The Fort Wayne deck replacement featured here reminds us just how much deck design has changed over the decades! If you didn’t know our language or culture, you might not understand that the Before and After images you see here are both called DECKS! How can two structures that look so different both go by the same name? Deck design has come a long way over the years in terms of materials and design elements like railings and stairs.
Is this beautiful low-maintenance deck giving you any ideas about replacing an older deck at your home? Give us a call!
Here at Archadeck of Fort Wayne, we design and build a consistent mix of new wood decks and low-maintenance composite/synthetic decks. We know some homeowners will always remain loyal to wood decks, inherently preferring natural wood as a building material. When their old decks need replacing, they will choose wood again. We applaud them for staying true to their personal preferences.
Popularity of Low-Maintenance Decks in Fort Wayne, IN
Meanwhile, we notice the balance shifting—across the board (pardon the pun)—as more and more Northeastern Indiana homeowners replace wood decks with low-maintenance decks. The allure of having a deck that will look great for many years with little effort on the homeowner’s part is powerful! As your Fort Wayne deck builder, we can help you select the specific low-maintenance decking that’s right for your budget and reflects your personal style.
You may be aware that today’s composite and synthetic decking materials look more like wood than they did when they were first introduced. Structurally, these “newer” materials have improved over the years in other ways, too. (They’re not actually “new” any longer! Composite decking has been around for more than 20 years.) Today’s composite and PVC decking boards resist damage from moisture and termites. They resist stains, scratches and fading, too—which is great, because with a wide array of colors available, who wants their deck to fade?
Design Updates Whisk Homeowners into the 21st Century
The Fort Wayne clients whose deck you see pictured here were indeed ready for a design change. Their wooden deck was 25-30 years old. Not only were they due for a style update, no one ever said a wood deck would last that many years. It was becoming a safety hazard.
— Before (existing deck before project began).
Their deck overlooks a pool (notice the blue tarp) and they were interested in a design that opened out to the pool and the yard. They wanted minimal railings for a thoroughly open aesthetic. We created a custom deck design featuring broad, flared steps that are about 30 ft. wide. Not only does the flared design open up the deck’s face, these extra-deep steps are easier to use than traditional stairs.
For their low-maintenance decking boards, the homeowners chose AZEK decking in Autumn Chestnut with AZEK Brazilian Walnut trim—both from AZEK’s Arbor collection. We designed the main deck surface with a picture-frame border for contrast. The railing on the sides of the deck is a black Westbury aluminum railing. The darker color helps this railing “disappear” from the scene, so it’s there for safety but hardly noticeable.
Custom features on this deck include bench seating on one side and a drink rail on the other side. Bench seating is a great way to accommodate more guests on a deck without taking up a lot of space for additional chairs. It looks like these homeowners are ready to entertain!
Archadeck of Fort Wayne is northeast Indiana’s premier designer and builder of beautiful, high-quality outdoor living spaces. If you are interested in learning how we can design the perfect deck for your home, call us today at (855) 931-4746.
— Craig Whitman, owner at Archadeck of Fort Wayne.