Book excerpt: • The comprehensive guide to planning and choosing the perfect deck • Beautiful decks can give a major face-lift to any tired-looking home and also increase its value • Addresses the most challenging aspect of building a deck—choosing a design that works both functionally and aesthetically • Provides guidance for both DIY projects and for working with contractors • Presents 30 professionally-built structures, with more than 120 full-color photographs and 230 color illustrations