Despite our need for shelter from elements that can kill us, we have always sought opportunity to get back into or close to nature. We do prefer to do so on our terms, rather than whatever climate and circumstances nature decides to offer when we feel that need. A large part of our effort to reunite with nature has revolved around creating outdoor spaces adjoining our houses. There, we can get outside to enjoy favorable climate conditions, at whatever time we choose. These outdoor spaces go by many names and have manifested as lanais, porches, screened enclosures, patios, etc. The most common outdoor spaces, constructed and attached to homes in western cultures, are outdoor decks, balconies and patios. For the purposes of this work, we will explore options available to build decks and balconies, structures that are usually supported at some point above grade.

Learning Objective:

• • The evolving use of different materials to construct usable outdoor surfaces
  • Strengths and weaknesses of each available outdoor surface option
  • Different coating options, used to cover and protect outdoor wood surfaces
  • Strengths and weaknesses of different coating materials used to protect wood surfaces
  • New surfacing options that have been developed to overcome decking material limitations
  • How surfacing materials are being combined to minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths