DECKS CREATE A BRIDGE between the ordered and pristine indoors and the rough and ready outdoors. They offer limitless possibilities for extending living space and accommodating people, plants and patios. The design, décor and development of a deck will reflect the homeowner's taste, budget and location. Building materials suitable for decks range from treated and untreated wood to vinyl, rubber, composites made from wood fibre and recycled plastics, extruded vinyl, plastic and aluminum alloy. The synthetics are superior in terms of longevity, but may cost double or triple the price of wood products. Bucking the growing trend toward prefabricated materials, Sherry Bentley of Country By Design Home Plans chose pressure treated wood for her acreage home in Corman Park, near Saskatoon. "I like the rustic look of it in the country," she says. Treated lumber is resistant to insects and fungus, but all wooden materials require some labour to achieve a lifespan of 20 or more years. Bentley, an architectural technologist, says low-maintenance decks are preferred by busy acreage owners commuting to city jobs. Many of them don't like the prospect of regular sanding and painting. Deck elevation usually depends on the location of the house entryways, Bentley says, adding many homeowners choose multi-tiered decks that can accommodate barbecue, dining and sunning spaces. Railings, required on decks two feet or more off the ground, can incorporate wood, metal, aluminum or glass. There are building codes for railings as well, specifying they must be at least three feet high, with balusters no more than four inches apart. Some manufacturers are now offering balusters of thick, tempered safety glass, to frame a beautiful view. As with decking, railing maintenance can range from a little to a lot, depending on the material. Hot tubs, swimming pools, benches, planters and screened porches can all be incorporated into a deck design. You can echo architectural details of the house in the deck and furniture. Trellises and pergolas can be added to provide some shade, cut the wind, or make a tall house appear less "boxy," Bentley says. These extra touches enhance the back of a house, where decks are most often found, she adds. "The back should look as good as the front, because that's where you live, that's where your family is." Acreages afford the space to create partial or wrap-around decks, Bentley says. She advises homeowners to plan for convenient access from the house and some sheltered areas out of the wind and the sun. A southeastern exposure is ideal, while the north side is the least desirable: "There is too much shade and a lot of wind." A west-facing deck can be sizzling hot in the afternoon sun. Thomas Chizek, of Saskatoon Weatherdek, says vinyl decks can take the heat. They also require minimal upkeep, and fade little through years of use. Chizek advises clients to consider who will use the deck, and how often. Do you like intimate gatherings, or big parties? Space might be devoted to barbecuing or container gardening. The area might need to meet the safety requirements of pets and small children. Don't forget the view. A deck can be built around a pool, a shrub bed, or even a favourite old tree. "It's another room to the house, an extension to the house," Chizek says. One guideline for designing an adequate deck is to allow one-third of the area of the home's main floor. Amy Ehrmantraut can step barefoot onto her vinyl-topped deck without fear of splinters or uneven surfaces. She, her husband and three children live on an acreage near the Casa Rio community, south of Saskatoon. In contrast to the wooden deck of her former home, this one requires little more than an occasional rinse. "I like vinyl so much better, because you don't have to paint or stain it," Ehrmantraut says. Their off-white, two-tiered deck and railing complement their cream-coloured home, she adds. The south-facing deck evolved over several seasons. The couple liked the solid deck flooring enough to add it to the 14 steps leading down to the yard, swimming pool, and shaded concrete patio beneath the deck. Recently, they also enclosed their south-facing deck with screening to reduce insect pests and block the prairie winds. This extends the deck season. Solid deck surfaces, which can provide an attractive, waterproof, durable and slip-proof surface, are placed over wood supports. These surfaces consist of vinyl, plastic, aluminum and rubber composites. They can survive decades of use; aluminum and solid vinyl types last a lifetime. Numerous other deck coverings are also on the market, including spray-on wood and concrete coatings, or interlocking squares in many colours. Incorporating several levels into deck designs or creating irregular shapes can make decks unique, but square or rectangular designs are the least expensive. Stairs, curves and low-maintenance materials add to the cost, suppliers agree. Jason Heninger, of Save-A-Deck in Edmonton, says for most consumers, competitive pricing is the chief consideration in selecting decks, followed by homeowners' preferences and the amount of maintenance they are willing to do. "It's not just aesthetics, but it's maintenance, functionality and practicality; it's being able to use it," Heninger says.