Trex Decking

Design/Build Decks: Getting Creative in Your Deck Design

We have to thank Trex for a recent Facebook post about how to be creative in designing your deck. In checking out the post’s link to their photo gallery, we were inspired to look over some of our own decking projects where we used decking materials in a creative way.

It’s not surprising that a good many of our favorite deck projects were built with Trex boards. Trex is, after all, one of the decking manufacturers Deck and Patio most highly recommends. Stain, mold, insect and splinter resistant, their composite materials keep their beauty with little effort. Plus, because of the wide range of colors available, it is easy to be creative with accent borders and other designs.

Deck and Patio, of course, builds decks using a wide range of natural woods, as well as other composite deck boards. However, since the inspiration came from Trex, it’s only right that three of our five examples are constructed from their products.

 

Trex Deck with Hot Tub:

Trex Deck with Hot Tub:

Here (above) we used Trex’s Rope Swing boards for the deck and designed its multi-levels around the clients’ new hot tub. Because it’s a good idea to take breaks from long stays in a hot tub, we added a bench and private screened seating area, also made from Trex boards, with the fence area topped in an attractive lattice design.

 

Custom Trex Deck with Bench:

Custom Trex Deck with Bench:

Again, using Trex (Spiced Rum), we designed and built an attractive bench against the railing for these clients and faced some of the outdoor kitchen with matching boards.

 

Timbertech Deck:

TimberTech Deck:

We designed this 2-level TimberTech XLM PVC deck with one level just for the outdoor dining table and the other places for deep seating outdoor furniture like chaise lounges and the barbecue. For strong accent color we chose black railing.

 

Mahogany Decks:

Mahogany Decks:

Here we used mahogany in a creative application of deck materials. Note the beautiful flower box cut into the deck, the matching railing and handsome facing of the outdoor kitchen. Along with a matching bench, together they make an elegant statement.

 

Trex Pool Surround:

Trex Pool Surround:

Trex decking was cut to edge a beautiful freeform pool situated on a bay off the Atlantic. The pool surround is part of an elegant multi-level deck, which we designed in tiers In order to bring the outdoor space up to the same level as the home.

More on Deck and Patio’s creative deck design.

 

Outdoor Fall Maintenance: A Few DIY Tips

 

Fall Foliage in NY's Catskills

Fall Foliage in NY’s Catskills:

Fall foliage is beautiful, but then the leaves start to fall. If you do all your own lawn maintenance, taking care of the leaves is one of a variety of chores worth your time right now, says Deck and Patio’s Outdoor Living Expert, Bill Renter.

 

 

Watch Out for Leaf Stain

Watch Out for Leaf Stain:

Leaf tannin stains pavers, concrete, and decks. It is better to remove the leaves than to, say, seal your decks and patios. Sealers need to be constantly redone, which turns into a lot of maintenance. Note: New pavers, and, specifically, Trex Transcend decking materials, do not require sealants, and it is actually better not to put it on such products.

 

 

Keep Off The Grass

Keep Off The Grass

It’s equally important to keep leaves off the grass. You don’t want your healthy grass to get matted down, because, in winter, it needs sunlight and oxygen.

 

 

Fall Tree Maintenance (Photo/Aquascapes Inc.)

Fall Tree Maintenance: (Photo/Aquascapes Inc.)

 

This is a good time of year to cut any dead tree limbs away, so that coming snow or ice storms won’t cause them to crack and fall. Falling limbs can result in accidents to people, cars, and homes.

 

Tip: Before all the leaves have fallen, says Renter, look up your trees to see if any branches are completely bare of leaves. This is a good indicator of what needs to be cut off. Also, look to see if any low-hanging branches are near power lines; trim these so the weight of any ice or snow won’t pull them down into the wiring.

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Driveway Prep

Fall Driveway Prep

To prep your driveway and walkway for winter, it’s helpful to get supplied with fiberglass stakes (sometimes called “plow stakes” or “snow stakes”) for placing along your driveway in advance of the first snow storm.

You position the stakes to indicate where any costly Belgium Block or other edging could be damaged from snow plows. One end of the stake is pointed for easy insertion in the ground. Also, they come in different colors and you can let a particular color indicate, for example, where a fire hydrant is, the regular curb, your driveway entrance, etc.

 

Backyard Slope Problem Solved By 3-Level Decking Design

Beautifully situated on a bay off the Atlantic, the backdoor of this home is set high above ground. In order to bring the outdoor space up to the same level as the home, Deck and Patio’s Outdoor Living Expert, Bill Renter, and his team divided the deck into three levels leading from the door, down to a new freeform vinyl pool and beautiful deck surround. Considering the vistas open to this home, maximizing them was an important factor in every part of our design.

Stepping out onto its first tier, a deep seating/lounge area offers panoramic views of the bay’s inlet. Sophisticated drama was added by framing the deck with attractive vinyl railing that doesn’t obstruct the view. Like the deck’s composite decking, the railing can last for years with little or no repair.

When we build a deck, we emphasize proper space planning in order to allow room for tables, chairs, barbecues, food pep areas and other features that make outdoor living enjoyable.

Bill thought that the particular decking we chose was also a good option to use around their pool because this manufacturer’s product provides a stable, firm, slip-resistant surface.

 

 

Multi-Level Deck:

Multi-Level Deck:

In order to bring the outdoor space up to the same level as the home, our design called for three deck levels leading from the door down to a new freeform vinyl pool. From top tier, family can enjoy views of both the bay and pool.

 

 

Trex Composite Decking:

Trex Composite Decking:

The Trex composite decking we used is a composite fabrication that eliminates cracking, rotting or splitting. Trex requires no sealants because the composite materials are protected from UV rays; it also allows no damage from insects, water, or sun.

 

 

Outdoor Kitchen:

Outdoor Kitchen:

Steps from the seating area, level two of this new deck offers a custom outdoor kitchen/eating area with a new grill, refrigerator, and smoker/cooker all set within curved custom cabinetry with raised bar that mimics the decking.

 

 

Vinyl Pool and Surround

Vinyl Pool and Surround:

The “tier three” pool and decking level was also designed to capture beautiful views of the inlet. The pool is vinyl-lined; our design/build team added a Long Island boulder wall in front of some plantings to increase the natural look of the pool area; we also added a large custom diving rock.

 

 

Let Your Home’s Architecture and Landscape Inspire Your Next Upgrade

This elegant multi-level deck, expansive landscaped lawn with play area, and pool/spa with patio surround were designed to both enhance the traditional look of this Long Island residence, and to fit harmoniously within the contours of its sloping property.

Making use of property gradations, Deck and Patio’s Outdoor Living Expert, Bill Renter, designed a multi-level deck with separate functional areas open to different sections of the lawn, including a close-by play area.

For the deck levels, stairs, rails, benches and plants, he chose Trex composite materials, in a gray tone that perfectly blends with the siding on the house. As an added benefit, Trex is manufactured from reclaimed and recycled materials, and does not require preservation treatments.

The spacious wide wraparound stairs were placed to maximize the view of the pool area. The landscaping was also planned to enhance the property’s scenic views. A bluestone stepping stone path meandering to the pool ensures that too much hardscape does not disturb the pastoral scene.

The geometric vinyl pool includes interior steps, loveseats, an acrylic spillover spa, tile walls; a Nicolock multi-level patio creates an elegant surround. An aluminum estate fence winds around the property, blending with colorful evergreen and perennial plantings.

 

Multi-level Decking;

Multi-level Decking;

The wood grain appearance of this splinter-free and slip resistant composite decking is a beautiful alternative to natural wood.

 

 

 

Trex Decking and Railing:

Trex Decking and Railing:

The railing around the deck frames the deck handsomely, while offering added safety on a multi-level deck.

 

 

 

Nicolock Pool Surround:

Nicolock Pool Surround:

An all-Nicolock paver surround is vibrant and durable.

 

 

 

Spillover Raised Spa:

Spillover Raised Spa:

The tiles that face the spa beam underneath this raised spa complement the vinyl linings of the spa and pool.

 

An accessible cedar barbecue cabinet with a built in stainless steel weber grill was installed close to, but out of the view from, the kitchen doors. Future plans for this property include a pavilion at the pool with a wet bar and refrigerator.

 

 

How Important Is the Right Deck Railing?

A prairie farmer was asked how he liked his farm’s distant views of the Rocky Mountains.

“Oh, the mountains are all right,” he replied, “but they sure do block the view.”

The farmer’s response may cause a smile, but when it comes to our cherished outdoor views, aren’t we’re all a little like that farmer? Take the homeowners of this smashing deck overlooking a lovely water-side landscape.

Outdoor enthusiasts both, the couple wanted a very attractive, modern-looking deck on which to enjoy the outdoors and their beautiful water views, and a conveniently placed portable spa. And hey did not want the deck or spa to block their property’s views in any way.

To accomplish all they wanted, the least noticeable part of the project was perhaps the most important: the deck’s stainless steel cable railing. Like the deck, it is delightfully maintenance free and elegant. More to the point, the cable railing does not obstruct the yard’s languid water views from any place on the deck — even when people are sitting.

Cable rails – sometimes called “wire rope” railings – are safety rail infill that substitute horizontal or vertical cables for spindles, and, in this case, they were an ideal choice.

Special notes: All the materials used for this deck and railing do not require painting or staining; the rail cap was stained to blend perfectly with the overall deck/spa design.

 

CableRail by Feeney:

CableRail by Feeney:

CableRail by Feeney enhances, but does not obstruct, property’s beautiful views.

 

Maintenance Free Decking:

Maintenance Free Decking:

Hot tub’s PCV boards, Trex decking and stainless steel railing are ultra-low-maintenance.

 

Trex Transcend Decking:

Trex Transcend Decking:

The Bullfrog Spa’s base, framed in PVC boards, harmonizes beautifully with the project’s “vintage lantern” Trex Transcend decking.

 

Design/Build Experts:

Design/Build Experts:

The right design/build experts can execute the perfect plan for homeowners’ needs – in this case, a two-story deck with cable railing and installed portable spa.

 

 

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