How design details can make your deck unique

You’ve probably heard the expression “God is in the details.” Well, when it comes to creating a truly unique and beautiful deck design, the right mix of details can create a heavenly result.

Every deck is essentially a blank canvas. Adding design details such as ornamental post caps, decorative balusters and deck inlays, can turn your blank canvas into a custom deck that is a work of art.

Not sure which details will work best for your tastes and design parameters?

Deck design software can help you envision how your deck will look with the addition of certain details. The Deck Visualizer is a free online program that allows you to choose from a selection of scenes and then dress up each with a variety of designer details, such as wood color, railing design, and baluster and post cap accessories.

Designer touches are limited only by your imagination – and creativity in forming combinations. In addition to ornamental post caps and decorative balusters – which we’ve talked about before in this blog – there are many other ways to customize your deck, including:

  • Latitudes Intrepid Composite DeckingDeck inlays – A deck inlay can be anything from decorative stone or ceramic tile to a design made up of different colored composite deck boards placed at interesting angles.
  • Reversible boards – Unlike standard deck boards, Latitudes Intrepid composite deck boards can be placed with either side facing up. Each side has its own unique texture (woodgrain or brushed) and color variance, allowing you to create an interesting design while using just one type of decking material.
  • Picture framing – By installing a trim board around a deck, you can give your wood deck surface a unique appearance, and protect plank ends that can deteriorate over time when exposed to the elements.
  • Latitudes composite decking for bench and planterHidden fasteners – Strategically placed nails or screws can be incorporated into a deck’s design, but for an ultra-clean look, consider Latitude’s Equator hidden fastener. Concealed below the deck surface, Equator composite deck hidden fasteners fit into the groove on the side of the deck board secured at each joist to eliminate pre-drilling and allow for quick and easy installation, leaving a deck looking smooth and sleek. Installing the right hidden fastener will make your composite deck barefoot friendly.
  • Recessed lighting – Deckorators recessed lighting kits use compact, ultra-bright, low-volt LED lights to make decks more appealing and accessible after dark. Build them into stairs, step-downs and anywhere you need illumination both for looks and safetypurposes.
  • Benches and boxes – Built-ins are a hot deck trend and you can use Latitudes composite decking to build curved composite benches and planter boxes around your deck.

Whether you choose to add just one detail or many, designer touches can truly make your deck one-of-a-kind – and make you feel like you have your own little slice of heaven in your own backyard.



Comments for How design details can make your deck unique


Name: Sandra
Time: Saturday, July 16, 2011

The Equador hidden fasteners are not fitting the Capicorn decking we purchased. A few will go in semi-easily; most will not go into the slot at all. Any suggestions.

Name: Chris Fox
Time: Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Because composite decking expands and contract the Equator Hidden Fasteners may need to be tapped into place using a small block of wood and a hammer. Once the fastener is tapped into place you should be able to move the clip freely. The Equator Hidden Fastener is specifically designed to fit securely into all Latitudes slotted deck boards.

Name: olympia meozzi
Time: Friday, July 27, 2012

you should still carry the other post covers (grey ones from 2010), they were much more attaractive and they looked like real stone , please re- make those , i want to extend my deck, i don't like the new ones.

Name: Ashley Vanderwall
Time: Thursday, August 2, 2012

Thank you for your feedback, Olympia. While the 2010 grey postcovers that were discontinued are very attractive, we decided to move forward with cast-stone postcovers made of a robust, fiberglass-reinforced concrete material, making them look and feel more like real stone. We’ve received lots of positive feedback on these new postcovers, and do not have any plans at this time to re-make the discontinued ones. There are 3 unique styles of our new postcovers, 2 gray options and 1 beige option. There are also other ways to extend your deck railing without using postcovers, depending on the railing used. If you would like more information or have questions, feel free to check out deckorators.com or contact Deckorators customer service at 800-332-5724.

Name: Bob Hoyle
Time: Friday, September 14, 2012

I was unable to find the post covers on the website that were shown on the youtube installation video. The only ones were the decorative stone post covers. Did I miss them or where may I find out more information about them?

Name: Ashley Vanderwall
Time: Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Bob- The postcovers on our website are the same ones that were in the installation video. They are located on our website here: http://www.deckorators.com/postcovers.htm . The page also has a description of them, but if there is something we did not cover that you were wondering about them, you may also speak to a Deckorators customer service rep at 800.332.5724. Thank you for your inquiry.

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