Deck Planning in Maryland & Virginia: Sun & Bugs

Deck Planning Series Part 1

Planning a deck in Montgomery County or Fairfax County requires understanding your sun exposure and bug patterns before breaking ground. This first installment in our deck planning series walks you through assessing your property's microclimates, identifying seasonal pest pressures, and making design decisions that maximize comfort year-round in the DMV region.

You’ve long been dreaming of a deck for your home, but here’s a little more food for thought before you order the materials and break out the tools.

Spend different times of day outdoors in the exact spot where you plan to construct your deck. Since there is no structure there now and it’s only your imagination creating the vision of a deck, it’s easy to overlook one very crucial consideration – the environment. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your outdoor surroundings before breaking ground. Why? Two main reasons: sun and bugs.

Does your desired deck location have a southern exposure? Do you have mosquito or other pest problems? If your backyard receives brutal sunlight for most of the day and if your yard is particularly beloved by pesky insects, you may want to open up your deck planning and opt for a screen room instead.

While the idea of adding a deck to your home is obviously attractive, the truth is that there’s a good chance you won’t be spending much time outdoors enjoying your new construction if you’ll constantly be sweating, trying to block out the sun, and swatting away insects. You’re better off just staying indoors.

Get the best of the outdoors and indoors by building a screened-in deck instead. You can even leave a portion of the deck unscreened and completely open to the elements, if desired. But you’re more likely to revel in your home’s addition if it’s a comfortable one.

Up next in Part 2 of the Deck Planning Series: Investment, entertainment, or both?