Decks and Porches

Building a deck expands your living space outdoors. Just think about all the parties you will throw and all the quiet nights you will spend hanging out with your friends and family on your beautifully-designed and well-built deck! 😉 Here are 15 great examples of deck styles to get your wheels turning. We will also present the costs associated with each deck design, whether you hire a pro or choose to go the DIY route, so you can keep your feet on the ground while your design thinking and imagination are going wild! 😉 Low Budget Deck Design for DIY Enthusiasts Image via Decks.com If you have a small backyard and you don’t want to cut a lot of green space, this deck is the best choice. Building a deck is more convenient than a patio if you’re working on uneven terrain or rocks. You can build a deck as small as 16’x14′, so that you minimize material costs. The least expensive option is pressure treated pine. The materials would cost roughly $2,000. Another great option is redwood that adds about $300 to the material costs. This low elevation deck gives you the space to add a table and a few chairs where you will be free to enjoy a cold beer with your friends. Deck with octagon pergola Image via Decks.com You need more space than earlier to build this deck considering that the smallest size available is 26’x18’6″. The small space on the left easily fits an averagely sized grill. The outdoors furniture goes under the 12’x12′ octagon pergola that not only looks great, but also shades you from the burning sun. It’s not necessary to put chairs and a table in there, you could opt for benches that surround 5 sides of the octagon or a small outdoor sofa with a coffee table in front of it. There are all sorts of options, all you need is imagination and of course, money. The materials required to build this 364 sq. ft. deck cost at least $4,000, if you use pressure treated pine and as much as $10,000 for exotic hardwood. […]