2024 Decking Contest Bronze Medal Winner: A Functional Composite Deck Design
Explore Fairmaple Carpentry's composite deck that took the Bronze Medal Prize in our 2024 Decking Contest.
Fairmaple Carpentry’s deck design offers a great example of creating outdoor spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Our 2024 Decking Contest Bronze Medal Winner, stood out by maximizing the deck space without compromising style - even with a large hot tub! This deck not only enhances the backyard’s overall look but also demonstrates how thoughtful planning can elevate an outdoor space.
Fairmaple Carpentry is a team of 2 located in Burlington, ON that complete jobs within GTA. They have a passion for building incredible decks and love working with composite materials. They take pride on honesty, quality, and functionality when completing jobs and working with their clients.
Now, let’s take a look at what makes this deck a winner!
The Build: Maximizing Space and Style
Fairmaple Carpentry began this project by carefully listening to the clients vision to develop a plan that brought their vision to life while complementing the space and staying within budget. They were upfront about all the project details like price and timeline to ensure client trust and transparency. In addition, they connected with Seal It Group, a landscaping company, to ensure the deck plan seamlessly blended with the surrounding backyard and coordinated the interlock and landscaping for a cohesive, polished look.
The layout of this deck allows an easy flow from the sunroom to the hot tub (great for those cold winter nights) while also providing the client with a lounge space. Fairmaple Carpentry does an amazing job of skilfully integrating the hot tub into the backyard, making it feel almost flush with the deck.
The Materials: Essential Elements For A Timeless Deck
Fairmaple Carpentry used composite decking (with a hint of pressure-treated lumber) to create a visually stunning and durable design. The composite provides a sleek modern finish that requires minimal low maintenance, making it an ideal choice for outdoor spaces. Composite decking is known to be water-resistant and mold/mildew-resistant. This makes it a great choice for this deck as it surrounds a hot tub. Composite decking offers a wide range of colours and finishes to choose from and this deck colour was perfectly chosen. They chose rich, dark tones of the composite to complement the light-coloured interlock surrounding it, creating an eye-catching contrast. Pressure-treated lumber was used as part of the storage bench in combination with the pergola system holding it all together to save costs and stay on budget.
The Features: Functional Elements That Impress
Built-In Lighting
To ensure the deck is as functional at night as it is during the day, Fairmaple Carpentry installed built-in lighting throughout the deck and rest of the backyard. The placement of lights along the stairs and deck perimeter serves dual purposes: safety and ambiance. The soft glow will illuminate the deck for easy navigation while also adding a warm inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for the evening (especially while hot tubbing)!
Pergola System Bench (And Potential Privacy Wall)
A unique addition to this deck is how Fairmaple Carpentry used the Toja Grid pergola system to build a storage bench. This is a fantastic way to utilize this system to provide the storage space needed. The structure blends into the deck nicely and is slightly separated from the hot tub by a walkway and stairs which keeps the space feeling open. Plus, due to the placement of the bench, there is an opportunity to add slats or curtains and make it into a privacy wall across from the hot tub. It’s great being able to utilize the deck features in more than one way!
Picture Frame Deck
One of Fairmaple Carpentry’s favourite features is the picture frame surrounding the deck. The interlock and gardens were built with a frame as well to complement and enhance the deck’s layout. This is an amazing example of how planning out the full backyard in advance can create one cohesive space.
Inspired by this deck? Shop the materials at Biiibo!
Composite Decking
Composite Decking is typically made from a combination of wood fibers and recycled plastic. The blend of these materials gives composite decking the natural look of wood while enhancing it’s durability. Composite decking comes in a variety of colours and finishes to compliment the look of any backyard!
PVC Decking (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC decking is made entirely of plastic, typically virgin vinyl or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which gives it superior water resistance. PVC tends to be more expensive than pressure-treated lumber and composite decking due to its high durability and water resistance. However, it does make a worthwhile investment for many outdoor projects.
Pressure Treated Lumber
Pressure-treated lumber is a popular choice for outdoor decking due to its cost-effectiveness and durability. Treated with protective chemicals under high pressure to protect it from rot, insects, and decay, making it a great choice for outdoor structures like decks and fences.
Pergola System
Pergola systems, allow you to easily connect your wood pieces together to save time when building a pergola (or even other structures like the potential privacy fence seen here). Check out the pergola systems we carry to simplify the process and save time!
Outdoor Lighting
Built-in lighting adds both functionality and ambiance to any deck. Strategically placed lights on the stairs and around the perimeter help with safety while creating a welcoming glow for evening gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a late-night event or simply enjoying a quote evening, integrated lighting transforms your deck into a cozy space once the sun goes down. In addition to lighting built into the deck boards, you can also find other lighting options like garden bed lighting and post-cap lighting, check out our available options.