Ipe Deck - Great Look

Ipe makes a great deck! Similar to iron wood, ipe is one of the strongest, most durable wood available. Not only does it look great, it is also extremely resistant to termites, fire and decay.

Composite Deck - Looks Great!

Composite decks have many benefits;
-Great warranty - 25 years for Trex,
-Green, help save natural resources by recycling plastic and wood fibers,
-Low maintenance, no need to paint, sand or stain,
-Look great, here's proof: look at these photos of a recently completed deck and landscape in Rancho Penasquitos.

3D Deck Design

Because a deck design is very hard to imagine, York Design Group uses 3-dimensional design software to help all out clients visualize their new deck. By doing this, we can customize each deck to each homeowner.

Building a Safe Deck - Choose a Professional

Don't let this happen to you!!!




As part of our job as deck builders, we go and inspect many projects. Unfortunately, many of the decks we look at are not built safely - to handle the weight and movement of multiple people. There are too many variables and design considerations to take lightly, when in doubt, go with a professional. At York Design Group, we are trained and certified to safely design and build the deck of your dreams. Whether you plan on hosting a party with 50 people on your deck or just relaxing together, your deck needs to be safe.

Here are a few links to the Simpson, the industry leader in deck and construction hardware for your review;
Safe Strong Home
Strong Deck Center

California Fire Season - Building Fire Resistant Decks

With the yearly threat of devastating fires in California, it only makes sense to build smart and safe. Many of the major composite decking manufacturers have developed product lines that are fire resistant and meet new and stringent California fire codes.

Not only do these deck boards give our homeowner's a low-maintenance, long-lasting deck, but they are flame spread tested and fire-rated for at least one hour. This means that with the fast moving fires we experience, there is less of a chance that the deck will catch on fire.

As for the under structure of the deck, fire code requires large timber construction. This means in place of a typical 2x6 joist, we have to use a 4x8. We also oversize the posts and girder to a 6x material.

Here is a link to the State's Fire Marshall website listing approved products in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) for California.

Is your deck old, rotten, termite infested and unsafe?

Our newest deck advertisement!



We are starting a new deck replacement at the beach. The salty, moist air is especially rough on any exterior wood materials.
A great way to improve safety and enhance the value of your home is to repair your deck. Old deck boards, usually redwood, will only last so long without proper care. By removing these boards and installing Trex composite boards you will have an ultra low-maintenance deck that looks great. Trex composite lumber offer a 25 year warranty when properly installed. York Design Group provides a low cost, no hassle service of decking replacements.

Harris Job

This year we have been very fortunate and had the opportunity to work on a great project. We were hired by the Harris family to design landscape their new house. The mission was simple, design with a Tuscany theme - and make it unique. A pool, fireplace, BBQ island, pergola, fire pit, water features, were among a few of the required amenities. Here is a sketch from the first design presentation for a Tuscan pool concept. The arches have been since named the 'aqueduct'.



Here is the sketch for the front entry way;




Another critical design element is the plantings. Our goal was to stay as close to possible to a 'Mediterranean' plant palate. There's also a practical side to this - water (or lack of it). We used several types of water-saving grasses and lawns, including zoysia (in place of tall fescue), carex pansa (CA native meadow sedge) and stipa, juncus, miscanthus and penstemon (accent grasses). The vast majority of the plants fall within this requirement.
Here are few additional photos for the yard;



It's fair to say that this job turned out amazing.

Recent Custom Fountains

Water features are a great way to add interest, ambiance and value to an outdoor space. All of these were custom designed and hand built on site.

Outdoor BBQ Islands

Here are some great photos for some recent BBQ islands completed.

Building Decks - Landscape Contractors Scope of Work

In California, all contractors are governed by the state. There are strict laws that limit the scope of each specialty contractor.
In the past, we have been asked in the past if a landscape contractor (C-27) can build decks. Our answer has always been yes, as long as we don't modify the structure of the house or building. Here is a link to the State's website confirming that yes, a C-27 can contract this type of work.
As San Diego top deck builder, we would love to add your next deck to our portfolio. Give us a call!!!

Trex railing

York Design Group was recently commissioned to build Trex railing samples at several of the J&W Lumber locations in San Diego county. J&W is one of our main vendors, and they specialize in outdoor construction materials: http://www.jwredwood.com/

Trex Fencing

We are in the middle of a large fencing project at a condominium complex where the homeowners opted to use the new Trex Seclusions fencing. It is made the same as their composite decking and holds the same 25 year warranty. It is the perfect material for this project as it has a stunning look and requires no painting or maintenance.

These sturdy fences are seamless (no cracks between fence boards) and are completed with custom-made Trex gates.

Rooftop decks

Adding a deck is one of the best ways to turn a flat rooftop into a perfect outdoor setting. We used Trex decking and unique construction to create an ideal jacuzzi space on an otherwise unusable area.

Trex holds up against water, sun, and traffic better than wood and with virtually no maintenance.

Balconies: a deck upstairs and a covered patio below

Adding a balcony off of an upstairs room creates two spaces, the deck above, and the new room-feel of the area beneath. This deck was built to maximize the view out of the master bedroom. Lighting was added to the underside to help create an outdoor dining area. We used Trex decking and railing with tempered glass panels.

Built-in benches and planters

Some great accents to any deck are seating and flower beds, so why not build them as part of the deck? We built this low-level Trex deck to have a permanent, peaceful setting. The curved bench has trap doors for storage underneath. The fully functional planters include irrigation and lighting. Both the bench and the planters are trimmed with the decking material for consistency.

Tigerwood decking

We recently resurfaced an upstairs balcony for a customer with tigerwood, named for the dark streaks that run through this beautiful tan decking material. Tigerwood is classified as a hardwood, so rather than painting or staining it, we applied an oil finish that brings out the color of the decking and preserves it from weathering. Tigerwood is a very durable alternative to typical redwood decking.

Decks vs. Remodeling

More and more homeowners are turning to building a deck to increase usable space, add to the value of their home, and make the most out of outdoor living. People everywhere are finding that they can get much more bang for their buck with a deck, rather than a remodel or addition. The following article is one of many in recent times that highlight the benefits of adding a deck to your backyard. http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/for-the-home/homeowners-spend-big-bucks-on-backyard-decks-22964/

Deck Designing

Most decking companies have photo galleries that showcase their products and help inspire their customers.

Some companies offer free designs, plans, and even programs to create your own dream deck. The above plan is available on www.trex.com, along with many others.

Decks, Adding Value to your home.

Decks, they're beautiful and fun to use. Here in San Diego, they also add to the value of your largest investment. Not only are you improving your property, you are adding a usable and flat space to an unusable slope.

Here's a great article on MSN online that reiterates the value of adding a deck to your house, especially in a down economy.
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=16613127

The value of your investment depends on many things. Here in San Diego, most likely 100% or more of the cost of your deck will be added to the value of your house. I read that in some instances up to 110% can be expected.

Glass railing

We have all but finished our latest Trex deck. This one surrounds a new spa.

Trex is a composite decking material and is ideal for an application such as this. It requires minimal maintenance and has a 25 year warranty against any sort of rotting that would occur with regular wood decking.

Our client wanted to preserve the stunning view from their property. Whereas a typical railing would need a top and bottom rail, here we used extra thick tempered glass panels to enable the post-only look.