How to Design a Composite Deck for your Northern Virginia Home

Composite deck design with secure railings in Northern VirginiaA deck is a perfect place to relax on the weekend and entertain friends and family. Before you get there, it’s important to establish a plan and evaluate your available outdoor space. The experts at Distinctive Deck Designs offer custom composite deck designs for any Northern Virginia home. Let us help you create a design that not only fits in your space but accentuates the surrounding features of your home.

Consider Your Style

Styles are ever-changing, and it’s fun to experiment with new designs both inside and outside your home. Our team has experience creating timeless designs to coincide with the exterior of your home beautifully. Whether your home is traditional or more contemporary, we use high-quality composite building materials that come in various colors and styles. We’ll help you combine unique features that will bring your outdoor living space together for a final look you’ll love to use for years to come.

Size and Shape

When deciding on a deck that will work for you and your family, the size and shape of the surface are some of the most important elements to consider. You want the space to large enough to accommodate your family and friends and functional to use most of the year.

Start thinking about where the high traffic areas would be, and if they’d work with the entrance to your home, or the stairs leading off the deck. You will want to ensure that these areas have plenty of room to house everything you need. Take note of where you would put your deck and what your view would be. If having shade is important to you, plan for the deck space to be where the sun hits your home the least throughout the day.

Those thinking about a raised deck need to also consider privacy. If the new entertaining space is raised, you might look right into a neighbor’s yard, which could be inconvenient. Map out your deck to avoid mistakes that you might not notice until post-installation.

Evaluate the Surrounding Landscaping

The team at Distinctive Deck Design will make your property’s unique features stand out in the best way possible. If your yard slants, we create multi-level decks that incorporate the lawn’s natural slopes that occur. Sometimes Northern Virginia landscapes need to be reworked before a composite deck can be installed. For example, if your yard has a slope, or a sunken area, water will most likely collect there after a storm. While composite decking is more durable when it comes to moisture, it can still be susceptible to damage. This area will need to be corrected to prevent damage in the long run.

Establish a Purpose

When choosing a deck design and style, start thinking about what purpose this will serve you and your family. You could use your custom outdoor living space for cooking, family gatherings, or the perfect spot to relax after a long work day. Each of these scenarios demands different elements and features that will enhance your experience. For example, if you need a space to relax, we can install a deck cover that offers shade on hot summer days. If you prefer to cook, we’ll ensure there is a safe spot carved out for you to prepare food for your family barbeques. Understand the purpose of your space, and let the creative process take control from there.

Safety Features

We want to make sure you absolutely love your composite deck, which means we’re dedicated to providing a safe place to spend time with friends and family. With our composite deck designs, we can include a unique railing system that creates a sturdy buffer to prevent injuries and accidents. Lighting is also essential to create a safe outdoor living space. The industry-leading decking systems we install are equipped to include lights. From under stair lighting to railing lighting, they will guide you through the dark, so you can always find your way safely.

Before beginning the installation, our team will work directly with you to help you determine what your outdoor living space needs are. We conduct thorough evaluations of your current outdoor space and make recommendations on what will work best. To schedule your free on-site consultation, please contact us today.