Designing a deck can be overwhelming and frustrating at times. Don’t give it up. There are many excellent resources to assist you in this process. A picture is worth a thousand words, and fortunately we live in an age where thousands of deck photographs are just a mouse click away. Visit websites of a variety of professional deck builders until you become comfortable with a broad range of possibilities. You may want to visit your local library, bookstore, or home and garden center to browse the many publications dedicated to deck building.

Talk to neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Find out what they did and what they would change. You never know where you might discover a great idea or find inspiration. You may want to visit the building inspection department in your city and see if they have any handouts or information. Go for a drive around the neighborhood and scope out the local deck landscape. What do you like and dislike? Try to absorb a variety of information to help you develop a well rounded approach as you move forward. Don’t rush yourself and keep an open mind to new ideas and take pictures.