Does Your New Deck Look Like An Afterthought? Tips For Coordinating Your Deck With Your Siding

People have been adding beautiful decks to their homes for years, intent on having additional entertaining and relaxing space that takes advantage of the great outdoors. For many homeowners, a wood or composite deck gives them the additional space they need, but it looks like an afterthought that was tacked onto their home without any real thought about the aesthetics. These can end up being an eyesore that just doesn't seem to belong to their home if it isn't coordinated properly. If siding contractors have recently installed new vinyl or fiber cement siding on your home, now may be the perfect time to add a new deck that will complement the architecture and color of your home instead of fighting with it.

Wood Decking Remains Popular

Although there are new materials available, treated lumber remains a favorite with most homeowners who are adding outdoor entertaining space. Fortunately, you can either paint or stain the finished product. If you want the decking to blend with your fiber cement siding, you can always paint it to match either the house itself or the trim. In most cases, matching the trim is your best bet so that the area is showcased but looks like an integral feature rather than an add-on. Paint will tend to peel, however, and requires periodic scraping and repainting, so most homeowners prefer a nice stain that still shows the beauty of the grain. Stains come in a wide array of colors found in nature, but you may not be able to precisely match the hues of your home's exterior. In this case, coordination is key. Work with your siding contractors to find a stain that will work well with your home's color scheme; they have years of experience and can suggest shades you may not have thought about. For instance, a soft, silvery gray shade would look wonderful against blue, or a deep redwood could complement a beige exterior.

New Materials Mean New Options

Although a treated wood deck is still the most popular choice, there are also plenty of composite materials that give you the attractive appearance of wood without the high maintenance factor. These come in a wide range of shades that can look like paint or stain but that carry through the entire thickness of the decking so that there's no worry about peeling or flaking of the color. Shop around to find a brand that offers a wide range of shades that will work well with your house. Many of these come in natural wood colors as well as soft tints such as Federal blue or a silvery gray, all of which will coordinate beautifully with your siding.

Consider Your Siding Style

When you have a new deck installed, keep in mind the architectural style of your home as well as the color. If your house is a Victorian beauty with several styles of siding, including fish scales and scallops, your decking can also be a bit more elaborate, with flourishes on the railings and architectural details. For a clean, modern house with a simple exterior you should opt for clean lines and straight railings that won't compete with your color scheme for a cohesive look. Don't forget to tie together the lighting as well -- if you have integrated lighting installed, use the same hardware and metallic finishes as those used on your home's exterior.

Choosing the right finishes, colors and details will ensure that your new deck will blend beautifully with your house and become one of its finest features. If you have questions about suitable color schemes, talk to siding contractors, who will be able to steer you toward the perfect look.