Landscape Design - Landscape Design Ideas
About Landscape Design Ideas
Introduction
Landscape design has a great impact on the overall appearance of your home. A properly designed home landscape is visually appealing and can be an enjoyment for the whole family. Probably the biggest benefit of all is the dramatic increase in your property’s value; some say it could rise as high as 200%.
Whether updating an existing landscape design or completely starting from scratch, one should aim for a design to make better use out of their land to turn it into an outdoor living space. There are many landscape design ideas that can transform your dream landscape into reality which involve much more than just planting trees, shrubs and flowering plants.
Landscape Design Including a Wood Deck
If you’re looking for a landscape design idea that is attractive, meaningful, useful and practical, a wood deck fits perfectly. Wood decks overlook the backyard and provide a nice and spacious area for chairs, an umbrella, maybe even a barbeque grill, all the more to spend quality time with the family and entertain guests. Getting Started
First and foremost, you need to check your local building codes so that you are familiar with the permits, inspections and specifications associated with building a wood deck. Also, check with your community’s homeowners’ association if they need you to submit a detailed plan of the wood deck for their approval.
To start constructing your wood deck, planning is a must. Your plan should take many things into consideration including the designated area and the space available, the access to the deck, if you’d like it to be attached to the house, the slope of the surrounding landscape, and any existing structures or trees that could get in the way.
You should also ask yourself the following questions: how many people will use the deck, their activities (e.g. children playing, entertaining, lounging…) would you like to cook outdoors, is privacy desired, is a shaded area wanted, also, what about railing requirements if there are children or pets. Considering such elements will help you come up with a design to match your needs exactly. Choosing the Material
Once your wood deck plan is complete, deciding on a suitable material is next. Many different choices are available other than wood, and so to help choose take a look at the design of your home and look for something similar or matching. For example, if your home style is traditional then it is best to opt for natural wood. Material choices for this landscape design idea vary. Cedar, redwood, pressure-treated wood, tropical hardwood, aluminum, concrete, and vinyl are just to name a few. The different materials can basically fall into three categories: wood, metal and plastic.
Whichever material you prefer, your local lumberyard will estimate the amount of material needed by looking at your drawing and will deliver it to your home.
- Wood: comes in a wide array of shapes and designs ranging from basic plain and simple to stylish and ornate. You can go for a horizontal or vertical baluster design. For added privacy use a timber lattice between the railings
- Metal: a lot of homeowners prefer the look and steadiness of metal deck railings, especially with assortment of colors and finishes available. Metal gives a sleek and glossy modern appearance. For a rustic look, copper and brass deck railings will work. Cast iron is also an option, but it is mostly used to give an ornate look and feel for a home with an ancient design
- Plastic: Perspex, a clear plastic, is the most popular in this category for it comes in many colors, is durable, and most importantly it’s transparent therefore providing an unobstructed view.
From here on, constructing the deck in your landscape design is either left to professional builders, or for those do-it-yourself enthusiasts, you may find lots of information on the internet as to how to do it.
