After five months of building, we are so excited to share with you the final reveal of the deck! I can’t believe we are already done with the first project in our bigger backyard transformation! There’s so much more to come, but for now, let’s relish the fact that this grueling deck project is finished and looks absolutely amazing!
Before I get into the nitty-gritty, I want to publicly disclose that this deck project could not have been done without the absolute hard work of my husband, Carter! When I say “we”, I need to make it clear that although we did this project together through planning and executing… Carter did every single inch of manual labor and is a total boss! Thank goodness for him and his “get’er done” attitude!
Is composite decking good in Florida?
The reason why we opted for composite decking is because of the longevity of the product. Composite decking has a lot of PROS like it’s resistant to insects. It won’t warp and expand and it won’t rot — all things that can happen to wood in humid environments like Florida. Plus it LOOKS AMAZING.
When it comes to deck boards, there are seemingly endless types, sizes, and manufacturers to choose from. Our research ultimately led us to opt for the Denali CALI Decking TruOrganics for a number of reasons. CALI offers two different sizes of deck boards in the Denali: one that is 12 ft long, 5-7/16 in wide, and 7/8 inches thick, and another that is 8 ft long, 8-1/4′ in wide, and 7/8 in thick. Not only do we love the dark, rich color of the Denali, we also love that the wood grain texture looks and feels very natural. CALI decking is extremely low maintenance compared to traditional wood decking — no painting, sealing, or sanding required (this also means no splinters)! It is backed by a 25 year warranty and is designed to stand up to moisture, rot, and insects, all of which are constant worries for us here in Florida. CALI decking is a no-brainer if you are looking for quality decking that is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. Plus, you can mention that Blushing Bungalow referred you for up to 25% off your order!
Backyard Before Deck
This was our backyard before we started on the backyard deck project! We actually have a pretty large backyard for the size of our tiny house. Since we moved in almost 6 years ago, we’ve really wanted to utilize this backyard space and this year is finally our time to do so!
We first had to take out a diseased pine tree before we could start on the deck. There were so many reasons to take out this pine tree, and the number one reason was that it was a hazard to our home. It was planted about 10 feet away from our house, and we were always worried about it falling during a hurricane.
Since it was old and diseased, it also dropped TONS of sap year-round, covering our entire backyard in a sticky mess. This problem alone made our backyard almost unusable.
Needless to say, we felt relieved to finally get this nuisance tree out of our backyard! We did have an arborist come look at the tree and he deemed that it needed to be removed for the safety of our home. It took an entire crew of 10 guys + huge machinery to get the job done… and about ten hours. We used On Demand Tree Service local to St. Pete and could not recommend them enough! Mike and his crew were super cool and professional.
Backyard After Deck
Can you believe how adorable this backyard is going to be? I love that the Airstream is parked right next to the deck. We were able to keep one of the palm trees which I love because it makes the deck look like it’s always been here. Carter wrote a super detailed “HOW TO” on the deck build so can start planning your own deck build for next summer!!
Composite Decking Ideas
When we were planning the size of the deck, we had to decide how we wanted to use the space. We opted for a small walk-out area from our back door leading to the door of the Airstream. We plan to keep this area clear and really use it more as free space for foot traffic.
The larger area of the deck we split into three equal parts, which will eventually be an outdoor kitchen the area closest to the chicken coop…. Then the second area will be a large dining area, where we can host, friends, and family. And the third section closest to the Airstream will serve as a lounge area with seating, and a fun place to relax.
What’s Next on the Backyard Transformation
Now that the composite deck project is done, we’re going to take a hot minute to sit back and relax. OK, enough of that! Ha ha! We’re going to jump right into the next project. We haven’t exactly decided what direction we’re going to go with all of the details so there are still some bigger decisions that need to be made. But here are a few projects that we have on our list to complete next…
Pergola over Backyard Deck
Having a pergola over the deck is going to be a game-changer! Since we did take out that big tree, our backyard is begging for some shade.
We’re still deciding on what type of material we’d like to add to the top of the Pergola. Whether it be an automatic roller shade or automatic louvers, we know that we are going to invest in this area of our backyard. We love the idea of some type of roof that is retractable so we can enjoy some sun in the winter months of Florida or be shaded during the hot, brutal summer months. Pergola inspo from Pinterest below!
Building an Outdoor Kitchen
This is what I’m mostly excited about in our backyard deck transformation. Having an outdoor kitchen on our composite deck is going to be huge for us. Since we live in such a tiny space, 696 ft.² to be exact… having an additional cooking area is going to feel like we just doubled our living space.
Since we live in Florida, we would love the option to be able to cook outside in a designated area. Having another place to host friends and family will definitely make our home a happier place to be… We love our home being a place to gather and an outdoor kitchen will make that so much easier for us! Outdoor kitchen inspo from Blesser House below!
Airstream Renovation with Deck Walkout
I know so many of you are excited about this project! So are we! Hopefully, in the next coming weeks, we will have the concrete pad poured for the Airstream to live on indefinitely. (We need it to be able to sit on level ground before we start renovations.)
We plan to start the Airstream renovation as soon as it cools down. The plan with the Airstream is to turn it into the cutest “guest house” for friends and family when they come to visit. We also plan to use it as a little home on the road for Carter and me when we feel like being adventurous!
We have so many fun plans with this Airstream and anticipate that it will take quite some time from start to finish to make it an absolute dream! My favorite part about this backyard transformation was Carter’s idea to build a composite backyard deck right up to the Airstream. It’s really giving me Derek Shepherd vibes from Grey’s Anatomy and you have no idea how happy that makes me.
Overall, this backyard transformation is going to be so fun and as of right now, we’re calling it “The Adult Playground!” Can’t wait to see the end result of all of our hard work make sure you follow along!