Outdoor living spaces are one of the biggest trends in residential design, and within that is a strong desire to make seamless connections from indoors to out. Homeowners are increasingly seeking decks that extend the living space in both look and feel. In addition, designing decks to reflect the interior is an in-demand way to expand the livable footprint and increase functionality.
One of the most common ways to create indoor-outdoor connections is by using multi-panel doors and other expansive walls of doors and windows. How the deck is designed and installed also plays a key role. Here are ways your pro and consumer customers can use decking and design to blur the lines from inside to out:
• Decking like flooring: With realistic wood looks, composite decking offers the opportunity to blend with interior colors and textures. For example, the TimberTech® Legacy collection of capped composite decking offers the hand-scraped look of indoor, tropical wood flooring.
• Emulate interior flooring patterns: Composite decks can be designed with similar patterns as interior flooring, such as herringbone, chevron, and picture framing. Or implement popular wide-plank looks with the TimberTech Vintage Collection. Available in three widths—Narrow (3.5”), Standard (5.5”), and Wide (7.25”)—Vintage decking brings style versatility, allowing pros to mix-and-match to keep things fresh and modern.
• Use hidden fasteners: Hidden fasteners create a more seamless appearance similar to interior hardwood flooring. TimberTech offers a range of options to meet customer needs, including top-down Cortex® Fasteners, screws hidden by plugs made of the same material as the deck boards, and three hidden clip fasteners—CONCEALoc®, FUSIONLoc®, and EDGELoc®.
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Designate “living areas”: Much like the interior, large decks can be divided into “rooms” by functionality, such as dining areas, sitting areas, private relaxation areas, and even offices. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, including the way composite decking is installed—mixing colors or adding transition boards with different hues to create a natural visual separation. Permanent dividers such as planters and fire pits also are an option.
• Interior-like furniture and decor: Outdoor furniture has evolved to look and feel more like interior options while still withstanding exterior conditions. Similarly, the range of beautiful rugs, light fixtures, and other decorative touches also has grown.
• Décor and extras: Increasingly, features like TVs, sound systems, and smart lighting bring the influences and comforts of the interior outside, making it more fun and convenient to entertain.
To learn more about TimberTech decking, railing, fastening, and accessories, visit www.timbertech.com.
Weyerhaeuser Distribution is committed to delivering the reliable, consistent products you can rely on. Connect with your Weyerhaeuser representative today about outdoor living solutions available in your market.
