This is the year we utilize our outdoor space! We’ve been working on transforming our backyard for the last couple of months and have big plans to make this living space a little piece of paradise!
We started building a deck about a month ago and have learned so much about the process. Since it was our first time doing this project, there were a few things we got right and SO many things we got wrong! If I could suggest anything to make your deck-building project go smoother, it would be to learn how to correctly plan for a pattern on a deck.
Pattern for a Composite Deck
Although there have been lots of ups and downs with this project, we are nearing the end, and it looks absolutely beautiful! The composite decking from CALI has a beautiful, warm tone and is really gonna bring this backyard to life! We went with the color Denali.
I also love that the CALI uses a hidden fastener system to install the deck boards, leaving the design to look seamless!
When building a deck, it really comes down to a few simple and main components. Starting with a base to build the joists and ending with the deck boards on top.
Although breaking down the components of a deck is pretty basic, the execution requires a lot of math, and planning ahead of time!
How to Design a Deck
When building your deck, I suggest doing lots of research and planning around what type of pattern you would like for your deck. The pattern will then determine where you space your joists on top of the beams. Each end of the deck board needs to be placed on a joist for support.
If you are using a staggering deck pattern. You’ll have to plan extra joists accordingly. Every different pattern for a deck will add extra math and planning so do this on the front end. This way you can avoid the mistake of under-calculating.
Because we were not 100% sure about our deck pattern before ordering materials, we ended up having more waste than initially planned. This resulted in us having to order additional deck boards. Which cost us more money and delayed the project.
Planning Deck Pattern Early On
If we were to rewind and start from the beginning, we would have spent more time and thought on planning the pattern ahead of time to save money and time on the project.
Needless to say, things like this happen, all the time in DIY and the pattern we ended up with on the deck is something I’m so excited about! On the larger part of the deck, we divided it up into three portions. We will have the kitchen area on one portion, the dining area on the other, and a relaxing area with furniture on the third.
That’s another thing to be thinking about when planning a pattern on your deck… how you’re going be using the deck and whether will it make sense with the functionality.
Overall, we’re so excited to be making headway on our backyard transformation. I can’t wait for all of the other details, including the Airstream renovation to come together later this year!