Your backyard is a place where you can create a beautiful space where you can relax, enjoy some peace and quiet, or spend time together with your friends and family. Think of the space like a big, green canvas on which you can design just about anything. You can install a pool, or you can upgrade the decking and other elements around your pool. You can add a shed, external office, or even a guest home, and you can add a deck or patio, decorative columns, lighting, and more. Patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, and so much more can be used to elevate your space.
Raised beam decking can be used in conjunction with just about any of those options to create a more interesting and functional design. This decking is elevated, and it can be stacked in layers to meet the needs of the landscaping or to create a unique look. The hardscaping experts at Triad Associates can design a beautiful raised decking system for your yard, your pool, or other elements of your landscaping. We’ll work closely with you from start to finish to explore all the options and ensure that you get a gorgeous design that will bring out the best in your space.
Consider these ways that raised beam decking can elevate your landscape:
Give Definition to a Sloped Yard
Most yards are not flat and level. Most have some sort of slope. In some cases, the slope is gradual and manageable with simple mowing. But in many cases, the slope is extreme, and it contributes to erosion and makes it hard to navigate the yard. You need to put measures in place to manage the terrain, such as retaining walls or tiers.
Raised beam decking is a simpler solution because it does not require as much management of the earth itself. The decking can be built in tiers from a variety of materials to get the look you want. You can connect a series of decks to define the space, or you can create areas for lounging, for planting, or other purposes. Our design specialists will help you explore the options so you can see what’s possible with the space. You’ll be amazed at what can be created from some dull areas of grass and dirt.
Use Contrasting Stone
Raised beam decking around a pool or even a patio can create a really gorgeous look, especially when you use stone. There is such a large variety of stone products that you can use to achieve just about any look. While many people give their focus to the primary stone used for the surface of the deck, you have many more choices that can make a big impact on the final design.
With a raised deck, you have a key element that should not be overlooked: The side of the deck. That can represent a height no bigger than a stair step, or that might represent a significant space. Using a contrasting stone can create an interesting look. For example, you could use a cobblestone on the side to create the look of a natural wall, while using something with a smooth surface, like flagstone, for the main decking. You can contrast colors, textures, sizes, and more to create a unique design. Our design specialists can use sketches, 3D design software, and samples to help you understand the options and how they can look together.
Create Spaces around Your Pool
Raised beam decking is especially complementary to a pool area. You can use it to create a lot of functional and beautiful spaces around your pool. One of the most popular options for raised beam decking around a pool is to create a lounging area. It can be built to overlook the pool slightly, allowing adults to rest while the kids play or just giving you a nice viewing area while you lay by the pool.
Raised beam decking can also be used to work with the natural layout of the pool and the surrounding land to create unique spaces. For example, it can be built out from the pool to connect to a hot tub that is placed on a lower elevation. The hot tub and the pool will then seem connected, and you’ll have easier access from one to the other.
Raised beam decking can also be used to create a hot tub. The sides can be built up around the hot tub, giving it a built-in look. There are a lot of other ways raised beam decking can be used to enhance your pool, depending on your landscape and the design of your pool. Our design specialists will work with you to understand your goals for the space and will give you ideas that you might not have considered.
Add Features
Adding raised beam decking to your space gives you the opportunity to add even more features. The height on the decking leaves room for a lot of extras that can really elevate the look of your space.
One of the most popular options for a pool area is to add water features on the side of the decking. A small waterfall can flow out of the side of the decking and into the pool. You can also add small jets. You can even put the water features on a regular deck, flowing into a drain that cycles back into the water feature. It can add a nice option to a sitting or entertaining area even if you have no pool.
You can also add lighting to your raised beam decking to enhance the ambience and even improve safety. Recessed lighting, sconces, and strip lighting can all be used to great effect. Our designers will help you explore the options and understand how they might benefit your space.
Finally, raised beam decking can also be used to create platforms for pool features, such as for a diving board or slide. The decking can offset these spaces, creating more definition around the pool area.
Again, there are a lot of options. The final look depends on the stone or other materials you choose and your creativity. Our design experts are ready to advise you on any aspect of the design to ensure you get the look and functionality you want.
Blend with the Natural Landscaping
You may have some steep sloped areas in your yard, but you may not want to use retaining walls to block in all of them. What you can do is use raised beam decking to create a graceful transition between your patio or other hardscape areas and the natural space.
For example, a raised beam deck can lead into a natural area that has large boulders or other natural landscaping stones mixed in with plants and bushes. Or a raised beam deck can lead into an area that is heavily planted with ground cover and decorative bushes. You can even put in a water feature that flows between the rocks and plants and down into the decked area.
This combination of raised beam decking and natural areas can create a more unified look for your space. You don’t have to rely exclusively on landscaping, nor do you have to create a fully manicured look. You can create a transition between your designed spaces and the natural beauty of your surrounding landscape. In doing so, you’ll also make it easier to maintain your land and prevent erosion.
Complement Your Raised Beam Decking
Of course, while raised beam decking can complement the elements that are already in your space, there are also many features you can add to complement your decking. One option is to add decorative columns to your decking. These small columns can be built at the ends of your decking or anywhere the decking meets another space, such as the entryway to your home.
You can also complement your decking with small retaining walls or seating walls. These can tie into the columns, as well. Choosing the right stone is an important component of creating a great design. You have some excellent options for blending stone shapes, colors, textures, and more to create a unique look.
Hire the Design Experts at Triad Associates to Build Your Raised Beam Decking and More
Many elements go into the successful design of raised beam decking. The experienced experts at Triad Associates are ready to help you through every stage of the process to create an exceptional design that will serve you for decades to come. We’ll work with you on the placement of the design, the selection of the stone, adding features, and more. After talking with you about your design vision, we will perform a comprehensive site review and give you tailored recommendations for the space. We’ll also use 3D design software, sketches, and material samples to help you visualize what’s possible for your space. Call us today to schedule a consultation with a hardscaping design specialist to start planning the design for your raised beam decking or other hardscaping.
