Mantua, NJ Outdoor Living Transformation

Project Overview

When these homeowners purchased their new home in Mantua, New Jersey, they were excited about the beautiful wooded views behind the property—but the backyard offered little more than a blank canvas. Without a rear access door or outdoor living space, they couldn't fully enjoy their new home or the surrounding scenery. Their goal was to create a functional, low-maintenance outdoor area that provided easy access to the backyard while taking advantage of the peaceful wooded setting and local wildlife.

The Solution

PCT Outdoor Living designed and built a complete outdoor living space centered around a custom 20' x 12' elevated deck paired with a spacious concrete patio below.

The deck was constructed using Deckorators Voyage Tundra composite decking with a contrasting Sierra picture frame border, creating a clean, timeless appearance. To ensure long-term structural integrity, the deck was supported by helical pile footings, 6x6 pressure-treated posts, triple 2x10 beams, and 2x8 joists framed 12 inches on center, providing exceptional strength and minimizing deck movement over time.

A 4-foot-wide staircase connects the deck to the backyard and features RDI T-Top white vinyl railing with round black aluminum balusters, offering both safety and a modern, low-maintenance finish.

To maximize the usable outdoor space, we installed a 4-inch reinforced concrete patio beneath the deck. Because of the existing grade changes across the backyard, we constructed two retaining walls to create a level foundation for the concrete slab and improve drainage throughout the area. We also installed a concrete walkway beneath the staircase, seamlessly connecting the stairs to the new patio for convenient access.

As part of the project, we also installed a new sliding glass door, giving the homeowners direct access from inside their home to the new outdoor living space.

The Result

What was once an empty backyard has been transformed into a functional extension of the home. The elevated deck provides an ideal space for relaxing and entertaining while overlooking the wooded landscape, and the concrete patio below creates additional room for gatherings, outdoor furniture, or future enhancements.

By combining durable, low-maintenance materials with quality structural construction, this project gives the homeowners an outdoor space they can enjoy for years to come while making the most of the natural beauty surrounding their property.