If you’re lucky enough to have a deck outside your home, you know that it can be the perfect place to enjoy a meal and some fresh air. Turn your attention (and budget) towards outdoor projects like a new deck or patio as summer approaches. But if you already have the deck of your dreams, what’s next? There are many ways to make the most out of this space—from high-impact design projects to simple touches that will take your deck from “nice” to “never want to leave.” Read on for five inspiring ideas for making your outdoor space shine.
Overhead Protection
Overhead protection is the most common design for an outdoor deck because it is a good way to keep the sun out of your eyes and can be used for rain protection. If you would like to add overhead protection, there are several options for creating it:
- Pergola – A pergola is a great choice if you want an overhead structure that will provide privacy from above and shade. This option gives you several types of materials to choose from, depending on your budget and style preferences.
- Umbrellas – An umbrella might be all that’s needed if you don’t want anything too heavy or permanent on your deck. Before purchasing an umbrella, make sure that whatever material it is made from won’t fade in the sunlight.
Shade Wall and Cover
If your deck has a south- or west-facing exposure, it will get the most sun in the afternoon. Consider constructing a shade wall on that side of your deck to help reduce glare and heat. Shade walls can be constructed from wood, metal, or plastic, and they can be freestanding or attached to your home.
A freestanding shade wall is usually made from interlocking panels that are easy to move around depending on where you want them placed at any given time (you may choose not to use all of them). Attached shade walls are built into the house itself, so they don’t take up valuable space in your yard; however, this type of structure is more difficult to install than its freestanding counterpart because it requires more work with tools like hammers and saws.
Shade Overhangs and Rooftop
Rooftop shade structures are a great way to add a little extra protection from sun and rain. You can use simple tarps or purchase an entire roof covering system that will provide better protection than just a tarp alone.
This type of structure is best for patios where you don’t have much room around the edges because it hangs over your balcony rather than taking up space on top of it. They’re also easier to install than other types of patios.
Outdoor Chair Covers
The last step is to get some covers for your deck furniture. This will protect your chairs and table from the elements to enjoy in any season. Most covers are made with heavy-duty fabric, and they come in many different sizes to fit most types of chairs and tables. You can usually find these online, at a local store, or even at a home improvement store like Lowes or Home Depot.
If you’d like to keep your deck furniture protected during the winter months, this is a great option. Just leave the cover on when there’s snow on the ground (or if it’s raining), but remove it before spring arrives so that it doesn’t collect moisture underneath it when there’s melted snow sitting atop its surface
Grill and Smoker Covers
If you want to preserve the look of your grill and smoker, you can do so with a grill cover. Grill covers are made out of waterproof and fire-resistant materials that will allow you to store your grill away when it is not in use. Some covers also have UV-resistant properties that help prevent fading, while others have anti-mildew properties to prevent mold from growing on them.
You can protect your outside deck from the sun, wind, rain, and other elements with custom tarps.
A custom tarp is one of the best ways to protect your deck from the sun, wind, and rain. Tarps are also great for creating shade and can be used to cover your grill or smoker.
If you’re interested in protecting your deck from these elements, contact us today. We’ll help you find the right tarp for your needs so you can enjoy spending more time outside in your beautiful new outdoor space.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has inspired you to plan the perfect deck for your home. However, you can still come up with some of your own. Depending on what kind of deck space you have and what kind of vibe you want to create. So go ahead: dream big, get creative.