There are a number of very important factors to consider when creating plans for new decks. Unless you are an experienced designer who has completed dozens of residential decking projects, as our designers have, getting the floorplan just right can be very difficult. Among the factors that you need to take into account when deciding what goes where, the ones we have listed in the next section are the most important and will have the biggest influence on your floorplan.
Successful Deck Design: Paying Attention to Details is Key
Through our experience of designing and building decks in Toronto, we have come to realize that, as with many things in life, the key to success when approaching deck floorplans for the first time is attention to detail. You need to make sure that you consider all the salient factors, before you start work on your plans.
- Sunlight – The reason that most homeowners want to have a deck in their back yard is so that they can make the most of the fine weather during the summer months. For this reason, it is important to consider the sunlight in your yard, or more precisely from which direction it comes. A common mistake made by deck design amateurs is creating a plan that results in much of the floor space occupying an area that never sees direct sunlight. In addition to the direction from which the sunlight hits your yard, you need to think about your house, other properties in the area, and any nearby trees that may obstruct the path of the sun’s rays.
- Your Personal Requirements – Another very important factor to bear in mind when approaching deck design for the first time is what exactly you wish to do on your deck. If you wish to hold big parties at the weekends and invite all your friends to lavish barbeques, you will need to make sure that your floorplan allows plenty of room not just for your gas grill but for seating and tables as well.
- Access to Your Home, Yard and Garden – You need to make sure that your new deck enhances the outdoor space you have available instead of making it more difficult for you and your family to enjoy. If you do not consider how you are going to reach every part of your yard and garden after it has been built, your deck design may cause access issues that are not immediately apparent. You also need to make sure that your new decking makes it easier to get from the inside of your home to the outside and not more difficult.
- Local Municipality Regulations – To make sure that you do not waste any time on a design that is highly unlikely to be approved by local building officials, you need to research the regulations that apply to residential decking in your particular corner of Toronto. Only by acquainting yourself with all the relevant rules and regulations can you hope to ensure that your floorplan will meet with the approval of local officials. Discovering important regulations after the fact could result in you, literally, having to go back to the drawing board.
If you think it would be easier to leave the deck design details to experienced professionals whose working life is dedicated to attending to such matters, please do not hesitate to call or email us and tell us what type of deck you would like us to design and build for you. Wherever you are in the GTA, we will be happy to visit your home and prepare a detailed proposal for your consideration.