Spring is here and it’s open season for indoor/outdoor living. I was at one of my local home and garden centers over the weekend, and it was a party! There’s nothing like that early Saturday morning buzz that bubbles up among dozens of happy householders chatting over planters, browsing the racks of blooming things, discussing deck furniture, and tossing gardening supplies onto their trolleys. It’s a guaranteed high.

After all that enthusiastic carrying-on, I want to share the effervescence of the season with you. You might already be going like a house a-fire on your own deck decorating, or maybe, like some of my friends, you’re in planning mode for building or adding on to your deck this year. In either case, there’s nothing like looking at great examples of deck design for inspiration.

Here are some beauties, custom built by some of CalFinder’s licensed contractors:

Redwood Multi-Level Deck

Equinox Landscape Construction

With all the lush greenery, this large deck gives the luxury of feeling suspended up in the trees. It takes advantage of the hillside terrain by being built on levels, connected by a gracious staircase. The railings are integrated into the design for safety and beauty and enhance the structure’s overall appeal.

Architectural Simplicity and Harmony

Prociw Construction & Roofing

Elegant contemporary architectural design joins this deck seamlessly to the house with ease. The repetition of materials used for the house is complemented with different elements and materials that, all together, make a striking combination. Subtle and welcoming. (more…)

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The Rolls Royce of wicker patio furniture, Home Infatuation’s new collection will have you chanting ooooh’s and aaaaah’s as you savor each new piece.

Built to last forever, this chic new line offers a sophisticated elegance with sturdy, all-weather construction. Whether it’s a chaise with an Italian influence or a contemporary loveseat, every piece is made with top-quality wicker woven with resin fibers and top-grade, resilient rust- and corrosion-proof aluminum frames.

The new line offers sofas and loveseats, chaise lounges, patio chairs and tables, dining tables, ottomans, and deep seating furniture. (more…)

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The weather has turned and we’ve receded indoors for a few months, so outdoor living probably isn’t high on your priority list. Now is the perfect time, however, to take advantage of the slower construction industry and to address some projects around the house. Why not look into building or replacing the deck this year?

Decks can provide a clean and relaxing area to bask in the fresh air while entertaining or simply reading a book. If built out of the wrong material, the deck may demand constant maintenance, ruining the relaxing effect. All in all, any maintenance is definitely worth the benefits a deck can bring to your life, but you should at least start with a material that requires the least amount of maintenance possible.

Here are the 3 top decking materials ranked by least to most maintenance:

Composite

Composite decking, such as the Trex brand, is a wonderful alternative to wood. It is made from recycled plastics, and requires very little maintenance. It is available in many color options, and once installed provides a clean surface that won’t fade, warp, deteriorate, or crack. View pictures of composite decking recently completed by CalFinder contractors.

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