THE HOMEOWNER GUIDES / 02
ROOM FOR
YOUR EVERYDAY.
A homeowner’s guide to planning a deck
Start with your space ↓A LITTLE PLANNING GOES A LONG WAY.
Start with the way you want to spend time outside. This guide helps you think through the footprint, the route to the yard and the choices to discuss with Ironwood in Janesville before a deck takes shape.
01 / THE WAY YOU LIVE
PICTURE AN ORDINARY EVENING.
Plan for the furniture and people who will actually use the space. A simple sketch can reveal more than a square-footage target.
A place to eat
Draw the table with the chairs pulled out. Think about the route from the kitchen and the room people need to pass behind someone who is seated.
A place to settle in
Sketch your chairs or sofa, then notice the view, afternoon sun and the privacy you would like when you sit down.
A way into the yard
Follow the path from the door to the stairs. Keep that route clear of furniture and think about where it meets the lawn or an existing path.
02 / THE SHAPE OF THE SPACE
MAKE THE CONNECTIONS WORK.
The footprint is only part of the plan. Doors, changes in height and the ground below shape how the deck connects to your home.
- Doors & access
- Photograph the wall and doors where the deck would sit. Include vents, meters and other features that need access.
- Stairs & railings
- Mark where you want to reach the yard. Discuss the stair location, landings and railing design as part of the whole layout.
- An existing deck
- Show the surface, stairs and visible structure without entering unsafe areas. Ask what needs assessment before considering reuse or replacement.
03 / LOOK & UPKEEP
CHOOSE FOR LIFE OUTSIDE.
Ask Ironwood which decking and railing options suit your proposed project. Compare the complete system and its care requirements—not just a small color sample. Confirm actual products in the project scope.
- What routine cleaning and refinishing does this product need?
- How does the sample feel in sun or when wet?
- What are the manufacturer’s care instructions and project-specific installation requirements?
04 / UNDERSTANDING THE SCOPE
THE FOOTPRINT IS JUST THE START.
A useful estimate describes what is included as well as the size. These are the scope decisions to talk through.
- Shape & access
- The footprint, height, stair configuration, railings and access for construction.
- Existing conditions
- Removal, the condition of anything proposed for reuse and work around the house.
- Materials & details
- Decking and railing products, finishing, disposal and site restoration.
05 / BEFORE THE FIRST CONVERSATION
A FEW NOTES.
A BETTER START.
You do not need a finished design to get in touch. These details make it easier to talk about what you have in mind.
- Your property location and wide photos of the house and yard.
- A rough footprint, with doors and the desired route to the yard marked.
- Furniture dimensions and how you want to use the space.
- Photos of any existing deck and the changes you have in mind.
- Your preferred look, maintenance expectations, timing and budget.
YOUR SPACE. YOUR NEXT STEP.
MAKE ROOM FOR
THE WAY YOU LIVE.
Share your location and your ideas. We’ll talk through your property, your priorities and the next step.
DISCUSS YOUR DECKExplore our deck service →