A deck is a beautiful extension of your home and your lifestyle, offering opportunities to entertain and relax out-of-doors and in tune with nature. Decks are also a long-term investment that require pre-planning and on-going maintenance. Before you start building the perfect wood deck, consider these points in your planning process:

• Think about how your wood deck will be used. Ask yourself if your wood deck will be a small, private retreat or an expensive place for entertaining. It is possible to create both by combining large flat surfaces with smaller, tucked away areas set off by rails, seating and trellis work.
• Consider the sun’s exposure and the amount of shade you want. While the morning sun is ideal, especially for potted flowers, afternoon exposure can be harsh and you will want to create shaded areas.
• Generally the southwest and southeast corners of a house offer the best combination of sun and shade. Sun is also the most damaging weather condition for your deck, with UV rays that break down the wood.
• Check local building codes and regulations. Determine what guidelines, permits and restrictions you must follow and consult a building professional if the construction is going to be difficult. Because the average size of a wood deck is approximately 400 square feet, consider dividing the project into small, manageable projects so your building experience, budget and outdoor living can grow each year with your deck.
• Choose a quality lumber that resists weathering, warping and splitting over lower cost lumber. The rugged, knot-textured garden grades of wood are more ideal for outdoor structures, and much more economical than architectural grades.
• Make a list of materials you will need and purchase everything up front.
• New wood needs to weather prior to applying a finish. The weathering process enables moisture to escape which can cause splitting and warping later. How long you should allow the wood to weather depends upon the species of wood and the finish product you want to use. See product's label instructions for weathering specific weathering time.
• Finally, personalize your deck with accents such as stepping stones, built-in seating, privacy screens, rails and trellis work.

For more deck building information, including decking plans and wood deck designs, visit http://www.cedar-decking.com/. See examples of cedar decking, sample deck projects, specifications and where to buy decking material.