deck Archives | GNH Lumber Co.

4 Ways to Create the Perfect Deck Retreat

Posted on April 11, 2024April 12, 2024

Want to create a peaceful deck retreat? It’s fun and easy to transform your deck into a lounge that your family and friends will enjoy all season long! If you’re thinking of building a brand new deck, or rethinking your existing deck, GNH Lumber is ready to help you make your dream deck a reality! There’s a wealth of great decking producers out there – and with them you can create a deck that’s beautiful AND durable.

TimberTech^® composite decking is an excellent choice for low-maintenance durability and style. That’s because TimberTech® decks are durable enough for your family to enjoy for years, without the hassles of annual staining and sealing. They give their traditional capped wood composite decking the strength it needs to battle almost anything Mother Nature—or your family—throws its way. But they don’t sacrifice beauty for backbone.

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Want to create a deck that will help you relax and regenerate? Well, get ready to light up the grill, kick back, and enjoy…

Here are 4 easy ways to create the perfect deck retreat:

1. Create a Corner Nook

If your deck has a corner, try assembling benches with throw pillows inside the cozy nook, or add comfy lounge chairs or even bean bags. These spaces are the perfect for comfort and will have your family and guests relaxing and chatting the day away!

No corners available? No problem! You can also screen off larger portions of deck with room-dividers or trellises covered with fabric to create custom corner nooks. The bonus of creating these custom nooks is that you can choose fabrics, plants or flowers that accentuate your deck color scheme.

2. Wrap Around Views

Decks that wrap around the second story of a home give tremendous access to views, and they create a feeling of spaciousness and peace. They’re the perfect place for late-night conversations or just secluded getaways to sit and think.

Decks like these can double as balconies for morning coffee. Plus, they provide as much aesthetic value from inside the home as they do from the outside. Never forget that a well-maintained deck is great for the valuation of your entire home as well!

Quick Tip: If your property has a great view of the mountains or your gardens, why not feature the view from a top story when planning the layout of your deck?

3. Keep the Sun at Bay

Adding a roof, pergola or awning to your deck, is another great way to create a cozy retreat. These kinds of structures or additions allow for lounging during parts of the day when sunlight is at its strongest. Creating cool, shady places to sit and sip a beverage or rock in a hammock is a great way to maximize deck usage. You can also use the covered patio below a second-story deck to introduce swinging hammocks and shaded benches.

Quick Tip: A roof provides the densest shade, while a pergola allows partial sun and a more open feel. Awnings provide partial shade, with the added benefit of being retractable or removable. They also come in materials that screen out the most harmful sunrays. The right awning can also enhance the overall look of your deck – there’s plenty of room for customization!

4. Use Soft Built-In Lighting

Dark evening deck? You can create a serene mood and add lighting at the same time! Try placing votive candles and string lights along the rail of your deck. Or, better yet, add LED lights to the decking itself! All of these options are easily installed, cost effective, and work wonders for adding a vibrant atmosphere to your deck – no matter how late it is!

You can enjoy your TimberTech^® Deck long after deck after dark with the subtle glow of low-voltage, energy-efficient LED lights in five functional styles. Each style creates a different dreamy effect on evening decks:

Accent Lights: Adding a delicate downlight effect on posts or near stairs with accent lights creates ambience and improves visibility.
In-Deck Lights: Mount in-deck lights to your deck’s surface for an ambient glow. Place them around your deck’s perimeter for outer glow and added safety.
Post Cap Lights: lluminate the edge of your deck with the soft glow of post cap lights. Add them easily to any TimberTech^®RadianceRail^® or RadianceRail Express^® 4″ and 5″ posts.
Riser Lights: Add safety and a soft glow to your stairs with riser lights, warming the path up to your outdoor living space.
Under-Rail Lights: Enjoy the subtle downlight of under-rail lights, hidden between balusters in the underside of your TimberTech^® top rail.

Have fun creating a peaceful deck retreat that’s all your own! If you ever need assistance, or just need more inspiration to craft your dream deck – get in touch with us! Our talented team is ready to help you today.

Source: https://timbertech.com/products/lighting

5 Ways to Make Your Deck a Cozy Gathering Place This Fall

Posted on July 26, 2023July 26, 2023

Fall is the perfect time to gather out on the deck and enjoy the crisp cool air. That means it’s time to transition your summer deck from a “fun in the sun” hotspot to a warm and cozy autumn hangout!

And here’s the good news: it doesn’t take much time, effort, or money to change the feel of your deck, and effectively reinvent it for the coming fall season.

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Here are 5 easy ways to make your deck a cozy gathering place this fall:

1. Create a Focal Point

One easy way to give your deck a cozier feel is to create a visual focal point. Focal points encourage people to gather, chat and gravitate together in the space. This can be created by using an outdoor rug or a sitting area with a coffee table and comfy chairs. You can also use a stylish Chimenea or an outdoor fireplace to create a warm, inviting focal point

2. Make Large Areas Smaller

Pulling furniture closer together naturally makes people feel cozier. If your furniture is strewn out across the deck, try rearranging it into several smaller seating areas. Also, bring grills, benches and potted plants into tighter circles to improve this effect. You can also screen off larger portions of deck with room-divider screens or trellises covered with fabric to create cozy nooks.

3. Spice Up Your Space

If you want people to gather on your deck, then give them something fun to do! The addition of a spa or hot tub might just be the thing that beckons everyone outside. Try adding stylish outdoor lighting or strings of outdoor lights to further enhance that cozy glow in the evening.

Remove canopy umbrellas, sun-lounging chairs and other remnants of summer. Then try placing sturdy, woodsy furniture, like Adirondack chairs and picnic benches. Add some large, cozy pillows to encourage people to kick back and relax.

4. Add Some Greenery

Adding plants is a quick and easy (and budget-friendly!) way to update your outdoor areas each season. Vines crawling up a pergola softens the space while adding interest. You can also create a splash of color with potted plants and seasonal flowers like goldenrod and chrysanthemums. This not only adds color and interest, it also gives you the flexibility to replace them depending on the occasion or your color palette.

3. Use Warm Colors

Summer means bright-colored plastic and garish, colorful decor. Fall calls for a more subdued, warm palette. Earthy tones like maroons, oranges and rusts. You can easily change out your color scheme by changing out cushions, accessories and carpets. Consider adding painted wood-furniture with deep-red and orange throws for snuggling under!

When making your deck the superstar of your cozy autumn gatherings, you’re only limited by your creativity and imagination! And don’t hesitate to stop by your local GNH Lumber for expert tips and guidance for your decking project.

Stop in to your local GNH Lumber for more tips and techniques for making your deck the gathering place of the season. We have outdoor furniture, lighting, Halloween decorations and other items to help you create a magical effect this fall!

How to Choose the Right Deck Cleaning Product

Posted on August 20, 2019June 28, 2022

If your wooden deck is faded, grey or stained, a bit of washing with the proper deck cleaner and a fresh coat of stain will completely transform your outdoor space! Plus, it will protect your deck from the elements and help extend its life.

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Choosing the right cleaning product beforehand will ensure that your newly stained deck will looks its best and last the longest.

Strip the wood on your deck

Use an exterior wood stripper on all exterior wood that has been previously treated or stained. Wood Strippers will remove stains, paint, mildew, mold, algae, and dirt. Using a wood stripper will prepare your deck for priming, painting or resealing. Use a paint brush or pump-up sprayer to apply the stripper and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes.

Brighten the wood on your deck

After stripping the wood surface, apply a wood brightener which helps neutralize the wood and open wood pores so that the stain can penetrate the surface. Apply with a pump-up sprayer, and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with a garden hose. You should wait a few days for the brightener to dry before staining.

If needed, clean the wood on your deck

Exterior Wood Cleaner is intended for older decks. Wood cleaner is used to remove foreign matter from wood, including oxidized (failed) coatings, dirt, grease, oil, pollen, algae and surface stains caused by mildew. Apply with pump-up sprayer, and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with a garden hose. Use a scrub brush for tough stains and repeat process if necessary.

Get Inspired by These Cozy Outdoor Dining Spaces!

Posted on June 1, 2019August 11, 2022

The deck design you choose will define the way you enjoy your outdoor space for years to come.

With the weather warming up and the days growing longer, your friends and family will likely want to stay outside from breakfast through dinnertime!

So, don’t forget to include a cozy outdoor dining area in your deck planning process.

Looking for deck dining layout inspiration?

Here are some of our favorite dining area layouts from TimberTech AZEK to help spark you imagination:

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1) Invisible Walls

This modern layout treats the back deck like an additional dining room – except with invisible walls. The full, pitched roof and stocky columns reinforce the illusion that this is, indeed, another space inside your home. Skylights in the ceiling and tall potted plants highlight the sense of being inside/outside during your family-style meals.

2) Half-Walls

Another way of creating the sense of an “inside room outside” is with half-walls that designate your deck’s dining area. This adds a cozy feel for late morning brunches or early evening cocktails. Utilize large planters against one of the walls of the dining space to create a truly garden-like atmosphere. And add soft accent lighting to the tops of the walls for a romantic glow after dark.

3) Rustic Table & Benches

When it comes to creating a country-style breakfast party on your deck or back porch, set out a rustic woodgrain dining table in a corner of your space and – voila! Instant country-breakfast charm! Using a combination of chairs and rustic benches for seating adds whimsy and contrast. Don’t forget to include farm-themed table settings for that down-home, country feel.

4) Grilling Station with Barstools

If grilling and chilling with friends is more your speed, consider a custom grilling station compete with built-in burners, warming drawers, ice-coolers, and sinks for added convenience. Entertaining? The sit-down bar is the perfect place to survey the grilling action and sip a brew while taking in the savory scents of summertime.
Still not sure about your deck design? Get a glimpse of your finished project by using the TimberTech AZEK Deck Designer tool! Build and customize your dream deck right from the comfort of your home using a desktop, laptop, or tablet.

And don’t forget! The helpful staff at GNH Lumber is ready to help you create the perfect cozy outdoor dining space to match your dreams and stay within your budget! Visit us in Greenville or Windham to discuss your decking project.

Is it time for a brand-new deck? Get your deck project started today by requesting a project quote or scheduling an appointment to discuss your project. Get your deck or porch project started!

Sources: https://www.timbertech.com/imagine/gallery; https://deckdesigner.timbertech.com/