6 Best Features to Add to Your Deck if You Have Children

New parents work diligently to baby-proof their homes once they find out a baby is on the way, locking cabinets, plugging outlets, and cushioning sharp corners. However, improving the safety of outdoor spaces is often overlooked until after children are already exploring. 

Like any other area in a home, decks can benefit from a little attention to become more family friendly. Let's explore six ways to create an inviting deck that ensures your little ones can play freely and safely.

1. Secure Your Space with a Sturdy Gate

Create a secure space for children by adding a sturdy gate to your deck. A gate serves two main purposes — keeping a child on or off a deck, depending on a parent’s preferences, and offering peace of mind.

Gates block off stair access and make an elevated deck safer for the entire family. Gates can also prevent unsteady and curious toddlers from wandering the yard unsupervised.

Gates also offer parents peace of mind, ensuring children are confined to a deck’s safe area. Trex® aluminum gates offer safety and style, making them a must-have feature for any deck that hosts young children.

2. Low-Maintenance & Splinter-Resistant Decking: Safety and Comfort Combined

Splinters on a deck can pose a serious safety hazard, especially for young adventurers who don't have time for laces. Upgrading your deck with low-maintenance and splinter-resistant composite decking lets kids roam freely without worrying about splinter injuries.

As parents, you can also say goodbye to time-consuming tasks like stripping, staining, and sealing your deck and hello to more quality time spent with your family. Trex offers three tiers of easy-maintenance composite decking that keep your outdoor space beautiful and safe for years to come.

3. ADA Handrails: Ensuring Accessibility and Support

ADA handrails can quickly make a deck safer and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. By offering additional support, ADA handrails reduce the risk of falls and accidents, especially for families with young children. Additionally, kids can gain independence and confidence with handrails as they explore a deck on their own with the help of added stability. 

When adding accessibility and support to a deck, Trex aluminum handrail systems are an excellent choice, combining durability, style, and compliance with ADA guidelines.

4. Illuminate Your Deck with Proper Lighting

Proper lighting is essential for deck safety. Illuminating a deck creates a safe environment for children to navigate, reducing the risk of accidents like tripping or falling. As a bonus, lighting allows kids to continue playing on the deck even after sunset, encouraging more outdoor activities and promoting an active lifestyle. 

Good lighting also helps parents to keep a closer eye on their children, even if there’s some distance between them. With Trex® Outdoor Lighting™, you can enjoy both reliable and stylish lighting solutions that enhance your deck's ambiance and create a safe outdoor experience for the entire family. Our wifi controller allows you to monitor status, set schedules, and fine-tune the brightness of your lights via the Bond Home app for all of our wired lighting options. Alternatively, our Solar Post Cap Lights will automatically turn on at dusk and off when the sun rises, making it effortless to turn lights on and off when needed.

5. Keep Family Time Cool with Heat Mitigation

Beat the heat with Trex Transcend® Lineage™ decking's heat mitigation technology. This innovative feature reflects the sun to keep your deck cooler, even on the hottest days.* Parents and children alike can enjoy carefree playtime on the deck. The Lineage decking line comes in various colors and finishes, allowing you to choose a style that complements your outdoor space while keeping it safe and cool.

6. Hidden Fasteners: A Safety Upgrade You Won't See

Hidden fasteners are a game-changer regarding deck safety, especially for kids. With no nails popping up, the risks of tripping hazards and stubbed toes are significantly reduced, providing a safer environment for little feet. 

The absence of visible hardware also enhances the deck's overall appearance. Elevate both safety and aesthetics with Trex hidden fasteners.

Create a Family-Friendly Deck with Trex Safety Features

Design a safe and stylish deck that the whole family will love. From sturdy gates to low-maintenance decking and ADA handrails, these kid-friendly Trex features are essential for creating a family friendly outdoor space. 

Put safety first and explore Trex's range of products to get started on your dream deck today.

*Although Trex Transcend Lineage is designed to be cooler than most other composite decking products of a similar color, on a hot sunny day, it will get hot. On hot days, care should be taken to avoid extended contact between exposed skin and the deck surface, especially with young children and those with special needs.