Outdoor Living: Designing the Perfect Deck for Farmingdale Summers

Long Island summers are legendary, but they are also fleeting. From Memorial Day barbecues to quiet September evenings, we only get a few months to truly enjoy our yards. In South Farmingdale, where lot sizes can be tight, maximizing your outdoor living space isn’t just a luxury—it’s a way to double your entertaining area.

Whether you dream of a sprawling multi-level deck for parties or a cozy paver patio for a fire pit, Lee Home Improvement can transform your backyard into a private oasis. But before we dig the first post hole, there are critical design and material choices to make.

The Great Debate: Pressure Treated Wood vs. Composite

This is the number one question we get from homeowners. Ten years ago, everyone built with wood. Today, the market has shifted. Here is the honest breakdown for our NY climate:

1. Pressure Treated Lumber (The Traditional Choice)

The Good: It is affordable. A wood deck costs significantly less upfront than synthetics. It has a natural look and feel that some people prefer.

The Bad: It is high maintenance. In our humid climate, wood swells, cracks, and warps. You must stain or seal it every 1-2 years, or it will turn gray and splinter. It is also susceptible to carpenter ants and rot over time.

2. Composite Decking (Trex / TimberTech)

The Good: It is virtually indestructible. Made from a blend of recycled plastic and wood fibers, it never rots, warps, or fades. You never have to sand or stain it—just wash it with soap and water.

The Bad: It gets hot. In direct July sun, composite boards can get hotter than wood. However, newer “cool touch” technology is mitigating this.

The Alternative: Paver Patios

If you have a flat yard, a paver patio might be a better choice than a raised deck. Patios offer a seamless transition from the lawn and are perfect for heavy loads like outdoor kitchens or hot tubs.

At Lee Home Improvement, we install Cambridge Pavingstones with ArmorTec. These pavers are manufactured right here on the East Coast and are designed to withstand our freeze/thaw cycles without cracking or losing their color.

The “Boring” Stuff: Permits & Zoning

In the Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County, you cannot just build whatever you want in your backyard. There are strict rules regarding:

• Lot Coverage: You can only cover a certain percentage of your land with structures (house + deck + shed).
• Setbacks: You cannot build a deck right up to your neighbor’s fence. There are mandatory distance requirements.

Design Trends for Farmingdale Homes

We aren’t just building squares anymore. Here is what is trending in Long Island backyards:

1. The “Cocktail Rail”

Instead of a rounded handrail, we install a flat, wide board on top of the railing. It’s the perfect width to rest a drink or a plate of food, turning your entire railing into a bar top.

2. Picture Framing

For composite decks, we use a darker color board around the perimeter of the deck (the “picture frame”). It hides the cut ends of the boards and adds a high-end, custom look.

3. Integrated Lighting

Solar cap lights on the posts and low-voltage LED riser lights on the stairs not only look beautiful at night but make your deck safer for guests.

Get Ready for Summer

A new deck or patio is an extension of your home. It’s an outdoor dining room, a playroom, and a vacation spot all in one.

Don’t wait until June to call us—spring is our busiest season! Contact Lee Home Improvement today for a free backyard consultation.