Spring decking season's biggest trends
As spring selling season warms up, outdoor living projects are top of mind with building pros and consumers alike. To help builders, remodelers and dealers prepare, Envision Outdoor Living Products shares eight emerging trends to consider.
1. Outdoor living evolves.
Overall, outdoor living is continuing on the path started before the pandemic. As the desire for more outdoor spaces continues to grow, it's evolving to be even more purposeful.
Homeowners desire spaces that speak to their needs and lifestyles, and they're being thoughtful about planning the layouts of their decks, patios and gardens. This is often translating into dedicated spaces for entertaining and relaxing and even a willingness to personalize with unique appliances (such as pizza ovens, smokers and griddles), decking patterns and décor.
2. Indoors meet outdoors.
Creating seamless transitions from indoors to outdoors has been popular for some time, in part due to the proliferation of multi-panel windows and doors and the growing ability to match or coordinate flooring with decking materials. This trend has expanded in recent years to include the infusion of indoor comfort into outdoor spaces. Envision is seeing this with decks that are visually separated into “rooms” using decking patterns, planters or rugs, and in lighting, entertainment and smart-tech options that create the right amount of ambience, convenience and security.
3. Health & wellness.
The need to create a home sanctuary is stronger than ever among consumers.
Meditation and quiet areas may become more popular, so consider how those spaces can be incorporated into the design and shielded from weather and noise. Water and fire features can play a role, as well. In addition, interest in home-grown vegetables, whether a full-fledged garden or planters on the deck, is also on the rise.
4. Railings are no longer an afterthought.
Deck railings aren’t always part of the initial design conversation — but they should be. Beyond just the safety and boundaries they provide, deck railings can add their own “wow” factor to the outdoor living space. Whether in a bold color that brings a bit of drama, a material that preserves or enhances sweeping views, or accessories like drink rails and gates that add function and flair, the right railing options can have an important impact in the overall feel of the deck.
5. Simpler specification.
Today’s vast range of decking and railing options means more choices for consumers — but also potentially more confusion.
Manufacturers are recognizing this and delivering the same amount of options but with naming conventions and decision trees that ease selection. A growing number of online design tools, in which buyers can see how decking and railing choices will look on their actual homes, also are helping to simplify this process and avoid concerns about buyer’s remorse.
6. Easier installation.
With labor shortages still a concern, products that are more efficient to install can help keep crews moving. Pros and DIYers alike have more options than ever for hidden fasteners that deliver a seamless look, as well as for railing kits that help eliminate over- or under-ordering while saving assembly time on site.
7. Climate resilience.
With climate concerns top of mind, expect consumers to pay closer attention to native plants and xeriscaping options that require less water and maintenance. And in some areas, such decisions may no longer be optional.
8. Wildfire risk.
As the threat of wildfires continues to escalate in many parts of the country, it’s becoming more and more important to design exterior spaces that aim to reduce risk. This may include creating a defensible space around the home, choosing fire-resistant plants and carefully considering the placement of firewood storage and propane tanks, among other strategies. Decking materials also should be considered, such asl Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Approved Products.
