Los Angeles Wood Decks & Composite Decking – Beautiful …

Looking for a beautiful and affordable wood deck, composite deck or garden bridge? I design and build custom wood decks which reflect the architectural style of your home, whether you have a Spanish Colonial, a Craftsman bungalow, or a Contemporary style home in the Los Angeles area.

I focus on building structures that are not only beautiful, but excellent value for the money and built to last. The right craftsmanship, building techniques and materials make all the difference in whether your deck will last 5, 10 or 15 years.

That is one of the reasons why I do all the work myself, so I can control the quality of construction and you don't have to deal with crews of workmen you have never met. My clients also hate having construction start and stop and stretch out for weeks, so I build for one homeowner at a time and stay on your project until it is done - usually completing most projects in one to two weeks. And I create a unique design for each client which reflects the unique look and feel of your home and garden.

Below is my portfolio of wood deck photos, as well as pricing for decks in the Los Angeles area and a detailed deck design guide. I hope these will help you find the right builder and design a deck you will enjoy for years to come. For workmen that refinish or repair decks, see my related links.

My online portfolio features photos of my work so you can see the type and styles of wood and composite decks I can build. To see more details about a project, just click on a photo.

As a first step, I recommend that you look at lots of different decks to discover what you do and don't like. You can mix and match design ideas and functionality to create the perfect deck area. So take a look at the photos below and online. If you see what you want (or something close), we can use that as a starting point for a client inspired design. For even more design ideas, check out the resources below. Then read over my design guide to get a really good idea of what you want, and the budget you want to spend.

When you are ready to get started, contact me and we can set up an appointment to tour your location, discuss design options and establish a budget, so I can give you a detailed estimate.

Contemporary Mangaris Deck Matching Deck with Cable Railing

Long Range View of Deck AboveMinimalist Asian Style Mangaris Deck

Simple Mangaris Back Yard Porch Deck Front Yard Ipe Deck

Post Modern Poolside Deck Red Balau Swimming Pool Deck

Ironwood House DeckIpe Patio Deck

Modern Ipe / Ironwood Deck Redwood Deck with Arbor

Multi-Level Wood BridgeModern Style Walkway Wood Entry Deck

Ipe Poolside Deck

Craftsman Redwood Deck Second Story Deck (detail)

Redwood Craftsman Deck & Arbor Two Story Redwood Craftsman Deck

Redwood Deck with Enclosure Craftsman Mangaris Deck & Arbor

The prices below are for well built wood or composite decks that look good and last for years. Unfortunately, not all wood decks are built well, and it can be difficult for a layman to tell the difference between a well built deck and one that will start having problems in a few years. Good quality material and hardware, combined with superior building skills, make all the difference.

The cost depends on the type of deck you are looking for: basic, custom or high end.

To get an idea of what it will cost, first measure (or estimate) the length and width. Multiply these together to get the square footage. This is the size of your new deck. Then pick a price range, and multiply by the low and high numbers. A more expensive wood or composite, built in benches, access gates, overhead arbors and special features can increase the cost.

You might be interested in reading comparing estimates for more information.

This design guide provides deck design ideas to help you develop a great design, select the best location, and identify the right deck material for needs and budget.

The style of your deck or bridge is created with design and construction components. By changing these key design elements and details, you can create a specific style or a totally unique design:

Your deck or bridge should harmonize with your garden landscaping, as well as the style of your home:

If your home has a distinctive architectural or artistic style, you may want to have your deck match it. For example:

In addition, the overall dimensions should also fit with the proportions of your home, garden, patio or stream. And if your deck encloses a tree or other landscaping, the final mature size of plants and trees should be factored into the design.

To make sure you are delighted with your custom deck -- you want to choose the right building material. In Los Angeles, the popular wood and composite choices allow you to make tradeoffs in terms of cost, quality, color, visual appearance, ease of maintenance and the ability to resist the elements (water, sun and pests).

You need to select materials for ...

The first type of wood to choose is for your substructure, the hidden framing you never see that is under your deck boards.

There are several popular choices for decking. Once you have chosen the boards, I pick the appropriate wood for your trim, posts and railings. Based on your needs and budget, I can build decks out of other woods and composite materials ... but these are the most popular.

If you need ideas and inspiration, check out these resources, clip magazine pictures, look through your vacation photos and keep an eye out for what you like in the neighborhood.

The more you know about what you like and don't the easier it is to create and build something you will be delighted with for years to come.

Here are a few books I recommend.

Design Ideas for Decks

This book provides inspiration and ideas for creating a great deck and is filled with photos and recent trends. LA Public Library book

The Deck Book: Inspirational Design Ideas

Over 100 custom decks are featured in 300 color photos that will inspire you and give you lots of ideas for builtins.

A Portfolio of Unique Deck Ideas

This book is an excellent resource for ideas with over 100 photos of decks. LA Public Library book

Deck Designs: Plus Pergolas, Railings, Planters, Benches by Stephen Cory

This book provides inspiration and ideas by showcasing 25 deck designs. For even more ideas, check out his Deck Designs, All New 3rd Edition: Great Design Ideas from Top Deck Designers

Taunton's Deck & Patio Idea Book

This book has lots of ideas and photos of decks, arbors, pergolas and patio covers. LA Public Library book

Better Homes and Gardens Deck & Patio Planner by Better Homes & Gardens

This book is filled with photos as well as pages that highlight custom features such as deck patterns, built-ins, outdoor kitchens, and hot tubs. LA Public Library book

Decks: Your guide to designing and building (Do-it-yourself) by Better Homes & Gardens

This book has many photos and ideas to help you design the perfect deck for you with all the features you want. LA Public Library book

Start-to-Finish: Patios by Martin Miller / Larry Erikson / Ortho Series

This comprehensive book covers every aspect of decks, from design and planning through construction and accessories. Includes sketches of benches, BBQs and how to add functionality into a deck. LA Public Library book

I also recommend checking out these online resources for more ideas.

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Los Angeles Wood Decks & Composite Decking - Beautiful ...