How to pick the best materials for your outdoor living space

Posted August 18, 2022 in Blog

Before building a new custom outdoor living space in the Lehigh Valley, you will want to consider the various materials available, along with your budget, size, and the scope of the entire project. Your lifestyle and maintenance requirements should also play a critical role when selecting the best materials for your outdoor living space. This will make sure you don’t get stuck with a maintenance schedule that ruins your summer plans.

Here are 3 tips for selecting the best materials for your new outdoor living space:

  • Avoid glossy countertops in your new outdoor living space 

You should use your countertops to balance light exposure in your new outdoor living space in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. But, keep in mind that the color and finish of your new countertops could impact the comfort of your new outdoor living space.

When selecting countertops for your new custom outdoor living space you should consider skipping the glossy finishes that you typically see with an indoor kitchen. Using this material in your new custom outdoor living space will cause the sun to reflect off the material and blind you and your guests. Oftentimes selecting the wrong countertops could cause discomforts that will make you avoid your new outdoor space during the peak daylight hours. This is why you should consider an antique finish on your outdoor countertops.

  • Choose low maintenance materials for your new deck 

No one deserves a new deck that is crowded by nails and screwheads. They will eventually need to be replaced and could potentially cause injuries if not carefully monitored. This is why you should consider using composite decking materials when building your new deck.

Building your new deck with composite material (and a hidden fastening system!) will make sure you never need to waste time painting or sanding your new deck and replacing old hardware. This is why we help our clients select composite materials that feature exceptional strength and resistance to wear and tear over the years.

  • Consider Rustic Barn Wood

If you have exposed beams inside your home, you might want to consider using a rustic barn wood when designing and building your new custom outdoor living space. Carrying the look and feel outside will naturally create a beautiful architectural connection to your new space. But, when choosing the material make sure to avoid manufactured material that “looks like barn wood.”

Because they’re cheaper and look so much like real wood, manufactured woods have gained popularity over the past several years. But, we know that you want materials that complement your home and add character to your new space. This is why we never compromise a space by using trendy materials that will quickly lose value and appeal. When collaborating and creating a design for your new space, your new space we can help you select materials and features that optimize your budget and enhance your design like authentic barn wood that has details that will add to the overall aesthetic.

  • Protect your investment

A new covered deck, patio, or porch can extend the time you spend outdoors while also protecting your investment. Recent studies show that exterior upgrades such as an attached roof system can also increase the value of your home. But, the new structure must complement the architecture of your home, and be built properly to stand the test of time.

We know you want to see a return on your investment when building a new covered porch, deck, or patio. This is why we focus on the architectural connection between your new outdoor living space and your home so you are never left with an eyesore. When designing your space, we will help you select materials and architectural touches that mirror your home interior and build upon its character so your home increases in value while enhancing your lifestyle.


Designing and building a new outdoor living space should be an exciting experience, but we get that you don’t want to work with a contractor that will waste your money and you don’t want to get stuck wasting your valuable time managing multiple crews, contracts, permit applications, and other important details.  You are not alone!

At MasterPLAN, we have partnered with hundreds of homeowners – just like you – to eliminate the stress and hassle when transforming your backyard into an outdoor living space in the Lehigh Valley.  We make your unique journey stress-free by using our award-winning design/build process to handle all communication with your HOA and township, develop your plans, obtain your building permits, manage any and all engineering, schedule your inspections and so much more!

Here’s how to do it:

Call: Schedule your meeting!

Collaborate: Create your perfect plan!

Construction: With an approved design, construction starts!

Celebrate: Raise a toast to your transformed home and the new life that comes from it!

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR DESIGN MEETING!

(610) 628-2480

In the meantime, download your exclusive copy of the Top 5 Design Secrets your Contractor Doesn’t Know. So, you can stop fearing that you will make the wrong decisions about your new outdoor living space and instead be confident when selecting the right firm to help transform your backyard into the outdoor living space you always dreamed of!

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