What Are the Benefits of a Deck?

Increases Living Space

• One of the main benefits of a deck is that it provides additional living space for your home. In particular, it offers valuable room for entertaining. When you throw a party or host a dinner, guests often wind up congregating in the kitchen while you are preparing food and drinks. Since you can equip your deck with a grill and bar, you can double the area where friends and family gather during social events so everyone is not crowded inside your kitchen. A deck also supplies an ideal spot for relaxing or having family meals during warmer months.

Enhances Yard Usability

• If your home is positioned on a hill or your yard is on the small side, there may not be much space available for use. A deck can increase your yard's usability because it may be elevated or built in levels to provide multiple areas. You can use one level for barbecuing and entertaining, another for a swing or lounge chairs and a third for a hot tub or home spa. Your yard can become much more functional no matter its size or terrain.

Adds Visual Interest

• You have a variety of styles to choose from when designing a deck, so you can opt for a simple look or an extremely complex, multi-level setup. As a result, your deck can add architectural interest to your home and make your yard more attractive. Incorporate planters, arbors, a gazebo or water feature to your deck to make it truly eye-catching.

Cost Effective

• While there are several ways to add living space to your home, few are as cost effective as building a deck. Outdoor additions are typically less expensive than indoor expansion because you do not have to deal with factors like roofing, wiring and insulation. However, your deck's design can incorporate a variety of complex features that make it almost as functional as a room. You can add an outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, refrigerator and working sink or simply include built-in furniture such as benches. Your budget may limit you, but the project will remain less costly than building an indoor addition for your home.

Increases Home Value

• Another key benefit that may persuade homeowners to build a deck is the possibility of increased home value. In fact, according to Remodeling Magazine's 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report, you can recoup 72.8 percent of the cost of building a wooden deck when you sell your home, compared to only 62.5 percent for a family room addition and 48.6 percent for a sunroom addition. In particular, having a deck may be an asset in a poor or over-saturated real estate market, so it is usually well worth the investment.