A modern deck should reflect its modern owner. And today, being modern often means being busy. And if you’re busy, you don’t want to come home after a long day and work on your deck; no. What you want is to sit on it, with a cold beer (or glass of wine), and just relax.
But to make this dream a reality (the part about not having to work on your deck), you need a deck that’s easy to maintain. You may even consider (and you probably should) hiring a professional in this case, as they’ll advise you on materials that are both in line with your desired look and easy to maintain.
In this quick article, you’ll learn what to pay attention to and how to design a deck that ticks all the above-mentioned boxes.
Photo by Julia M Cameron
Choosing the Right Materials: 4 Solutions
This is your starting point. The materials you choose/pick play a pivotal part in what your deck ends up looking like and, ultimately, how much work it takes to maintain it. You might even want to work with a professional for this because they’ll be able to recommend materials that go with the aesthetic you’re after and that aren’t complicated to care for. Just write “deck builder near me” into Google, and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to creating the perfect deck.
Composite Decking
This is one of the most popular choices for modern decks, and there’s a good reason for it. Composite decking is made from a blend of wood fibers and plastic, so it can resist the usual issues natural wood has, like rot, insects, and fading. One of its biggest benefits is that it looks like wood, but you don’t need to stain and seal it all the time like you would with real wood.
According to the MarketsandMarkets Composite Decking Report, the composite decking market is expected to grow from 4.5 billion (USD) back in 2021 by almost double to 8.2 billion (USD) by the year 2026. This data highlights the rise in demand for low-maintenance and eco-friendly decking solutions.
All you need to do is clean it once in a while and it’ll stay looking new.
PVC Decking
PVD decking is a completely synthetic, extremely durable option that is very resistant to mildew and moisture.
The Global Market Insights PVC Decking Report suggests that the PVC decking market will reach 4.8 billion (USD) by 2027.
If you live in a humid area or anywhere with frequent rainfall, this would be a great choice because it doesn’t absorb moisture like natural wood does. There’s hardly anything to it as far as maintenance goes; some soap and water, and it’s as good as new. It resists cracking, warping, and staining, but it doesn’t really look exactly like wood. However, it goes perfectly with contemporary outdoor spaces because it looks very sleek.
Aluminum Decking
Aluminum is the most abundant metal and the third most abundant element on planet Earth. If you want aluminum (aluminium for our non-US friends) decking to be as durable as possible, you won’t go wrong with it.
Its strength and longevity are pretty much unbeatable and, unlike real wood, it’s resistant to rust, warping, and other types of damage the weather can cause. It looks sleek and modern and it’s a fantastic choice for people who want a minimalist design. Upkeep is almost non-existent, you just need to clean it here and there to remove the dirt from it.
The Research and Markets Aluminum Decking Report indicates an annual growth rate of 6% when it comes to aluminum decking demand. Homeowners are seeking durable, long-term, and low-maintenance options for their decks.
The downside is that it’s more expensive than other materials, so you’ll pay more upfront, but in the long run, it’s a very smart investment.
Low-Maintenance Wood
As great as all the previous options are, sometimes you just want a natural aesthetic, and luckily, there are some wood options that are easy to maintain, like pressure-treated lumber or tropical hardwoods, such as ipe.
Compared to the natural, untreated wood, these are much more resistant. Pressure-treated wood is treated with chemicals to resist rot and damage from insects, and tropical hardwoods are naturally dense and durable. The latter is a more eco-friendly choice, if that’s a concern of yours.
A survey on Decking Preferences conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NHAB) reports that 40% of homeowners prefer low-maintenance wood solutions (e.g., pressure-treated lumber, tropical hardwoods, etc.). Keep in mind that, even though this is low-maintenance wood, you’ll still need to seal and oil it regularly.
Photo by Max Vakhtbovycn
3 Key Design Features
Once you’re set on the materials you want to use, the next step is design. Modern decks are minimalistic, functional, and sleek, and if you consider a few key elements, you can have a deck that looks modern and that you don’t need to maintain too often.
Simple, Clean Lines
A modern deck is all about simplicity. Clean lines are very contemporary, and they make maintenance a piece of cake. Don’t clutter your deck with ornate details because those are magnets for dirt and you’ll need to clean them all the time, so… Not really a low-maintenance option, right? Keep the design straightforward and you’ll have a deck that looks fantastic and that’s easy to keep that way.
Built-In Features
Seating, planters, and storage areas can be built-in to have less movable furniture on deck. Take built-in benches, for example. With them, you don’t need separate furniture that you’d have to move and clean during bad weather. Fewer movable elements equals less wear and tear, plus built-in features usually go great with decks.
Integrated Lighting
This is very important for any outdoor space, and when it comes to modern decks, they usually have integrated lighting systems that are built into the structure itself. LED lighting is a fantastic, eco-friendly option. Embed the lighting into railing, seating, or steps, and it will look modern without taking up space.
Designing a low-maintenance deck doesn’t have to be complicated. The right materials, a few key pieces of furniture and you’ll have a deck you’ll spend more time relaxing on than maintaining. Use the seven tips above, alongside a little bit of careful planning, in order to get the deck of your dreams!
A modern deck should reflect its modern owner. And today, being modern often means being busy. And if you’re busy, you don’t want to come home after a long day and work on your deck; no. What you want is to sit on it, with a cold beer (or glass of wine), and just relax.
But to make this dream a reality (the part about not having to work on your deck), you need a deck that’s easy to maintain. You may even consider (and you probably should) hiring a professional in this case, as they’ll advise you on materials that are both in line with your desired look and easy to maintain.
In this quick article, you’ll learn what to pay attention to and how to design a deck that ticks all the above-mentioned boxes.
Choosing the Right Materials: 4 Solutions
This is your starting point. The materials you choose/pick play a pivotal part in what your deck ends up looking like and, ultimately, how much work it takes to maintain it. You might even want to work with a professional for this because they’ll be able to recommend materials that go with the aesthetic you’re after and that aren’t complicated to care for. Just write “deck builder near me” into Google, and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to creating the perfect deck.
Composite Decking
This is one of the most popular choices for modern decks, and there’s a good reason for it. Composite decking is made from a blend of wood fibers and plastic, so it can resist the usual issues natural wood has, like rot, insects, and fading. One of its biggest benefits is that it looks like wood, but you don’t need to stain and seal it all the time like you would with real wood.
According to the MarketsandMarkets Composite Decking Report, the composite decking market is expected to grow from 4.5 billion (USD) back in 2021 by almost double to 8.2 billion (USD) by the year 2026. This data highlights the rise in demand for low-maintenance and eco-friendly decking solutions.
All you need to do is clean it once in a while and it’ll stay looking new.
PVC Decking
PVD decking is a completely synthetic, extremely durable option that is very resistant to mildew and moisture.
The Global Market Insights PVC Decking Report suggests that the PVC decking market will reach 4.8 billion (USD) by 2027.
If you live in a humid area or anywhere with frequent rainfall, this would be a great choice because it doesn’t absorb moisture like natural wood does. There’s hardly anything to it as far as maintenance goes; some soap and water, and it’s as good as new. It resists cracking, warping, and staining, but it doesn’t really look exactly like wood. However, it goes perfectly with contemporary outdoor spaces because it looks very sleek.
Aluminum Decking
Aluminum is the most abundant metal and the third most abundant element on planet Earth. If you want aluminum (aluminium for our non-US friends) decking to be as durable as possible, you won’t go wrong with it.
Its strength and longevity are pretty much unbeatable and, unlike real wood, it’s resistant to rust, warping, and other types of damage the weather can cause. It looks sleek and modern and it’s a fantastic choice for people who want a minimalist design. Upkeep is almost non-existent, you just need to clean it here and there to remove the dirt from it.
The Research and Markets Aluminum Decking Report indicates an annual growth rate of 6% when it comes to aluminum decking demand. Homeowners are seeking durable, long-term, and low-maintenance options for their decks.
The downside is that it’s more expensive than other materials, so you’ll pay more upfront, but in the long run, it’s a very smart investment.
Low-Maintenance Wood
As great as all the previous options are, sometimes you just want a natural aesthetic, and luckily, there are some wood options that are easy to maintain, like pressure-treated lumber or tropical hardwoods, such as ipe.
Compared to the natural, untreated wood, these are much more resistant. Pressure-treated wood is treated with chemicals to resist rot and damage from insects, and tropical hardwoods are naturally dense and durable. The latter is a more eco-friendly choice, if that’s a concern of yours.
A survey on Decking Preferences conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NHAB) reports that 40% of homeowners prefer low-maintenance wood solutions (e.g., pressure-treated lumber, tropical hardwoods, etc.). Keep in mind that, even though this is low-maintenance wood, you’ll still need to seal and oil it regularly.
3 Key Design Features
Once you’re set on the materials you want to use, the next step is design. Modern decks are minimalistic, functional, and sleek, and if you consider a few key elements, you can have a deck that looks modern and that you don’t need to maintain too often.
Simple, Clean Lines
A modern deck is all about simplicity. Clean lines are very contemporary, and they make maintenance a piece of cake. Don’t clutter your deck with ornate details because those are magnets for dirt and you’ll need to clean them all the time, so… Not really a low-maintenance option, right? Keep the design straightforward and you’ll have a deck that looks fantastic and that’s easy to keep that way.
Built-In Features
Seating, planters, and storage areas can be built-in to have less movable furniture on deck. Take built-in benches, for example. With them, you don’t need separate furniture that you’d have to move and clean during bad weather. Fewer movable elements equals less wear and tear, plus built-in features usually go great with decks.
Integrated Lighting
This is very important for any outdoor space, and when it comes to modern decks, they usually have integrated lighting systems that are built into the structure itself. LED lighting is a fantastic, eco-friendly option. Embed the lighting into railing, seating, or steps, and it will look modern without taking up space.
Designing a low-maintenance deck doesn’t have to be complicated. The right materials, a few key pieces of furniture and you’ll have a deck you’ll spend more time relaxing on than maintaining. Use the seven tips above, alongside a little bit of careful planning, in order to get the deck of your dreams!
Share this:
Like this: