Deck design

Is Your Deck Design Right?

February 28, 2016 By Custom Decks

Adding a deck is a great way to expand your home’s usable floor space. But it’s so much more than that as well. The right deck will allow you to extend and even enhance the design of your home while adding dimensions of functionality, style and luxury. The right deck will create social opportunities, add to the quality of life of everyone in the home and truly unite the home with the rest of the property for perhaps the first time.

Toronto Custom Decks Design Your Dreams

Just tacking any old deck to your home won’t necessarily provide you the benefits you’re looking for. In this post we’ll cover some of the things you’ll want to consider before you dig any foundation posts or buy any planks.

What is the purpose of your deck? – Are you building a deck to host keggers every weekend or do you primarily want a quiet place to enjoy the view of the lake? Maybe you intend to integrate the decks design with a backyard kitchen and pool to create the ultimate outdoor entertainment area. Different uses require different designs.
Can you build the deck you want? – Homeowners often forget about a little thing called building codes that will dictate in large part what can and can’t be built. Before you start designing find out what’s allowed and what isn’t. The last thing you want is to complete your deck and then have the city issue a takedown order.
Which design is right for you? – Now that you know what you’re allowed to build it’s time to decide on the decks design. These are the most common:

Platform deck: Platform decks are built at ground level and as such railings aren’t necessary. A pergola over a platform deck can provide shade and visual interest.
Raised deck: The most popular style of backyard deck. You’ll need railings and stairs and you’ll have a large space under the deck to do with as you wish.
Two-storey deck: The two-storey deck has an old world charm that’s hard to beat. You can hold large gatherings without overloading a single platform.
Split level deck: Split level decks are a series of stepped platforms that can hug the terrain or allow for a gradual drop to ground level. Great for outdoor kitchens.
Freestanding deck: A freestanding deck is separated from the house and standing by itself. Freestanding decks create a contemplative space within the yard.

Other Considerations

Materials – Today’s decks design functionality and easy maintenance right into the structure. You’ll have your choice of pressure treated lumber, composite planking that won’t crack or rot, PVC planking that’s ultra moisture resistant, redwood which looks fantastic and also provides natural insect resistance and long-lasting tropical hardwoods like Ipe-wood.
Safety – If you plan on hosting large crowds make sure your deck is built to handle it. Most deck collapses occur due to overloading. Also make sure you have adequate railings and banisters and that these are at a comfortable level.
Extras – You may want to go all out and include a retractable cover for your deck. You may also want to include an outdoor kitchen on your split level deck. Also, don’t forget to consider a built-in lighting scheme for atmosphere as well as safety.

Toronto Custom Decks design state-of-the-art backyard additions that fulfill the wishes of our clients while adding significant market value to their home. Our deck experts will work closely with you to ensure you get the deck you’ve always wanted at a price that won’t send you to the poor house. Call today and learn more about what we can do to bring you deck dreams to dazzling life.

Deck Design 101: Considerations Any Good Contractor Will Talk You Through

December 12, 2015 By Custom Decks

A beautiful backyard deck design doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of careful planning and close consultation between the homeowner and contractor. When problems arise with decks it’s almost always a function of poor planning and/or inadequate budgeting. Don’t let the deck of your dreams turn into the theater of your nightmares. Sit down with your contractor early in the process and hash out all the important points.

How to Arrive at the Best Possible Deck Design for Your Home

The planning process for your backyard deck will likely be more involved than planning a bathroom remodel or even a minor kitchen remodel. There are myriad things to consider from the practical as well as logistical side including:

How much? – Decks cost money. Sometimes a lot of money depending on what you have in mind. You’ll need to determine how much you’re willing to spend on your deck project up front as that will drive secondary considerations like size, design, materials and the like. Be realistic. While decks typically generate a handsome ROI it doesn’t make much sense to go deeply in debt to build one.
Why? – There are any number of reasons why people build decks including as a platform for serious socializing, to create a zone of privacy, as part of a backyard landscaping scheme or as a platform for a hot tub or Jacuzzi. Before you make any other decisions you’ll need to know what it is you want from your deck.
Where? – You may want an expansive, multi-level ipe-wood deck with Jacuzzi, retractable roof and integrated sound system; you may even have the money for it. But do you have the space for it? And is the available space conducive to the building of a deck? A further consideration is zoning. You may be prohibited by local codes from building as large a deck as you would like to have. You may even be prohibited from building any sort of deck.
What? – There are an array of material choices available today besides pressure treated lumber. Some will set you back handsomely, others are more affordable while still others like plastic may not appeal to you. Your budget may factor into your choice of materials as may your world-view. You may, for instance, be drawn to composites made largely of recycled materials.

Additional Considerations

Some other things you’ll want to consider for your new backyard deck design include:

Glass railings – If you want to retain a spectacular view of the lake while also retaining safety you may want to consider glass-panel railings.
A roof – A roof, whether fixed or retractable, will protect you and your guests from the Toronto elements and greatly expand the amount of time the deck is usable.
Custom lighting – Ramp up night time safety and create atmosphere at the same time with a custom lighting scheme built into your deck design.
Built in seating and planters – Built in bench seating can go a long way toward accommodating large crowds during those holiday parties, while built in planters allow you to introduce greenery to the deck area.

Backyard decks today fulfill a variety of functions and, if done right, are among the smartest home renovation/addition projects you can undertake. If poorly planned however, you could wind up with an expensive boondoggle that will make the local news and cost you dearly. Remember that the safety of everyone who steps onto your new deck is your responsibility. Don’t opt for a second rate deck design. Call the deck pros at Toronto Custom Decks in Toronto and get the beautiful, rock-solid deck of your dreams a price you can afford.

Deck Design Comes Down to Earth

October 31, 2015 By Custom Decks

Even if you have a single storey home you are not excluded from being able to enjoy the many benefits of having a backyard deck. That’s because, while elevated decks may be the most popular, they’re far from being the only kind of deck design available to homeowners as a new article on the forbes.com website amply demonstrates..

A deck can beautifully bridge the gap between indoors and out, providing an inviting, comfortable space from which to enjoy your backyard. And far from being a basic rectangle at the back of the house, a deck can be customized to fit your house and lifestyle to a T.

Some of their suggestions, like the corner deck (“If your home has a corner “missing” from the layout”) and the breezeway deck (“…an effective way to connect structures on the same property — or parts of one large home…” ) are clever ways to both have your cake and eat it too. They supply you the backyard deck experience you seek and help provide a degree of visual finish your home may have been missing.

Other suggestions the article makes such as the shed deck (“Give a shed the fancy treatment…“) and the destination deck (“Who says a deck has to be attached to the house? …consider placing a freestanding deck platform in your favourite spot.”) are more of a stretch but interesting ideas nonetheless.

The point is that, in most cases, if you can imagine it, you can build it. All you need is a good idea, a first rate deck design team and the best deck contractor you can find.

Deck vs. Patio

Most people contemplating a low level deck design are also kicking around the idea of perhaps creating a patio instead. After all, why suspend a platform a few inches off the ground when you can just build right into the ground and get more or less the same effect?

Essential Difference – A deck is usually built of wood or, increasingly these days, some form of composite material. A ground-level deck will be suspended just above the grade and require pilings. A patio by contrast is constructed on the surface. The ground is cleared and graded and then covered in either concrete or some type of paving stone.
Cost – A mid-sized wooden deck may typically cost you some $10,000. If you want to use more expensive composites you can expect to pay about 50% more. A comparably sized patio on the other hand may cost you only ⅓ what a deck will and will last longer. (Remember, your cost will vary depending on materials etc.)
ROI – Deck ROI can be as high as 85% and is widely considered to be one of the most cost-effective additions you can make to a home. Patios, meanwhile, can be expected to return anywhere from 30-60% of their investment (again, these numbers depend on size, materials etc).
The Site – If your plot has lots of rocks and tree roots you may want to build a wooden deck right over them to level things out. However, if your plot is fairly level and unencumbered by rocks and roots it will be easier to grade and you may want to go with a patio instead.

Don’t Trust Deck Design to Amateurs

While a patio will be exactly what some homeowners are looking for a deck can provide the same ability to integrate your indoor and outdoor worlds while also delivering much better ROI when the day comes to sell. Also, because they are suspended you can go anywhere with a deck or even build multi-level decks if you like.

In order to ensure your deck is everything you dreamed about, make sure you enlist the services of Toronto’s premier deck company: Toronto Custom Decks. We’ll do a thorough assessment of your property then design a deck for you that will exceed your expectations without breaking the bank. Don’t trust the future value of your home to the unqualified or inexperienced. Hire the people who’ve taken deck design in the GTA to new heights. Call Toronto Custom Decks today on 647-878-8780 and have a chat with one of our friendly deck professionals.

How to make your pool deck more comfortable

April 28, 2013 By TORONTO CUSTOM DECKS

Nothing makes summer more fun than spending quality time outdoors doing the things you enjoy best. Visiting with family and friends. Going on a picnic or enjoying a barbecue dinner. Exploring scenic parks and nature preserves. Or spending time in the water swimming, water skiing, or just goofing around. If you have a pool on your property, water fun is only a few feet away from your back door.

At Toronto custom Decks, we’re the number one deck design & build company in the Greater Toronto Area for installing a pool deck on your property regardless of its dimensions or complexity.
For more than a decade, we’ve designed and built hundreds of pool decks for customers from Aurora to Richmond Hill to Toronto and all points in between. Like all of the other deck and fencing products we build, a pool deck is specific to an individual homeowner. No two decks are the same. Some are multi-level, some are integrated into an existing deck or patio, and many are spacious enough to accommodate hot tubs or family gatherings.

The most popular building material for a pool deck is wood, but Toronto Decks and Fence Company has built a great many in cellular PVC and wood composites, depending on the customer’s needs, style, and budget. Just because a deck has been built with a pool in mind doesn’t mean it can’t be accessorized. In fact, many of the decks we’ve constructed include built-in seating, planters, gazebos, and storage for pool accessories and maintenance equipment such as pumps and filters.

One feature that many customers require is carpeting to make the deck safe, comfortable, and more appealing. Multi-purpose carpeting, for indoor and outdoor use, is ideal for this kind of application because it not only adds elegance and beauty to your pool deck, but because it’s very durable and made to weather the elements – and occasional chlorine spills.

If you’re thinking of covering your pool deck with carpeting, here are some things to consider:

The denser the carpet, the better.
Any carpeting you choose for your pool deck should be stain- and UV-resistant, which keeps it from fading in the sun and becoming brittle due to heavy use.
You want carpeting this is moisture resistant or repels water, meaning it has marine backing to do both.
If you expect the pool and deck to be used regularly, buy higher grade carpeting rather than one with an “economy” rating. Remember, you get what you pay for. Also take into consideration colour and weave.
Don’t forget about the heat, humidity, and moisture level of the area where the pool has been installed, and select carpeting best suited for such an environment.

Any retailer specializing in floor coverings should have a wide variety of indoor-outdoor carpeting to choose from in different grades. Economy grade “grass carpet” is designed for areas with infrequent use, while high grade “grass carpet” with marine backing is ideal for outdoor areas with regular exposure to the elements – and high traffic.

If you have questions about building a pool deck, call the experts at Toronto custom Decks for a free consultation!

Enliven your Toronto deck with these popular features

April 24, 2013 By TORONTO CUSTOM DECKS

In many ways, a patio or deck is an extension of not only the home, but the homeowner – distinct for its style, quirkiness, and value.

If you pick the right deck design, a ho-hum deck that was only used occasionally for special events or family gatherings can become a focal point of your home and help expand the usefulness of outdoor living space.

When it comes to finding the right deck designer in the Greater Toronto Area, hundreds of customers have selected the professionals at Toronto custom decks for our unique designs, friendly service, and commitment to creating a deck to fit any design or budget. Whether you’re interested in a specific material to build the deck with, want to build a pergola, or add any other feature, our experienced deck design staff can work with you from planning to design to actual construction.

Over the years, we’ve built hundreds of decks. Here are what we believe to be the most popular trends or features you can expect to see in residential decks in the next few years.

Wicker furniture and accessories. Normally made from hand woven fiber or even attractive, composite materials, wicker chairs, ottomans, couches, recliners, and tables are all the rage now because of their durability, ease of maintenance, and the ability to be painted to match architectural or existing colour schemes.
Portable hammock. How many times have you driven through the country, passed rolling farms, only to notice someone napping or lounging in a hammock stuck between trees that looks oh-so-comfortable? You can experience that, too, with any number of portable hammocks to suit your needs, such as one person, two-person, or other models made from a variety of colourful and weather resistant materials.
A stylish, modern deck design isn’t complete without the right lights. From low-wattage models to those powered by the sun, lights can be used to accent the deck area itself, illuminate railings and stairs, or focus attention on award-winning landscaping features like a flower bed, pond, or waterfall.
A gazebo and hot tub. Besides creating extra gathering space, a well designed gazebo can serve other purposes, too, such as a spot for a relaxing hot tub or an arts and crafts center, for instance.
An outdoor kitchen is often the feature that customers ask about the most. If you cook outside several times a week, even in the cold weather, and end up lugging food, dishes, and cooking utensils inside and outside the house, then it may be time to talk with our deck design professionals on what features may be most useful. Generally speaking, we recommend a built in grill, counter top for food preparation, sink, storage area, and small refrigerator.
An all-season fire pit utilizing Flagstone or some other durable stone is a great feature that will further enhance the usefulness and value of any outdoor living area. Outfitted with comfortable seating, it can be a great location for casual conversation, toasting marshmallows, or just sheer relaxation.

Whatever your desire, a deck designer from Toronto custom decks can help you arrive at a plan to fit your budget and style.

Call Toronto custom decks today for a free deck design consultation.

Preserve your composite deck the right way

March 29, 2013 By TORONTO CUSTOM DECKS

In the mid- to late-1990s, thousands of home and business owners jumped at the chance to have their old wooden decks replaced with a newer, sexier building material called composite wood that was heavily promoted as being easier to use, and would last far longer than traditional wood. While a composite deck now enjoys many advantages over wooden decks, first or second generation composites had a critical flaw – the manufacturing process didn’t include additives to prevent the growth of mildew.

Composite wood is made from a mixture of plastic and wood fiber/wood flour – saw dust, basically – which is a top food source for mildew. Thus, many composite decks built right through the early 2000s had the same flaw and suffered from black mildew that was nearly impossible to remove.

Manufacturing processes for composite wood are more advanced now than in the early days, but home and business owners still need to take care with a composite deck to make sure it lasts as long as needed.

Toronto Custom Decks has installed dozens of composite decks all across the greater Toronto area, and while we offer a comprehensive warranty on workmanship, nothing can ensure the life of a composite deck more than simple, ongoing maintenance.

Ways to preserve and maintain a composite deck

Before you can seal a composite deck, it needs to be cleaned. Debris such as leaves, branches, and other small items can be removed using a broom and dust pan, but for dirt or stains the best method is using a power washer. If you decide to use a power washer, never exceed 1500 PSI and keep the spray nozzle 12 inches away from the surface of the deck.
If you know the name of the company that made the composite wood deck boards, follow their recommendation as to the kind of cleaner than can be used. In most cases, manufacturers have their own brand of cleaner that works best with their product, but you also can use off-the-shelf cleaners as long as they’re formulated for composite wood. In all other cases, avoid cleaners that contain bleach.
Seal the deck using a good quality product made especially for a composite deck or, again, contact the composite manufacturer for their recommendation.
When sealing a composite deck, follow all of the directions for whatever sealer you buy. There’s no such thing as a good short cut when it comes to quality work.
Whether you roll or spray the sealer to apply it, always make sure to use a brush afterwards on each board – before the sealer dries. The bristles on a brush allow the sealer to penetrate the composite better than just letting it sit. In any case, rolling or spraying the sealer then walking away could result in it drying unevenly.
Once finished, allow the composite deck to cure for 24 hours before using it. Keep children and other visitors away, especially dogs and other pets.
The final recommendation is to clean your composite deck each year with a product especially formulated for composite wood surfaces.

Toronto custom decks specializes in design, construction and installation of composite decks. Call us today for a free one on one consultation where we will visit your backyard, learn about your specific needs, lifestyle and show you our work.

Choose the right materials for your deck railings

March 25, 2013 By TORONTO CUSTOM DECKS

When decks became a fixture across North American neighborhoods in the 1950s and 1960s as the post-World War II economy kicked into high gear, just about the only game in town was wood – wood for the main building material, and wood for the railings and steps. Households in higher income brackets could splurge a little more, but even then the most “exotic” materials used for deck railings were wrought iron or steel.

Over the last several years, more and more homeowners in the Greater Toronto Area have turned to the professionals at Toronto Custom Decks to build decks and deck railings featuring the most unique designs and utilizing a variety of building materials tailored for any budget.

Times have changed, trends have come and gone, but consumers are left with more choices for decks and deck railings than at any other time in history. If you’re in the market for a new deck, you’ll invariably need railings to finalize the design.

Here are the building materials homeowners most often choose for deck railings:

The number one material for deck railings is wood, particularly well known species like Cedar, Cypress, pressure-treated Pine and Fir, Redwood, composite materials (wood and plastic combined using adhesives), and more costly but durable tropical species like Brazilian hardwood or Ipe (pronounced “ee-pay”). In fact, Ipe is one of the longest lasting woods available, legendary for its ability to withstand the ravages of the environment for 50 years or more after being cut – all without the benefit of sealants.
Thanks to advanced mining and manufacturing techniques, iron ore is more plentiful and economically viable as a material for deck railings than ever before. Wrought Iron is versatile and something of an architectural “chameleon” because it can be enhanced with intricate scroll work and details such as lettering and even nature shapes like birds, plants, or flowers. Best of all, wrought iron will last for decades with simple, ongoing maintenance.
Many deck railings are now made from reinforced plastic materials, which in some cases cost about 15% more than composite while keeping many of the same characteristics: Uniform appearance, resistant to insects and rot, and cools quickly in hot weather. This type of material requires little maintenance but, as many customers have noted, the colour will fade over time – often to a shade of light gray. Thanks to advanced manufacturing and designs, plastic deck railings can share the same surface appearance and finish as you’d find in their wooden counterparts.
Stainless steel is another popular option for deck railings. As a building material, it’s easy to mold and can therefore match many styles. Stainless steel collects its share of smudges and fingerprints but it easy to clean. On the other hand, this material sometimes becomes unbearably hot in warm weather.

Finally, glass as a material for deck railings is perhaps the most extreme example of a luxury building material. Different kinds of materials can be used with tempered glass to create an attractive composition that can enhance views from a deck and provide years of enjoyment.

For more information about railing design and choosing the best deck railings for your project check out our partners here

Enhance your outdoor living space with a new deck

March 9, 2013 By TORONTO CUSTOM DECKS

Even though the economy is slowly recovering, signs of a depression still linger. New mortgages are tough to come by thanks to stricter lending requirements; consumers have spent less during the holiday shopping season, and traditional big ticket items – new cars, family vacations – are few and far between.

But the one area where consumers have dug in their heels is small to medium-sized home renovations to make their residence more comfortable, appealing, and to ensure it retains market value over time. A simple way to achieve such goals is the addition of a new deck by the outdoor design and construction specialists at Toronto Custom Decks.

A stylish and functional deck can be a great addition to any home, but a key component is a high quality deck design that takes in all facets of the project, from layout and integrating it into the existing outdoor space to the type of wood to use to popular features and safety concerns for anyone using the deck – pets included. According to government studies, thousands of people are injured each year falling off decks due to broken railings, steps, and floor boards, making homeowners ultimately responsible for how well the deck has been constructed.

In Canada, each province has their own construction and safety requirements in regards to deck design and construction, but the larger Canada National Building Codes, Part 9, spells out what is and what isn’t required. At Toronto Custom Decks, we follow all applicable codes and regulations to ensure your new deck not only meets the letter of the law, but is also safe and accessible for anyone using it. Development and maintenance of the codes is the responsibility of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, an independent committee of volunteers established by the National Research Council of Canada. The codes were first developed in the 1940s and have been updated periodically, including most recently in 2011.

Major safety issues revolve around the construction and placement of railings around the perimeter of the deck and on steps or areas clearly designed for traversing one level to the next, whether going up to another deck level, or down to ground level. Proper deck design calls for handrails to be included where stairs are present, and where the stairs are more than 43 and 5/16 inches wide, and between 31 and a half and 37 and 63/64 inches tall for optimum use.

A professionally designed and built deck can enhance outdoor living space and be a wonderful addition to any home, but it should also be enjoyable to everyone regardless of physical or other disabilities. Safety and security should be of paramount concern, and should be a focal point of the project from initial design through construction and final approval. If the consumer has someone living in the residence with a disability and requires the use of a walker, cane, wheelchair, or other device to enhance mobility, the deck design must include a ramp for proper entrance or exit.

These standards are set by the Canadian government, as well as provincial governments. The government of Ontario, in conjunction with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2005, has established the following standards when building ramps:

The ramp must have a maximum gradient of 1:12.
The ramp must have a minimum width of 900 millimeters or 35.4 inches.
For level landings – at the bottom of the ramp, or the area between one ramp and the next, or the top of the ramp – the landing must be 920 millimeters (36.2 inches) wide and 1500 millimeters (59 inches) long.
There must be colour contrast strips at all level landings.
The ramps must have edge protection.

In our experience as the Greater Toronto Area’s leading custom deck builder, we’ve seen firsthand numerous examples of homeowners who tried building their own decks, but ran into problems because they were inexperienced, didn’t have the proper materials or equipment, or ran afoul of construction codes they didn’t understand. These speak volumes about the benefits of working with a reputable contractor, but other reasons include:

Years of industry experience, particularly with deck design and construction.
Membership in professional organizations that allow the contractor to stay informed of new codes, building materials and techniques, and the latest trends in outdoor deck design.
Reputable contractors are licensed and insured.
All work includes a warranty on workmanship and building materials.
Reputable contractors have numerous satisfied customers they can refer potential customers to for questions and answers.

One of the key questions many customers ask is: What features should the deck include? Each deck design is different, based on a customer’s goals, budget, and what they’re going to use the deck for. If they do a lot of entertaining and outdoor cooking, then an outdoor kitchen may be the way to go. Some homeowners like to relax after a hard day at work, and ask for a spot where a hot tub can be installed.

Here are the top deck design trends we’ve seen in recent years:

Comfortable seating areas that bring the indoors into the backyard, including couches, end tables, and other furnishings.
Outdoor kitchens, which can as simple as a barbecue grill with a propane tank or something more elaborate with a built in grill with counters, a sink, and refrigerator.
Bigger decks. Many homeowners are choosing a deck design that spans the width of their home and includes multiple levels.
Renewable building materials, including the use of plastic, glass, wood composites, and steel or iron.
Outdoor theatre systems, including projection screens and high definition projectors, lighting, and stereo components.

A new deck is the perfect way to increase the value of a home, and better utilize existing space that may otherwise go unnoticed or unused. Toronto Custom Decks is committed to value and high quality work, and can find a deck plan that meets your needs and budget. Call us today at 647-878-8780 for more information.