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Featured published articles written by James McDowell, the owner of Accent Deck Design

The Latest Trends in Decking

Consumers now have more choices in decking materials that are low-maintenance and environmentally friendly.

By James McDowell, Accent Deck Design

When faced with building a new deck or replacing one, consumers now have more options than they did a few years ago.
One of the latest trends in decking is the use of "composite" materials. Made from a blend of recycled plastic and wood, composite decks offer homeowners a virtually maintenance-free deck.

First introduced on the market about seven years ago, composite materials have the same manipulative characteristics of wood for creating custom deck designs. Just within the last two years, more color choices have emerged leading to an increased popularity. Currently about 25% of homeowners are choosing composites.

While composite materials are not dramatically more expensive, they do run about 20% more than wood. However, the additional investment can pay for itself in about two years as the owner is spared of costly maintenance. Wood decks require annual maintenance to minimize cracking, splintering and splitting - problems that don't come with composites - and keep an attractive appearance.

Cleaning, re-staining and resealing every year-and-a-half by a professional can run up to $600 to $800 for an average sized wood deck, and more expensive if there are intricate railing and detail accents. Do-it-yourselfers will spend at least 2 if not 3 weekends on the job, not to mention the expense of buying buckets of costly sealer.

Moreover, the composite deck materials are expected to hold up many more years over traditional wood deck with minimum care. Wood decks, when properly maintained, can be expected to hold up for about 15 years. The brutally dry heat of Central Texas can be especially unforgiving on outdoor wood, zapping it of its natural protective oils.

However, composite materials are not for everyone. While most people are refreshingly surprised when they see how attractive a composite deck can be, some still prefer the rich, natural look and warm feel of a traditional wood deck.

Others elect to use a combination of materials, building the deck floor only of composite, and using wood for railings, benches and arbors. In these designs, the wood can be easily stained to match the color of the composite floor. This can be a low-maintenance and attractive compromise.

For die-hard wood aficionados, the exciting news is that the latest market trend among lumber companies is the introduction of arsenic-free treated pine lumber. Now available, thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency, the new form of treated wood is free of poisons that can leach into the soil. Consumers now have a very safe alternative with wood, especially with eating areas, children's play areas and garden landscapes.

For those who are thinking of adding a deck to their home life, consulting with a professional deck builder can provide invaluable information about the latest trends. Take the time to gather the facts and carefully plan your deck, and you will by far be much happier with your decision for years to come.

TOTAL DECK LIVING

pool with large deck with many specialized areas

Think about hours of direct sunlight and shade when choosing areas for deck activities.

Homes are our havens in this hectic world, and there's no better place to relax and enjoy family and friends than out on the deck. Adding a Trex deck not only extends your living space, it gives your house a vital outdoor connection, one that's low maintenance and worry-free. With its unique composition of wood and plastic, Trex decking withstands both sun and water in style. It's ideal for all the varied activities you'll want to pursue outside-entertaining, casual dining, swimming, sunbathing, lounging and more.

As you visualize your dream deck, the possibilities are limitless. Early in your planning, you should think about the activities you'll want to pursue on your deck. Then picture the way you'll arrange your deck to meet those needs. Just as your home is divided into rooms, your outdoor space should be divided into distinct areas too. Indoors, for example, you have separate rooms for cooking and relaxing. Your outdoor rooms can be set up much the same. Good planning will help you make the most of your outdoor space.

TrexPro® Tips: Multilevel Decks
Adding levels to a deck is a great way to define spaces for various functions. Just three steps can create a separate zone that feels like you've entered a whole new outdoor space. For this Texas deck, builder James McDowell defined the levels by changing the direction of the Trex decking. Other ways to define level changes include decorative railings made of Trex railing components, built-in planter boxes installed on the top or bottom step of a two- or three-step level change, alternating colors of Trex decking on adjacent levels or a decorative pattern on one level.

Your activities and the particulars of your property's layout are key components of your deck design. Let a TrexPro® help you maximize both for your entry into the fabulous world of outdoor living.

This bumpout is located to take advantage of
dappled shade for entertaining.

Simply Entertaining
When you invite friends over to spend time on the deck, the fresh air and setting will make the gathering all the more relaxing. The part of your deck devoted to entertaining should have room for an arrangement of comfortable chairs and side tables, plus space nearby for a table that seats at least four to six people.

For a deck that James McDowell of Accent Deck Design in Austin built on a Texas property, a bumpout alongside the pool created an ideal spot for alfresco entertaining (right). A rectangular table is surrounded by armchairs, side chairs and a loveseat, a stylish combination that offers both comfort and flexibility because you can move pieces around to suit different gatherings.

Make sure you allow space for easy traffic flow around the table. If you have the room, consider adding an outdoor fireplace. It will extend the time you can use your deck, both in terms of hours in the day and months of the year. With a loveseat and chairs clustered near the fireplace, you can continue the conversation under the stars.

Greet the day in this casual corner overlooking the
pool. Besides adding shade, trees can provide some shelter from wind.

Casual and Carefree Dining
Whether it's an invigorating breakfast with your spouse, a relaxing lunch on your own or a lively dinner with the whole family, meals are much more enjoyable on the deck. The key to an area for casual dining is to make it close to the kitchen so you're not shuttling back and forth more than necessary. Choose a table in a size and shape that most efficiently seats your family and place it on the deck with room all around for easy maneuvering. A spot under a canopy of oak and cedar trees (opposite) makes a compelling area for casual dining on this attractive deck, where the trees can give a welcome bit of shade. Other ways to give your casual dining area a little shade or protection include placing it under an awning or pergola (lattice-like timber roof).

Great Grilling
One of the most savory ways to prepare food is by grilling. A grilling station can be as simple as a rolling grill that you move into position as needed, or as elaborate as a professional-caliber gas grill built right into a brick or stucco counter. When choosing an area of the deck for your grill, pick a spot that is sheltered from the wind so smoke doesn't blow in the cook's or guests' eyes. And make sure you have a surface near the grill for placing food and utensils.

These Texas homeowners placed their sunbathing
area at the deep end of the pool, making it easy to
dive right in for a quick swim.

Catching the Rays
You'll want your sunbathing deck to get sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon, the safest hours to catch those rays. When you're ready to soak up some sun, you'll appreciate the convenience of a dedicated area, where all you need to do is plop down in a chaise lounge or stretch out on a towel-no time wasted in setup.

On this expansive deck (opposite), the sunbathing area is located at the deep end of the pool, so you can dive right in for a refreshing break. Chaise lounges stand ready, and a table is close by so that frosty drinks are in easy reach. If you don't have a pool, you can create a water oasis by placing stone urns nearby and filling them with fresh water that you can cup in your hands for a refreshing splash. Or install a fountain in the center of a sunbathing deck. The mist will keep sunbathers cool.

Splish-Splashing the Day Away
Whether it's Mom taking a quick dip for refreshment or the kids spending hours playing in the shallow end, a pool delivers fun for the whole family. With splashing and bare feet a given, you'll love Trex decking as a pool surround: Trex decking is impervious to water and is slip-resistant.

Builder James McDowell, who created this 500-square-foot deck surrounding a pool, always recommends Trex decking to his clients with pools. "It's a worry-free surface for a pool-no splinters, no damage from splashing," says McDowell, who installed Winchester Grey Trex boards flush with the pool's stone edge. The 16x40-foot pool and its wraparound deck are located at the lowest level of a multilevel deck and are accessed by three wide steps made of slip-resistant Trex decking.

Grab a cool drink and your favorite magazine before stretching out at
pool's edge to catch some rays.

Lots of Room to Play
Once you know all the activities you'd like to pursue on your deck, start thinking in terms of zones and square footage. You need a deck that is at least 300 square feet before you can begin zoning or assigning different areas of the deck to specific activities. A 300-square-foot deck, for example, could be zoned into two areas-one 10x20 feet, the other 10x10 feet. The larger area could be devoted to dining and lounging, accommodating a table and chairs to seat six, plus a conversation area with a pair of chairs clustered around a side table. The smaller area could be a grilling station or a sunbathing deck. Builders across the country report that an average size for a deck is 300 to 400 square feet, with some decks much bigger.

Of course, the bigger the deck, the more zones and activities you can add, and the more you'll enjoy the total deck life.

Design Insight: Built-Ins
Built-in benches, tables and planters add both function and beauty to your deck. And, because Trex materials are so easy to work with and so weather-resistant, the possibilities for built-in items are endless. Build a bench along a stretch of deck where the view is particularly inviting, and you'll always have a place to pause for quiet contemplation. A built-in table, made in the same color as your decking, will create a unified look. Built-in planters filled with bright blooms add beautiful color to stair landings or corners of a deck.