Designing a deck for your home used to be painstaking work. In most cases, it required the skills and experience of a builder or carpenter. These days, however, do-it-yourself clinics are held at local home improvement stores, sparking a burst of popularity in deck design software. With a few tools, some extra time and a software program that helps add style and flair to your deck, anyone can begin designing the deck that fits perfectly with their home and landscaping.

Important Features in 3D Deck Design Software

There are several types of software available that can guide you through the process of designing a deck. Some are created for professionals (any usually come with much higher prices). Others are geared to the homeowner with a menu of features that can make the designing project imaginative and productive. Some features are more important than others and should be considered a priority.

For example, your deck will likely consist of many components. The design software you use should provide the ability to look at your deck in comprehensive layers. You should also be able to cast light in different areas of the deck so you can envision what your deck will look like given various placements of the lights. The software program should come with a host of templates that you can use to visualize how your deck designs will transition into the landscaping that surrounds your house. Some programs can even provide you with the ability to simulate the position of the sun during different times of the day.

Designing Your Deck The Easy Way

Designing a deck can be complicated. There are many factors that can potentially make your deck less-useful. By using a flexible deck design program, you can easily construct hypothetical patterns and structural elements to help you maximize the use you get from your deck. Look for software that lets you visualize your deck in layers, offers lighting features and provides several templates from which you can start your design. These features can make your design project easier, more enjoyable and ultimately, more rewarding.

How to Build a Wood Deck

Building a wood deck correctly can create the perfect transition between your home and your backyard. How to build a deck planning and construction should result in a wonderful place to go to relax and unwind after a hectic day. Whether you are going to have your deck built by a professional or do it yourself, building a deck correctly requires proper planning and design.

5 East Steps to Building a Wood Deck

Composite Decking Design Guide

If you're a homeowner deciding whether to build a deck, you've got a lot of decisions in front of you. The most important choice you face is what kind of deck you want to build. Will it be a porch? A barbecue area? A pool deck? The choices are limited only by your budget and your creativity, so this will undoubtedly be the most challenging decision. But it won't be the only one.

Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Composite Decks

BRAND	COST	REVIEW	RATING
Google SketchUp	Free	Google SketchUp is software that you can use to create 3D models of anything you like. Not made specifically for landscaping designs, but you can be creative and have fun trying.
Design Workshop	Free	Not too complicated, and still fun to play around with. Great quality for a free product. An excellent, easy to use, and powerful enough to design a bathroom. A decent learning curve, so be prepared to spend some boring time at the manual. Either some features don't exist, or I have simply not found them yet.
Total 3D Home Design Delux	$29.95	Total 3D Home Deluxe is not as eye-candy-filled as the higher-ranked programs, but it has some really interesting design options to play with, like the Decorating Tools. You can choose any room in the house, and “decorate” each room with pre-designed templates, or make your own. It’s easy to use, and fun!
Instant Home Design 3.0	$9.19	Instant Home Design 3.0 is definitely an entry-level program, offering home design newcomers all the basic features they need for a low price tag. There are no landscaping features available in this program; it is strictly for home design.
SmartDraw	Free 30 day $220 after	I’ve had this software for a while. To me it was a good investment because I use it for other things. I’ve designed with it a few times but generally rely on my professional software for landscaping plans. They offer a free 30 day trial version. I see the free trial version like this. If you can design your yard in less than 30 days, You don’t need to buy it.
Punch Super Home	$13	This product has come a long way since I first tried it. I have to admit that I like this one too. However, it's not one of my top picks. The drawing tools are a little more advanced and there's plenty of them. They take a little getting used to. However, once you figure them out, it moves very quickly.
Pulsar USA	$295	Powerful and sophisticated, yet easy to use, these two indoor layout software packages are ideal for the kitchen specialist, decorator, designer, closet, garage furniture, contractor or anyone else planning interior home renovation projects in metric or imperial measurements.  Every object in every picture was created with-in DecoTech™ and or Pro100, imagine what you can do.
Plan3D	$3/month	Design one room, create a three story home, remodel a bathroom or kitchen, or redo your yard. Plan3D lets you see ideas with dimensions in blueprint-like mode. When I first used this app the functionality was poor. However, developers have made alot of improvements and soon to be 3 out of 5 stars.
Pro100	$30-$80	Pro100 is the perfect product for any interior design job.  Are you a Kitchen Dealer looking for 3D Kitchen Design Software or a Remodeler looking for Remodeling Software?  Pro100 is both and more.  Pro100 is also an Office Design or Office Layout Software.  While we are at it, Pro100 is also Closet Layout Software.  Do you sell Garage Furniture or Garage Cabinets.  Pro100 is also great Garage Design Software.  Pro100 is better then 20/20 Design Software if you need to do any custom work.  With Pro100 you can create any cabinet you can dream up.  With the Pro100 Shape Editor you can create custom shaped parts for you projects.