A failing deck in Middletown, NJ, gave Decks By Kiefer the opportunity to rebuild from the ground up and solve a problem that went well beyond worn boards. The existing structure had reached the end of its life, and the home’s exterior offered little visual appeal on its own. The solution was a multi-level ipe deck designed to wrap the rear of the home, create distinct zones for living and entertaining, and give the house itself a presence it had never had before.
Every level of this deck earns its square footage. The upper deck is fully waterproofed, which transforms the space directly below into a protected outdoor room complete with a cedar ceiling, a natural stone accent wall, a hanging swing bed, and recessed lighting. At the main level, built-in ipe planters and bench seating frame a gas fire pit at the center of the space. A private hot tub enclosure sits tucked under the upper structure, finished with horizontal ipe privacy screens and a custom gate with a star cutout detail that makes the craftsmanship impossible to miss. Feeney cable rail runs the full perimeter, keeping the wooded backyard visible from every vantage point.
The finished waterproof deck system and the ipe construction below it work together to give this Middletown family more usable outdoor space in every season and in any weather. A project like this does more than replace what was lost; it sets a completely new standard for what the property can offer. When a homeowner is ready to invest at this level, the result is a backyard that competes with any indoor living space the home offers.