Building a deck

Southern Living, Oct 2001 by Belden, Derick

Turn an uninviting backyard into the perfect spot for relaxing.

Outdoor living is a favorite pastime in the South. Our climate lets us enjoy comfortable days and nights nearly anytime of the year. But without an attractive and functional space to come to, people often find themselves inside, walled away from the great outdoors.

Take this small home, for example. The homeowners had two decks, but neither really provided more than a glorified step into the yard. The couple knew they needed to do something, but what?

Their solution was to remove the old rotting decks and start fresh. Contractor Gerry Gibbons did both the demolition and new construction. "Trying to connect the old sections with a new deck wouldn't work," says Gerry. "By the time we replaced the damaged wood and fixed what was wrong with the original, it would have probably been as expensive as building everything new"

The new deck that resulted is divided into three parts. First, a service deck off the kitchen provides a home for the grill, log storage in the winter, and easy access to the garbage can from inside the house. The second section is located off the rear bedroom. Although this deck is now a part of the overall rear one, it feels like its own room.

Finally, these two decks are connected to a third one set aside for entertaining. This spacious deck lies a couple of steps lower than the one off the bedroom to allow for easy integration with the yard. A simple bench replaces standard railings to provide attractive additional seating, and a table with four chairs encourages alfresco dining.

With the project finished, the homeowners have a multipurpose deck that provides enjoyable outdoor living for them and their friends. By building it correctly, they have made an investment that surely increases the value of their home.

where to find it

BUILDING A DECK

Pages 158-159: Builder was Gerry Gibbons, Gibbons Contractors, Inc., 1786 Cornwall Road, Birmingham, AL 35226, (205) 979-0036; furniture is from Summer Classics, 111 Hinds Street, Pelham, AL 35124, (205) 620-6660 or www. summerclassics.com.