Things to Consider When Planning Your Decking in Boulder

Your porch may require some maintenance or renovations. Now is the ideal time to look for the best lumber in Boulder so you can find the right wood that suits your porch needs and exterior aesthetic. You want to make the right choices in your materials and design strategies, so your home’s curb appeal increases and your porch is functional for you, your family, and your guests to enjoy using it. 

When planning your porch for your old or new home, you will need to consider important guidelines so you do everything right. If you fail to consider all factors around your porch building, you could end up in trouble or put your own or other people’s safety at risk due to structural integrity issues. 

Avoid the potential harms of improper porch design by implementing these strategies: 

Depending on your area, your municipality may have some established regulations which limit the sizing or construction of porches. This could because your residential area includes homes being within tight proximity to one another, so your patio could become an obstacle or a nuisance to your nearby neighbors. If your property was constructed several decades ago, your homeowner’s association might conclude your house is too old and fragile to have a porch added to it. 

Contact your local association or consult with experts in Boulder hardware stores who may have the necessary insights on building and installation permits in your area. You can determine what is passable and what is forbidden when it comes to building your porch. Perhaps you’re allowed to make a wrap-around but can not expand its sizing in the future. By calling a helpline, emailing legislators or organizations committed to homeowners, or talking in-person to experts, you can determine how to proceed with your building. 

You will likely undergo an inspection or home assessment before you can start building. This is a security measure that will protect you and others from any potential harm resulting from improper porch building. With an inspection completed and the thumbs up from legislators, you can abstain from the necessary rights and documents that confirm your ability to build your beautiful exterior porch. 

Ask yourself this question as you outline your porch building specifications. How big do you need it to be? Do you plan to host on your porch? In that case, you may want it to include several levels or one large open space where your guests can socialize and enjoy themselves. Or, is your porch just for you and your family to enjoy bonding times? You may choose to install a pool without needing much sitting space so you can enjoy your time with your loved ones doing fun water activities. The options for how you can use your porch are endless, but you need to have them defined so you can determine your required sizing and materials. 

You’ll generally want enough space on your porch for furnishings and easy, safe movement around. You may also require railings depending on the height of your installation. Will the entire construction be an open concept? Or will you want a screened section with door fixtures and windows so you can escape the bugs or enjoy some shade? These are all questions you should consider before making your final design choices. 

When it comes to your building materials, you have more options. You can choose between: 

• Easy to use
• Can be easily stained with your choice of coloring and waterproofed
• Tends to corrode easily over time and potentially warp or crack
• High-maintenance

• Pre-treated, texturized, and colored for your convenience
• Long-lasting and will not warp or crack from time or weather conditions
• May not appear as authentic wood
• Easily stained or scratched

• Trimming material that is resistant to moisture
• Will not warp or rot 
• Easily cleaned and maintained
• May be more plastic-looking and less realistic

• Repels insects
• Fades into a greyish shade
• Higher maintenance for waterproofing 

By visiting a retailer that offers Trex decking in Boulder and other material options, you can gather the necessary resources, including railing, doors, screening, wind fixtures, that you’ll need for constructing your porch. 

When designing your porch, remember to consider where you will find the best outdoor views around your home. Choose between the East side of your house for enjoying your cup of coffee while watching the sunrise or the west side for colorful sunset views. The front of your home may look over a beautiful lake, or your backyard could hold an entire oasis of greenery and plants that make you feel one with nature. You’ll be much more saturated with your porch design while observing the beauty of your surroundings. 

While the wood materials are enough to make your porch visually-appealing, you should add decorative finishing touches that demonstrate your pride in your craftsmanship and make your porch an enjoyable space. Surround your patio with lighting that sets the right mood. You could include sensory lighting or plug lovely twinkle lights for a more whimsical effect. If you’ve built a gazebo, consider adding a central lighting fixture, like an elegant chandelier, for a high-quality look. 

Include comfortable furniture for your hosting needs or outdoor eating. Choose chairs and stools with comfortable cushioning, or add lounge chairs for sun-bathing. Why not go big and add that tv to create an entire outdoor living area so you can get the best of both worlds? 

When it comes to your porch design, you will ultimately need it to be safe, functional, and well-built. This will be where you bond with your family, friends, and neighbors, so don’t hold back. You'll end creating a high-end outdoor space that could boost your property’s value if you ever sell. Create the porch of your dreams with no regrets.