How to Give an Old Deck New Life

Any deck that is in the most beautiful location will never be used much by its owners if it is not attractive and convenient to access. A cramped grilling space and dining area will create an unwelcome atmosphere and experience for guests. A deck surface that has a serious splinter problem will not encourage family members to carry on activities outdoors.

However, there are solutions to such problems in the form of deck improvement ideas or techniques that will revitalize an older deck:

1. Adding just a small addition constructed from the same type of lumber and finished in a similar way as the existing deck can not only improve the comfort level but it can easily also dramatically improve the look of the surrounding landscape. The addition could extend at an angle or wrap around a corner of the house or be a step up or down from the existing old deck. Any of these possibilities will tend to add some drama or flair to the other deck space as well as the entire landscape.

2. Make the move to consider mixing materials. A ground level flagstone, interlocking stone or brick surface will easily complement an existing cedar or redwood platform deck. Container plants or flower beds can become colorful borders or links to the 2 areas.

3. If there is no room adjacent to the old deck, construct a detached deck area a short distance away and link the 2 by means of some kind of natural stone path bordered by shrubs and colorful plantings. Think about erecting a latticework arbor as a potential linking structure between the two. Climbing plants and vines can be used to inject color and interest to the area. Add low level lighting to illuminate the connecting path in the evening.

4. Extend the deck into the garden area so that it becomes more of an integral part of the entire backyard landscape design.

5. Create an addition that extends into the yard and provides the room for a firepit, bench seating and loads of warmth and conversation.

6. Extend the deck into the yard and incorporate some type of water feature into its design that will provide a quiet nook for relaxation and the calming sounds of water movement.

7. Build a deck extension over that old concrete slab using sleepers as a supporting framework and saving oodles of money by not having to remove those aging slabs of concrete.

8. If the concrete slabs have to be broken up why not recycle them and use the pieces for a garden wall bordering the new deck addition.

9. Power wash the old deck surface to remove layers of built-up dirt and expose fresh wood fibers which will in turn make the surface look like new. Apply a protective coating finish such as a sealer or sealer combined with a stain to the old deck and do the same for the new deck addition.

10.Be creative and use container plants, bench seating, planter boxes or wide steps to link the old and new decks.

Deck improvement ideas are simple but clever ways to enhance the overall look of outdoor living spaces and make those areas more condusive for use and enjoyment for homeowners and their families.