Spending time on your deck through the summer months is almost an American tradition. Everyone dreams of long days spent on a deck, hanging out with friends and family.

Thinking about adding one for your home? The key to having a deck you enjoy and use for years to come is planning and making the choices that will last.

What will you use your deck for?

Have a clear idea of what you are planning on using your deck for to make sure the finished product will work best for you. 

Dreaming of family meals outside? Make sure you have about 4 feet around the table so people can comfortably walk.

Have barbecues and cocktail parties in mind? Consider adding a prep station and serving area plus seating around the perimeter.

Just want to relax?  Create an area for lounge chairs and a low table in a comfortable spot.

Once you know what you’ll be using your deck for, test drive the area with stakes and string outlining the space. Place furniture inside to see if there is enough room and to see if you like the layout.

Consider your material choices

Your contractor will be a great resource for selecting what type of material you use on your deck. Still, a little research will help you make an informed decision. Typically, decks are made from pressure-treated wood, composite, PVC, or cedar or redwood. Each of these options has pros and cons. If you prioritize easy-care, choose manufactured boards. If looks are most important to you, wood will be your best choice. A little research will help you choose a material that will give you what you’re looking for. 

Don’t forget local rules and regulations

Many aspects of deck construction and design are covered by local codes. Homeowners associations also often have guidelines about aesthetic choices that can cover materials, finishes, and handrail appearance. Since your deck will probably be visible for everyone to see, violations could be expensive to correct and worse, could lead to disaster if it isn’t constructed properly. 

Give Great Goats Landscaping a Call

Ready to add a deck of your own? Give us a call today to set up a free consultation. We can design and built the deck of your dreams, and you’ll be enjoying summer cookouts before you know it.

Some people love working in the yards. Others love relaxing in their yards and would rather have things take care of themselves as much as possible.
Low-maintenance yards are popular for a variety of reasons and can be just as eye-catching as a more manicured home.

And it’s easy to see why!

Choosing fuss-free options give you more time to enjoy the aspects of your yard that you love. 

Ditch some of your lawn

Less lawn means less work. That’s one of the best reasons for adding hardscaping – that is, using pavers, brick, or decorative stone. Whether you choose a patio, garden path, or something else, you’ll have a durable surface that requires very little maintenance for many years.

Plant once and be done

We love perennials! Year after year they bloom and grow without needing to be planted annually. Choose plants that are hardy in your USDA growing zone. Once they’re established, you won’t have to worry about them for years to come. 

Prioritize native plants

Plants that are native to your area will perform best and require less care. Native plants will also need less fertilizer, water, and pesticides than plants that have been brought into the area. 

Consider evergreens

There’s no better way to add vivid color to your yard year-round than with evergreen plants and shrubs. Dwarf varieties are perfect in flower beds near the house if there is some element you want to disguise.

Choose fewer with a bigger impact

Instead of filling a bed with lots of plants that will need to be tended regularly, choose a few high-impact plants that will perform well. With just a few plants to care for, you’ll have more time to do the things you enjoy.

Don’t forget to mulch

Taking a little time in the spring to mulch around your plants will cut down on your weeding for the rest of the year. Plus, using organic materials will add nutrients to your plants as they break down. The more time you spend upfront adding mulch, the less time you’ll need to spend battling weeds though the summer. 

Doesn’t sound like you?

If these ideas don’t sound like the yard your envisioning, but you also don’t want to spend your free time working in your yard, consider our yard and flowerbed maintenance program. Let us take care of the work for you.

Give Great Goats Landscaping a Call to design minimal maintenance landscaping

The team at Great Goats Landscaping has years of experience creating yards that fit their clients’ expectations. Whether you want a perfectly manicured look or something more natural and low-maintenance, we can design and install the yard of your dreams. Give us a call to talk for a risk-free consultation.