Whether you own a restaurant or run a real estate practice out of a permanent model home, an outdoor deck can be an attractive extension of your business. An outdoor deck made of wood decking or aluminum decking can reflect your taste and style, and provide customers or employees with a relaxing space. The market for decking products and equipment is expansive with many options available to help you create the perfect outdoor deck.

Before you begin shopping for decking products and equipment consider the following:

1. The types of decking materials you want to use.
2. The kinds of decking equipment that might be useful.
3. Whether or not you need lighting on your outdoor deck.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose wood decking for a warm, inviting look

When it comes to decking materials, you have several options. If you want to use wood decking for your outdoor deck, consider traditional wooden planks or wooden tiles. Composite wood decking typically costs less than natural wood.

I recommend: Hardwood Home sells four types of eco-friendly wooden tiles, including these durable Grapia decking tiles, which will withstand harsh winters. EverGrain Composite Decking sells deck boards in three colors that emulate the natural color variations of real wood. For more wood decking suppliers, check the listings at Business.com.

Choose aluminum decking for easy maintenance

Aluminum decking is virtually maintenance free and is both waterproof and fireproof.

I recommend: LockDry aluminum decking is available in four colors and won’t rot or rust. Xccent’s DryDeck aluminum decking is watertight and comes in three neutral shades. A number of aluminum decking vendors can be found in Business.com’s steel decking listings.

Find the right decking equipment

Building an outdoor deck requires a great deal of decking equipment. Stock up on all necessary decking equipment before beginning your project.

I recommend: For a good list of decking equipment you may need, consult this decking tools and materials checklist. If you’re working with wood, this Bowrench deck tool from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware will allow you to bend several boards simultaneously. At Home Depot you can find this heavy duty deck screwdriver with high torque for deck building.

Use software to create your outdoor deck

Whether you're building your first outdoor deck or you're a seasoned pro, using software can help you visualize the project.

I recommend: Do-it-Yourself Deck Designer Software allows you to create complete plans and shopping lists to simplify the process. If you can’t visualize what you want your outdoor deck to look like, Decks USA offers a CD-ROM that contains photos of more than 360 deck designs to help get you started.

Protect your outdoor deck and your customers

Sealants and stains are some of the most important decking products and equipment and are necessary to preserve the look and quality of your masterpiece. Deck stains and sealers can help repel water, resist mildew and prevent fading in high traffic areas. Oil-based finishes tend to hold their color a bit longer, but water-based finishes tend to be more durable. To keep an outdoor deck from becoming a slip hazard for customers, consider using non-skid deck coating.

I recommend: Lowe's offers a wide variety of decking materials, such as deck stains and sealants, along with how-to instructions for cleaning and sealing your outdoor deck. You can also buy a polyurethane non-skid deck coating that is suitable for all substrates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Creating a list of necessary decking products and equipment will help ensure that construction starts on time.
• •  When choosing decking materials, consider carrying over the style of the interior of your business onto your outdoor deck.
• •  Buying some how-to software can help ensure that the decking products and equipment you've purchased are put to good use.