The What
You might have heard the term “picture framing” in relation to a deck before. What does that mean?
When a deck has not been picture-framed, the deck boards stop abruptly on either side of the deck with the cut ends in view. You may not notice these cut ends unless your deck is at eye level. However, over time these end grains may begin to look a little worse for wear. They may splinter or crack from being exposed to the elements.
Picture framing serves two purposes: aesthetically, it hides the cut ends of deck boards and functionally, it gives some protection to the exposed grains. Picture framing is when a border is installed around the outside edges of a deck. This dresses up the deck quite a lot, and clearly tells homeowners or guests where the edges of the deck are!
As with most deck designs, picture framing can be simple or it can be detailed. A simple picture frame could be just one piece of deck trim boarding all sides. A more elaborate picture frame could be two trim boards on all sides to draw more attention. Alternatively, a deck may be broken up into sections with each section having a picture frame. Often when deck boards are made of composite material, homeowners choose to use an accent color for the picture frame to heighten the eye-popping affect.
The Why
In the previous paragraph, we mentioned a couple of reasons why you might want to picture frame your deck. It really adds elegance to your outdoor space while also giving your deck boards some protection! With picture framing, you can really make the design of your deck stand out to your neighbors and guests. Additionally, if you have family members that struggle to see clearly, picture framing might help them to see steps and edges when they are using your deck.
If you are considering picture framing your deck yourself, it is important to note that a good amount of planning needs to be done before the deck framing process to prepare. Deck boards cannot run parallel to their supporting framing underneath, so the end of every deck board must be supported. If your picture frame boards will run parallel to the joists underneath, extra blocking will need to be installed between the joists to give proper support. Keep in mind that picture framing is more than a weekend project! It takes some more experienced planning to ensure that a picture framed deck is built correctly.
If you are looking for a trustworthy custom deck builder to help you with your upcoming deck project, we are only a phone call away! If you choose to do it yourself, more power to you! We hope your finished project is truly beautiful and enjoyed for many years to come.
