Once a deck was a simple outdoor space, usually uncovered, built of wood and raised above the ground, unlike its ground-level counterpart, the patio or terrace. The prime purpose of a deck was to provide a more casual living area when warm weather beckoned.
But, as a desire to stay home and a love of gardening have taken root, the deck has been transformed into the equivalent of a room that rivals adjacent indoor spaces in size, amenities and price.
Demand for residential decking material increased to $2 billion in 2000 from $1.7 billion in 1995, according to the most recent figures from The Freedonia Group Inc., an industry market research firm in Cleveland. Demand is expected to rise even more in coming years, to $2.8 billion in 2005.
In fact, all that now seems to be missing from many decks is a sofa or bed, as homeowners incorporate new materials and shapes, multiple levels, bug-free screened porches, gazebos, full kitchens, plumbing, pergolas, landscaping, statuary, fireplaces, heaters, lighting and showers.
“Decks have evolved into something more functional and ornamental, whether they’re next to a house or around a swimming pool. If wood boards are used, they’re often laid in intricate patterns, almost like a rug,” says Lisa Delplace, a principal in the landscape architecture firm Oehme, van Sweden & Associates in Washington, D.C., which has designed several Chicago decks. The spaces beneath many elevated decks are being transformed into patios or terraces, she notes.
Decks also have become much more luxurious, with higher-quality materials such as limestone, bluestone, granite and brick instead of just wood, and better lighting to extend daily use, says Jerry Milewski, a landscape architect with American Gardens Inc. in Crest Hill. The bulbs and lamps are often concealed. “You want to see the effects but not the fixtures,” he says.
In designing a new deck, Chicago architect Allan J. Grant says it is important to make it large enough to accommodate all needs, including places to relax, cook and play, if children are involved. He suggests multiple levels to separate activities.
Some decks have grown as big as 1,500 square feet, equivalent to several interior rooms combined, says Anthony Perry, vice president of design at Orren Pickell Builders in Bannockburn, which has been getting more requests for curving conversation areas.
Interior designer Anke Korioth’s home in West Chicago reflects many of these trends. The large angular deck follows the shape of the contemporary house and overlooks a creek filled with stones. She decided against installing a railing to create a more natural look. A small pond with koi and water plants was put in at one end for pleasant sounds. Kitchen equipment is located at another end, near a dining table for 10. “We live outdoors and entertain there frequently,” she says.
Among the most popular amenities are food- prep islands that rival indoor kitchens with grills, cooktops, refrigerators, wine coolers, warming drawers, sinks and beer taps, says Vincent Pipitone, with the Aurora Expo Design Center.
Cast-aluminum furniture has become another de rigueur feature, because it can be left outdoors all year. Atop city decks it offers another plus: Its weight allows it to withstand being blown away by a brisk wind, says Patrick Murphy, a landscape designer and horticulturalist with Jayson Home & Garden in Chicago. If owners prefer storing furniture indoors, more items, including planter boxes, can be purchased with wheels.
In addition to greater interest in new decks, owners are remodeling existing decks. One Chicago couple had Delplace resurface and redecorate a cedar deck atop their garage after she had it checked to ensure that the structure was strong enough to support furnishings.
Delplace stripped and power-washed the deck, sealed it to showcase the natural wood and resurfaced it in a deep beige stain that reflects the home’s interior palette. She helped buy new furniture and eight oversize cast-stone planters. A dining terrace underneath gained a new limestone fountain. Such amenities can add up, and Pipitone of Expo Design Center says from $1,000 to $6,000 should be allotted. Murphy says $3,000 will buy a selection of potted trees, but a room-like feeling will require $7,000 and up.
Some things to keep in mind:
– Choose materials that relate visually to those on the outside of the house, but choose carefully. Because of environmental concerns raised by the EPA, consumers should check what compound was used in the pressure treatment of any wood they buy. Request the newer and safer ACQ-based treated lumbers rather than the CCA (arsenic)-based treated lumbers, advises the Deck Industry Association. The EPA and lumber suppliers recently reached an agreement to phase out CCA-treated wood by Dec. 31, 2003.
– Once you fix up a deck, check yearly for signs of water damage, fading colors, mold and mildew. “Any exterior wood needs maintenance,” says Karla Neely, with Thompson’s Water Seal, which manufactures waterproofers.
– Leave intact natural elements when possible, such as trees, bushes and ponds.
