Pacific Northwest Outdoor Living Spaces: Design Tips from People Come First Construction

From expanding the footprint of your living space to opening your home up to the beautiful outdoors, decks are a game-changing addition to any home. When choosing your design approach, setting your budget, and selecting decking materials, there are many important aspects to keep in mind to ensure the smoothest process. We sat down with a few of Dunn Lumber’s top decking customers—all deck designers and builders in the Seattle area—to learn how they approach deck projects from start to finish.

Robert Greaves is the founder of People Come First Construction Group (PCF)—an award-winning residential construction company specializing in custom outdoor living spaces that embrace the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Serving the greater Seattle area and now Portland, Oregon, Robert has been designing and building outdoor spaces for more than 15 years.

Featuring a mix of clay-rich and loamy soils, year-round rainfall, and notable elevation changes, Pacific Northwest terrain is highly variable. This can present unique challenges for building in our region, where builders need to account for drainage, slope stability, and the impact of wet conditions on materials. That’s why prioritizing site assessment is critical for laying a solid foundation.

For PCF, several projects require special geotechnical reporting because of the way the land is sloped. In the Pacific Northwest, it’s also common for homes to lie within “critical areas”—specific zones that are protected because of their environmental or ecological function. “We have a lot of clients who just want to build an outdoor living space that covers every square inch of their yard,” Robert says, “but you can’t do that. It may be covered in moss, or have a septic tank, or the ground might be soggy. Doing the preliminary work to understand the site’s limitations and needs helps avoid expensive surprises and code violations later.”

Because requirements can be so nuanced, it’s crucial to choose a builder who is experienced with complex outdoor living projects and prepared to acquire permits. Many builders hire a third party to generate technical site drawings and submit permits for review. 

PCF keeps these important steps in-house. “We have staff in-house who do all of that work, which helps us monitor complicated projects,” Robert explains. “Permitting can be a hard, delayed process. You don’t want to work with someone who avoids securing it and then misinforms you just to close the job.”

He adds that permitting is often the longest part of the process.“Permitting and project timelines can vary according to what city you’re in,” he shares. “If you’ve got good drawings and get all your engineers squared away, permitting usually takes 60 to 90 days—but can also take upwards of six to nine months depending on the complexity of the project or jurisdiction.”

The Pacific Northwest’s climate and geology don’t just affect the foundation of your outdoor living space—they can also influence the features and how you use your space year-round. 

To keep your outdoor living space comfortable in all four seasons, Robert recommends patio covers and heating elements. “People want to be able to go out on their deck in any weather,” he notes. “We’ve made outdoor spaces with gable-style roofs, vaulted framing, and even skylights to enhance the aesthetic while maintaining shelter and comfort, rain or shine.”

Other popular outdoor living features include fire pits or tables for ambiance and warmth, while durable outdoor furniture and hot tubs offer comfort and luxury. “I’ve also seen cornhole built into a deck, which was kind of neat,” Robert adds.

Lighting, integrated speakers, and weatherproof storage are also trending as homeowners look to create multifunctional outdoor living spaces.

For even more functionality, PCF offers the option of UnderCover Systems—a specialized drainage solution that transforms the underside of a deck into a finished ceiling while channeling rainwater into the home’s gutter system. This not only creates a usable dry space below but also protects the home’s foundation by keeping water away from critical structural areas.

Cost is often a hot topic with any renovation, and outdoor living projects are no exception. According to Robert, setting clear expectations early is key. “People are often caught off guard by the actual quote,” Robert explains. Unlike online calculators that only estimate materials, professional quotes also factor in labor, permitting, drainage systems, framing, experience, and reputation. “The cost of an outdoor living space isn’t just the cost of the materials,” Robert says.

PCF's innovative approach to outdoor living design helps clients not only see but also experience their future outdoor space. Using advanced 3D scanning technology, he captures the project area with remarkable accuracy, including trees, bushes, structures, windows, and deck elevations. After creating photorealistic designs of the project, Robert uses immersive virtual reality technology to allow his clients to walk through and experience their proposed deck or outdoor living area before construction begins.

Many homeowners focus on upgrading the visible features of their outdoor living area, but the structure underneath is just as critical to long-term durability. Because the Pacific Northwest is so wet, it’s essential to use materials that resist rot, rust, mold, and insect damage—issues that can compromise the structural integrity of your deck or outdoor living area. “You should invest in deck framing and take protective measures to keep that framing sealed,” Robert explains. “Sub-framing meant to last 30 years may only last 10 without proper maintenance.” While many composite decking products come with 30- to 40-year warranties, those benefits are only as strong as the structure supporting them. If the substructure fails, homeowners will have no choice but to tear everything out and start over.

PCF offers aluminum or steel framing—the two most durable options for outdoor living spaces in the Pacific Northwest. Pressure-treated wood framing is also an option, though it’s less durable on its own. If you opt for pressure-treated wood, Robert recommends applying G-Tape—a polyurethane-based joist tape that protects the framing and can extend its lifespan by 10 to 20 years.

Another protective measure is an end-cut solution, a wax polymer emulsion used to seal the exposed ends of lumber. “Ninety percent of contractors don’t use an end-cut solution,” Robert says. “It’s actually required by the treated wood manufacturers in order to preserve the warranty.”

Whether you choose metal or wood framing, taking the time to protect the substructure ensures your deck investment is built to last.

From creating a supportive work environment to delivering high-quality craftsmanship, PCF is centered on a foundation of care, trust, and long-term value. “My favorite part of being a business owner is giving people a place to work that they actually enjoy coming into every day,” Robert reflects. “And from a customer standpoint, I get my joy knowing people are hiring someone who is properly insured, honest with them, and committed to doing impeccable work that will enhance their life.” Learn more about PCF’s thoughtful approach to custom outdoor living spaces, trusted by homeowners throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Want to experience our decking and railing solutions? Stop by our Bellevue outdoor living showroom to get inspired for your next outdoor project—or check out more decking articles on our blog, like The Evolution of Manufactured Decking: The Vantage of a Decking Contractor.