With spring and summer weather fast approaching, you will probably be spending more time outdoors trying to enjoy the sunshine and nice weather. If you live in and own your own home, then this can be a great time to start thinking about ways to maximize your time this summer by building a screened in porch that the whole family can enjoy outside together all season long. Adding a wooden deck to your home is a great way to provide an area for entertaining that is clean and above the ground so you can see the view from your yard.
There are so many choices for different types of decks that come in various decking materials that you won’t be disappointed by the selection. And another benefit of building a deck or building a screened in porch is that you can get up to a 72% return on your investment. This is primarily due to the fact that if you sell your home in the future, it will generally go for more if it has a deck. This is a key feature that lots of home buyers will pay extra money for. If you are overwhelmed with all the options you have and you don’t know what direction to go in as far as what type of deck to build, keep reading to learn about some of the top choices that have been bestsellers in recent seasons.
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1. A second story deck
Beware that this is one of the most expensive options, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. This allows you to almost create more space in your home where there was no room before, because you are adding an extra floorplan to the space on the second floor where previously there was no living area. This is a fantastic choice if you have beautiful gardens that you want to observe, or if you just want somewhere quiet and secluded.
2. A screened in porch
Building a screened in porch is probably the best way to get the most use of your deck year round, so if you live somewhere with variable seasons then this is a good option.
3. A wraparound deck
A wraparound deck will span the length of your whole home. Some people choose to get one that goes around the front and back, while others choose to focus only on one side of the home. Regardless, this is a great way to incorporate your new deck design into the layout of your home so there is a seamless transition when you are traveling from outdoors to inside.
4. A gated deck
This is similar to the platform deck style (see below) but it sits a little higher off the ground so it requires a gate to make sure no one falls off. This is a great option if you have a nice view and want to be above the ground so you can see what’s going on around your neighborhood.
5. A platform deck
This is the type of deck that is most traditional and you have probably seen many examples in your lifetime. This design sits very low to the ground, and because it’s only a few feet above the grass you won’t even need to worry about a railing or gate. Although, you might want to think about installing one if you have young children.
