Our new deck!

Now that the ground has thawed, and we have temperatures above, rather than below, zero, it was time to start thinking about our outside space. Our house is on a gentle slope, which means the land falls away slightly towards the back of the property. We don't have a big enough slope for a 'walkout' basement, but nevertheless, it is a pretty big drop from our patio doors to the ground below - about 5 feet!
So, time to plan and build our deck. Here in Canada, almost every home is incomplete without one, and they come in all shapes and sizes. We wanted a deck that would stand up to the many days of intense sunshine, extremely dry climate and harsh winter temperatures, especially considering our backyard is south facing. Therefore, rather than go for a completely wooden deck, which would need replacing after about 3-5 years, we decided to go for a composite material, which is longer lasting and durable. It cost a little more, but should save us money long term.
We've also gone for a 2 tier deck, with a high platform outside the patio doors for the barbecue area, and a lower deck just above ground level for the table and chairs, to make the deck feel more like part of the rest of the garden.
We're really pleased with the results, and have enjoyed our first barbie and meal outside this weekend in the +20's temperatures this May long weekend. Hopefully this is just the start of the transformation of our outdoor space!