For families in the Carolinas, outdoor living is a big deal. With nice weather throughout much of the year in most regions, North Carolina and South Carolina are the perfect states to truly bring the indoors out. If you’re hoping to create a full outdoor living area at your house, the first step is to love your deck. Whether you’re building a brand new deck or you are upgrading an existing one, the process begins with choosing the right deck boards for you.
If you’ve never had a deck built before, or if it has been years since you last shopped for decking-related products, you might be surprised by the huge array of options that are on the market today. In addition to the pressure-treated lumber boards of years gone by, modern homeowners can choose from additional materials like tropical wood that can last for 50 years or more and composite products, such as TREX and TimberTech, that looks like wood, but isn’t.
Composite decking, in particular, comes in a wide variety of hues, some of which resemble natural wood tones and others that are more unique. Slate blue and barn red are two popular color options, for example. As you read the next few paragraphs, you’ll discover how to pick the right color for your upcoming deck project.
Consider the color scheme of your house – If your goal is to create a true outdoor living space, it is essential for you to think about the color palette that already exists in your home. If, for example, you reside in coastal Carolina and your home has a nautical aesthetic, grey or blue tone deck boards might look great. Or, if you have a more traditional, historic home, you may want to stick with a wood grain that matches the original woodwork in your residence.
Think about foot traffic – Depending on what season of life you are currently in and how frequently you entertain, foot traffic may or may not ultimately be a major concern for you when it comes to selecting the color of your deck. However, it is certainly a factor that needs to be taken into consideration.
If, for instance, you have small children and pets, choosing either a very light or very dark color is probably going to be a bad decision, as both are difficult to keep clean. A mid-range tan or brown hue is likely the best choice. If, however, you live alone and don’t frequently have large groups of people over, you can really pick any decking color that appeals to you.
Understand your material may limit your options – Unless you want to paint wooden deck boards, it is important to understand that you may be limited in regard to color options depending on the material you pick. Cedarwood and redwood, for example, have a gorgeous natural tint, but there isn’t a lot of range. Tropical woods, on the other hand, come in a wide spectrum of colors, including ebony, but you’ll have to pay a price for them.
If you want to talk all things decking, contact the Hatch Homes team at your earliest convenience. We are here to help bring the outdoor living room of your dream to life right before your eyes!