Round rattan furniture and deck floor - The looks of the deck are important, allowing you to create the desired ambiance

Living room with large windows that open on a large deck - This means you have to trim the bushes near the deck, to clear the debris and to move the furniture and planters

Rooftop deck with a green fench and rattan furniture - In fall, it’s time to do some maintenance and to apply preventive measures

Floating deck used like porch - Look for cracks in the wood, rotten boards that need to be replaced or damaged railings

Backyard house deck - In midsummer, you should inspect the deck and repair any damage you see

Wood pergola and clean deck - At the end, apply the sealer or the stain and allow it to dry as long as needed

Movie night on deck - ingenious seating system - Then check all the boards and remove and replace any damaged or missing screws and nails

Dark wood deck for backayrd - In order to seal the deck boards, first lightly sand the wood

Beautiful deck porch with pergola rattan furniture - After that, sweep the entire deck making sure you use the right cleaner. Let it dry for a few days

Deck around fire pit and bench - Remove all the debris from between the boards using a putty knife

Central park balcony view - In late spring, wash and seal the deck. This has to be done every year

Stone outdoor fireplace with barn doors to hide tv and deck on floor

Deck around the pool - This treatment can be applied every year or two for proper maintenance of your deck

Modern deck lounge area - Regularly apply a water-repellent finish to reduce the damage done by rain

wood is kiln-dried and treated with preservatives - If the wood is kiln-dried and treated with preservatives, wider spacing is required as the boards shrink and swell

Space between wood boards for decking - Space the boards approximately 1/8’’ apart for a beautiful and practical construction

Choose good materials for your deck - A good choice of materials and hardware reduces the chance of corrosion and unaesthetic stains

Take care of nails on boards - It’s also important to use the right nails and screws when building a deck

Boards with side board - Install the boards with the bark side up to avoid polls of water on the surface of the deck

Angle deck with lights - The wood boards used on the deck are exposed to periodic changes, being wet and dry and becoming less good-looking

increase the longevity and the looks of your deck - There are a few tricks you can use if you want to increase the longevity and the looks of your deck

All You Need To Know About Building And Caring For Your Outdoor Deck

Buy Now

Having a house and no deck doesn’t really make sense. Decks are awesome and have more advantages than we can count. There’s a lot to love about a deck, a patio, a pergola or a terrace, especially if there’s also a view to be enjoyed. Deck can be of various different types. The floating deck is one of them , being one of the most interesting.

When building a deck, the choice of materials is important. For the moment, we’ll focus on wooden decks. There are six main types of wood that are most commonly used in this case. Redwood is easy to distinguish by its deep red color. The color can be maintained over the years by treating the deck with a clear finish or stain otherwise the wood will eventually turn to a silver-gray shade. This is the most expensive wood usually used in decking. Cedar is about half the cost of redwood and has a golden brown color. It turns to a gray tone if left untreated and is similar to redwood in terms of durability and resistance to rot and insects.

Cypress can sometimes be more expensive than redwood, depending on the region. It has a tan-reddish color and is lighter in tone than redwood. Tropical hardwood is a more interesting choice, having a life expectancy of over 40 years and very few knots as well as a tight grain pattern. It’s a very expensive type of wood and is also subject to ecological concern regarding its harvesting conditions.

The other two common types include pressure-treated wood and plastic wood-composites together with vinyl. Decks built of pressure-treated wood are as durable as any other type but pose certain concerns. It’s best to wear gloves and dust masks when working with this material. The wood has a greenish color and it turns gray over time. Plastic wood composites are usually made of 30%to 50% recycled plastic and wood fibers. It’s splinter-free and more expensive than redwood. It lasts forever but doesn’t have the look of real wood.

A careful selection of materials ensures a good structure and beautiful look for a deck. But there are also other elements to take into consideration. Deck lighting, for example, has its own crucial role, completing the looks and adding charm to even the most beautiful pergola designs or terraces. To ensure a beautiful look all year round, proper care and maintenance are necessary for both the deck itself and all the accessories.