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