Your deck should meet your personal needs. LHC Services’ team will ask you several questions to ensure we deliver a deck that you enjoy and value.
• How will you use the deck? If you plan to entertain, we’ll find out whether you have large events or more intimate gatherings. Do you like to grill? We’ll explore adding an outdoor kitchen area. Maybe your family likes to garden or to cozy up to a fire on a chilly evening. All these interests will be considered in the design.
• How will you decorate your deck? We want to ensure you have enough space for your activities and plenty of room to navigate around your deck. We’ll ask you about the amount, size, type and placement of furniture you envision for the area.
• Are you willing and able to maintain your deck? Whether you pay a contractor for maintenance or prefer the DIY approach, a wooden deck requires annual pressure-washing and sealing. Lower maintenance materials like wood composites or PVC are available to keep your deck in excellent condition with less work.
• What deck size and shape appeal to you? Usually, a large deck will be around 20 percent of your home’s square footage, but we can create bigger spaces that don’t overwhelm your house. Curves and angles can be incorporated for unique visual appeal.
• Which views around your house are essential to include? We’ll review your property and discuss deck placement that will provide beautiful focal points from inside the house and from the deck. Planning can avoid sunset glares or encourage your guests to turn toward a great view.
• Are you interested in a deck that expands your home or is distinct from it? Some customers like their deck to be a natural extension of their house, while others want the deck to stand out as a separate space. If you want your deck to include access to your yard, we recommend a transitional stairway or walkway made of concrete as complementary material.
• Do you want any vertical components on your deck? Some deck designs are flat with no skirting railings or overhead rails, while others include multiple elements for visual impact. With raised decks, we recommend decorative skirting or, to make use of the space under the deck, the installation of a concrete patio.
• Do you want any shade on your deck? Richmond area weather is generally mild, but when July’s 90-degree days arrive, you may enjoy a little shade on your deck. We’ll discuss options such as a pergola, privacy screens, or vertical gardens and incorporate your choices into our design.
