6 of Our Favorite Decks on Houzz

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Decks provide the perfect canvas for outdoor entertaining. You can make them as simple as you want, just complimenting your home’s exterior, or elaborate to really draw the attention of passersby.

At Select Home Exteriors, we love building gorgeous decks for our clients, giving them the space to host barbecues and watch kids jump into the backyard pool, while adding an extra element of style.

To help you get a jump start on your deck planning, we’ve found 6 of our favorite decks on Houzz, the source for all things home renovation:

Traditional Deck, Baltimore

This 20’x20’ covered deck space is like an outdoor living room! With ceiling fans, a built-in fireplace, and mounted TV, it’s a great spot for a family movie night, or a date night in. 

We love the barn doors to protect the tv when not in use. 

This area is just one part of a much larger deck concept, including dining area and built-in cooking area, making this a complete outdoor entertainment space!

BBQ Deck Project

This deck with built-in grill and smoker is every man’s dream! 

The rock facade throughout gives the cooking area a nice rustic feel, while tying together the bright white cover with the darker color of the floor. Simple corbels add some visual interest without being too busy.

Atlanta Backyard Retreat

The sleek lines of the concrete fire table and the floating cedar bench give this deck a clean, contemporary feel. The light brown cedar theme continues in the pergola over the dining area, as well as the privacy screen walls, providing a cohesive look throughout.

Traditional Deck – New York

This exotic Ipe wood deck with an unobstructed view of the garden is the perfect place to relax at the end of a long day. 

Our favorite part is the unique lines provided by a custom curved bench, made from laminated redwood.

Schiff

Get the look and feel of a Japanese-inspired spa getaway with this deck! 

The wood is unfinished, allowing it to age and gray beautifully. With a concrete single block fire pit and a sunken-in round hot tub, you’ll never want to leave!

Trex Deck and Pergola

We are loving the contrast of the bright white pergola and posts with the dark composite flooring and black balusters throughout this outdoor kitchen. 

Two tiers break up the deck into separate “rooms” for cooking and dining. Lighting installed on the posts and the stairs ensure you can enjoy this space at all hours.

Custom Deck Design & Build in Maryland

Did our favorites from Houzz get your creative juices flowing? 

Whether you want a deck just to sit and enjoy your morning coffee, or you have dreams of elaborate outdoor get-togethers, the team at Select Home Exteriors can make your dreams come true! Our custom deck design and build services give you exactly the deck you want so you can feel your home is complete. Schedule a consultation today!

4 Exterior Home Renovation Projects That Pay Off When You Sell

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4 Exterior Home Renovation Projects That Pay Off When You Sell

When deciding to renovate your home, thinking about what the project will do for your experience living there is likely foremost in your mind. As you decide which projects to tackle, you may wonder which are the most likely to be most profitable if you eventually decide to sell your home. Although you may not be thinking about selling now, it’s wise to consider the most impactful projects for your budget, especially if you’re limited on what you can spend.

Here are 4 exterior home renovation projects that are likely to net you the most profit when selling your home:

Adding a Deck

A well-constructed deck adds extra entertaining and living space, as well as curb appeal, to any home. Prospective buyers will be able to imagine having backyard barbecues, relaxing with a cup of coffee, or watching their children play when they see a deck in your backyard.

Opt for pressure-treated wood or hardwood whenever possible, as these materials add an extra air of sophistication to your deck that other materials don’t. Small or large doesn’t really matter much, but if you’ve got a smaller yard be sure not to create a deck that’s too oversized for the space.

Landscaping

There’s no better way to boost your home’s curb appeal than by making the yard as inviting as possible. Although landscaping can be done yourself, if you’re seriously thinking of selling or your yard is in rough shape, it may be worth the money to hire a professional team.

Making sure all your trees and shrubs are trimmed up, walkways are clear and in good condition, and that there’s aesthetically pleasing color surrounding your house can go a long way toward getting people to take a second lap around the block when you put up that For Sale sign.

Replace Siding

This is especially true if your siding is old, in poor repair, or a difficult-to-care-for material such as wood. New siding gives the entire exterior of your home a facelift, and potential buyers love seeing notes that the siding recently was replaced on your disclosure sheets or listings.

Be sure to choose a siding type and color that fits in with the rest of your neighbors, as the home on the block that doesn’t look similar enough can be a drawback for some buyers.

New Windows

This project will reap benefits for your family as well as any future selling opportunities. When you replace old windows that aren’t in the best shape, your energy bills decrease, saving you money. They add to your home’s curb appeal and are another project that potential buyers will be happy to see listed as a “recent update” on your listing.

Experienced Exterior Home Contractors in Central Maryland

At Select Home Exteriors, we know you want to get the most for your money when you decide to do a home renovation project. Our team works with you every step of the way, making sure each choice falls in line with your budget, your style, and your needs for your home. Schedule a consultation today!

3 Tips for Designing Your Own Deck or Patio

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3 Tips for Designing Your Own Deck or Patio
Designing your own deck or patio can be a daunting task, but with the help of industry experts and a few tips, you can custom-design your outdoor transitional space in no time! Here are three tips for getting started:

Gather Ideas

We find that many of our clients gather their ideas from online websites such as Pinterest, TV specials on HGTV, or magazines and other publications. Take some time to figure out what architectural styles you like and don’t like, and what features pop out to you.

This phase is simply meant to gather ideas to focus on a direction for your plan. Jot ideas down as you come across them, cut (or print) out pictures, and make a pros and cons list to identify what’s important to you. You may want to consider creating an inspiration board on a piece of paper board or digitally on a site such as Pinterest. These ideas will help you make faster decisions down the road.

>> Custom Deck Designs in Maryland

Define the Purpose

Believe it or not, this is one of the most crucial steps you need to complete before ever picking up a pencil to design your deck or patio. Take some time to answer: what will your deck or patio be used for? And be specific!

Do you plan to host BBQs for family and friends? You may want to design an outdoor grilling area and seating area large enough to accommodate them. Do you want a backyard oasis and additional privacy to enjoy the weather without neighbors’ prying eyes? You may want to consider a privacy wall, trellis, or other feature of some sort at the edge of your new deck or the property line. How about an intimate setting where you can enjoy family meals or conversational seating around fire pit?

It all comes down to how you want to use this deck or patio and what environment you want to create for yourself and your guests. Once you have the purpose in place, you can then begin the planning process!

Tailor the Design to Your Budget and Backyard

After gathering some ideas and defining the purpose, you then need to get detailed about how the design can meet your budget and fit with your backyard, not the other way around. Let’s face it – not every picture-perfect deck or patio will look as great in your backyard as it does in the media.

If you have a small yard or budget, it’s not realistic to expect a grandiose deck or patio. You also have to consider the architecture of your home to pair a custom deck that is not completely out in left field in terms of design. For example, a log cabin deck will not pair well with a modern, contemporary home.

You also have to evaluate your available space and plan for the traffic areas of the deck or patio accordingly. It may be best in this case to have your outdoor furniture already picked out to know how much space is available and how much deck or patio you need to build.

Other considerations may include:

  • Shape and size of your deck and patio
  • Materials that fit best with your taste and budget (wood, composite, PCV, etc.)
  • Furnishings you already have or plan to get
  • The view you want from the deck or patio and from inside the house
  • Additions, such as pergolas, screened-in decks, privacy walls, fireplaces, fire pits, railing planters, built-in benches, etc.

Work with Maryland’s Premier Deck and Patio Builders

If you’re overwhelmed with the available market options and the logistics of how to design your own deck or patio, contact the professionals at Select Home Exteriors. We will work step-by-step with you to custom design your dream deck!

wood decking material

The Benefits of Building a Deck For Your House

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wood decking material
As a homeowner, you likely take a great deal of pride in your property. For many people, the opportunity to purchase and own a home is a dream come true. No longer living under the rules of a landlord, you are free to do as you wish while at home – and you may reap some pretty nice financial rewards as well. If you are a proud homeowner who would like to upgrade your property to make it even more enjoyable and functional, a deck is something you should strongly consider.

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