Design Your Dream Porch or Deck: Materials, Rails, and Finishes Explained

Porches, decks, stoops, and rails are more than just outdoor features. They are functional, beautiful, and play a critical role in your home’s exterior design. As a design-build construction company our team of experts will walk you through all of your choices to help you build your dream home. 

We believe education is power and understanding the components of these structures will help you choose the correct materials to compliment your style.

Key Components of Decks and Porches

Knowing the parts of your porch or deck makes it easier to plan your design:

• Decking / Pavers: Exterior flooring

• Tread: The horizontal part you step on

• Riser: The vertical section between each tread

• Stringer: Structural portion on both sides

• Fascia: Decorative trim to conceal the frame work

• Screening / Facade: Decorative feature to conceal framework

• Rails: Safety barriers around the perimeter

  
  

Designing Your Entry

There are two main ways to construct your front entrance:

1. Wood frame with decking

2. Masonry base with masonry finishes

Designing a Wood Frame Deck

A framed back deck is built the same way as a framed front porch with the same finish materials.

Wood and Composite Options

Combine & design with these options to create your front porch or back deck

• Pressure Treated Wood ($): Wood that's been treated with chemical preservatives to protect it from rot and insects but not from weathering, can be stained or painted, can be used for all parts of a porch or deck.

• Cedar, Mahogany, Redwood ($$): Durable woods that are naturally resistant to rot, decay & insects, does require maintenance, can be used for all parts of a porch or deck.

• Composite Decking & Trim ($$ - $$$): A blend of recycled wood & plastic creating a durable, long-lasting, maintenance free area.  Available in a range of colors & sizes, can be used for all parts of a porch or deck.

• PVC Trim Board ($$$): A wood replacement product made of plastic pvc, pure white color, no maintenance, use for risers, stringers, fascia.

• Lattice ($): A wood or pvc sheet of pre-cut strips creating a diamond or square pattern with small holes making it decorative but also functioning as a screen because it's hard to see through, available in different colors, used for deck screening.

  
  

Masonry Options

Mix and match these masonry options for your front stoop! Choose the pattern and design you like.

• Bluestone ($$$$): A natural stone with blue & grey coloring; use as exterior flooring & treads.

• Limestone ($$$): Another natural stone with beige & brown coloring; use as exterior flooring & treads.

• Pavers ($): Similar to a brick, available in a wide variety of colors, shapes & sizes; use as exterior flooring & treads.

• Cultured Stone ($$): Faux stone made from dyed concrete molded into a variety of colors, shapes and sizes; use for risers & facade.

• Cultured Treads ($$): Faux stone molded into a rectangular shape with rough cut edges giving it a realistic look of natural stone.

• Stucco ($): An exterior finish which can be formed into decorative patterns; use for risers & facade.

• Brick ($-$$): A rectangular block made of clay, available in an array of colors; use as exterior flooring & facade.

  
  

Planning Your Porch or Deck

Designing your exterior spaces is about both structure and style. Knowing the components, selecting the right materials, and planning your finishes will save time, reduce errors, and help your contractor deliver exactly what you want. At Evolution, with our in-house design team we will guide you through every decision so your porches, decks, stoops, and rails are beautifully built and planned with purpose.

See you in the next post!

– 

Jennifer DeVito

Founder, Evolution General Contracting