To increase the “wow” factor, the builder created an eye-catching, octagonal entertaining area; incorporated deck and rail lighting; and used Fiberon® Horizon® composite decking in Ipe on the deck surface, along with a darker border made with Horizon Rosewood boards. Find a Fiberon retailer near you: https://www.fiberondecking.com/start-your-project/where-to-buy

This vinyl deck features three levels for entertaining. It also includes aluminum railing with turned spindles.
Example of a large classic backyard deck design in Philadelphia with no cover

This custom composite deck on Cat Mountain offers incredible views from every angle. Designed & built by Jim Odom at Archadeck Austin. Photo Credit: Kristian Alveo & TimberTown

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Harold Cross This spacious deck north of Des Moines in Ames features low-maintenance, Trex Transcend decking. Stairs wrap around the full front edge of the bayed deck, with a Belgard Urbana hardscaped landing easing the transition to the backyard. A cedar pergola sits over a portion of the deck and Belgard Tandem Wall columns and a planter box define the ares of the deck nicely. A Belgard Pizza Oven is the cooking centerpiece of this space. We integrated Belgard’s Tandem Wall stone into the pergola columns to provide more countertop space for this outdoor kitchen area. Lots of outdoor lighting on this space make it great for evening pizza parties.

Inspiration for a huge modern backyard deck remodel in Other with a fire pit and a pergola

Don't be afraid to 'think outside of the box' when you're designing your new deck. Today's decks can be any shape or configuration you can dream up. An eye-catching octagonal-shaped entertaining area is what makes this space unique. Flared staircases at either end of the deck enable easy access to the play area and create welcoming entries for guests. Fiberon Horizon composite decking in 'Ipe' was selected as the main deck color, complemented by a darker Horizon 'Rosewood' border. Fiberon Horizon white railing and black round metal balusters were also used to provide dramatic visual appeal. Fiberon's low-voltage, LED post cap accent lights were added so this outdoor space can be enjoyed even after the sun goes down.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard deck remodel in Denver with a pergola

Aluminum siding had completely covered the exterior of this home, located across the street from the Atlantic Ocean, leaving many of its period architectural details hidden from view. We removed the siding and rotten clapboards beneath, wrapped the house to protect from moisture, and then re-sided with pre-painted clapboards and shingles. 30 windows were replaced or restored, including original curved double windows on the front bay. Three kinds of siding were used: western red cedar clapboards on the first floor, white cedar shingles on the second, and white cedar fish scale shingles for the front gables. A new copper bonnet roof and curved copper gutter on the front porch offer additional distinction.

Designed and built by Land Art Design, Inc.
Example of a mid-sized mountain style backyard deck design in DC Metro with no cover

Full outdoor kitchen & bar with an induction grill, all weather cabinets, outdoor refrigerator, and electric blue Azul Bahia Brazilian granite countertops to reflect the color of the sea; An octagonally shaped seating area facing the ocean for sunbathing and sunset viewing.; The deck is constructed with sustainably harvested tropical Brazilian hardwood Ipe that requires little maintenance..Eric Roth Photography

Atlanta Decking & Fence
Inspiration for a timeless backyard water fountain deck remodel in Atlanta

Residential Exterior  Starting from lower level, we have compacted the ground and laid concrete for a large‐scale flagstone covered patio, lit seating walls and a wood burning fire pit all covered with complimentary veneer stone.  A lead walkway connecting to stairs of middle level deck  A storage space with concrete pad under the covered screen porch  the lead stairs take you to an octagonal deck space wrapped around in built in benches and a gas burning fire pit.  Going up another five steps and now we are in covered outdoor kitchen connected to new screened porch

This is the side that faces the pasture. The tower acts as a pivot point for the two facades that are at 90 degree angles to one another. It led to the unique character of the plan and elevations.

Terrain Collection offers the timeless appeal of warm earthy tones with a natural beauty that beckons and inspires. Shown here in Silver Maple, other colors include Brown Oak and Sandy Birch. The scalloped edge of all Terrain Collection boards make these affordable alternatives with the same superior quality and low maintenance that homeowners have come to expect from TimberTech capped composites. Capped with a protective polymer shell, Terrain Collection is scratch, stain and fade resistant and backed by an additional 25 Year Fade and Stain Warranty for total peace of mind.

Outdoor kitchen Heavy up gas line brought from street to accommodate large scale appliances that was planned for this outdoor kitchen
Patio - traditional patio idea in DC Metro with decking

Deck - large traditional backyard deck idea in Denver with a fire pit and no cover

Fiberon composite decking in Horizon Ipe was selected as the main deck color, complemented by a darker Rosewood border. The home owner chose low-maintenance, white Horizon composite railing to replace their worn-out wood railing. Adding round, black metal balusters (and spacing them properly) enables a better view into the yard and eliminates the “prison bar” effect. Fiberon accent lights provide safety on the stairs, while post cap lighting all around adds awesome ambiance. Plus, Fiberon deck lighting is low-voltage, and uses energy-efficient LED bulbs that consume 1/12 the energy of traditional bulbs. The lights themselves are made from rust-free aluminum and powder-coated with a long-lasting finish that can withstand harsh climates. Find a Fiberon retailer near you: https://www.fiberondecking.com/start-your-project/where-to-buy

Down-to-studs remodel and second floor addition. The original house was a simple plain ranch house with a layout that didn’t function well for the family. We changed the house to a contemporary Mediterranean with an eclectic mix of details. Space was limited by City Planning requirements so an important aspect of the design was to optimize every bit of space, both inside and outside. The living space extends out to functional places in the back and front yards: a private shaded back yard and a sunny seating area in the front yard off the kitchen where neighbors can easily mingle with the family. A Japanese bath off the master bedroom upstairs overlooks a private roof deck which is screened from neighbors’ views by a trellis with plants growing from planter boxes and with lanterns hanging from a trellis above. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-mediterranean/