is high enough from grade you can even integrate a hot tub in to your design. These special touches are what will make your new deck unique.

Once you have your deck staked out in its final position, you will want to modify your plans. Take these plans to your local building center or lumber supply store so they can create a materials list for you. Often, a set of plans will be needed if you require a building permit for your deck. Most townships

In the grand scheme of house planning, decks often receive the least amount of attention and often are just afterthoughts made from scrape wood. In reality a deck is as important as any interior room in your house as much of your summer entertaining will be done outside. Doesn’t it make sense to spend a bit more time planning out a deck that is functional and makes a statement?

With this in mind lets look at the planning of a new deck. Before you start planning your deck, you may want to browse through some magazines & design books for some ideas. Most have full color pictures to help you decide what features you want to add to your deck. The internet is also a good source of information with photos & often full sets of plans available.

Planning can quite often be the best part of the process as it is here you can let your imagination run wild. Usually as you bring your design along, price and practicality will determine what initial features will stay and which will go. Spend the time to plan your deck with hand sketches at the very least, CAD drawings if possible. Also, there are many new software programs available to make planning easier.

Once you have a basic concept go out to the back yard and measure out the area where the deck will be located. Using wooden stakes, hammer them into the ground at the corners of your deck. This visualization will help you with your final layout as it's a lot easier to move wooden stakes around then to change the layout while building your deck.

While staking out your new deck, take into consideration changes in elevation. If it’s substantial you may want to consider a multi-level deck. Think about where you want your steps and special areas on your deck like a wet bar, a place for a grill, or even a private sitting area. If your deck is high enough from grade you can even integrate a hot tub in to your design. These special touches are what will make your new deck unique.

Once you have your deck staked out in its final position, you will want to modify your plans. Take these plans to your local building center or lumber supply store so they can create a materials list for you. Often, a set of plans will be needed if you require a building permit for your deck. Most townships o

start planning your deck, you may want to browse through some magazines & design books for some ideas. Most have full color pictures to help you decide what features you want to add to your deck. The internet is also a good source of information with photos & often full sets of plans available.

Planning can quite often be the best part of the process as it is here you can let your imagination run wild. Usually as you bring your design along, price and practicality will determine what initial features will stay and which will go. Spend the time to plan your deck with hand sketches at the very least, CAD drawings if possible. Also, there are many new software programs available to make planning easier.

Once you have a basic concept go out to the back yard and measure out the area where the deck will be located. Using wooden stakes, hammer them into the ground at the corners of your deck. This visualization will help you with your final layout as it's a lot easier to move wooden stakes around then to change the layout while building your deck.

While staking out your new deck, take into consideration changes in elevation. If it’s substantial you may want to consider a multi-level deck. Think about where you want your steps and special areas on your deck like a wet bar, a place for a grill, or even a private sitting area. If your deck is high enough from grade you can even integrate a hot tub in to your design. These special touches are what will make your new deck unique.

Once you have your deck staked out in its final position, you will want to modify your plans. Take these plans to your local building center or lumber supply store so they can create a materials list for you. Often, a set of plans will be needed if you require a building permit for your deck. Most townships

e and practicality will determine what initial features will stay and which will go. Spend the time to plan your deck with hand sketches at the very least, CAD drawings if possible. Also, there are many new software programs available to make planning easier.

Once you have a basic concept go out to the back yard and measure out the area where the deck will be located. Using wooden stakes, hammer them into the ground at the corners of your deck. This visualization will help you with your final layout as it's a lot easier to move wooden stakes around then to change the layout while building your deck.

While staking out your new deck, take into consideration changes in elevation. If it’s substantial you may want to consider a multi-level deck. Think about where you want your steps and special areas on your deck like a wet bar, a place for a grill, or even a private sitting area. If your deck is high enough from grade you can even integrate a hot tub in to your design. These special touches are what will make your new deck unique.

Once you have your deck staked out in its final position, you will want to modify your plans. Take these plans to your local building center or lumber supply store so they can create a materials list for you. Often, a set of plans will be needed if you require a building permit for your deck. Most townships

is visualization will help you with your final layout as it's a lot easier to move wooden stakes around then to change the layout while building your deck.

While staking out your new deck, take into consideration changes in elevation. If it’s substantial you may want to consider a multi-level deck. Think about where you want your steps and special areas on your deck like a wet bar, a place for a grill, or even a private sitting area. If your deck is high enough from grade you can even integrate a hot tub in to your design. These special touches are what will make your new deck unique.

Once you have your deck staked out in its final position, you will want to modify your plans. Take these plans to your local building center or lumber supply store so they can create a materials list for you. Often, a set of plans will be needed if you require a building permit for your deck. Most townships

is high enough from grade you can even integrate a hot tub in to your design. These special touches are what will make your new deck unique.

Once you have your deck staked out in its final position, you will want to modify your plans. Take these plans to your local building center or lumber supply store so they can create a materials list for you. Often, a set of plans will be needed if you require a building permit for your deck. Most townships or municipalities require building permits for a new deck. They will want to have one or two sets of plans submitted with the building fee. Here is where a good set of plans really pays off. The more professional and complete your plans are, the easier it will be for you to get approval to build your new deck.