a new deck with yellawood

If you’ve stopped by recently, then you probably know we’ve been prepping the outdoors for those warmer months coming {sooner than it actually feels at the moment} this spring. So far we’ve brought some major curb appeal to the front yard with YellaWood^® brand pressure treated pine, {we’ve shared how to build a trellis + the brick pathway – coming soon}. We also shared our plans for the back, and why we’re replacing all those gross old composite planks on our deck. We’ve tackled so much progress for the future and we love it!

You can also see our cabana and 5-rail fence projects where we used YellaWood^® brand products.

After our new primary addition was finished, the back was a hot construction zone mess. We’ve been so busy with our own clients and on the inside of this house with musical bedrooms + getting settled… we hadn’t even really cleaned up the outside yet.

It’s also always fun to give another real before. With what we do, it’s easy to always move that goalpost without appreciating how far we’ve come. This is definitely one of those moments when we’re frustrated with the perpetual mess that a new addition created. 

So, here’s the after with that fabulous new YellaWood^® brand pressure treated deck! It looks so good. 

If you remember our story, these additions took a ton of configuring over time, working with future plans and setbacks, septic requirements, and more when it comes to local codes. It’s been a tricky situation, but with a lot of patience and hard work, we’ve slowly made this home our own. We love the way it’s all turned out.

Just like our front yard project in different phases, we were thrilled to have this deck built in time for the colder weather to come through. While we have a lot more plans for this space and will definitely be revisiting it all in the spring, it just felt good to have the back finally put back together again.

For the final look, we went with stripes! We pulled this look together with FrogTape. It truly made the project a breeze. We have stripes in the Cabana, our privacy wall, and even our hideaway floor. {More projects with YellaWood^® brand products!} So it felt right to pull it together here, too. 

No more mullets, and the whole party-in-the-back vibe feels better now. No more construction zone!

We’re ready to enjoy for the cooler months on those warmer days. Our pool is heated, and Tennessee can have some random weather. We love to take advantage of those days in the meantime! It’s like therapy in the winter months. So we’re just grateful we can enjoy it now. 

While these reveal photos are so fun, let’s back it up a minute and remember why we replaced that gross composite in the first place – and what we used instead. 

Unfortunately with our experience, composite isn’t what it’s hyped up to be. We spent way too much money on our old deck to learn that little fact the hard way. Since the addition came out to the side, we needed to expand anyway. We weren’t happy with our old materials, and we decided it was time for a fresh change. 

The old deck was warped, scratched, riddled with weird mold spots, and just gross in general. There’s also no way to alter it in the future with paint, stain, or sanding. But the deal breaker for us, is how hot it gets every single day, especially with pool days in the summer. It was burning the kids’ {and dogs’} feet every time they entered and exited the house. Since it’s south-facing, it was basically impossible to use and enjoy. Fail. 

Pssst… our oldest was such a help in building this fabulous new deck. Aren’t teenagers the best?!

A new deck with YellaWood^® brand pressure treated pine: What we used to build this deck!

Their materials really are game changers with how we now use this back area. It feels fresh, and we can alter the color over time as needed.

• Deck Boards – YellaWood^® brand decking

We love their light color, it makes it easy to cover with our fun stripes for a look that ties in seamlessly with our house. And of course, it’s pressure treated for “protection against rot, fungal decay, and termite attack”. Did we mention it’s backed by a lifetime limited warranty? 

We know we made the smart choice here. Sometimes simple really is the best answer. 

Learn more about YellaWood® brand decking options to see what works best for you.

• Joist Tape – YellaWood Joist Shield^® Butyl Decking Tape

When we pulled the composite planks off, you could tell the moisture was getting to the original framing underneath. Since the moisture was getting to the framing, we chose

to use this product because it uses the latest butyl technology to help prolong the life of a deck by providing a layer of moisture protection on the tops of joists and beams.

It already feels and looks better from the first steps! Learn more about YellaWood® brand deck accessories and how they help extend the life of your deck.

• Dimensional lumber for Framing and Stairs – YellaWood® Pressure Treated Dimensional Timbers

YellaWood® Dimensional Timbers are available in multiple sizes and these pieces really helped us pull all those angles together to join the overall deck. 

Just building something fresh was so satisfying! We’ll get into the painting part soon, but it feels so fresh now! 

For our colors: We used SW Drift of Mist {a light grey} Sea salt {tying in our other blues} + Acacia Haze – it’s a really nice green-grey that pairs perfectly with the others, and blends in so prettily with our doors. It’s a great way to go lighter to save those feet, without showing every single piece of dirt that the dogs will undoubtedly track back and forth. The risers are SW Extra White to match the house for contrast. 

In our opinion, we also love that it’s easier to maintain now, amongst other things. 

The deck was built on top of existing concrete around our pool. So it made for a slight slope going to the right. YellaWood^® brand products made it so easy to handle that issue, and make all those different cuts at an angle. It made for a clean finish!

 

The kids have a new favorite spot to lounge in with the new corner, as well. It’s actually a two-person swing and the perfect reading spot in the afternoons. Check out all the fun Flowerhouse designs here! So many fun options for seating space. 

Of course, we polished off the outside with more of those fabulous window world doors + some amazing Kichler Lights. We’ll be sharing more in the future but the back is so nicely lit now at night with the extra lighting. 

We adore the way that they all paired together with this new YellaWood^® brand pressure treated pine deck for that one-of-a-kind look on our home! 

The winter months can feel hard at times. We’re thrilled to have a happy new back spot to hang out, during those nicer days.

I think that when people consider the product that they want to use in their decking material, they don’t always consider long-term and what that really means. Nothing is “no maintenance” but we want something that will be easy to handle in the future. 

Let’s take one more look at that before + after…

Not many people rip up composite decking because they’re already committed to their choice. We had a chance to change when we built the addition and took it. No regret about the new choice of YellaWood^® brand products and the beauty that it adds. 

We just adore all the smart, practical options the YellaWood^® brand has to offer. 

 

We love the traditional choice and fun feel of this new space!

Here are just a few more shots, because we can’t get enough of our new YellaWood^® deck!

We can’t wait to revisit this in the spring to share how far it’s all come, along with how it holds up, and more plans for this space in the future. 

Of course, Rigby + Fitz approve. They’re happy to model any time! They love their new deck.

We have more big plans coming up in the warmer months, but for now, it’s nice to sit back and admire our finished work and new gathering space! Creating a home for your family is all about baby steps and appreciating where you are in the meantime. We love that YellaWood^® brand pressure treated pine is such a dependable, classic material to use in this space.

What’s your favorite element? We’d love to hear! 

Have an inspired day!

{We partnered with and are sponsored by our good friends at YellaWood^® for this video and psot. For more info on our branded content please visit our disclosure page.}