Tips for Creating an Outdoor Office Space

July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 by Maggie Baker

In 2020, we saw a seismic shift in how—and where—people worked. Millions of Americans were suddenly working from home, and after a year of doing so, many say they’d like to continue teleworking, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

And while companies are still deciding what their workplace future looks like, many will continue to leverage teleworking for some time. Employees have responded by investing in improvements to their home office, and even taking their work outdoors.

Factors to Consider When Creating an Outdoor Office Space

While you can simply take your laptop outside with a table and chair, there’s also an opportunity to make a more comfortable and work-compatible area on your deck, patio, or outdoor space.

Incorporate office-friendly features into existing upgrade plans

We recommend making a multi-functional outdoor space that can meet your needs while you’re working and later enjoying time with family or friends. This is where planning comes in. Were you thinking of making upgrades to your existing deck or patio? Think about how you work and if you can incorporate details that will make it easy to work in the space as well as enjoy it outside of office hours.

Here, for example, a homeowner knew they wanted to add a bar to their existing deck. To make it double as a work-from-home station, they made sure the bar top was wide enough to accommodate a computer and at the right height for sitting or standing. They also added GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets and a gazebo for cover from sun and wind.

Which brings us to our next consideration.

Protection from the elements

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of working outdoors can be sun glare and disruption from wind and other noises. To combat these issues, consider investing in overhead coverage, such as a covered pergola, awning, or gazebo.

For quick and easy fixes for sun glare, you can also use anti-glare laptop screens, shades, or hoods with the latter often blocking wind as well. And, of course, you also can turn up the brightness on your screen and sit facing the sun. Factor that need into your planning to ensure you have an appropriate place to sit in relation to the sun.

Depending on your climate, you may need to plan for the best time of day to work outside to avoid extreme heat or moisture.

A reliable power and internet connection

If you’re working remotely, you’ll likely need a reliable power source and internet connection. The National Electrical Code requires that all outdoor outlets be GFCI outlets. And for good reason: GFCI outlets will trip and automatically turn off if there’s a short circuit or leakage, which can help prevent shocks and fires. Make sure there’s a GFCI outlet within range of your workstation (and the length of your computer power cord!).

As for internet, if your workstation is near enough to your home, you may be able to get a solid WIFI connection. If not, you may want to look into an outdoor WIFI extender/access point/repeater that’s compatible with your current router or an indoor mesh system or indoor extenders.

Consider your background

Are you on more video calls than phone calls these days? If so, don’t forget to consider your background when picking the location for your outdoor office space. Your background surroundings are not only important, but so is the view in front! If you’re easily distracted, that’s another factor to consider when picking the best spot for your office space.

Once set up for success, you can reap the benefits of your new multi-functional outdoor office space—fresh air, sunshine, a change of scenery, and, if there are multiple people working from home, a private, quiet space.

Deck Building Terms 101

October 4, 2021June 29, 2021 by Maggie Baker

Your Composite Decking Dictionary

Whether going the DIY route or working with a contractor, it’s important to know key deck building terms so you can understand and communicate your needs, and make your project a success.

The Anatomy of a Deck: Terms to Know

Decking:

The actual deck boards that you walk on. These can be made of a variety of materials from wood to plastic to composite.

Tread:

The tread is the top part of the stair that you step on and is often made up of two decking boards.

Rise/Run:

Rise is the vertical distance between two consecutive steps. Run is the horizontal distance of one step. Rise and run are used to determine the pitch or degree of a stairway or ramp. Total rise and total run are the vertical and horizontal distances over the entire span of a stairway or ramp.

Joists:

Joists are the structural boards that run under and perpendicular to the decking as part of the deck’s frame. They distribute the decking weight over the deck beams. There are also “rim joists,” which make up the deck’s perimeter and tie everything together. Joists are typically made of pressure-treated lumber.

Beams:

The beams support the deck joists and decking.

Fascia/Skirting:

Fascia/Skirting are trim boards that run horizontally to cover the ends of the joist boards.

Support Posts:

Support posts are the vertical support frames for beams.

Deck Footings:

Deck footings are the foundation of your deck that anchor it to the ground so it can handle the load on top and remain securely in place.

Structural Rail Post:

A structural post is mounted to the walking surface in lieu of using a wood 4×4 or 6×6 so that a vinyl, composite, or aluminum sleeve can be slid overtop to finish.

Rail Post Wrap:

A multi-piece system that wraps around a rail post exterior to provide a finished, low-maintenance exterior cladding.

Rail Post:

Rail posts are the vertical posts into which top and bottom rails, and horizontal or solid infills connect to. They are typically spaced every 6, 8, or 10 feet

Top Rail:

Just like it sounds, the top rail is the horizontal top railing that extends between rail posts. There are a number of top rail profiles from flat to arched. You can even use a deck board on top to serve as a drink rail.

Bottom Rail:

The bottom rail is the lower horizontal rail piece that extends between vertical rail posts and can help support vertical balusters or certain infills. However, not all railing styles include a bottom rail, so check which look you prefer.

Baluster:

Balusters are the repeating horizontal or vertical pillars or rods that sit in between vertical rail posts and can provide additional railing support and safety. Baluster materials may include aluminum, composite, and vinyl, and you can often find in square or round profiles, such as those in our Fairway Railing Collection.

Infill:

Infill is the material used to fill the railing space between horizontal top and bottom rails and vertical posts. Infill examples include balusters, mesh panel, horizontal balusters, cable, and glass.

Composite Rail:

Composite rail is made when wood fiber, plastics, color pigments, UV inhibitors, and preservatives are heated, mixed, and extruded into railing profiles.

Guardrail:

A building component or system of building components located at or near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to a lower level.

Handrail:

A horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by the hand for guidance and support.

Now that you know these deck building terms, are you ready to see how all these materials come together? Check out our idea gallery or deck visualizer tool for inspiration and to explore styles.

How to Incorporate Landscaping When Building a Deck

August 25, 2021June 3, 2021 by Maggie Baker

A deck built around trees featuring Envision Composite Decking and built by Big Yeti Builders.

When it comes to landscaping in or around a deck, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, but there are some important factors to consider.

These are just a few elements Sias Parsons, custom deck expert and owner of Big Yeti Builders, accounts for before building, replacing, or repairing a deck.

Existing landscaping and features.

Knowing from the start what a homeowner likes and doesn’t like about their current landscaping and features will help align their wants with their contractor’s design, Parsons says. Is there a favorite tree or an existing koi pond? That’s something that can often be incorporated when building the deck so it feels natural and seamless.

Do they want the deck built around a tree? Parsons recommends having the tree’s health examined to make sure it’s not going to die in a few years and potentially damage the deck and leave a hole.

If you are incorporating a tree into the deck, you’ll want to account for that tree species’ typical growth to avoid rubbing and deck damage in the future. Homeowners may reconsider when they realize they may have multiple feet of wasted square footage to allow for that growth.

However, sometimes what a homeowner wants isn’t possible, but having those conversations creates opportunities for what the contractor can do with their design that is perhaps an even better option.

Landscaping maintenance.

Homeowners may love the idea of bushes, trees, or planter boxes around a deck’s perimeter, but unless properly maintained, those pretty accents can turn into an overgrown — and expensive — mess. Then, the homeowner is often forced to redo their landscaping and potentially repair their deck from any associated damage.

It’s also important to think through how plants will be watered, notes Parsons, as the sprinkler system may need to be re-routed. The last thing you want is to have sprinklers saturating wood deck framing, he notes, as even treated wood won’t hold up and would become susceptible to premature rot over time.

That’s why it’s important to have an honest conversation about plans to maintain landscaping and flowers before planting or building a deck. You may even wish to work with landscapers during the deck design process.

“We’re also seeing a lot more zero-scaping (rocks or cement and no grass or plants) right now for those looking for a more minimalist approach,” says Parsons. “Homeowners are using the deck as the main feature, and skipping on traditional landscaping.”

Part of that is the ability to dress up a home’s backyard with high-quality innovative decking designs and materials, such as Envision Composite Decking. Homeowners love composite’s low-maintenance benefits, and with Envision, you can mix and match collections for inlays, unique patterns, picture framing and more.

Complement the home’s style.

Landscaping is likely to change more frequently than the house itself, so when selecting decking styles and accessories, take cues from the home. For example, if you have a stucco house and a xeriscaped yard (made up primarily of rock with native, drought-resistant plants), go for a simplistic deck and railings for a streamlined look. Working on a more traditional house with a manicured lawn? A natural look will provide a nice aesthetic.

Based in Utah, Big Yeti Builders often works deck design into rock retaining walls, which can help provide more structure to upper areas of the deck.

While Parsons enjoys having a nice feature, like a big rock, in the middle of the deck, he tells his clients not to tie themselves down to things they may not want in 5-10 years. That planter box they wanted in the middle of the deck might become a waste of space or limit their deck’s use down the road. That’s why he finds ways to install features that can be removed later if the client wants.

Ultimately, landscaping and deck design are unique to each client and home, so the biggest thing Parsons recommends is open dialogue so everyone gets what they want.

To see more of Big Yeti Builders’ work, find them on Instagram and Facebook.

What Makes Envision Composite Decking Unique?

August 25, 2021May 27, 2021 by Maggie Baker

Composite decking has become a sought-after choice for its low maintenance and good looks. But not all composite deck materials are the same, and it’s important for pros and DIYers alike to understand the differences to ensure the finished project looks and performs as expected.

Here are a few things you should know about what makes Envision’s composite decking collections different from other options.

Envision Composite Decking Is Durable from Inside to Out

Envision composite decking features a proprietary EverGrain Core™, which has been trusted on homes, commercial properties, and public places, including high-traffic and harsh weather landmarks, for more than 20 years.

All our composite decking products are made with Compress Technology™, and ours is the only composite decking on the market that is compression molded. This proprietary process uses tremendous heat and pressure to squeeze out air pockets, physically bonding the cap and core together at a molecular level, helping to eliminate delamination.

Envision’s composite decking lines are backed by a 25-year limited warranty along with the industry’s only five-year full-start period.

Envision Composite Decking Offers Unmatched Beauty

Envision’s unique Compress Technology doesn’t just support the product’s durability, it also allows for a truly non-repeating grain. Most decking products use embossing to etch a pattern onto the surface that repeats about every 3 feet. But Envision’s grain is part of the actual board manufacturing process, delivering deep, non-repeating grains that contribute to a much more authentic, realistic look.

Our manufacturing process also creates subtle, distinct highlights in several collections that helps the colors pop, replicating the exceptional beauty of natural, stained wood while ensuring no two boards look alike. It’s a distinction you won’t find on other composite decking planks.

Envision Decking Is Backed by a Strong Support Network

In an age when supply and price challenges abound, count on Envision to get you what you need when you need it. Our vast distribution network ensures extensive availability and dependable delivery.

Not ready to buy quite yet? The Envision website offers a Deck Visualizer tool, inspiration gallery, quote and sample requests, and more.

Get started building here.

Project Spotlight: DIY Deck with Cozy Charm

May 13, 2022May 12, 2021 by Maggie Baker

How to Build a DIY Composite Deck with Cozy Charm

When it came time to create an ideal outdoor space for her Utah home, DIY/home design influencer Kelly Ballard did what she does for many of her home improvement projects: watched YouTube videos, collaborated with her husband, and sought the opinions of her loyal followers. The resulting DIY deck is simple yet elegant, a cozy space that’s become a go-to gathering spot for her family of six.

Ballard began her DIY lifestyle brand shortly after turning 40. She’d set a goal to create a new project every week, and eventually realized she should track and document her work. Thus, City Girl Meets Farmboy was born. On her website and social media platforms, including Instagram, Ballard showcases her projects, ranging from home decorating ideas to building a board-and-batten wall for her home gym, with a style that is both aspirational and approachable by other DIYers.

The backyard deck is Ballard’s most ambitious project to date. Up until that point, the backyard consisted only of grass and a too-small-to-be-functional builder-grade deck off the back door. She knew she wanted to create a larger, more functional outdoor living area, but needed to stay on budget. A concrete patio was too expensive, plus didn’t provide the look she was aiming for.

Ballard’s plan was to create a simply shaped ground-level deck atop buried concrete footings. The near-rectangle abuts the corner of the house as well as the yard’s white perimeter fence, and it includes space for seating and a hot tub.

Choosing the Right Composite Decking

After reading reviews online, Ballard was impressed by Envision’s Ridge Premium collection, which offers a wood look, rich colors, and a solid 25-year limited warranty alongside a budget-friendly price point.

Ballard polled her readers to choose between the three available colors—Gunstock, Black Walnut, and Vintage Oak—eventually landing on Black Walnut, a rich brown well-suited to the home’s exterior and backdrop of big skies and distant mountains.

Like many of her projects, Ballard learned as she went, watching installation videos and working with her husband, who is an engineer by trade.

They faced some small challenges along the way, most notably the home’s existing back stairs, which her husband turned to better transition to the new deck space.

“It definitely wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be,” Ballard says. “The hardest part was making sure the base is properly prepared. It needs to be level and the concrete footers poured properly. It’s just a lot of mathematics and leveling. My husband was great at that.”

While framing out the deck, they integrated electrical wiring for the hot tub, completing the work themselves but calling on an electrician and the city to inspect and approve.

Installing the Ridge Premium composite deck boards was the easy part, Ballard says, noting that it was simple to cut and her kids pitched in to face-fasten the planks into place. (One piece of advice, she notes: Cut the decking over a tarp for easier cleanup.)

Once the DIY deck installation was finished, Ballard added rockers, an outdoor couch and chairs, an outdoor rug, and a fire table to complete the space.

“We love it. We use it every single day—my kids go out there all the time,” Ballard says. “It’s beautiful, and it’s added so much value to the backyard. Everyone who comes over compliments it. We’re so glad we did it.”

Watch a video of Ballard’s deck install on Instagram and learn more about Ridge Premium composite decking.

4 Tips for Creating a Screened In Deck

September 23, 2021April 29, 2021 by Maggie Baker

Screened-in deck with skylights and firepit by Advanced Carpentry and Remodeling made with Envision composite decking.

BEST PRACTICES FOR CREATING A SCREENED IN DECK

Whether a place of respite, an extension of space, or a safer way to gather, the backyard deck is a must-have more than ever before. Alongside that trend is a growing need for outdoor living spaces to function well into the cooler seasons and even throughout colder, rainier winters.

Overhangs and outdoor heaters offer some relief from the weather, but a more permanent and robust solution for year-round outdoor living is a screened-in deck.

Unlike an outdoor room, which might have traditional flooring and solid walls with expanses of windows, a screened-in deck looks and functions the same underfoot as the rest of the deck, but with the added protection of a roof overhead. Screened walls or half walls provide protection from insects and some precipitation while still providing ventilation.

A screened-in deck also is typically less expensive than an outdoor room.

We checked in with Joe Rogers, owner and lead carpenter of Advanced Carpentry and Remodeling LLC in St. Louis, Mo., for a few tips to make the most of your screened-in deck.

Leverage Deck Design Tricks

Just like other areas of the deck, use picture framing techniques or other variances in plank direction or color to outline the screened-in area. This not only provides visual separation, it can create a smoother surface upon which to set the screen walls.

Pre-Plan Framing

Screen walls should not be fastened only into the deck boards. Plan your deck frame, and additional framing if needed, to ensure there is a place to anchor the screen walls. And always follow instructions from your screen wall manufacturer for proper anchoring requirements.

Keep It Low Maintenance

One of the reasons for choosing composite decking is to avoid the maintenance associated with wood. Consider the same when choosing other finishes inside the screened-in deck, as the area will still be somewhat vulnerable to moisture and UV exposure.

Don’t Neglect the Details

Just like the home itself, the roof of the screened-in deck will need to be designed and framed to ensure rainfall drains away and flashed to ensure it is water tight.

One of the benefits of using Envision composite decking is that the authentic wood look and colors provide a desired appearance for a semi-interior space without adding additional maintenance. “I like Envision because a lot of planks are different—it makes it look more natural when you mix them up,” Rogers says. “That’s what my clients want: the low maintenance but with that real wood look.”

For more deck inspiration, visit our Idea Gallery.

4 Simple Tips to Get Your Deck Summer-Ready

July 11, 2022April 21, 2021 by Maggie Baker

Woman watering plants on an Envision Distinction composite deck in Grey Wood

HOW TO GET YOUR DECK READY FOR SUMMER

Spring cleaning isn’t just for indoors. Get ready to enjoy your outdoor space as soon as the warm weather hits with these deck maintenance and décor tips.

Clean Your Deck

How much prep work and maintenance do you need to do for your deck each year? That depends on your decking and railing material – wood, composite, or other.

The benefit of most composite decking is that it’s practically maintenance-free. For Envision Composite Decking, for example, a simple rinse with a garden hose semi-annually will help reduce dirt, dust, grime, and other residue build-up. For a more thorough cleaning, use a deck wash with sodium hypochlorite like those found on our care and cleaning page. Once clean, it’s ready for use.

For wood decks, a little more effort is required. Pressure washing can be an effective way to remove mildew and other buildup, but be careful as too much pressure may damage the wood. Once clean, look for spots that need paint or stain touch-ups or total board replacements. When painting or restaining a wood deck, you will need to sand the area. If painting, you will also need to treat with wood preservative, prime the deck boards, and then finish with a sealer.

Most railings can be sprayed off with a hose. For more stubborn dirt or stains, follow the care and cleaning tips provided by the manufacturer for your specific railing material.

This is also a great time to inspect for any damage or safety concerns, such as loose screws or nails.

Add Function and Personality with Furniture and Décor

Now that you have a clean slate, adding furniture will set the stage for how you use the space. Sunning or sitting pool side? Explore outdoor chaise loungers. Plan to dine outdoors? Invest in a sturdy dining or bistro-style table and chair set. Outdoor sofas are excellent if you plan to entertain or simply relax.

Pro tip: Make sure your furniture is proportionate to your space. If you go too big or too small, it will feel out of place.

In addition to seating, you may want to consider outdoor rugs or mats, which not only look nice, but can help protect your deck. Place mats under metal objects or furniture to avoid rust stains or scratches. Protect your deck from grease spills with a grill mat.

Need a little privacy? Consider adding outdoor curtains, which can add a pop of color and texture in addition to shielding you from neighbors. Coordinate with matching pillows for an even cozier feel.

For a bigger investment, you can add a pergola to help define an area for dining or lounging or provide shade.

Use Lighting for Instant Ambience (and Safety)

Get more use out of your outdoor space with deck and railing lighting. It will set the mood while helping ensure everyone can safely enjoy themselves at night.

Many railing manufacturers include lighting options that can be used on steps, railing posts, or hand and top rails for a seamless look. LED lighting accessories offer a long life and don’t produce heat so are safe to touch.

Draped string lights are also an easy way to add a charming bistro-like feel.

Incorporate Flowers and Plants

Make your deck come alive by decorating with flowers and plants. Beyond the visual appeal, flowers can offer a nice natural smell, and certain plants, such as Citronella, can provide natural protection from bugs.

Want more outdoor living inspiration? View our idea gallery or get our Style and Elements Guide!

Beyond the Deck: How to Use Composite Decking Material for Other Projects

October 27, 2022April 15, 2021 by Maggie Baker

Envision composite decking in a dock application

How to Use Composite Decking for Other Building Projects

Fans of composite decking material already know its advantages over wood—no need for regular painting and staining, no concerns about insects, and resistance to rotting, cracking, and warping. Because of this resilience, composite materials are fast becoming a go-to material for projects outside of traditional deck applications. And just like on the deck, the wood-like aesthetics that composites offer can help transform your living space.

Modern composite offers so many choices of colors and styles, the possibilities are almost endless. Think outside the deck and you’ll find there are many ways to incorporate this low-maintenance, beautiful product throughout your property.

Cladding
Composite is fast becoming a hot option for siding, providing the warm look of wood without the maintenance concerns. Our Distinction and Expression collections are both approved for use as cladding. Along with less maintenance, the resulting open-joint cladding systems create a unique aesthetic, with wider gaps and deeper shadow lines. Just be sure to check with your housewrap manufacturer about special needs for weather barriers and flashing, such as greater UV resistance, due to increased exposure versus traditional cladding.

Accent pieces. Composite benches and planters can add beautiful accents and elegant storage to your outdoor living space. With so many colors and styles to choose from, you can truly complement your deck or house with composite accent pieces.

Play. Frame a sandbox, create playground decks and walkways, or build a cornhole set out of composite. This material holds up to even the most vigorous play—and eliminates worries about splits and splinters.

Fitness. Love Ninja Warrior or looking for cross-training opportunities in your backyard? Create non-structural obstacle course elements using composite decking.

Docks. Composite decking’s moisture resistance makes it an ideal surface for docks and boat platforms.

Municipal fencing. Adding fencing around municipal structures such as wind turbines, water/sewer treatment plants, and power transmission towers is not a new idea, but having to continually repair and rebuild every few years is expensive and labor-intensive. With little to no maintenance, composites can save crews time and tax dollars.

Framing and inlays. Within deck projects themselves, designers and installers are getting more creative, as well. Try using contrasting colors or direction changes to visually designate dedicated areas or spaces, such as a border for the hot tub, an outline for an outdoor dining table, or a “rug” in the sitting area.

As with any new application, check with your Envision rep about any special modifications or installation techniques that may be needed for projects beyond traditional decks. Contact your rep here to get started.

Ready to see what you can come up with? Start here to browse our composite decking colors, order samples, request a quote, and more.

5 Outdoor Living Trends for Spring

September 22, 2021April 7, 2021 by Maggie Baker

OUTDOOR LIVING TRENDS FOR SPRING 2021

2021 is shaping up to be an interesting, challenging, and busy year. A gradual emergence from the pandemic isn’t expected to slow many homeowners’ focus on improving their spaces. And this is particularly true for outdoor living trends, which continue to lean toward the more functional, the more welcoming, and the more conducive to feeling safe at home.

Here are a few of the outdoor living trends we’re keeping an eye on as 2021 unfolds.

1. Pandemic drives home improvement

One of the biggest trends of 2020 was how the pandemic kept everyone at home—and subsequently spurred a rush of home improvement activities. Some homeowners tackled cosmetic improvements or much-needed repairs from long-ignored to-do lists.

Others reinvested entertainment dollars into making their home a sanctuary—a more comfortable, useful, and pleasant place to be. Outdoor living areas were a huge component of this, offering a way to expand living spaces and more safely gather.

This phenomenon is continuing in 2021, particularly with outdoor spaces as the weather warms. Even with vaccines rolling out, the desire for outdoor living areas will likely remain.

2. Bringing the indoors out

As part of the surge in outdoor improvements, homeowners increasingly want the comforts they enjoy inside their homes on their decks and patios, and manufacturers have responded. This includes more comfortable furniture, thoughtful lighting, decked-out kitchens, and even TVs and audio equipment. The seamless transitions created by opening glass walls and pass-through windows also are in demand.

3. A deck for all seasons

With the outdoors providing a safer gathering option as well as a much-needed escape from home offices and home schooling, these spaces increasingly need to be functional into the colder and rainier seasons. Overhangs, awnings, screened-in decks, and other coverings are becoming a critical option, alongside fireplaces, firepits, and infrared heaters.

4. Bigger decks with designated spaces

While many people are adding a deck for the first time, or replacing part or all of an older deck, we’re also seeing a lot more expansion and customization of existing decks this year. In general, homeowners are going BIGGER.

With that shift, people are putting more thought into creating “rooms” around the deck and patio areas—such as for sitting, dining, watching movies, and playing cornhole—which adds to functionality and can aid with creating a space for everyone jockeying for position outside.

How these areas are created depends on the size of the outdoor living area. For larger spaces, multi-tiered or multi-level decks create natural divisions, while single-level decks can benefit from visual design cues such as changes in composite decking colors, inlays, and picture framing.

5. Maximizing the under-deck area

The under-deck area has often been covered in lattice and used for storage. But with the push for more outdoor living space, it can provide crucial square footage. Adding underdeck drainage protects the space from rain to create the perfect spot for a dining table or entertainment area.

To capitalize on these trends, builders and remodelers should be prepared to think outside the box just as their customers are. Consider alternative designs, materials, and approaches so that their new outdoor living space is truly one they can relax in and enjoy instead of creating something requiring more work and additional maintenance. Envision composite decking offers the beauty of wood but without the maintenance requirements.

Give it a try: Experiment with colors and designs using our Deck Visualizer tool.

Three Composite Decking Colors for the Perfect Transitional Deck Design

July 11, 2022January 19, 2021 by Maggie Baker

Transitional Deck Design

When designing a deck, it’s always important to consider what type of style to incorporate. Deck design can become overwhelming with all the colors available in the market, but the process should be fun.

With this Transitional style guide, you’ll be able to determine what color of decking suits your specific style.

Transitional is a mesh of modern and traditional design. Taking elements from both styles creates a comforting, yet tasteful deck design – like combining the features of sleek modern lines with traditional accents and a color scheme that would fit both modern and traditional styles.

Using those two styles as a foundation for this deck design will help you create the perfect Transitional style outdoor living space.

Focusing on our dark brown composite decking colors – Distinction Rustic Walnut, Expression Woodland Bark, and Ridge Premium Black Walnut – these rich browns create a contrast with the light neutral colors of furniture, accent pieces, and the added greenery.

These colors are among our most popular decking colors because of their versatility, and you will continue to see them in many more of our suggested style guides.

DISTINCTION

Rustic Walnut

EXPRESSION

Woodland Bark

RIDGE PREMIUM

Black Walnut

In this specific deck design, the transitional deck is represented through the clean lines of the furniture, neutral fabrics, rustic characteristics of the brick and deck boards, along with the carefully structured design.

Rustic Walnut is a great example of Transitional deck design because of the variegated color throughout the boards. The dark chocolate and light creamy brown shades featured in this composite decking emulate a warm cozy feel that a traditional style deck would have but also combines a modern appeal with the design.

Incorporating a style into a deck design can bring a whole home together by bringing the indoors, out. Creating a space that has harmony and structure can turn something like a plain old deck, to a gathering place.

Read more about different deck styling in our Style & Elements Guide or find ideas to spark inspiration for your new space on our Start Your Project page.