Side-by-Side Outdoor Living Spaces Built for Family

The Vision

Two neighboring families came to PCT Outdoor Living with a shared vision: to transform their adjoining backyards into coordinated outdoor spaces where their young children could relax, play, and spend time together.

Although each homeowner wanted a design that reflected their individual preferences, they also wanted the projects to feel connected. The families decided not to install a fence between their properties, allowing the children to move freely between both yards and enjoy the entire outdoor area together.

This project was especially meaningful to our team because it represented what outdoor living is truly about—bringing families, friends, and neighbors together.

The Solution

For this home, PCT Outdoor Living constructed a 12-by-16-foot composite deck with a six-foot-wide staircase and a 16-by-14-foot Cambridge paver patio.

The deck followed the same general design and construction standards as the neighboring project, creating visual consistency between the properties. Different decking and hardscape selections gave this homeowner a space with its own distinctive style.

PCT Outdoor Living also managed the drawings and permit process, providing a coordinated experience from the initial planning stages through construction.

Composite Deck Construction

The 12-by-16-foot deck was constructed on helical-pile footings to create a strong and stable foundation.

The structural framing included:

• 6-by-6 support posts

• A triple 2-by-10 beam

• 2-by-8 joists spaced 12 inches on center

• A six-foot-wide staircase framed 12 inches on center

The wider staircase creates a comfortable transition between the elevated deck and patio while helping the two areas feel like one connected outdoor environment.

Decking and Custom Border

The homeowners selected Deckorators Summit Series decking in Glacier. A Dark Slate picture-frame border was installed around the lighter deck boards, adding definition and giving the surface a polished, custom appearance.

CAMO hidden fasteners created a clean deck surface without visible rows of screws. Where face-fastening was required, screws with color-matched plugs were used to preserve the finished look.

Railing and PVC Finishes

The deck was completed with white RDI T-top railing and black aluminum balusters. This combination coordinates with the neighboring deck while complementing the home and maintaining an open view of both yards.

The deck’s box beams were wrapped in white PVC trim board. White PVC was also installed on the staircase risers and along the sides of the steps, concealing the structural framing and creating a clean, low-maintenance finish.

Clean-Stone Ground Cover and Custom Deck Skirting

A layer of three-quarter-inch clean stone was installed beneath the deck. This created a neat, finished surface below the structure while improving drainage and eliminating exposed soil.

The underside of the deck was enclosed with custom, color-matched composite skirting. A pressure-treated 2-by-4 framework was constructed to support the skirt boards, which were installed horizontally using CAMO clips.

Using hidden fasteners allowed us to avoid visible screws across the face of the skirting. The horizontal boards and concealed fastening system extended the deck’s finished appearance down to ground level while keeping the space beneath the structure out of view.

Cambridge Paver Patio

A 16-by-14-foot paver patio was installed to provide additional room for seating, entertaining, and family activities.

The homeowners selected Cambridge pavers in Limestone Quarry Blue, surrounded by a Charcoal border. The darker border complements the Dark Slate picture frame on the deck, visually connecting the two areas.

Proper base preparation was essential to the patio’s long-term stability. Our installation process included:

• Excavating the existing soil

• Installing four inches of three-quarter-inch clean stone

• Compacting the stone in two-inch lifts

• Adding three-eighth-inch chip stone as the bedding layer

• Carefully laying and aligning the pavers

• Filling the joints with polymeric sand

Compacting the clean-stone base in separate lifts created a firm and even foundation. The chip-stone bedding layer provided a level, free-draining surface, while the polymeric sand helped stabilize the pavers and protect the joints.

Two Homes, One Shared Backyard Experience

The completed project gives this family a low-maintenance outdoor space with dedicated areas for dining, relaxing, and entertaining. More importantly, it connects naturally with the neighboring property, allowing both families and their children to enjoy the backyards together.

The homeowners now have:

• A durable 12-by-16-foot composite deck

• A six-foot-wide staircase connecting the deck and patio

• A 16-by-14-foot Cambridge paver patio

• Custom horizontal composite skirting

• Clean-stone ground cover beneath the deck

• Coordinated materials with distinctive color selections

• An open connection between both properties

• A shared environment where the children can play and grow together

We were especially excited to bring this project to life because it reminds us of what matters most: family, friendship, and time spent together.

By creating two coordinating spaces that remain unique to each homeowner, PCT Outdoor Living helped these neighboring families turn their individual backyards into one shared outdoor experience.