Variation in climate and conditions, lot size and zoning restrictions make it difficult to normalize decking trends; however, whether a deck is 350 square feet or 1,500, there is one driving force in all markets, and that's maintenance.
Maintenance is the one common factor in decking projects for two key reasons:
The emergence of low-maintenance decking materials has meant a spike in outdoor living projects in colder, wetter climates.Photo courtesy of Archadeck |
The busy, multifaceted lifestyle of today's homeowner necessitates a virtually maintenance free deck. "The trend in society is less maintenance. There are so many things to do with your time, so for customers, it's like, why spend time on your deck when you could be doing something else?" says Pat Nicholson, CR, CEO of Deckmasters Technologies, which is based in Upper St. Clair, Penn., but has additional franchises throughout the state and in Ohio, doing close to 800 decks annually.
Adding visual interest to a deck is as simple as creating angled stairs or running decking horizontally. Photo courtesy of Deckmasters |
In a rainy climate like Washington, customers often opt for the low-maintenance composites because they are thought to better withstand the elements. Barker says the variety in composite color is also a big part of the attraction for his clients, and it's usually their most difficult choice. Using composites also makes it easier to create a bold, innovative two-tone deck in a wide range of colors. While Barker says two-tone decks are not common in his market and are often cost prohibitive, his company has done some of them. "My customers love the idea of not having to refinish a wood deck and just being able to wash the composite off; it's a great benefit to people who just don't have the time," he says.
In this vein, it's imperative that the same considerations given to the interior be adapted for a deck to successfully create the "9-month family room." "What I really try for, and what works for most people, is if you can give them a graceful transition from the deck to the house, where you never feel like you automatically hit a staircase and you cheat the height of the deck downward," Tibbetts says. "I like to concentrate on widening the steps and impacting or creating views — figure out where ugly views are and buffer those, but also find the pretty views and focus around them. With a decking project, you are trying to give customers solutions they didn't even know they needed."
All Decked-Out?
Maybe, then, the best test of a successful decking project is size over substance — though hot tubs and elaborate entertainment systems are great if the customer has the space and budget. At the end of the day, however, the deck is a gathering place — and the more, the merrier.
"A deck is primarily about access, outdoor cooking and entertaining," Vosen says. "It's that simple."