Enjoy your deck every season

With a little planning for weather, lighting, seating and decor features, decks easily become inviting entertainment spaces in spring, summer, fall and winter.

Outdoor entertaining is fun and informal, and decks offer a great place to entertain friends and family. With a little planning for weather, lighting, seating and decor features, decks easily become inviting entertainment spaces in spring, summer, fall and winter. The following sections offer some tips for making your deck a space for all seasons.

In the heat of the warmer months, decks can offer an attractive space for grilling and entertaining friends and family. Begin by purchasing a basic grill, then as you become a grill master, start exploring more advanced models. When the temperatures soar, shade is important, so consider strategically placed umbrellas or even a retractable awning that can protect from the sun and rain. Outdoor sofas and chairs with colourful cushions and a table to gather around are also useful. The warmer months can be rife with bugs, so consider using bug repellents. Spring and summer days are long, but adding lighting allows for evening entertaining. This could include wall mounted electrical fixtures or sparkling LED solar lights that can light the way down steps or walkways. Stock the warm weather deck with colourful plants, and you're all set to enjoy the spring and summer months.

When the weather turns cool in the autumn, thoughts turn to cozy fireplaces and indoor life. However, the deck can transition into fall and winter with a little planning. Managing the cold is the main hindrance to using the deck during autumn and winter. Fire pits or portable stoves add style to the deck while also adding comfort. Fire pits can be custom built outdoor fireplaces or a simple freestanding pit. You can choose gas, electrical or charcoal. Add a cozy enclosure, such as a tent, that surrounds seating or dining furniture and you're all set to get the camping experience on your own doorstep. Turn on the lights you installed during the summer to enjoy evenings snuggled on the deck. With proper attention to fire safety issues, the kids can even camp out in warmth and comfort.

Decks need minimal maintenance, but staining, repainting or resurfacing a wooden deck will protect it from harsh extremes of weather and extend its life. When getting the deck ready each season, check the structure for any subsidence or necessary repair to prevent small issues from becoming major issues.

A well maintained deck, properly fitted for the extremes of weather can offer years of outdoor enjoyment, no matter what the time of year.