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.
