Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Cozy Deck Retreat
So, you want a deck that you can relax in to get away from the hustle and bustle and responsibility of daily life. It’s a great idea, but sounds hard to accomplish on your own. With help from experienced deck builders in Salt Lake City, creating a beautiful and cozy deck retreat takes careful planning, and you’re well on your way to making your dream deck a reality.

Select your budget, gather a few ideas in your head about what you’d like to have in a deck, and use this step-by-step guide to help you get started.
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Decide Where You Want Your Deck
Unless you already have a deck built, you have to decide where to place your deck. It’s most common to have a deck installed where an existing exterior door is already placed on a home, so the front or back door may be a wise choice. However, if you have a sliding door to your home that goes to a side, front, or backyard, you can place a deck outside this type of door as well. It all depends on how you plan on using your deck, how large your yard is, and how much renovations you would have to do to your home to put in a deck.
Secure A Deck Builder

Unless you’re an experienced deck builder yourself, you want to leave this home project to the professionals. A deck is about more than slapping some timber or composite together or framing in a concrete slab, which you’ll soon find out if you try to build a deck entirely on your own. You need a deck builder to assist you, and it might be best to consider a custom deck builder. These decks are better suited for the homeowner’s desires and wishes and aren’t made from a standard deck blueprint.
If you’re on a budget or want to add to an existing deck, a custom deck specialist is key to your deck’s successful build. Start here, and then you can move on to the next steps to make the completion of your deck easier.
Choose Your Deck Materials

What type of deck do you want to build? There are lots of deck materials to consider. You can build a classic deck out of timber or even recycled or repurposed wood (such as old reclaimed barn wood). You’ll just need to stain the deck periodically to keep it waterproof. If you want a more modern deck design, composite or vinyl are wise choices, as they are easy to build with and don’t require lots of upkeep.
For a more rustic and nature-inspired deck, you can choose stone, including limestone or soapstone, to work into your deck design, along with concrete. Brick is also a wise choice. It all depends on availability, your budget, and how you plan on using your deck to determine the type of natural materials to use.
If you don’t know what type of deck materials to use, speak to your deck builder. They’ll help you select the right materials for your project based on the design you have in mind, your home’s existing curb appeal, and your budget.
Choose Your Additional Features

You want your deck to be a cozy retreat to enjoy in the comfort of your home’s landscape, right? To accomplish this feat, you need to choose the right additional features to your deck to make it flow seamlessly with the rest of your home while maintaining its exterior appeal. Here are some ideas.
Add A Hammock
A swinging hammock added to your deck is a perfect way to relax and simply enjoy the outdoor cool breeze at the end of a long day. You can have your deck builder install hammock hooks in the ceiling of your deck or on its support beams.
Add A Rug Or Carpet
A rug or carpet ideal for indoor and outdoor use adds a sense of comfort under your feet and makes the deck area more inviting. You can place the rug in the center of your deck to create a focal point for any patio or decking furniture you choose to add to your space.
Add A Fire Pit Or Fireplace
A portable fireplace or fire pit is a wise addition to a deck for nighttime relaxing to roast marshmallows, enjoy the warm glow of a natural or gas-controlled fire, or to simply add natural lighting to your outdoor space and keep the insects away. You can even use a fireplace or added heat element to cook your favorite recipes outdoors to enjoy with family and friends.
Add Solar Lighting
What can solar lighting add to a deck? A lot of natural light that you get from the sun so you can enjoy your deck at night and entertain with flourish, that’s what! Solar lighting doesn’t have to be expensive or confusing to install. Simply string lights as you would for a holiday occasion and leave them year-round. They’ll charge by day and shine bright by night for beautiful lighting to make any deck relaxation at night complete.
Wrapping Up

Now that you know what goes into putting in a deck, you simply have to call your deck builder to help you get started. From where you want to put your deck to what finishing elements you desire, putting a cozy deck together doesn’t have to be a daunting task!
