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Outdoor Living for 300 Days of Sun: Deck Designs that Stand Up to Colorado Weather

  • Writer: Oliver Owens
    Oliver Owens
  • Sep 30, 2025
  • 7 min read

Colorado Springs gives us a gift most states dream about—sunny days, crisp evenings, and those sweeping Front Range views. It also throws us some curveballs: high UV, sudden wind gusts, freeze–thaw cycles, summer downpours, snow, and the occasional hailstorm. If you’re thinking about a new deck (or rescuing a tired one), the goal isn’t just pretty. It’s building an outdoor space that still looks great after a few seasons of real Colorado weather.


picture of outdoor living or deck in Colorado weather

At O’Shea’s Construction, we spend a lot of time asking, “How will this deck behave in July and in January?” The right answer is what separates a deck you tiptoe across from one you live on—morning coffee, homework at the table, Friday night grilling, impromptu sunrise photos because the clouds decided to put on a show.


Below is our practical guide to designing a deck you’ll use for all 300 days of Colorado sunshine—without constant maintenance or regrets later.


Start with how you’ll actually use it (and when)


Before you look at boards and railings, get clear on what you want to do outside. A deck for quiet dinners is different from a deck for big family barbecues—and both are different from a multi-level space with a hot tub and a fire table.


Ask yourself:

  • Breakfast sun or evening shade?

  • Dining table, lounge set, or both?

  • Grill station or full outdoor kitchen?

  • Need space for kids’ play or a dog zone?

  • Desire for privacy from neighbors or the street?

Quick story: A couple in Briargate told us their old deck “looked great in photos but we never used it.” Why? No shade after 4 p.m. In summer it was an oven. We reoriented the main seating area, added a low-profile pergola with shade slats, and tucked the grill on the breezier side. Same footprint—now they’re outside daily.

Link for planning help: Deck Installation • Landscape Services


The Colorado weather checklist (design around these five)


1) UV & Altitude

At elevation, the sun is no joke. UV breaks down finishes faster and heats dark materials more quickly.

  • Consider composite decking that resists fading and heat build-up; lighter colors stay cooler under bare feet.

  • If you love real wood, choose harder species and plan on a robust finishing schedule. Cover high-sun areas with a pergola or shade sail (engineered to handle wind—more on that below).


2) Freeze–Thaw

Our daily temperature swings can be wild. Water finds tiny cracks, freezes, expands—repeat. That’s how ordinary decks age overnight.

  • Use proper flashing and drainage at the house connection so snow melt doesn’t creep into the ledger.

  • Choose hidden fasteners designed for expansion/contraction to reduce surface splitting.

  • For stairs and landings, make sure treads shed water and don’t telegraph puddles.


3) Wind

Gusty days are part of life on the Front Range.

  • Anchor pergolas and privacy screens to posts and footings designed for uplift, not just gravity.

  • Consider open-slat pergolas or louvered options that let wind pass through instead of turning into a kite.

  • Keep railings sturdy, and avoid wide, solid panel rails in wind-prone spots unless we can detail them for airflow.

We once replaced a DIY shade sail that “kept migrating.” Translation: it was leaving its posts every other storm. We re-engineered the posts with deeper footings, added proper hardware, and gave the fabric a tension system that handles gusts. Same view, dramatically different experience when the wind kicks up.

4) Moisture & Drainage

Monsoon season and spring melt can soak a deck—and everything below it.

  • Pitch upper-level decks to a discreet drainage edge or build a drain-through system so water moves away from the house.

  • For second-story decks, consider an under-deck ceiling to create a dry patio or storage below.

  • Use corrosion-resistant hardware; moisture and meltwater are relentless on unprotected metal.


5) Snow & Ice

We get those sunny winter days that melt everything by noon—then it refreezes at dusk.

  • Favor textured decking with good traction.

  • Plan for clear paths from doors to seating and the grill (you’ll thank yourself mid-winter).

  • Use stout framing and footings sized for local loads; we build for real-life snow events, not just the brochure version.


Materials that make sense here


Composite & PVC Decking

Modern composites and PVC boards resist fading, staining, and splintering—great for our UV and moisture swings.


Pros: Low maintenance, color-stable, many textures, hidden fasteners.

Consider: Heat build-up on very dark tones, proper ventilation below the deck, manufacturer-specified joist spacing.


Real Wood (the right way)

There’s nothing like real wood underfoot. If you’re team natural, plan to protect it.

Pros: Beautiful, warm, can be renewed.

Consider: Choose rot-resistant species; commit to routine sealing in our high UV; detail for airflow so boards can dry quickly.


Railings that survive the elements

  • Powder-coated aluminum: clean lines, low maintenance, wind-friendly.

  • Cable rail: sleek and view-forward; needs correct tensioning to behave in temperature swings.

  • Composite/wood combos: classic look; we’ll detail caps and joints to shed water.

We’ll help you weigh the trade-offs on site: Deck Installation


Structure matters (this is where longevity is won)

A deck is only as good as the parts you don’t see.

  • Footings: We go deep enough to beat frost heave and size for both gravity and uplift (wind).

  • Ledgers & flashing: Proper, code-compliant attachment to the house with modern flashing keeps water out of your walls.

  • Joist spacing: We match spacing to the decking brand’s spec—critical for composite boards in Colorado’s temperature swings.

  • Hardware: Hot-dipped galvanized or stainless where it counts. No rusty surprises.

If your current deck feels springy or you see corroded hardware, that’s a red flag and worth a safety check. We’re happy to walk it with you.


Shade that works with the weather (not against it)

You’ll use your deck more if it’s comfortable at 3 p.m. in July. You’ll love it if the shade solution is quiet in a breeze and doesn’t need babysitting.

Shade ideas that behave:

  • Open-slat pergolas aligned to block peak sun angles.

  • Retractable awnings rated for local wind conditions (with auto-retract features).

  • Louvered pergolas that adjust to sun and shed snow.

  • Strategic planting: small trees or upright evergreens can block low west sun and add privacy.

Design these with your deck from day one: Landscape Services


Privacy without the “boxed-in” feeling

Colorado neighborhoods can sit high on hillsides, which means great views—and great views of you from next door.

  • Use offset privacy screens or angled slats that block sightlines but let wind pass.

  • Integrate planter boxes with tall grasses or evergreens.

  • Create a two-zone deck: one open for sunset, one tucked for reading or morning coffee.


Lighting for 4 seasons (and safe stairs)

We want your deck to feel magical at night and safe after a snowfall.

  • Low-glare path lights and stair riser LEDs make winter evenings safer.

  • Under-rail lighting creates ambiance without becoming a bug magnet.

  • Put zones on dimmers and timers so the deck lives on your schedule.


Layouts we love for Colorado homes

The “Sun Chaser”

  • Open dining zone near the kitchen door (easy plate runs)

  • Lounging area under a slim pergola for late afternoon shade

  • Grill or outdoor kitchen set along the breezier edge

The “Multi-Level Mountain”

  • Upper deck for dining with views

  • Lower patio or deck for a fire table and kids’ play

  • Stairs wide enough for traffic and furniture moves, with a landing that doubles as seating

The “Courtyard Quiet”

  • L-shaped deck hugging the house to break wind

  • Built-in planters and a privacy screen at the street side

  • Small water feature for sound and birds (yes, even at altitude)

We’ll match the layout to your sun, wind, and view angles during a site visit: Deck Installation


Safety & code notes (so you never have to think about them again)

  • Rail height and baluster spacing to code (kid-friendly by default).

  • Egress paths kept clear and lit.

  • Non-combustible surfaces where required near fire features or grills.

  • Sturdy stair geometry (tread depth and consistent risers—your knees will notice).

  • Wildfire-smart choices in risk areas: ember-resistant details and smart plant selection.

We handle permits, inspections, and all those details behind the scenes.


Finishes & furnishings that go the distance

  • Pick performance fabrics (solution-dyed acrylics) that shrug off UV and spring dust.

  • Use weighted, wind-rated umbrellas or skip them in favor of pergolas and shade structures.

  • Keep storage on deck: a slim bench for cushions; hooks for grilling tools.

Little things add up to a space you’ll actually keep tidy and ready.


Real client example: From hot box to hangout

A Westside family had a south-facing deck that baked by late afternoon. The boards were fine; the layout wasn’t. We reframed a partial section to create a covered corner lounge, added under-rail lighting, and enclosed the under-deck area with a drainage system to make a dry storage bay. They didn’t spend more on square footage—they spent smarter on usability. Now the deck works at noon and at 8 p.m., and the bikes finally have a home that isn’t the dining room.


Your step-by-step with O’Shea’s

  1. On-site consult & sun/wind study

    We walk your yard, study the light, and talk through daily routines.


  2. Concept plan & materials

    We’ll show options (composite vs. wood, rail styles, shade ideas) and how they’ll age here.


  3. Permits & schedule

    We handle paperwork and set a predictable build calendar.


  4. Build it right

    Deep footings, proper flashing, clean finishes, tidy job site. You’ll see the difference.


  5. Final walk & care tips

    We’ll show you how to keep your deck looking great through seasons—simple, doable maintenance.



Quick planning checklist

  •  Where do you want shade vs. views?

  •  What’s the path from kitchen to table and grill?

  •  Composite or wood (and are you okay with the upkeep)?

  •  Rail style that fits your view and wind exposure?

  •  Drainage plan for snowmelt and downpours?

  •  Lighting zones for stairs, dining, and lounge?

  •  Privacy from neighbors without killing airflow?

  •  Storage for cushions, games, and grill gear?

  •  Future-ready power for heaters, speakers, or a hot tub?

If that list feels like a lot, that’s exactly why we’re here.


Ready to love your backyard again?


A great Colorado deck isn’t just a platform—it’s a small piece of architecture tuned to altitude, sun, wind, and the rhythm of your life. When we design it around your habits and our weather, it becomes the place everyone drifts to, from the first warm spring day to that last sunny winter afternoon.


Tell us what you want your deck to do, and we’ll show you the smartest way to make it last.



 
 
 

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