Homeowners tend to duplicate the design and comfort of the interior in their outdoor rooms. Outdoor rooms also serve as transitional and shared living spaces. Although 80% of homeowners consider outdoor rooms their favorite areas in the home and spend more time in the backyard than in 70% of the home, one of the main concerns that remains is storage. Adequate storage helps eliminate the necessity for constant movement from the main house to the outdoor area for supplies and other items. Some of the most popular outdoor spaces include kitchens, patios, bars, wine rooms, and fire pit seating areas.

Outdoor living can serve several purposes. Most homeowners add this space for their own enjoyment. However, others may also entertain in their outdoor spaces or seek to maximize the value and square footage of their property. Some of the changes in the outdoor market has appeared in the types of materials, such as the general move from wood decking to composite decking. Also, outdoor kitchens, railing, and lighting have advanced in complexity over the years.

The traditional material for decking was wood. This material is easy to install and can be painted or stained in different colors. The disadvantages to wood is that it can warp, rot, and splinter. Wood may also require relatively more maintenance than other materials. Composite material (wood fiber and plastic combination) is also easy to install, resists termites, and requires less sealing or maintenance than wood, but may still have moisture problems. Composites may stain, mold, or mildew. It is also a relatively heavy material. Vinyl (PVC) is lightweight, low maintenance, and will not splinter or rot. PVC has the most imperviousness to moisture of the available decking materials. However, PVC from some manufacturers can have fade issues, especially in direct sunlight and can go rigid in cold temperatures and is sensitive to movement or swings in the temperature. Darker PVC colors are more susceptible to expansion and contraction. Additionally, PVC is usually more expensive than composites. There is also capped composites that don’t splinter or rot and are usually less expensive than PVC. However, they are dense and very heavy. Darker colors may get hot and retain the heat. Capped composites may have a core that can still have moisture issues. Wood fiber cores tend to have the most moisture issues. There are other cores resistant to moisture like a PVC core or stranded plastics mixed with fine wood fiber particles.

The use of composite and PVC is growing, while pressure-treated wood is declining for decking. Although hardwood is less common, some of the most popular hardwood decking are ipe, cedar, and redwood. Even less common is aluminum decking. Some ideas for decking include double-sided decking for elevated decks. Using variegated boards with a variation in color and texture helps create a more realistic appearance. Mixing colors and accent colors are other options. Another idea is to use inlay designs. Homeowners may also want to have an under deck dry space. Laminate photo film is still another option.

When it comes to selecting your railing for your deck or other outside space, you might be interested in using wood, steel, composite, vinyl, or CPVC. Wood railing has the same benefits as decking and would be subject to similar warping, rotting, and splintering concerns as decking. Wood can result in a very strong structural component. Steel railing is very sturdy with a slimmer profile. However, steel rusts easily and the powder coating can peel or chip. Vinyl is another railing material that was first introduced on horse farms because horses would not try to bite the material. Since vinyl is moisture resistant, it is also popular in coastal applications. Vinyl railing is considered by some to have the best value price point and ease of installation. Yet, it can have a flimsy structure and may have a connotation of being “cheap,” because dark colors fade quickly. Composite railing looks like traditional wood with hidden brackets, yet may have moisture issues, fading, cracking, and peeling issues. Composite have a higher price point and requires more installation time in relation to other types of railing material. Other types of railings are Cellular (CPVC) Railing Systems and PVC extrusions comprised of an aluminum channel support system inside. CPVC features the traditional look of composite, but also has the durability of vinyl. This railing material is usually less expensive than composite and easy to install. CPVC could be a good selection in harsh condition. If your home or business is located in a saltwater environment, you might prefer an aluminum railing system with an AAMA 2604 powder coating that includes a warranty.

If you have a great view, using glass or cable railing will allow you to preserve the view. Many homeowners are favoring these options to achieve slimmer profiles just for this reason. These types of railings maintains the view and provides a relatively more contemporary appearance to your structure.

Another idea is to add a pergola to your backyard environment. Pergolas or screened porches tend to match the color and texture of the railing. Whether you have a pergola or decking, you want to ensure that you have adequate lighting in your outdoor space. Lighting can add to the both the safety and aesthetics of outdoor living. Incandescent warm light tends to be the most desired lighting type as it reflects the lighting used for many years within the home interior, but is considered inefficient because the bulbs burn out more quickly as compared to a number of other lighting sources. Solar is an option that requires no wiring, is easy to install, and inexpensive. However, solar may not render a light that is bright enough for your outdoor activities. Hard wired lights will give you more brightness and lighting options, but issues are more difficult to fix. Another no-wire option is low voltage LED lighting. There are plug-together LED lighting systems that use no wiring. Other features could include remote controlled lighting or solar LEDs. LEDs have made advances since their introduction in producing warmer tones that reminds one of sunlight. Exterior LEDs with warmer light may even be designed to mimic and mirror your interior fixtures. Because of these characteristics, LEDs can easily be used to increase safety and the aesthetics of steps, paths, and flush ground/deck lighting.

Other options for lighting include smart security lighting. Lighting is used most frequently on decks/patios spaces. Other frequently used areas are steps, seating areas, and railings/post caps. Less popular, but also seen, is accent lighting on trees, shrubs, fountains, etc.

A freestanding grill may be sufficient for some outdoor kitchens. A more luxurious setup might include a masonry unit with built-in appliances and other inserts. Some of these could be full enclosures or door with frame inserts. Stainless steel inserts have the added feature of cabinet inserts that are aesthetically pleasing and non-combustible. However, homeowners should keep in mind that stainless steel is stain resistant, not stain proof. In saltwater environments near the beach, even marine grade stainless steel inserts is still be susceptible to corrosion, especially over time. Although you may have lots of countertop space with masonry units, storage tend to be minimal with little to no dry storage. In addition, masonry units are permanent, time-consuming installations at considerable expense.

Custom built wood cabinets are a luxurious material for outdoor kitchens. However, wood can be high maintenance and relatively expensive. One way to avoid wood that may root and warp is to seal and refinish the wood each year. Another material, PVC/HDPE, will also give you color and size options to the point of resembling interior cabinets. Despite these, these cabinets are combustible and relatively expensive. If you have a grill, you must use an insulator and a deeper grill cabinet, rather than standard size cabinet.

Still another material is aluminum, modular cabinets that supply additional storage for a lower price point with an installation that results in a modern look. These cabinets come fully assembled and have low maintenance requirements. Aluminum, modular cabinets have the added benefit of being non-combustible. Architectural grade AAMA2604 finishes are available for harsh environments. Other possible options to obtain a more luxurious outdoor spaces are adding amenities like a Kamado grill, a mobile cart, a pizza oven, a drop-in grill, a fire pit, an outdoor fireplace, gazebos, trellises, pavers, a pool, a hot tub, decorative water element like a fountain, movable window walls, multislide or bifold glass doors, television/video monitors, and audio systems.

Selecting decking for your outdoor living space involves first determining the right type of decking for the project, followed by selecting the color and design of the decking material. Mixing colors, adding curves, and adding layers are all ways to give variation to your decking design. For instance, you could design a picture frame in a different color, providing contrast and interest to your deck design. You could also go beyond the typical deck and more towards a living space by adding layers for seating and dining. Because minimizing movement is one of the goals of building a secure deck, using a specialized contractor is especially important when adding curves into your deck. A specialized contractor can also reduce the tedious nature of any other complex areas of building a deck. For example, a knowledgeable contractor might break up long runs of board lengths of staggered butt joints with soldiers or breaker boards, especially when using PVC. Besides resulting in a more finished appearance when using complementary color deck boards as the borders for this design, these steps could minimize your call backs to the contractor to fix future problems.

Using a mix of materials for your railing results in a more high-end look. One option is aluminum balusters with vinyl railing. Although tending to have a higher price tag, you might also be interested in a glass railing designs that delivers an almost seamless view. Glass is available in precut sizes from the railing manufacturer or you could purchase customized glass from a local glass fabricator. Another way to optimize your view, is to use vertical cable railing. Vertical cable railing are usually preassembled, making it quicker and easier to install. Including cross-over posts helps to achieve a continuous, uninterrupted view. Drink rails give your guests a place to set down drinks. Avoid using horizontal cable railing because of the ‘ladder effect’ where children may attempt to climb on the railing and use as a jungle gym or playset. Horizontal cable railings may also sag over time.

The right ambiance for entertaining can be partly achieved with your lighting selection. Light is also an important functional aspect of any outdoor living space, especially after dark. A popular choice is LED low voltage. Lighting can be designed to be installed in your railing, decking, outdoor kitchens, and landscapes. Railing can include illuminated post caps, under rail lighting, post-mounted down lighting. Landscaping or hardscaping areas can have lighting along pathways, yard decorations, and ornaments. Additional techniques are hooded stair lighting, lighting inset flush into the deck boards, stair lighting in the risers, and dimmers. Other zones to contemplate pre-installing lighting to illuminate an outdoor kitchen might include LED strips under the counter and side mounted lights attached to the cabinets. Increase the utility of functional areas by including lights around grills, cooking surfaces, food prep, or eating areas.

Using modular cabinets for your outdoor kitchen is a way to resemble an interior kitchen, incorporate a stone or masonry unit appearance, or add more storage. Colors are available to match or accent decking and railing. If you plan to have a functioning sink or grill to enhance your seating and entertaining areas, make sure that you consider how to run gas and water lines on your property.

Many outdoor living spaces are designed around the kitchen, similar to the way houses may be designed around a kitchen. Begin your outdoor kitchen layout by determining zones for seating areas. You will also have to find out the location of or run gas or water lines and consider material use. Although some outdoor kitchens may have other layouts due to limited space, using a kitchen triangle increases efficiency. The refrigerator, range or cooktop, and sink should form three points of a triangle. No leg of the triangle should be greater than 10’. Objects like cabinets and kitchen islands should not obstruct any of the triangle legs.

Zones for an outdoor kitchen may include hot, cold, wet, and dry zones. Hot zones include grills, cooktops, pizza ovens, etc. Cold zones are refrigerators, freezers, wine chillers, etc. Wet zones include sinks, ice reservoirs, and coolers. Dry zones include prep areas/counters and cabinets/storage. Although these are not fixed rules, you might want to use a galley layout for a small kitchen. Some zones may work better next to each other. For example, you may not want to have your cooking area right next to your wet or cold area, but might transition with a dry area used for prep between these areas.

Galley kitchens work well for small to medium, budget-friendly spaces with one cook. This setup allows for a dining or seating area in a separate location. With two or more cooks, you might prefer an L-shape layout for a medium to large size kitchen. This larger size can incorporate extra appliances like a sink or refrigerator. You could also include a buffet, bar, or seating area for entertaining. For even more entertaining space, you might opt for a U-shape for an extra-large outdoor kitchen. The U-shape allows for a freestanding kitchen with a seating/bar/serving area on an outside counter and multiple appliances. Appliances could include a grill, refrigerator, and sink. Including an island or bar unit can offer additional entertainment areas. This makes your outdoor kitchen more of an entertainment hub. If you plan to grill or prep on the same counter as seating, consider adding a raised counter to separate these areas and increase safety. A mobile cart can also add a nice touch for prep or storage.

Homeowners should be aware that synthetic decking is scratch resistant, not scratch proof. Therefore, add felt or plastic sliders to the bottom of furniture to avoid direct contact of metal against synthetic decks. Also, chemicals can discolor decking, so check the manual or with the manufacturer to be sure of the correct cleaning method and supplies. Bug sprays or sunscreens in metal cans may contain plasticizers that can melt and discolor decks. In addition, rubber mats can trap moisture, resulting in white deck marks. Instead, use cloth or woven mats that allow the evaporation of moisture. If you would like to determine the durability of a deck for a particular use, ask the manufacturer for deck scraps and test these samples.

Poor deck ledger board connections are responsible for 90% of deck failures. The ledger connection to the main house is one of the most critical elements in deck construction. Simply nailing a ledger to the house is not an adequate connection. The builder must flash and properly attach this part of the decking. The proper attachment method will depend on building type, material type, and site conditions. Another consideration is that darker colors get hotter in temperature and denser boards, like composites, stay hotter for a longer period of time than a lower density board like PVC. Boards with these characteristics can take hours to cool off. If your deck will receive sun for the greater part of the day, you might want to select a lighter color and lower density material. Additionally, the proper, manufacturer-approved fasteners will allow the deck to have the normal amount of expansion and contraction after installation. Synthetic deck boards, especially PVC boards, tend to move more than other types, these boards can be locked down with fasteners rather than allowing the board to float. Codes may vary in your local area, but a common one is to place fasteners at least 16” on center and preferably 12”. Also, fasten close to the end of the deck board to minimize movement.

Railing should comply with the appropriate codes from the IRC & ICC. Although your local codes may vary, railing height should be 36” or 42” high with balusters less than 4” on center and appropriate rise over run formulas. Your contractor should use proper installation, proper railing height, stair tread, and baluster spacing. Attach posts to frame correctly, noting the structural capacity of posts and post leaves. Posts will likely need to be shimmed and mounted over 2x4 wood posts. Since not all post caps are the same, measure the inside dimensions. Your goals should be to have accurate measurements and clean cuts. If you select cable railing, you should be aware that it is a safety hazard for young children that might attempt to climb them, especially on second story decks. If possible, use only multi-angle brackets as they are easier to install and have a more streamlined appearance. Another precaution is to use secondary handrails.

In selecting outdoor lighting, you should consider safety, ambiance, and energy efficiency. Some popular choices include path lights, landscape lights, spotlights, or uplighting to add visual emphasis. If you use your outdoor living space after sunset, you will want to make sure to illuminate pathways, seating areas, and cooking and prep areas, as well as exit and entry areas of deck and landscapes. The detail and design of lighting can add to the ambiance of your outdoor space. Landscape lighting like spotlights or uplighting can also add accents to the architectural details of the building exterior.

Regardless of lighting type, exterior lighting requires proper planning. You could end up with not having adequate lighting, the wrong light color or temperature, or even too much lighting. If you use two different brands to light your backyard for the same light, this may result in unintentional contrasts between each lighting brand having different color temperatures. Special consideration should be given to the color of the lighting. For example, bright white LEDs have a bluish light can appear too bright or unnatural. Warmer, more natural tones of light provide a better ambiance and avoid strains on your eyes. One of the best ways to approach your exterior lighting design is to develop a plan or layout. This schematic plan should include lighting elements, electrical lines, and the location of lights. You might also want to complete the lighting installation in stages.

Outdoor kitchen cabinets should have sealed storage. Some countertop materials are granite, aluminum, soapstone, and quartz. If you are concerned about yellowing from UV exposure, you could select a resin countertop. Outdoor kitchens that are located on rooftops might require cabinets to be strapped down based on the wind load.