Your deck is practically an extension of your indoor living space, and is the perfect spot for individual relaxation or entertaining guests at a dinner party.
Sometimes you might want to shake things up a bit and take your Portland, Oregon, decking and railing to a different level. If you’re considering remodeling your deck in the near future, here are some ideas you might want to try:
1. Not the lattice. There’s a reason why people use a lattice for their deck railing: it adds a sense of privacy, it’s symmetrical, and – like any classic design – stays in style. But if you want to try something different, try changing the pattern up a bit. Go for radiating lines forming a rising sun motif, or a Tetris-themed pattern, or even strung-together recovered wood.
2. Replace railings with solid materials. You might want to consider ditching the lattice altogether and replacing it with frosted glass or perforated aluminum sheets for a modern look.
3. Add ornamental embellishments. It could be as simple as adding end caps to posts. If you have steel railings, you can add ornamental flourishes of a different color between rails.
4. Mix materials. A typical example would be metal-on-wood, but you can practically combine anything for your decking in Portland, OR, as long as it can be constructed: wicker, canvas, vinyl, reclaimed wood, even old windows. Just make sure the material will hold up to the elements over time.
5. Use different railing heights. You may need privacy in some areas more than others (shared side yards come to mind), in which case ceiling-high rails would be more appropriate for that part of your Portland, Oregon, replacement decking and railing.
6. Skip the railing altogether. This obviously applies to ground-level decks, but a word to the wise: check your local ordinances first if you’re allowed to have decks with no railings. Having said that, zero railings give you more design flexibility: a few ornamental “guide posts”, a well-trimmed bush in place of railings, or multi-level decks.
Erin Isle Construction can help you design the decking of your dreams. Call us today at (503) 512-6070 or fill out our contact form.