The Main Line has some of the most beautiful backyards in the Philadelphia area, but a lot of them are underused. Here are 10 deck designs we build at RC Deck Co that turn an ordinary lawn into the kind of outdoor space your family actually lives in. Every one of these is real — we have built versions of all 10 for homeowners across Lower Merion, Radnor, Tredyffrin, and Easttown townships.
1. The Multi-Level Walkout
If your house sits on a slope (and a lot of Main Line homes do), a multi-level deck is the most natural fit. We build an upper level off the kitchen for grilling and dining, then step down to a lower level for lounging or a hot tub. The two levels keep the cooking zone separate from the relaxing zone, and the elevation change makes the whole deck feel bigger than it is.
2. The Covered Deck With a Pitched Roof
A covered deck is the single best upgrade for a Pennsylvania backyard. It extends your usable months from May–September to roughly March–November. We frame a real pitched roof tied into the house, run electrical for ceiling fans and recessed lighting, and finish the underside with tongue-and-groove pine for a finished-room feel.
3. The Pergola-Over-Composite Combo
Not ready to commit to a full roof? A pergola over a composite deck gives you partial shade, a defined ceiling, and a place to hang string lights — without the cost or permitting of a roofed structure. As a Deckorators Certified Pro we build these with matching composite columns and aluminum-reinforced beams that will not sag.
4. The Wraparound Deck
Wraparound decks work especially well on the older Main Line homes with multiple back doors. Connecting the kitchen door, the family room slider, and the master suite walkout into one continuous deck makes the whole back of the house feel unified. Use a board-on-board pattern at the corners to make the wrap visually intentional.
5. The Pool Deck
If you have a pool, you have likely outgrown the original concrete surround. A composite pool deck — built with Deckorators Voyage or an Evalast PVC board — gives you a slip-resistant, splinter-free surface that stays cool underfoot and lasts decades. We tie the deck into existing coping, add hidden drainage, and finish with low-voltage step lights.
6. The Outdoor Room With Built-In Seating
Built-in benches around two or three sides of a deck instantly create a “room.” We build the benches with hidden storage underneath (perfect for cushions and pool toys) and finish them in the same composite as the floor so it feels like one continuous build, not an add-on.
7. The Rooftop Deck
If your house has a flat-roofed addition or a garage with the right structure, a rooftop deck is a game-changer. Done right, you get a private second-story outdoor space with a view. Done wrong, you get leaks. This is one project where the underlying waterproofing and load calculation matter more than the surface — and where you want a builder who has done it before.
8. The Floating Platform With Fire Pit
Not every deck needs to attach to the house. A “floating” composite platform out in the yard, with a gas fire pit at the center, is a great way to make a destination at the back of a deeper Main Line lot. We add string-light posts at the corners and a stone path connecting back to the main deck.
9. The Screened Porch + Open Deck Combo
A 12’x14′ screened porch off the kitchen with an open deck running off the porch is the design we build most often for clients with kids. Inside the screen: bug-free dinners and homework. Outside on the deck: grill, sun, and a view. The two zones share one footprint so it reads as one outdoor space.
10. The “Outdoor Kitchen” Deck
Built-in grill, mini fridge, sink, stone counter — on a reinforced composite deck designed to carry the load. We coordinate the gas and water rough-ins with your plumber and electrician, frame the cabinetry to spec, and finish with a stone or porcelain counter that survives Pennsylvania winters.
Ready to Design Yours?
Every RC Deck Co project starts with a free in-home consultation and a custom 3D design — so you can see exactly what your deck will look like before we break ground. We are Deckorators Certified Pros and Evalast Pro Builders with 50+ five-star reviews, and every project comes with our 6 written guarantees including a fixed completion date and 5-year labor warranty.
Call us at (610) 246-0546 or request a free estimate.