| Decks can leave one feeling exposed and | | | | can result in separate but isolated areas. |
| uncomfortable without some kind of definition | | | | Perceived walls, however, suggest the |
| both above and at the edges. It is possible | | | | separation without isolating the areas from |
| to enhance deck privacy and enclosure if the | | | | one another. They interrupt both visual and |
| deck site lacks the necessary natural | | | | actual movement but they do not block views. |
| attributes. | | | | As a result they direct traffic effectively |
| | | | and define space without creating a feeling |
| It's a good idea to consider privacy first. | | | | of claustrophobia. |
| If the proposed site is at the least exposed | | | | |
| side of the house, at a corner where the main | | | | Another means of creating deck privacy and |
| structure of the home meets a wing or tucked | | | | enclosure is through the use of screening |
| behind a retaining wall or hedge, privacy | | | | which simply involves the careful placing of |
| probaly will not be an issue. Also if the | | | | plants, fences, walls, trellises and other |
| site is isolated from the house or is on an | | | | stuctures. The amount of screening required |
| elevated hill above the surrounding views, | | | | will depend upon on how each area of the deck |
| the deck design may not need to be altered. | | | | is to be used. Cozy, intimate places for |
| However, if the deck is not effectively | | | | conversation, reading, sunbathing or |
| screened from the street and from a | | | | meditation should provide lots of privacy. |
| neighbor's view, then it will be necessary to | | | | These areas need to be screened with walls, |
| add a fence, a wall, trees or shrubs to the | | | | high fences or dense evergreen plantings. |
| plan. Fences create privacy and security but | | | | Active areas for family gatherings, child |
| with a little thought they can also | | | | play and parties require less privacy. |
| contribute beauty to the landscape. Climbing | | | | Partial screening is the answer such as |
| vines or hanging baskets full of cascading | | | | latticework fences, airy trees or walls with |
| foliage and flowers can add color and texture | | | | available seating. |
| to perimeter fencing for little expense and | | | | |
| effort. | | | | The placement of privacy screens is an |
| | | | important consideration. The closer to the |
| These same elements have the capacity to | | | | deck area, the more privacy is created. The |
| produce a sense of enclosure but so will | | | | farther from the deck area, the less privacy. |
| benches, garden beds and other features. | | | | |
| Overhead space can also affect the comfort | | | | Few decks require screening around the entire |
| level of deck occupants. So an outdoor | | | | perimeter. Plan the screening to block the |
| ceiling or overhead such as an arbor, pergola | | | | most revealing view first. The idea is to |
| or tree limbs is an possible consideration. | | | | enhance privacy without barricading the |
| | | | outdoor deck space. |
| Walls and fences make attractive additions to | | | | |
| an outdoor space design by connecting the | | | | For maximum privacy as well as security |
| deck to the larger landscape and adding a | | | | install a solid wall, a fence or dense hedge. |
| vertical contrast to the horizontal expanse | | | | These structures can function as effective |
| of the lawn. | | | | boundaries that can retain children and pets |
| | | | within the yard and keep unwanted visitors |
| Walls and fences can define space giving it | | | | out. They make an ideal backdrop for garden |
| an identity that suits its purpose. They can | | | | beds where flower borders, ponds, fountains |
| create privacy, tame slopes, block annoying | | | | and sculpture will stand out dramatically and |
| winds, form backgrounds for decorative | | | | enhance the aesthetic look of the yard. |
| accents and hide unsightly utility devices | | | | |
| and areas. Walls and fences can make large | | | | Selecting materials for outdoor walls and |
| areas seem less imposing by dividing them | | | | fences offers another excellent design |
| into smaller ones. | | | | opportunity. There are a tremendous number of |
| | | | choices but the goal should be to select |
| There are obvious walls such as fences, | | | | materials that suit the style of the home and |
| hedges and the sides of the house. But there | | | | the landscape. A solid brick wall can look |
| are also walls that are not as obvious. These | | | | classic and imposing. Interlocking concrete |
| are perceived walls that include low hedges, | | | | blocks suit most home styles. An evergreen |
| built-in or freestanding benches, planters, | | | | hedge or closely planted row of roses can |
| changes in deck levels, posts that support an | | | | create a colorful and attractive barrier that |
| overhead, plants, shrubs and small trees. | | | | is almost inpenetrable. |
| Anything that separates the deck from the | | | | |
| rest of the world or separates one area of | | | | Homeowners are only limited by their |
| the deck from another can be considered a | | | | imaginations and willingness to experiment |
| wall. Erecting solid walls, fences or dense | | | | with creative and different ways of creating |
| hedges to divide property into divided spaces | | | | deck privacy and enclosure. |