Los Angeles wooden arbor, pergola, patio cover, fence, deck, driveway gate, entry gate, garden gate, tree house and play house designer and builder.

Peter A. Kirsch-Korff

Beautiful Wood Decks & Decking


Los Angeles      Pasadena      Hollywood      La Canada      Malibu


Modern Mangaris Wood Deck - Silverlake / Los Feliz, CA 
Pasadena Mangaris TM deck before patio cover   Silverlake / Los Feliz Modern Mangaris Deck   Second Story Wood Deck - West Los Angeles. CA   Matching Second Story Deck with Cable Railing - Woodland Hills, CA   Modern Wood Entry walkway wood deck
 
Modern Pool Deck - LA, California    Malibu Craftsman Wood Poolside Deck with Arbor and Bench - Malibu, CA   Woodland Hills Swimming Pool Wood Decking   New Replacement for A Craftsman Wood Two Story Deck - Los Angeles, CA   Custom Ironwood Decks Surrounding House and Gates - Playa Del Rey, CA

Wood Decks & Decking

Looking for a beautiful and affordable wood deck or garden bridge? I design and build custom wood decks which reflect the architectural style of your home, whether you have a Spanish Colonial, a Craftsman bungalow, or a Contemporary style home in the Los Angeles area.

I focus on building structures that are not only beautiful, but excellent value for the money and built to last. The right craftsmanship, building techniques and materials make all the difference in whether your deck will last 5, 10 or 15 years.

That is one of the reasons why I do all the work myself, so I can control the quality of construction and you don't have to deal with crews of workmen you have never met. My clients also hate having construction start and stop and stretch out for weeks, so I build for one homeowner at a time and stay on your project until it is done - usually completing most projects in one to two weeks. And I create a unique design for each client which reflects the unique look and feel of your home and garden.

Below is my portfolio of wood deck photos, as well as pricing for decks in the Los Angeles area and a detailed deck design guide. I hope these will help you find the right builder and design a deck you will enjoy for years to come. For workmen that refinish or repair decks, see my related links.

 

Portfolio of Wood Decks & Garden Bridges

My online portfolio features photos of my work so you can see the type and styles of wood decks I can build. To see more details about a project, just click on a photo.

As a first step, I recommend that you look at lots of different decks to discover what you do and don't like. You can mix and match design ideas and functionality to create the perfect deck area. So take a look at the photos below and online. If you see what you want (or something close), we can use that as a starting point for a client inspired design. For even more design ideas, check out the resources below. Then read over my design guide to get a really good idea of what you want, and the budget you want to spend.

When you are ready to get started, contact me and we can set up an appointment to tour your location, discuss design options and establish a budget, so I can give you a detailed estimate.

  

Contemporary Style Decks & Garden Bridges  

Modern Mangaris Wood Deck - Silverlake / Los Feliz area of Los Angeles, CA    Matching Second Story Deck with Cable Railing - Woodland Hills, CA

Contemporary Mangaris™ Deck                               Matching Deck with Cable Railing   

 

Second Story Wood Deck - Los Angeles, CA    Modern Los Angeles Wood Deck before adding the Patio Cover - Pasadena, CA

Long Range View of Deck Above    Minimalist Asian Style Mangaris™ Deck

       

Simple Mangaris Back Yard Patio Deck - Atwater Village, CA     Heavy Duty Beach Front Dining Ipe Patio Deck Landscaped (side view) - Manhattan Beach, CA

Simple Mangaris Back Yard Porch Deck          Front Yard Ipe Deck

 

Modern Pool Deck - Northridge / San Fernando Valley / LA, California     Swimming Pool Deck with Cable Railing - Woodland Hills, CA

Post Modern Poolside Deck                                      Red Balau Swimming Pool Deck  

 

Contemporary Ipe Deck - Encino, CA     Contemporary Ipe Patio Extension Deck with Fencing and Hidden Gate - La Canada, CA

Contemporary Ipe Deck                                   Contemporary Ipe Deck with Gate     

 

Contemporary Ipe Deck with Hot Tub Surround with Stairs and Bench Seating / Storage - Mar Vista, CA     Angeled Redwood Patio Deck - Sierra Madre, CA

Contemporary Ipe Deck with Hot Tub              Small Angled Redwood Patio Deck 

 

Lattice Redwood Entertaining Deck - West Los Angeles, CA

Lattice Redwood Entertaining Deck

 

Custom Ironwood Decks Surrounding House and Gates - Playa Del Rey, CA     Ipe Patio Deck - Hollywood, CA

Ironwood House Deck            Ipe Patio Deck

 

Modern Ironwood/Ipe Deck with  Gate and Bench - South Pasadena     Deck over Concrete Patio with Arbor - Encino, CA

Modern Ipe / Ironwood Deck                                          Redwood Deck with Arbor

  

Picture of Small Wooden Garden Bridge - Pasadena, California    Wooden Deck in Pasadena    Los Angeles Modern Wood Deck

Multi-Level Wood Bridge              Modern Style Walkway            Wood Entry Deck

 

Ipe/Ironwood Poolside Deck over Concrete Patio - Los Angeles

Ipe Poolside Deck   

   

Craftsman Style Decks 

 

Second Story Wood DEck with RAiling - West Hollywood, CA    

Craftsman Redwood Deck                         Craftsman Redwood Deck (detail)                          

  

Malibu Craftsman Wood Poolside Redwood Deck with Arbor and Bench - Malibu, CA    New Replacement for A Craftsman Wood Two Story Redwood Deck - Los Angeles, CA

Redwood Craftsman Deck & Arbor                Two Story Redwood Craftsman Deck

 

REdwood Deck & Arbor with lattice under deck enclosure    Ironwood & Redwood Deck with Arbor & Benches  - Los Angeles

Redwood Deck with Enclosure              Craftsman Mangaris™ Deck & Arbor

  

Custom Decks Accessories

Lattice Redwood Entertaining Deck iwth stairs and lattice covering - West Los Angeles, CA     Modern Ironwood/Ipe Deck with  Gate and Bench - South Pasadena, CA

Inset Lights in Stairs                                                       Built-in Bench Seating

 

Lattice Redwood Entertaining Deck iwth stairs and lattice covering - West Los Angeles, CA     Contemporary Ipe Deck with Hot Tub Surround with Stairs and Bench Seating / Storage - Mar Vista, CA

Stairs & Lattice Underdeck Screening    Bench Box Storage       

 

Contemporary Ipe Deck with Hot Tub Surround - Mar Vista, CA       Contemporary Ipe Deck with stair to top of Hot Tub - Mar Vista, CA

Hot Tub Surround                                               Hot Tub Steps

 

Custom Ironwood Decks Surrounding House and Gates - Playa Del Rey, CA     Matching Second Story Deck with Cable Railing - Woodland Hills, CA

Access Hatches and Panels         Cable Railing or Glass Panels

 

Double Decker Treehouse (built-in picnic table detail) - West LA, CA      Double Decker Treehouse (detail of custom carved panel) - West LA, CA

Custom Built-in Picnic Table             Custom Carved Panel

 

Greene & Greene Inspired Redwood Tree House detail showing interlocking beam construction to match main house - Pasadena, CA     

Custom Corbels & Interlocking Beams              

 

Prices For A Fine Wood Deck

The prices below are for well built wood that look good and last for years. Unfortunately, not all wood decks are built well, and it can be difficult for a layman to tell the difference between a well built deck and one that will start having problems in a few years. Good quality material and hardware, combined with superior building skills, make all the difference.

The cost depends on the type of deck you are looking for: basic, custom or high end.

To get an idea of what it will cost, first measure (or estimate) the length and width. Multiply these together to get the square footage. This is the size of your new deck. Then pick a price range, and multiply by the low and high numbers. A more expensive wood choice, built in benches, access gates, overhead arbors and special features can increase the cost.

  • A basic deck costs between $18 - $35 per square foot and includes a simple frame usually not made with pressure treated wood, decking, railing, and stairs. For this type of structure you want to find a basic deck builder, so please see my related links.

  • A custom wood deck runs from $35 to $65 per square foot and includes a unique design to compliment the style and layout of your home with a substructure of pressure treated lumber.

  • A high end deck is made of the highest quality woods and hardware, and incorporates built-ins, multiple levels, and lots of craftsmanship details. The cost can range from $65 and up per square foot.

  • A specialty deck, such as a cantilever over a steep hillside, requires soil analysis and structural engineering. If you need this kind of deck, look for a major contractor who has access to the special equipment and expertise required. Having them do the entire project will save you money. Plan on adding from $10,000 to $30,000 to the price above for all of the additional costs as well as drilling and installing support pylons.

You might be interested in reading comparing estimates for more information.

 

Design Guide For Wood Decks & Garden Bridges

This design guide provides deck design ideas to help you develop a great design, select the best location, and identify the right deck material for needs and budget.

 

Design Elements for Wood Decks

The style of your deck or bridge is created with design and construction components. By changing these key design elements and details, you can create a specific style or a totally unique design:

  • size of beams and railing posts
  • deck board pattern
  • railing size and shape
  • beam ends & post caps styles
  • stairs
  • joinery techniques
  • bridge span size and shape
  • custom touches (decorative beam end cuts, wood inletting, and finials)
  • wood texture and finish
  • metalwork & lighting

 

Harmonizing Your Deck With Your Home & Garden

Your deck or bridge should harmonize with your garden landscaping, as well as the style of your home:

  • a formal structure for a formal garden
  • a classic design for a classically laid out garden
  • a flowing design for a garden with swept paths and flowing planting borders

If your home has a distinctive architectural or artistic style, you may want to have your deck match it. For example:

  • Modern & Asian Decks ~ Start with a simple yet elegant design that highlights the natural beauty of the wood or the simplicity of the design. Keep the construction details hidden or make them an integral part of the design. Create interest with deck patterns which highlight the natural grain of the wood. Use subtle or traditional lighting to create a night time mood and accent design details.

  • Craftsman Decks ~ I like to use smooth planed wood beams and a simple decking pattern. For a more Greene & Greene look, you can round the edges of beams, posts and railings. Then embellish with craftsman style arbors/trellises, lighting fixtures and copper accents.

  • Spanish, Mission & Southwestern Decks ~ Use natural wood for decking, stairs and simple, sturdy railings. Add in period corbels, decorative beam end cuts and post caps, along with rustic metalwork and lighting sources.

  • Medieval & Mediterranean Decks ~ Start with heavy beams and posts and assemble them using simple period joinery. Carved accents, decorative metalwork and candle lanterns are nice finish accents. Stain or paint in a dark color.

 

In addition, the overall dimensions should also fit with the proportions of your home, garden, patio or stream. And if your deck encloses a tree or other landscaping, the final mature size of plants and trees should be factored into the design.

 

Design Criteria & Location Considerations for Wood Decks & Bridges

  • Use ~ The most important design factor is how the structure will be used. The type of use (and how much it will have to withstand) determines many design requirements. Primary uses for decks include: viewing the garden, sunbathing, weekend entertaining, alfresco dining, children’s play area, summer sleeping porch, container gardening area, and outdoor cooking / BBQing. Primary needs for patio covers include: shade, heat reduction, and support for overhead lighting, plants or hanging pots. Bridges span gullies and waterways and provide convenient access to hard to reach areas. Other design issues include:
    • decking pattern and spacing
    • railings (style, height, spacing, cutouts)
    • access (stairs, step downs, ramps, landings, bridges and handicapped access)
    • built-ins to increase functionality (storage, benches, hot tubs, barbecue, fire pit, sandbox)
    • overhead patterns (beams, lattice, slats, shade cloth)

  • Size & Shape ~ The size of the project should be in proportion to the house and garden. Decks and bridges can include multiple levels, reflect the landscape, enclose a tree, or curve around a house, pool or rock formation. Railings can be curved to follow the lines of the deck or bridge span.

  • Access ~ Convenient and safe access to and from the house and garden is provided by stairs and pathways. In many cases, decks and patio covers are placed immediately off living or dining room french doors to facilitate easy access and extend entertaining areas.

  • View ~ A deck or bridge provides a natural place to gather and view the garden. Consider what you want to see while sitting and standing, and what needs to be screened for privacy. A patio cover can limit your overhead view, as well as block visibility from upstairs windows (yours or your inquisitive neighbors).

  • Sunlight ~ The location of the deck and the amount of shade provided by the patio cover should be based on the path of the sun, the primary usage times during the day and seasons as well as the peak and average sunlight and heat levels. Furniture (table, seating, built-ins and equipment) should be placed for convenience and sunlight/shade preferences.

  • Wind ~ Strong or prevailing winds can create a need for an area of wind resistance or protection, as well as the need to take into account the path of smoke and embers when locating barbecues and fire pits.

  • Water ~ Excessive moisture (from rain, hosing down, sprinklers and deep shade) can lead to premature aging and structural damage from rot and termites, as well as musty smells. Decks and patio covers should be designed to shed rain and dew readily and facilitate good drainage away from site. They should also be raised high enough off the ground to provide adequate ventilation and air flow underneath. To prevent rot, it is critical that the water drains away from under the deck. Plant containers need to be moveable or raised so overflow or draining water from the pots will not rot the deck in spots.

 

Material & Design Options for Wood Decks & Bridges

  • Materials ~ To maximize the life of your deck, the frame should be built of pressure treated lumber with supports set in steel column bases. The decking and superstructure materials can be made of Redwood, Mangaris™ (Red Balau), or Ironwoods (such as Ipe). See below for more.

  • Finishes ~ Heat and light contribute to weathering, so a UV protective finish is important. Stains (clear, tinted, or solid) and paint are popular finish choices.

  • Decking ~ Deck patterns provide visual interest. Optional vents and wider spacing of deck boards may be needed to augment under deck ventilation.

  • Metalwork ~ Accents, such as copper post caps or blackened iron joining straps, can enhance the style of the deck.

  • Lighting ~ To illuminate steps, railings, decking and activity areas, lighting and lanterns can be set in post tops, used as finials, hung off overhangs or placed into or under the decking.

 

 

Selecting The Right Wood For Your Deck

To make sure you are delighted with your custom deck -- you want to choose the right building material. In Los Angeles, the popular wood choices allow you to make trade-offs in terms of cost, quality, color, visual appearance, ease of maintenance and the ability to resist the elements (water, sun and pests).

You need to select materials for ...

  • the substructure (also known as framing) used to support the weight of the structure
  • the wood used for decking, trim and railings

 

Wood For Framing & Substructures

The first type of wood to choose is for your substructure, the hidden framing you never see that is under your deck boards.

  • Pressure Treated Wood ~ For hidden framing, I only use pressure treated lumber (see photo). This wood is treated with a variety of chemicals to make it resistant to termites and rot. In the last few years, a major change has been made to the preservatives used -- they are safer for the environment but less effective.

  • Redwood ~ For visible framing, such as railings, posts and cross pieces, you can upgrade to redwood for a better appearance.

 

Wood Choices For Deck Boards & Decking

There are several popular choices for decking. Once you have chosen the boards, I pick the appropriate wood for your trim, posts and railings. Based on your needs and budget, I can build decks out of other woods ... but these are the most popular.

  • Redwood ~ A distinctive pink/red colored wood which ages to gray. The red heartwood is naturally resistant to damage from termites and moisture. Any white part of a redwood board, known as sapwood, has little resistance to termites and rot. I use Construction Grade Heart Redwood, commonly known as Con Heart (see photo), which has no sapwood and some knots. I can also use more expensive grades of redwood, if your budget permits.

  • Mangaris (Red Balau) ~ A dense grained, reddish-brown hardwood (see photo) from Indonesia/Thailand that ages to a silver gray like Teak. It stains up like Mahogany and is more durable than Redwood. It costs about 10-20% more than redwood and is moderately more labor intensive. See the rich color of the unstained wood.

  • "Ironwoods" ~ A chocolate brown family of heavy and durable South American hardwoods, including Ipe and Pau Lope. They offer excellent termite and weather resistance. However, they are somewhat more labor intensive and it costs about 10 - 20% more than redwood.

 

Related Links and Resources

If you need ideas and inspiration, check out these resources, clip magazine pictures, look through your vacation photos and keep an eye out for what you like in the neighborhood.

The more you know about what you like and don't the easier it is to create and build something you will be delighted with for years to come.

Here are a few books I recommend (links may earn a commission).

 

 

The Deck Book: Inspirational Design Ideas

Over 100 custom decks are featured in 300 color photos that will inspire you and give you lots of ideas for builtins.

 

 

A Portfolio of Unique Deck Ideas

This book is an excellent resource for ideas with over 100 photos of decks.  LA Public Library book

 

 

Deck Designs: Plus Pergolas, Railings, Planters, Benches by Stephen Cory


This book provides inspiration and ideas by showcasing 25 deck designs.  For even more ideas, check out his Deck Designs, All New 3rd Edition: Great Design Ideas from Top Deck Designers

 

Taunton's Deck & Patio Idea Book

This book has lots of ideas and photos of decks, arbors, pergolas and patio covers.  LA Public Library book

 

 

Better Homes and Gardens Deck & Patio Planner by Better Homes & Gardens

This book is filled with photos as well as pages that highlight custom features such as deck patterns, built-ins, outdoor kitchens, and hot tubs. LA Public Library book

 

 

Decks: Your guide to designing and building (Do-it-yourself) by Better Homes & Gardens

This book has many photos and ideas to help you design the perfect deck for you with all the features you want. LA Public Library book

 

 

Start-to-Finish: Patios by Martin Miller / Larry Erikson / Ortho Series

This comprehensive book covers every aspect of decks, from design and planning through construction and accessories. Includes sketches of benches, BBQs and how to add functionality into a deck.   LA Public Library book


I also recommend checking out these online resources for more ideas.

 

  • Decks.com
    This site has hundreds of photos of decks, built-ins and patio covers.

If you live outside of the Los Angeles area and want to find a local deck builder, check out these online sites:

 

 

 

Permission is granted to anyone who wants to
use my work for inspiration outside of the LA area.


Redwood Garden Arbor - Pasadena
Pasadena Mangaris TM deck before patio cover
Modern Horizontal Wood Fence - Los Angeles, CA
Asian Gate - Los Angeles Gate Builder
Wooden Treehouse with Club House - Malibu
Pool Equipment Enclosure - Beverly Hills, CA

Arbors

Decks

Fences

Gates

Treehouses

Built-ins & More


Serving the Los Angeles area communities of Altadena, Arcadia, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Brentwood, Chino Hills, Claremont, Diamond Bar, Encino, Glendale, Glendora, Granada Hills, Hancock Park, Hidden Hills, Hollywood, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Los Angeles, Los Feliz, Malibu, Monrovia, Northridge, North Hills, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Pomona, Porter Ranch, Rancho Cucumonga, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, South Pasadena, Studio City, Van Nuys, West Hills, West Hollywood, Westwood, and West Los Angeles.

California Licensed Contractor #701028