This is our favorite deck so far. A few years ago, we built this homeowner’s deck on their main house. This year they bought a vacation home and wanted us to design an amazing custom deck to be used for the great view of the lake with keeping entertainment in mind. This property had a house with a walkout basement and a boat house with an entertainment room above. We technically had 2 outdoor areas to design with both buildings, with a design to have the two main areas flow together.
The boat deck was an easy design because we could not change the main deck layout do to Building Codes on the lake property. We did rebuild it with more structural strength, but also built a custom privacy wall below to give a more finished look. We wrapped the post below in white Azek PVC Post wraps to match the main house design. The decking we choose for the complete project was Timbertech’s PVC Capped composite decking with picture frame boards that were installed on the frame for the low maintenance as well as the custom deck. The decking color was the Timbertech’s Legacy Series in the Ashwood color for the main and then accented with the Espresso Color. The stairs are double angled to go to the lake below and easy access from on top of the hill with the house. The railing for the boat house upper deck was Westbury’s full aluminum railing in the Rivera series using both 4″ and 2″ railing post for a sweet design. For above the rail, we added Westbury’s Drink Rail with the Timbertech Espresso board on top. The last we did for the boathouse was added post cap lights on the 4” posts and stair riser lights.
There was an original wood firepit next to the lake, but it has seen it’s day. Our landscaper redesigned the firepit area which also was the hardscape for the boathouse and next to the lake. During construction, the homeowners had a great idea to add some stone steps that go into the water for easy water access for both people and mostly their dogs.
The main house’s deck area was the space that gave us the opportunity for a unique and fun design opportunity. Aaron with Deck & Drive Solutions did the original design for both the deck and the landscaping. Deck & Drive Solutions built the complete decks, then worked closely with Earthly Possibilities to do the hardscape and the landscape construction part of the project. The original deck on the house was an upper and lower deck off the back of the house which was only about 8′ deep and the length of their house for both floors – not very useable area. I could see this area be the main entertaining space for the property. Since this is their lake house with amazing great views, I wanted to bring fun useable areas to get the best views and still keep the different areas to be connected in a way that where the different groups are at, the conversation can still be together. I pictured the upper outdoor living to be the more peaceful area with a simple and quiet view and relaxing sitting areas. A couple sitting areas for some last-minute drinks before bed or a couples retreat with the full view of the lake using full glass Railing made from Regal Ideas – Crystal Rail (which were lighted from the mounts). The lower deck with the main patio is where most of the action would take place. The lower indoor area is the game room with bar, then you walk out to the lower deck areas where you take in the great views with an outdoor kitchen (including a state of the art grill and built in outdoor fridge), eating area and a full length bar that overlooks the lake. A conversation sitting area, dining area, cooking with an outdoor kitchen, and best part- a 20′ Bar top seating between 2 30′ gas fire bowls to look out at the lake. We did add Trex’s Rain Escape to the main upper deck with Azek’s Beadboard Carsiding Ceiling panels to below the deck. All the ceiling lights are smart so they can be controlled via the phone using the internet.
The homeowners love it and it was an amazing time for the design and the finished project. We couldn’t be any happier!