6 Outdoor Deck Styles That Will Inspire Your Next Remodeling Project

Outdoor decks are experiencing a resurgence in the remodeling industry.

Of the roughly 1.1 million single-family homes started in 2021, 63 percent came with outdoor decks.

Depending on where you live in the United States, outdoor decks can be used anywhere from 3-5 months all the way to 12 months out of the year. Here in North Carolina, I use my deck year-round weather permitting.

All that said, an outdoor deck can be the perfect addition to your home, if you’re looking to spend more time outdoors, have a space to rest and relax, or simply sit and enjoy a nice meal while appreciating your beautiful backyard.

If you’re reading this chances are you’ve been wanting an outdoor deck and now you’re in the critical stage of deciding what type of outdoor deck you want to build. Before you call up remodeling contractors and start digging in the backyard, take 5 minutes to check out these 6 types of outdoor decks to see which one fits your needs.

Let’s get into it!

What To Consider Before Building An Outdoor Deck.

What is the purpose?

This is a question I pose in another article about outdoor decks, but I want to reinforce it because it will be the main focus behind your entire outdoor deck project.

Outdoor decks come in all shapes and sizes, which we’re going to discuss later in this article, but understanding the purpose of this outdoor deck will help your remodeling contractor create a design that fits your needs and desires.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

How are you going to use this outdoor deck on a regular basis?
Is this space going to be used for leisure and relaxation?
Are you planning on using it to host parties and family gatherings?
Do you plan on cooking and dining in this space?
How often do you plan on using your outdoor deck?

Which Outdoor Deck Material Should You Use?

I could use a whole article to talk about different outdoor deck materials—which I did in this article right here—but for the sake of this conversation, I will mention the two most commonly used outdoor deck materials.

The first is traditional timber. Traditional timber decks are usually made with pine, redwood, cedar, or some type of pressure-treated wood that can withstand the outdoor elements. Timber decks can be stained to match a specific color or aesthetic and usually come at a lower cost compared to composite decking.

Composite decking is a mixture of wood fibers, plastic, and other additives that give it a stronger resistance to weather, rotting, warping, discoloration, and staining. Composite decks are also custom-fit to match each piece to the next ensuring there are no gaps between boards, giving you a completely smooth surface across the entire deck.

While composite decking is more expensive than timber, the customization, durability, and overall aesthetics of composite decking make it a great option for homeowners with the budget to install it.

6 Outdoor Decks Styles You Should Use As Inspiration

Attached Deck

Attached decks are the most common outdoor decks. These are decks you see in most homeowners’ backyards that are “attached” to another part of the home, usually an extension of a living room, kitchen, or family room. Attached decks allow passage from one indoor space to an outdoor space that is exposed to another piece of the property.

When it comes to the design of attached decks, they vary depending on the space utilized and the present design of the home. Sometimes attached decks are multi-tier (I’ll talk about those in a minute) while others are single-platform, usually accompanied by railings. In many of the homes that we work on, you’ll see homeowners use this space for outdoor dining, cooking, and leisure activities such as family gatherings, parties, and general relaxation. One of the major benefits of attached decks is that they open up the space of the indoor room they are connected to, giving the indoor space a bigger feel and exposure to the outdoors.

Floating Deck

Floating decks are the opposite of attached decks in that they are completely disconnected from the home. Instead of building on large beams, floating decks can be built upon cement blocks and are usually closer to the ground. These floating decks are connected to the home via a pathway that goes from an entrance to the deck space and in most cases, do not have railings around the edge.

What’s unique about platform decks is that they require a level surface to build on, making it a simple solution for a homeowner with a flat backyard who wants to install an outdoor deck with ease. The challenge is that if you specifically want a platform deck, but the property is uneven, you’ll have to go through the process of leveling the ground and or installing traditional footings with short beams to support it.

The benefit of platform decks is that compared to an attached deck, the cost to install and maintain is often cheaper, making it a great compromise for homeowners who want an outdoor deck but don’t want to pay a hefty price.

Multi-Level Deck

Multi-level decks are a series of outdoor decks attached to one another via stairs that are layered between one another. You tend to see these types of decks in backyards with varying levels of terrain or on severe slopes. Instead of leveling the ground for an attached or platform deck, homeowners will opt to install a multi-level deck that is attached at one point to the house and then interconnected to one or more floating decks.

Generally, multi-level decks are more expensive than the first two decks I mentioned because they require more design, materials, and labor. That said, multi-level decks provide more space for various use cases and can alleviate the cost of leveling the ground.

One thing I like to note about multi-level decks is that they don’t have to be done in one project. Say you want this type of deck, but your current budget doesn’t fit the entire build. You can start by building the first layer of the deck, then save up and install the second or third portion of the deck at a later date.

Poolside Deck

Poolside decks accompany both in-ground and above-ground swimming pools. These types of decks bring together the design of the pool and integrate it with the rest of the space surrounding it, giving it a complete look. Something many pool owners overlook when building is the surface that is walked on around the pool. Stone and concrete can get hot, especially here in North Carolina, making it hard to walk on during those scorching summer days. A poolside deck makes the area much more comfortable for your feet, not to mention it also prevents slipping as you go in and out of the pool.

One thing to note about pool decking is that if you choose to go the traditional timber route for materials, you must ensure that deck sealant is covering the surface. The last thing you want is to install a pool deck and then let water leak into the wood, causing splintering, mold, and decay. That’s why I usually recommend TREX or other composite decking if you’re going to install a poolside deck.

When it comes to above-ground pools, these decks can help create the illusion that the pool itself is in the ground, giving it a clean aesthetic compared to a pool sitting in the middle of the backyard. Many homeowners like to build a poolside deck off of an attached deck that runs from a kitchen or living room connecting all three spaces to one another for seamless movement.

Wraparound Deck

Wraparound decks are very similar to attached decks in that they are connected to one or multiple entry points of the home. The difference is that these decks usually connect two or more sides of the home to one another.

For example, you’ll see homes have a standard entry to the deck via the kitchen or living room and then another entry point coming from the master bedroom. This makes for one cohesive deck that serves to disconnect spaces inside the home. Wraparound decks tend to come at a higher price point because they are larger and require more materials.

That said, they also can add value to the home both personally and financially. One element to consider when building a wraparound deck is how you want each part to function. Say you have a wraparound deck that spans from the kitchen to the master bedroom, you have to ask yourself, how you might want the space connected to the bedroom to function in your routine. Maybe that area is used for lounging, while the main portion of the deck is for dining and hosting.

Entryway Deck

Entryway decks are simply outdoor decks that welcome homeowners as they enter the house. These decks are traditionally paired with a walkway that extends from the driveway to the front of the home which is then supported by the entryway deck. These decks tend to be smaller in size and are mostly used for small sitting areas and front-of-house decor such as planter boxes or built-in benches.

What’s important to note with entryway decks is that they should match the established aesthetic of the home. If you’re going to pay to have an entryway deck installed, it’s worth paying for the design portion of the deck, as it will ensure that this new space fits in seamlessly with the rest of your home.

Ready To Build Your Outdoor Deck?

If the answer is yes, I want to help make that outdoor deck idea a reality. My team and I are eager to jump in and get started on your project!

Tap right here to send us an inquiry and I’ll get the conversation started with you today!

Until next time…