With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to head out to the backyards of America.
It’s time to enjoy pool parties, barbeques, catching lightning bugs or just sitting out back with a nice, cool drink to enjoy the weather.
A deck plays a huge role in the outside enjoyment of your home.
It could be where your grill is, where your patio furniture is and the ideal place to lay out to catch some rays.
If you’ve just moved into a new home or are looking to spruce up your current deck, check out some of these tips to getting the most out of your deck and getting the most out of your summer.
First Things First
There are different kinds of deck materials, but the most common type is wood.
Wood is a great material that is sturdy, long-lasting and looks great when properly cared for.
To give it that great look, you’re going to have to stain your deck.
Staining your deck is like painting your bedroom, it may take awhile to find that perfect shade but once you do, it will bring everything together perfectly.
The process of staining isn’t too incredibly difficult, but it can take a long time to actually perform.
You’ll need to make sure you start staining your deck in mild temperatures for the best results.
Don’t wait until you have a scorcher of a day to stain away.
Make sure there is no rain in the forecast either and clean off your deck for any debris.
Once you start staining, put about 2-3 brush strokes on each piece of wood. Don’t overstain, as too much stain will crack too easily.
Let it dry for about a day and you’re finished! A healthy deck will repel water and keep looking great for years to come.
Choosing Furniture
Once you have the stain applied to your deck, you’re going to want to actually put something on it, right?
Now is the time to choose the furniture for your deck.
There are plenty of places that sell whole deck stands, but you’ll want to think of a few things before you rush out and buy the best deal.
Will you need an umbrella? Is the sun going to be beating down on you all day or are you covered by trees?
What kind of furniture do you want? The two main options are wicker and metal.
Wicker tends to look better, but can get quite messy over time and is harder to clean.
Metal is easier to clean and a bit more durable. It all depends on what kind of style you’re going for.
Remember to think about size as well. Too much furniture, and people will have difficulties getting around.
Plan for your deck size and don’t overdo it.
A Word About the Grill
If you’re looking to become a grillmaster, you’re bound to fire up the grill once or twice and start handing out burgers and hot dogs to everyone around.
You’re going to want to be careful when it comes to grill placement.
If you have a portable gas or charcoal grill, make sure you put it away from the house while it’s in use.
Too many people will put it close to their house and melt their siding, burn the wood or discolor their brick.
Those grills can get pretty hot and you don’t want to ruin a perfectly good summer day realizing you’ve messed up the side of your house.
You also don’t want to bother your guests too much with any smoke that will run off.
While you can never predict the wind, try and put it in a place where it’s not going to blow back onto your face.
Extra, Extra!
Besides your deck furniture, are you going to have anything else out there?
Some people wheel a TV out for the big games or have chairs and tables around the outside edges.
What about trash cans or storage baskets?
Remember to plan your deck so that everyone is comfortable and you’re not going to be tripping or falling over anyone. It’s the best rule of thumb to keep in mind!
