Make it a point to take a number of shapshots of the views from the house out to where the deck will be. Include shots from the house out to the larger yard landscape as well. Stand indoors and shoot outdoors. Be sure to stand just outside windows and doors and click away. These photographs will provide an idea of what the deck will look like from the indoors but they can also be used to record views of the garden or surrounding area that are worth highlighting.
Take the time as well to take snapshots of any views that should perhaps be hidden such as utility areas, the back of a neighboring garage or a garbage storage area.
A series of photographs taken from a single vantage point can be linked together with tape to create a panorama. It can easily become an invaluable tool for planning landscaping and other features around the deck. It also has the potential to become an interesting before record of the yard.
In order to take a panorama, stand against the house wall in a central spot and shoot a series of photographs to record the entire site. Keep the camera level and carefully note a feature on the far left of the frame. Take the shot. Then pivot enough to move that feature to the far right of the frame for the next shot in the series.
A tripod is an excellent device that can be used to make this process easier to complete. As well a disposable panorama camera could be bought and used instead.
Make sure to record also any special features of the house and garden that are to be preserved or highlighted with the deck design. This would include trees that need to be protected during the construction process, architectural features, walls, paths and walkways and garden beds. Include photographs of other features that need to be accomodated such as cable connections, water sources and electrical hookups.
Photographs taken before the work actually begins are a terrific record of where the whole process started. They can be referred to in order to see how trees and shrubs have grown and how the deck landscape has improved over time. They offer a practical way to experiment with designs since it is possible to develop and record ideas by drawing directly on them.
For this particular purpose enlargements can be an ideal choice. Tracing paper can be taped over them to alllow for experimentation and recording ideas.
An inexpensive way of carrying out this task is to make duplicates of the enlargements on a photocopy machine. A second option is to print photographs from a computer using a digital camera as the original photo source. It is also possible to use a scanner to capture snapshots in the computer.
Whether the plan of action calls for a facelift for an existing deck or a deck addition to the home for the first time, the design process starts at the same place. That is with a careful examination of the needs and desires of the homeowner.
To develop a deck design that really fits a personal lifestyle it is necessary to analyze how it is to be used, how it is to be connected to the home and the types of links that will connect it to the rest of the landscape.
The use of a camera, some solid design techniques and a little imagination can go far to enable any homeowner to achieve those goals.
1. exposure concerns such as weather, sun and wind
2. functional considerations such as connection to the home and traffic patterns
The influence of local weather conditions needs to be considered when locating and designing a deck. A deck is a transition area between the environment maintained inside the home and the external world. The important thing is to consider how the external elements will affect the use and the enjoyment of the deck. One of the most critical considerations is the position of the deck in relation to the daily path of the sun. A deck that is too warm or too cold will likely receive less use.
In warmer climates where decks are used all year long the primary goal can be to provide shade by location. This means positioning the deck on the eastern side of the house to take advantage of shade in the late afternoon or early evening. In hotter climates the north face of a house would be the coolest at midday. Since decks may experience completely different temperatures during the course of the day how and when heating and cooling will be optimized must be taken into account.
With a deck that has a southern exposure awnings or trellises can be utilized to block the overhead sun but tend to be less effective when the sun is lower in the sky during the morning and evening. While this may not be a problem in the winter it can result in considerable summer overheating.
Sometimes a deck can be designed to make the best of both sun and shade. A wraparound deck that wraps around the corner of a house will generally have one of the 2 areas in shade. Movable screens can be used to effectively screen a small area.
A pergola, arbor, overhead trellis or an awning can each provide shade for larger areas. Trellises can be designed to provide maximum shade at certain times of the day and allow some sun through during other times of the day.
Frequent changes in the strength and direction of wind can be a tough element to design for. Well anchored screens and large plantings are effective at being wind shields. Another design idea that works is locating the deck on the side of the home that is opposite any prevailing winds.
Changes in deck level and the use of railing systems with no openings are features that can create protected areas on lower deck levels and block the wind with an adjacent upper level deck and railing. Large amounts of rain during the warm months when deck use is more frequent might necessitate the addition of an overhead structure.
How the deck relates to the inside of the house is also an important design element. A deck should be an extension of the home - a transition area between the natural outside setting and the more protected indoor area. Any deck with obvious and simple access will encourage family and guests to step outside to chat, admire the view, relax, etc.
Most decks serve multiple purposes so doors accessing the kitchen, livingroom, family room or bedroom are ideal. Glass patio doors, French doors and screen doors blur the boundaries between the inside and the outside. When the weather cooperates these access points extend the living space. Generally it is worth the trouble to add a new door rather than live with a door that is poorly located in relation to the deck.
Besides doorway access, traffic patterns need considerable thought during the deck design process. Stairways should be located so that frequently used areas off the deck are easy to access. On a larger deck this could mean adding more than one stairway.
It is important to analyze existing traffic patterns and important activity areas to ensure that there is sufficient access to garages, driveways, gardens, dog houses and garbage storage areas. A ramp can be a useful deck addition to wheel heavy barbecue grills, garden carts or wheelbarrows or even bicycles onto the deck.
Taking exposure concerns and functional considerations such as traffic patterns and connection to the home into consideration allows a homeowner to utilize these deck design factors in the creation of a deck that is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.
Richard Vande Sompel has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Improvement, Landscaping and Home Improvement. Richard Vande Sompel is a professional deck builder of 35 years and over 850 decks built and is the author of "How to Plan, Design and Build a Deck from Start to Finish". To Discover More About. Richard Vande Sompel's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.