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BDU Decking College™
Decking Plans: Design and Function
What you will learn: the advantages of choosing a deck design which will
complement the rest of your property in terms of function; popular uses for
decks in homes and cottages; traffic considerations for decking.
As a decision-maker who is as interested in safety, and in observing budgetary
constraints, it is worth your time to think about the issues of both function
and aesthetics when considering your choice in deck plans. Appearance and
utility are two important considerations in your decision to have a deck
installed in the first place! But, what sort of impact should the design have
on the rest of a property, assuming that the chosen plans will make for a
sturdy, long-lasting addition?
One of the first reasons to think about is how a good deck design is linked to
the overall value of a property. It’s not just beauty and convenience that will
be gained from the right deck plans; the right deck plans and the resulting
deck project means a greater return on the initial investment in the property
as a whole.
Deck plans: multi-purpose
A major consideration when choosing deck plans is the purpose you have in mind
for your deck. It is important to consider the functional role your deck will
serve. As such, a number of factors should be addressed as far as a deck’s role
in the layout and function of the overall property. For example:
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Low level traffic – e.g., use as an outdoor foyer or an upper balcony off a
hallway or bedroom
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High-level traffic considerations – e.g., use as an extension of a living room
or kitchen, for pools, gardens, or even for use as docks and piers
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Access and clearance – e.g., sliding doors, French doors
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Use of outdoor appliances such as summer kitchen counters, large barbecues, hot
tubs, etc.
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Use of furniture – e.g., deck chairs, tables
For higher traffic, many sets of deck plans take in an indoor/outdoor dynamic
into account – that is, an outdoor extension to an indoor space, with a lot of
traffic from one area to the other. Perhaps, for instance, your deck will
incorporate an outdoor eating area, or even a fully functioning outdoor cooking
facility off of an indoor dining room, complete with burners and countertops.
As you can see, the ideas of geography, design, access, and activity should all
be taken into account in your chosen set of deck plans in order to get the best
results from a deck design.
Back to Decking College
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