Written by Michelle Adams | Photographed by Marta X. Perez and Michelle Adams

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Brought To You By Our Friends At TimberTech

Lonny editor Michelle Adams transformed her deck, and added some much-needed curb appeal.

I couldn't be more excited to share Part Two of my renovation series with you all! As a follow up to our backyard transformation in Part One, our team raced to design, build, and capture photos of our new deck before autumn gives way to winter. While I certainly could have waited until spring, our existing deck was, in all honesty, really bumming me out. Visible from most rooms in our home, the chunky (and rotting) wood railing was the first thing we saw when we looked out of our windows, and it blocked the peaceful views of our property. It was also in need of structural repair, and was plagued with nail pops and uneven deck boards. Understandably, my husband and I didn't want to hang out there barefoot, and we were constantly worried about our pups getting splinters. What's more, the unfinished space underneath was open and visible, and encouraged critters to nest there. So, it was time for a change. 

What completely sold me on TimberTech was that their deck boards are engineered to look and feel like wood, yet are primarily made from recycled materials. Our deck alone is made from over 110,000 plastic bags that would have otherwise been diverted to a landfill.

Since our deck irked me from the day we moved in, I spent a lot of time doing research, gathering several quotes, and studying a big pile of samples. I had decided early on that I'd like to use a thin cable railing to showcase the incredible views on our property, and while researching cable design options I discovered TimberTech. Initially, I was drawn to the brand since they offer traditional styles of rail posts that help keep the cable railing from feeling too modern or cold. What completely sold me on TimberTech was that their deck boards are engineered to look and feel like wood, yet are primarily made from recycled materials. Our deck alone is made from over 110,000 plastic bags that would have otherwise been diverted to a landfill. 110,000! The deck is also incredibly low maintenance, and will look just as good twenty years from now as it does today. Our decision was made. We worked with the talented teams at TimberTech and Custom Deck Creations to build a deck that will last.

Before

Before, thick deck railing dominated the view of our yard and cheapened the look of our home, while nail pops, splinters, and loose deck boards created an unsafe environment for bare feet and our pups.

After

Michelle’s Deck Design Tips

Choose the Right Materials

Select materials that suit your climate and maintenance preferences. Here in Michigan, we get a lot of rain and snow which can quickly wear down a wood deck. We love that we'll never have to sand, stain, or seal our TimberTech deck and that it will look just as great twenty years from now. 

Consider Your Interiors

If your deck is visible from your windows, ideally, its design should complement the interior of your home. Given our dark wood floors and abundant walnut furniture indoors, we opted for a rich mocha-colored deck to extend this aesthetic outdoors. Additionally, we selected deck railing posts with classic trim detailing, mirroring the traditional millwork found inside our home.

Soften The Edges with Greenery

Whether real or faux, nothing brings a deck to life quite like greenery. I’m in love with the boxwood ball planters by NDI. They’re as low maintenance as the deck itself!

Light it Up

Create a bit of magic and extend the usability of your deck into the evening with well-designed lighting. Candles, string lights, lanterns, and built-in deck lights add ambiance and function. 

Consider Your View

When selecting a deck railing, you have the option to maximize your view with cable or glass insert railings, which essentially disappear, or you can choose to add character with a fun pattern like a classic Chippendale geometric rail.

Get The Look