One of the most creative ways to change the exterior of your home in a serious way—without a serious remodeling investment—is to install or upgrade your deck. Like all aspects of design, decking trends evolve with the times. Here are some ideas to freshen up your outdoor spaces or transform your yard, using today’s hottest trends in decking.
Trend 1: Cable railings
A cable railing is a sleek, modern alternative to standard wooden deck railings. Not only do they open up the look of a deck by providing lots of air and space between cables, their all-stainless construction stands up to the unavoidable Southern California moisture, salt air, and sunshine. Cable railing not only helps you appreciate the view from your deck, the openness of the design also allows you to appreciate the beauty of your deck from afar. For a more industrial look, run your cable through metal posts. For a warmer, more natural look, use the same material as your deck’s surface to frame out your posts and handrails.
Trend 2: Composite materials
Many people still have an antiquated idea of composite decking material. They think, “plastic-y”, “easily warps”, or “fades in sunlight”—all for a sticker price that is much higher than natural wood. However, when it comes to today’s composite decking materials, nothing could be further from the truth. Modern technology has evolved at an incredible speed, producing beautiful, sturdy—and, perhaps most importantly, economical—composite decking materials that closely mimic the texture, density and performance of real wood. One of our favorites, Trex® decking, is impervious to mold, resists moisture penetration and can last with minimal maintenance for decades. Composites are beautiful, cost-effective choices without any of the ongoing upkeep required by natural lumber.
Trend 3: Small decks
You don’t need a massive backyard to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful deck. Small decks on patios and porches add usable outdoor space to your home while elevating the look of your house’s exterior. There’s no rule that states that your deck must be attached to a complicated under-structure. You can install a deck that is raised only a foot or two off the ground. A low platform deck like this requires much less construction knowhow than an elevated design. With a little guidance from the experts at your local lumber store, you may well be able to install it yourself.
Trend 4: Bamboo
While redwoods and hardwoods are the most commonly-used decking materials, rapidly renewable materials like bamboo are becoming hugely popular. Versatile and lightweight, bamboo is an excellent choice for a low platform deck, as it can endure ground contact without rotting quickly or warping. MOSO® makes decking materials produced from compressed, thermally treated bamboo strips that provide a light, fresh look, absent the high cost or environmental impact of tropical hardwood. If you still equate “bamboo” with “tiki bars”, think again. Today’s bamboo decking material looks and acts every bit as sturdy and crisp as traditional decking lumber.
Trend 5: Curved decks
One of today’s most elegant decking trends involves curved designs and layouts. These decks seem to defy wood’s natural capabilities, which is what makes them so visually arresting. The secret is in the treatment of the materials. Trex composite decking can be heat-molded to form artistic curves and slopes that cannot be achieved with standard lumber. At J&W Lumber, we’re fortunate to have the only Trex curve machine in the San Diego area, so contractors come to us to help bring their creative deck designs to life. By heating the material and shaping it to exact specs, the resulting one-of-a-kind deck becomes the crown jewel of any neighborhood.
Your deck can be just as much of a statement piece as any other element of your home’s exterior. With all the innovative materials and creative designs happening today, it’s never been easier to freshen up your deck. Grab a few reference photos and stop by your local lumber supplier to learn more about how to use a trendy deck to enhance your own outdoor space.
I love the railing in the picture and how the wood panels next to the rock columns give it an elegant yet cabin-like feel. I have been wanting to remodel our deck as a surprise for my husband’s birthday and think he would love something wooden or wood-looking like this. It seems like a good idea to hire a professional to make a custom railing design so that it can look like how we want it to.
Thank you Sabrina! Custom can be difficult so hiring a professional is key. When looking for rock, check out stone siding s as well! They are affordable, lightweight and pretty easy to work with!
https://www.jwlumber.com/products/siding/stone-siding/
Happy Building!