A remarkable deck or pergola will transform your backyard into the space your family and friends gather all summer long.
Achieving this requires careful planning and the right design decisions from the beginning of the project. Every element, from the decking product and railing system to the pergola, the stairs, and the privacy features, plays a role in how the finished outdoor space looks and functions.
Here’s every element you should consider before investing in the deck or pergola you’ve always dreamed of.
The Foundation of a Showstopping Deck: Your Decking Product
The decking product you choose sets the tone for the whole backyard. It determines how your deck looks, how it feels underfoot, and how much work it takes to maintain over the years.
Standard composite decking is reliable, but if you want a deck that feels truly remarkable, a premium capped PVC product is worth the investment. Where a standard composite plank is thin and flat, a premium capped PVC product has a thick, substantial edge that looks and feels like real lumber. The exotic wood-look colourways are beautiful, and unlike natural wood, they don’t require ongoing maintenance to stay that way.
The layout and pattern matters just as much as the product itself. In the Riverdale Deck and Pergola, we used an alternating colour pattern with picture framing around the perimeter, which gives the deck a custom, finished look that would be difficult to achieve with a standard product.
The decking product separates a good deck from a great one, and it’s worth considering carefully, before a board is laid. Check out the decking product we used for our Riverdale project:
Extending Your Outdoor Season: Louvered Roofs and Screen Systems
Edmonton’s summers are short, which makes the pergola above your deck a smart decision.
A fixed wood pergola is beautiful, but a powered louvered roof takes your outdoor space to another level entirely. The louvers adjust to control how much light and air comes through- fully open on a warm summer evening, half-open for shade on a sunny day, and completely watertight when rain starts to pour. In the Patricia Heights Pergola, we installed an aluminum-clad louvered pergola that gives the homeowners near four-season use of their deck.
We paired the louvered pergola with a retractable screen system, to make the space even more versatile.
When the bugs come out or the sun gets too intense, the screens drop down to create a comfortable, sheltered environment without closing the space off entirely. It’s an amazing upgrade that most people don’t consider when they start planning a deck, but once they experience it, they never want to go without it.
Choosing the Right Railing System: A Perfect Balance of Views and Safety
The railing system you choose affects how your deck feels and looks. Here are the main options to consider:
- Topless glass: This railing boasts minimal posts, no top rail, and an almost completely unobstructed view. The most visually open system available and the ideal choice for a deck that backs onto a ravine, a green space, or any beautiful backyard.
- Framed glass: This is a similar open, modern aesthetic with a bit more structure. A great choice for the sides and ends of a deck where clean design is still a priority, but an unobstructed view isn’t essential.
- Aluminum spindle: Spindles are durable, low maintenance, and available in a range of finishes that complement almost any exterior design.
The right approach is often a considered combination of systems: using the most visually striking option where it makes the biggest impact, and complementing it with other systems elsewhere to create a cohesive finish across the entire deck.
In the Patricia Heights Pergola, we used a topless glass system along the main elevation, showcasing the amazing ravine views and a framed glass system on the other two sides.
For a closer look at these remarkable railing systems in action, click here.
Integrating a Hot Tub Into Your Deck: What to Consider Before You Build
A hot tub integrated into your deck is one of the most luxurious upgrades you can make to your backyard, but it requires careful planning from the start.
The biggest oversight homeowners make is wanting their deck designed around the hot tub without thinking about what happens when the tub needs to be serviced or replaced.
Every hot tub needs access to its panels, pumps, and control board. If your deck is built in a way that blocks that access, you’ll be tearing boards out every time something needs attention. In the Riverdale Deck, we designed a removable step that gives easy access to the front panel, and made one set of privacy screens fully removable so the tub can be serviced or removed from the other end without having to disassemble the deck.
Here are the key things to consider when integrating a hot tub into your deck:
- Front panel access: Ensure the pump and control board can be reached without removing decking.
- Removable elements: Make sure that steps, screens, or posts can be taken out when needed.
- Full removal access: Plan for how the tub could get out if it ever needs to be replaced.
A well-designed deck should outlast your hot tub, and with the right planning, it will.
Designing The Deck Stairs: Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative
Stairs can be one of the most overlooked opportunities in the entire deck design.
Most decks end up with a standard straight staircase, but a great design team can make the stairs one of the most remarkable features on the entire deck.
In the Waterton Estates Backyard Transformation, we designed an asymmetrical staircase with platforms on either side for built-in storage and display. The fascia of the stairs was finished to match the storage compartments, tying the whole design together. LED lighting on the risers helps with visibility at night and creates a warm ambient glow that makes the stairs stand out.
Here are a few details worth considering when designing your deck stairs:
- Asymmetrical layouts and curved steps: Consider a creative configuration that adds storage, display opportunities, and a custom design detail to your deck.
- Fascia and riser details: The fascia and risers are a great chance to add a custom finish that ties the deck together.
- LED riser lighting: Choosing the right lighting is essential for safety and creates a calming atmosphere.
When you’re planning your deck, the stairs are one of the easiest places to add a custom detail that sets the whole project apart! Check out the spectacular Waterton Estates deck stairs:
Creating Privacy in Your Backyard: Screens and Landscaping
In Edmonton’s urban neighbourhoods, the homes are close together and it can feel like your backyard is on display. Privacy is a priority in many of our clients’ backyard renovations, and the challenge is creating that privacy without making the space feel closed off or small.
Our goal is always to look for creative solutions that add privacy while also adding to the overall design of the deck.
Privacy screens are one of the most effective and aesthetic options available. Rather than building one large screen wall across the entire deck, a staggered panel system gives you the privacy you need while keeping the backyard open and airy.
Landscaping works beautifully alongside staggered privacy screens to fill in the gaps. In the Riverdale Deck and Pergola, we planted aspens directly between the privacy screen panels. They stay slender, grow quickly, and tie into the overall design in a way that feels natural. Once they fill in, they add another layer of privacy while creating a beautiful, lush backdrop for the entire backyard.
Need a little professional advice as you plan your dream renovation?
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