{"id":1752,"date":"2023-07-17T11:56:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T15:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/?p=1752"},"modified":"2023-07-17T11:56:44","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T15:56:44","slug":"inspiring-deck-designs-sustainable-outdoor-living-spaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/inspiring-deck-designs-sustainable-outdoor-living-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Inspiring Deck Designs: Sustainable Outdoor Living Spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Musing the Material<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Designing an\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trexprotect.com\/blog\/eco-friendly-decking\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eco-friendly\u00a0and sustainable deck<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is easier than you would think. The first thing to contemplate is material choices for your deck. If you are building a wood deck, both\u00a0ip\u00ea\u00a0(also known as handroanthus) and bamboo are excellent choices but are more expensive. You could check out using wood that is native to your local area. That way, you\u2019re not only supporting local forestry but also cutting down on emissions. Another great resource is the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fsc.org\/en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest Stewardship Council<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0or the FSC. The FSC advocates responsible practices in the way of sourcing wood for projects like decks, in building carpentry construction, and even in the process of making paper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Materials such as aluminum or PVC are also sustainable choices. Aluminum tends to get hot in the summer, so aluminum may not be your top pick if you live in a hot and sunny climate. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, on the other hand, is made from recycled plastic with no wood fiber.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another consideration is building a composite deck.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trex.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0is one of the largest suppliers of composite materials. With many decking options, various beautiful colors, and multiple resources, Trex is a terrific choice for composite decking. The material is low maintenance, durable, and it can withstand many different types of weather, including humidity, harsh cold, and high heat. With a bit of routine yearly maintenance, this type of deck will continue to look good and last a very long time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1755\" style=\"width: 855px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1755\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1755\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Awesome-water-view-from-the-wooden-deck-with-patio-table-586069578_2125x1416-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Awesome water view from the wooden deck with patio table\" width=\"845\" height=\"564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Awesome-water-view-from-the-wooden-deck-with-patio-table-586069578_2125x1416-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Awesome-water-view-from-the-wooden-deck-with-patio-table-586069578_2125x1416-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Awesome-water-view-from-the-wooden-deck-with-patio-table-586069578_2125x1416-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Awesome-water-view-from-the-wooden-deck-with-patio-table-586069578_2125x1416-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Awesome-water-view-from-the-wooden-deck-with-patio-table-586069578_2125x1416-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 845px) 100vw, 845px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1755\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Awesome water view from the covered wooden deck with white railings. Luxury two story house exterior. Northwest, USA<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Deciding the Design<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So now you\u2019ve chosen the decking material, and you want to consider placing your deck in the best and most favorable backyard area. Consider where most of the sunlight will hit, what type of deck privacy you want, and the activities you will enjoy on your deck. If you are more of a sun worshipper, then peak sunlight hours will influence where your deck is situated. If you like to simply hang out and relax in your hideaway, think about a sight (and potentially a sound) barrier to shield you from your neighbors. Lastly, if you\u2019re thinking about entertaining or outdoor fun and games, ensure your deck design reflects that. Don\u2019t forget you can utilize natural features of your yard, such as hedges or trees, to help with any privacy concerns or aesthetics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re incorporating other backyard features, like a fire pit, pool, or grilling area, set up your deck to have a safe place away from the heat of the grill or fire pit\/<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespruce.com\/best-chimineas-4799639\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chiminea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0&#8211; and a respite from the pool. Fortunately, with most deck designs, it\u2019s very easy to section off the activity area from the sitting area. This works especially well if you also have a patio.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Solar lights are a great option if you are considering lighting your garden and deck area. Light your pathways, stairs, and the border of your deck. This makes it safer and will make your deck attractive in the nighttime hours.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"responsive_video\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WEbnebQs8_8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Dealing with Drainage\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A couple of points to note: if you have a second-story deck, contemplate ways to make the space under your deck water-resistant. Additionally, you want to filter rainwater away from your deck and patio. This is very important if you live in a wet climate. Sustainable choices include river rocks, stone, and possibly a\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">French drainage pipe<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is a perforated drain pipe set in gravel. It will guide water away from your yard and let it flow away from your house and deck.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Installing\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trexprotect.com\/blog\/what-is-flashing-tape\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flashing tape<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, like butyl tape, will help keep the underside of your deck dry. It also aids in keeping your deck\u2019s substructure mold resistant. If you plan on using the space under your deck to construct an area for entertainment, meditation, or relaxation, consider an\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trexrainescape.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">under-deck drainage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0system. Trex RainEscape is an easy-to-install system of channels and gutters under your deck to divert moisture away. Trex RainEscape comes with a 25-year warranty. Now you can sit back and enjoy the peaceful serenity of your deck\u2019s shelter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waterproofing your deck, no matter the material, is critical so you don\u2019t have mildew, which can ultimately rot your deck\u2019s substructure. In addition, you want to enjoy your outdoor area for a long time without worrying about damage from water and moisture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Loving the Lifestyle<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve talked about decking materials, design, and drainage. Now onto the fun stuff \u2013 d\u00e9cor! How can you keep your deck ecologically responsible with a sustainable setup? Try using eco-friendly furniture, intelligent landscaping, and take advantage of some of nature\u2019s wonderful features.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pick out\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sustainable deck furnishings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; use recycled or repurposed furniture, if possible. Wooden pallets are an exciting and enterprising addition to your outdoor seating arrangement. Get creative with fabric, as well. Plenty of patterns and textures do well outside \u2013 and are eye-catching.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regarding\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenista.com\/posts\/hardscaping-101-guide-to-sustainable-landscape-design\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">landscaping<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s possible to set it up so it\u2019s advantageous in more ways than one. Lush plants will not only be a striking and beautiful addition, but they\u2019ll bring in oxygen and pollinators to help the ecosystem. Plants also provide shade and a natural boundary to get some privacy away from your neighbor\u2019s gaze. Trees and bushes are an appealing nature-made border ideal for accentuating your backyard, patio, and deck space.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>In Conclusion:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love spending time outside, and decks give us so much flexibility! Building a sustainable outdoor living space is smart and beneficial to your lifestyle. Not only does it help the environment, but you\u2019re leading the way for future generations to appreciate nature the way you do.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Musing the Material Designing an\u00a0eco-friendly\u00a0and sustainable deck is easier than you would think. The first thing to contemplate is material choices for your deck. If you are building a wood deck, both\u00a0ip\u00ea\u00a0(also known as handroanthus) and bamboo are excellent choices but are more expensive. You could check out using wood that is native to your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1753,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1452,58],"tags":[],"coauthors":[25],"class_list":["post-1752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-garden-and-outdoor","category-green-home"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1752"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1759,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1752\/revisions\/1759"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1752"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourhome1source.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}