One of the most exciting decisions you'll make is choosing the perfect color for your deck. It's like picking the perfect paint for a masterpiece – it sets the tone for your entire outdoor area! Here are some tips to help you find the ideal deck color!
1. Consider Your Home's Exterior: Your deck should complement the color scheme of your home's exterior. Take a look at the dominant colors of your siding, trim, and accents. Choose a deck color that harmonizes with these elements to create a cohesive look.
Here is an example of a ramp that Zion Builders has built, and as you can see, the ramp color perfectly matches the shutters on the windows.
2. Think About Your Landscape: Look around your yard and consider the natural surroundings. Do you have lush greenery, vibrant flowers, or a breathtaking view? Select a deck color that enhances the beauty of your landscape while blending seamlessly with nature.
Here is a beautiful deck that Zion Builders built. As you can see, the color blends in well with the surrounding landscape.
3. Reflect Your Style: Your deck is an extension of your home and personal style. Are you drawn to classic elegance, modern simplicity, or rustic charm? Choose a deck color that reflects your unique taste and complements your outdoor decor and furnishings.
4. Consider Maintenance: Different deck materials require different levels of maintenance. Keep in mind the upkeep associated with your chosen deck color. Darker colors may show dirt and stains more easily, while lighter colors may require more frequent cleaning to maintain their brightness.
5. Test Samples: Before making a final decision, you can test out several deck color samples in your outdoor space. Apply small patches of each color and observe how they look throughout the day in various lighting conditions. This hands-on approach will help you visualize the end result and make an informed choice.
6. Think Long-Term: While trends come and go, your deck color should stand the test of time. Consider opting for a timeless hue that will remain stylish for years to come, ensuring that your outdoor retreat remains a source of joy and inspiration season after season.
7. Get Creative: Don't be afraid to get creative with your deck color! Consider unique finishes, patterns, or accents to add personality and flair to your outdoor space. Whether you prefer a bold statement or subtle elegance, let your imagination run wild!
Remember, your deck color sets the stage for unforgettable outdoor gatherings, relaxing moments in the sun, and cherished memories with loved ones.
Warm Tones versus Cool Tones
It is important to match the undertone of your deck with the undertones of the trim of your house and the surrounding landscape. Having mismatched undertones can really make the whole thing look off. Determining whether an object has warm or cool undertones involves observing its predominant color and assessing the hues it leans towards. Here's how to identify warm and cool undertones:
1. Warm Undertones:
- Look for colors with hints of red, orange, or yellow.
- Warm undertones often appear closer to the red, orange, or yellow sections of the color wheel.
- Examples of warm undertones include shades like peach, golden beige, coral, brick red, and olive green.
- Objects with warm undertones tend to evoke a cozy, inviting feeling.
2. Cool Undertones:
- Look for colors with hints of blue, green, or purple.
- Cool undertones typically align with the blue, green, or purple sections of the color wheel.
- Examples of cool undertones include shades like icy blue, mint green, lavender, slate gray, and royal blue.
- Objects with cool undertones often convey a refreshing, calming sensation.
3. Observation Tips:
- Natural Light: Assess the object's undertones in natural daylight, as artificial lighting can alter perceptions of color.
- Comparison: Place the object next to items with known warm or cool undertones to better discern its color temperature.
4. Consider Context:
- Keep in mind that the perception of warm or cool undertones can vary based on surrounding colors and lighting conditions.
- A color that appears warm in one setting may appear cooler in another due to factors like lighting temperature and adjacent hues.
By paying attention to the subtle nuances of color and understanding the characteristics of warm and cool undertones, you can accurately identify the color temperature of objects and make informed decisions when selecting colors for various purposes, such as home decor, fashion, and art.
For example, here are two samples of Trex composite decking material- one is warm toned, one is cool toned:
As you may have guessed, the one on the left is cool toned, and the one on the right is warm toned.
Trex Composite Decking
Maintaining the same color stain on your deck is hard work and requires regular maintenance. We'd like to introduce the idea of composite decking.
Composite decking mimics the same look and feel as wood, but is low maintenance, and typically requires absolutely no staining, sealing, or anything of that manner. It simply maintains its own beautiful color with little to no fading. Here are some of the beautiful color shades they offer:
If you're interested in learning more, we encourage you to visit their website Trex Color Selector: Select Your Composite Decking Colors | Trex
We are partnered as Platinum Level Builders with the Trex Select company. We are the most certified in the area to be installing decks with this material. Check out our Decks Page to see the beautiful decks we've made!
If you're not sure about the color, or the type of wood you want to be using, just contact us and we can come up with a plan together! Considering your deck color is so important, and really sets the mood for your outdoor space. Let us professionals help you with it!