The Best Deck for a Coastal Home

Whether you’re building a new deck for your coastal home or putting together your perfect beach house, the deck is among your most important features. It’s how you enjoy the cool ocean air and the sweeping vistas from living near the water. But you need to select and treat your deck carefully, or you could waste this opportunity or give yourself a huge maintenance headache. Here’s our guide to picking the perfect deck to live by the water.

What To Avoid

First, let’s start with common missteps. Your coastal deck is going to be subjected to a particularly high level of wear and tear. Heavy winds are going to batter it with salt, sand, and moisture, and during the winter your home is subjected to brutal cold and heavy ice. If you don’t choose a durable material and protect it properly, you’re looking at warping, splintering, and fading.

Despite their popularity, you should avoid cedar decks since they already have a short lifespan before wearing them down. While they do look great, they’re easily damaged by UV rays and are prone to splintering.

Make sure that you can afford to effectively seal and coat your deck with premium protective materials on a regular basis. A larger deck will require more coating, so make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew in terms of size.

Layout

The most common features of a coastal deck are wide open spaces with minimalist features. If you can do so safely, avoid guide rails, walls, and embedded features so that you can enjoy the scenery and space. A flat surface will also provide less exposure to the wind and elements. The most common feature you want in a coastal deck is for it to feel like an extension of your interior, creating a seamless connection to the outdoors.

The Best Materials

Composite decking should be your first consideration when selecting your material. It’s your most cost-effective option for durability. Composite decks are moisture and UV-resistant and come with the strongest protective resin. Composite is also the most flexible material, enabling a wide range of styles, looks, and layouts.

Redwood is an excellent alternative to cedar; its color lasts longer and its less prone to water damage. It also provides that same visual flair as cedar, blending seamlessly into natural vistas. It is among the more expensive options, but you’re paying for long-term durability.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, springing for ipe is a great option. It’s among the hardest wood to build from and comes with a deep, rich red color. As an Amazonian hardwood, it’s extremely resistant to moisture, providing premium longevity. However, this comes with a high price tag.

Whether you’re building the beach house of your dreams or renovating a seaside deck, we have the expertise to ensure longevity, durability, and strength. Contact us today to begin revitalizing your exterior.