What to Look for in Deck Design Software
Making the decision to build a deck on your house is a big one, and one that will result in a whole lot of research and planning. Initially you will find that your research will be haphazard, as you explore the Internet for images of other people’s decks. This is an important step in the process, and certainly not one that should be skipped, but at some stage you are going to want to start planning out your deck more formally. It’s at this stage that a good deck design software package can come in extremely handy. Ideally, you will want to hire a professional builder or architect to lay out your plans properly, but using software to design your deck before employing someone else will save you a whole lot of money in the long term. Most designers will charge you by the hour, and if you start utilising their services before you have made informed decisions, that will be money wasted.
There are quite a few packages available out there, but you need to be aware that most of them fall into one of two categories. Either they are developed with the homeowner in mind, or they have been specifically built for showrooms and retailers. These high end software packages designed for businesses will cost a whole lot more than the ones that you are most likely after. Deck design programs that have been designed for showrooms and the like can cost you upwards of $1,000, which is obviously too much for a homeowner to spend if they are only likely to use the software once.
Fortunately, software developers have recognised the need for such a software solution for homeowners, and there are plenty of packages out there that are either quite reasonably priced, if not free. There are many different features across the varied platforms, many of which you would not even consider unless you were actually shown them. To help you in your decision, have a look through the feature list below. These features come from many different packages, and creating a wish list for the functionality you desire in your software will help you to easily make a decision about which option to purchase…
3 Dimensional Viewing – This is one of the most desirable aspects of any deck designing software. The ability to zoom in and out on your deck as you are creating it, and to view it from different angles, is one of the biggest benefits afforded by using a software package rather than a bunch of blueprints. You can get a bird’s eye view of your deck, or see what it will look like from the yard. Some packages will even allow you to sit in the deck chair and swivel around, almost like being on your deck before it is even built.
Adding Plants and Accessories – As nice as it is to design your deck, it’s really not a deck until you have it filled with your furniture, plants, barbeque, or whatever else you plan to place on it. Ideally, your software should come with a range of items that can be added to the deck you design, and moved around to give you more of an idea of how the finished product will look.
Simulated Lighting – If you’ve ever experienced a deck before, you will know that the atmosphere of this space changes during the day. You want to be able to adjust the sunlight on your virtual deck to give you a clear indication of how it will look at different times of the day. It’s also incredibly useful if you can experiment with different types of lighting for night time use as well. You may save yourself a lot in electrician bills by making an informed decision on the type of lights you want to use and their placement on the deck.
Selection of Timber Finishes – There are many different types of timber that can be used in the design of your deck, and each one will provide it’s own specific look and feel to your deck. Not only that, but you also have a huge range of paints and varnishes that can be chosen as well. Ideally, a good deck designer software should allow you to mix and match different materials, as well as combine colors to get an idea of what works well in your particular situation. Some software is smart enough to give suggestions on what colors work well together, and what materials will withstand harsh weather conditions.
Templates - Sometimes it can be really difficult to start designing a deck from scratch. Luckily, most of the software packages available come with predefined templates that you can start from. This means that instead of working from the ground up, you can simply choose a design that looks similar to what you are after, and then modify it to suit your needs.
Exporting and Printing – After you have your virtual deck looking exactly as you want it, your home deck design software should ideally give you the ability to export the data to an external file. If you have this functionality available, it means that you can print out a list of all the materials that will be needed to build your deck, and take that list to a builder or a hardware store, and get a good idea of how much all of this is going to cost. Some of the higher end programs will even give you the option of printing blueprints that can be handed straight over to the builder.
Intuitive User Interface – If you have spent money on a software package to help you design your deck, the last thing you need is a program that needs a degree in order to run it. If possible, try and get a trial version of your software before purchasing to ensure that the interface is easy to understand and use. It should make use of menu items to group similar functions together, and the screen should be clean and uncluttered, leaving as much room for your workspace as possible.
As I mentioned previously, there are quite a few software packages that you can choose from. Hopefully this list of features will have helped you to make a more informed decision. If money is really tight, there are even free online tools that can be used to give you a basic overview of what you need. Remember, the best deck design software is one that creates your ideal deck for you. Everything else may try and entice you with flashy colors and features, but the don’t lose sight of the end product; being able to sit out on your deck with a relaxing drink in your hand and watch the sun set over the horizon.
