"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."
Plan outdoor gathering spaces during winter to prepare for warm-weather use. Decide whether a deck or patio suits the house and how occupants want to enjoy the yard. Decks integrate onto a house and can wrap around, offering multiple entrances, but require permits and may raise zoning concerns. Choose deck size based on intended use; furniture occupies more space than expected and stairs can limit usable area. Consider options for shading such as umbrella tables or wall-mounted awnings. Many decking materials exist; avoid pressure-treated decking according to current practice.
Read at Boston.com
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