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External structures like patio decks can easily run you thousands of dollars if you don’t plan your designs carefully before you begin. Building a traditional deck or filling the area with concrete are usually the most common way to handle a patio space, but these are far from the only ways to fill your outdoor space. Here are five simple ways to create a beautiful, functional patio deck that won’t break your budget.

1. Pallet Decks. Shipping pallets are a great way to quickly and inexpensively create an artistic-looking patio deck. They can be stained or painted any color you need and arranged to fill any outdoor space.
2. Gravel Pitches. Patio decks don’t have to be traditional decks. Filling a space with gravel and some colored glass creates a low-maintenance area you can decorate with furniture that matches your personal aesthetic.
3. Salvaged Materials. Explore the salvage bins at home improvement stores and mix-and-match materials you find for a unique, eclectic patio deck. While certain materials can cost an arm and a leg in large quantities, they can more easily be used as beautiful accents for larger pieces.
4. Chessboards. Pavers and other stones can be used to create a chessboard pattern or any other design you might want in a patio deck. They can generally be acquired for much cheaper than the cost of building a more traditional wooden deck as well.
5. Barefoot Designs. Pavers can also be used to create designs perfect for lounging on in bare feet. Leave some space between the pavers you put down and cover the exposed dirt with a soft ground cover to form a grass-and-stone design that’s more comfortable to walk on.

If you’re searching for a fence contractor in Ellis County, TX or the surrounding areas, contact us at Phillip’s Fences today! With our competitive prices, professional craftsmanship, and unmatched commitment to our customers, we guarantee our work for every fence we build.

When you’re planning the next change to your backyard, don’t plan in black and white. Pick one of these new colors emerging as top trends in 2019:

1. Blues and greens:

Your deck doesn’t have to stay in various tones of brown and gray. If you want to add a bit of color to your backyard, a great tactic is to stain your patio deck a jewel tone or neutral but less typical shade. Green is popular if your backyard is mostly concrete so you can fit in those natural shades. Blue can add contrast and tie your new backyard feature into the color palette of your home’s exterior.

2. Black:

Black is a dramatic color, and it’s usually saved for small accents and edges. But black patio decks and fences are a dramatic choice that can look great if it’s planned well. Not only does it hide stains and scratches, it stops colorful furniture and accessories from looking busy. Avoid this color if you have a small or shadowed backyard, but definitely grab stain swatches if you have a large deck and a sunny yard.

3. Multi-toned colors:

No matter what stain color you like the best, it doesn’t have to be the only color you use. Use a contrasting color for steps, edges, and central panels. Pick one color for all of your planks, but pattern the patio deck with lighter and darker shades on different boards.

This is also a great strategy if your deck is a mix of planks that have different lengths, widths, and wood material. Multi-toned decks also mean you can add on without losing the flow of your constructions.

Don’t let the traditional browns and grays restrict your color choices. If you’re restaining your patio deck or your fence, pick the color you like best. Go to Philip’s Fences to get started.

Patio decks have a hard life. They’re constantly subjected to the elements, they’re piled with patio furniture, and, eventually, they go out of style. Once your deck is starting to give out, don’t wait until it becomes dangerous to walk one. Pick a brand new deck with the material and style elements to last a long time. Incorporate these three elements:

1. Composite planks instead of wood.

Just like inside contemporary houses, the look of hardwood flooring is in demand but actual wood isn’t as popular. Real wood is a maintenance headache and needs a lot of care to stand up against moisture. So look for composite material instead. You can get the look, feel, and detailed grain of stained wood. But it stays durable and easy to look for years.

2. Accent edges and colors.

Don’t just use one color of composite wood-look material. Instead, border your deck with lighter or darker boards. This defines the space and lets you incorporate the deck into your home’s exterior color scheme. If your deck has steps, it also makes it a bit safer to walk on without horizontal rails.

But two-tone decks aren’t just a great safety design. You can also use different shades on different levels or segment the space with color blocks to make the deck more functional without losing space.

3. A pergola on the deck.

Build a free-standing pergola on your two-tone composite deck. A pergola helps define the space without blocking the view. It can also give you shade where you need it most: the edge of your deck furthest from the house.

These three patio deck trends are here to stay throughout 2019. Combining these features makes you deck even stronger, both as a beautiful outdoor living space and as a long-term structure. Go to Philip’s Fences here to get started.