One of the best ways to maximize your outdoor living when building a second story deck is by adding a dry space underneath. Since that new upper deck—with the great view and awesome lounge area—is such a show stopper, we often overlook the space below. But with just a little extra material and labor you…
Cable railing is one of our favorite types of railing to install. In the right setting, cable railing can emphasize a beautiful view with very little interruption. It is also an excellent low maintenance railing option for decks. This is because cable railing is not susceptible to rot or discoloration like wood railing. But this…
One of the most important aspects of designing a deck has nothing to do with what we see. Most decks have a foundation underground that has to be considered and engineered for the specific soils and deck size. Things can get difficult; large boulders and rocks are not uncommon. It is also important to consider…
The owners wanted a deck that created a comfortable flow from their home to their yard. We focused on openness in the design, only using railing on one side to keep the deck fully engaged with the yard. Since the deck height was less than a couple feet from the ground, the railing served more…
This deck recover project included a side stairwell, upper deck, and lower pool deck. These three decks needed a face lift, but this project was so much more than just installing new boards. First, we needed to get the structure up to code. We replaced multiple posts and added structural ties throughout the deck. We…
For this coastal deck project we built a second story structure to take full advantage of the incredible views. We wanted to make the new outdoor space an extension of the living room. We replaced two of the windows with a sliding glass door that opened to the deck from the living room. To ensure…