Ask the remodeler: What to know about adding a deck, porch, or patio to your home

"Winter is the time to start planning. As we dig out from snowstorms, turn the heat up against the unrelenting cold, and throw another log onto the fire, I thought perhaps an article about summertime pursuits might be encouraging. As hard as it may be to believe right now, winter will in fact end, and our thoughts will turn to warm-weather fun -parties on the deck, porch, or patio. Don't have an outdoor gathering space? Now is the time to start planning."

"Start with what may sound like a simple question: Are you a patio person or a deck person? Some like a deck with railings, others like how a patio can seamlessly blend into the landscaping when done right. Often, the choice is easy because of the house's elevation or property characteristics, but when both options are available, I am shocked when clients haven't really thought about it and have to do some soul searching to decide how they want to enjoy their yard."

"We'll start off with the most common approach, which is typically an outdoor deck. These integrate easily onto the side or back of a house. Sometimes they will wrap around from the side to the back, offering multiple ways in and out of the house. Decks do require quite a bit more planning and architectural work because they involve a building permit and can come with zoning issues."

"Size and shape. How do you plan to use the deck? Large parties or just for the family? Dining or just coffee and drinks? Umbrella table or awning mounted to the wall? Our advice is to go larger if you can because furniture takes up a lot more space than you may think. You need to be careful of stairs leading off the deck into the yard. Larger, open stairs look nice in magazines, but since you can't put furniture in front of the stairs, they can limit the usable space."

Winter planning supports successful warm-weather gatherings. Outdoor spaces can include decks or patios, and the choice depends on house elevation, property characteristics, and how the space will be used. Decks typically attach to the side or back of a house and may wrap around for multiple entry points. Decks require more planning, architectural work, permits, and possible zoning considerations. Key planning factors include size and shape, intended activities like dining or casual drinks, and how stairs affect usable space. Decking material choices can vary, with pressure-treated options avoided in favor of alternatives.

Read at Boston.com