How the American Deck Came To Be
In many parts of the country, you will notice one of two things about the front porch of a residential home. Either it is nothing more than the top of a few steps leading to the front door, or it is large with plenty of space to sit and relax. Yet these larger porches that are commonly a part of old houses are rarely used. They seem like inviting places to relax and socialize and yet appear abandoned. So why has relaxing on front porches declined and the American Deck surged?
The Appearance and Decline of the Front Porch
Prior to the 19th century (the colonial era), people were largely subsistence farmers growing food for their own use. While some homes had front porches, the hard work of farming and other survival chores meant that home owners didn’t have the hours of leisure time to enjoy their porches.
It wasn’t until the mid 19th century when industrialization created more leisure time that the front porch became popular. Front porches were then used for relaxation after a hard work day and as a means to escape the heat as outdoor temperatures cooled in the evenings. People walking on the street would wave to their neighbors on a porch and perhaps join them for a quick chat. Thus the front porch served multiple functions including the need for entertainment in the form of casual social contact.
This started to change in the 20th century when cars became commonplace. Sitting on the front porch while endless cars and trucks noisily sped by leaving behind exhaust fumes was not a pleasant experience. Cars also gave people the mobility to spend their leisure time elsewhere.
The front porch also ceased to be a place for escaping the heat or a place for entertainment thanks to the widespread use of air conditioning and television. Most of the new homes built in suburbia in the mid 20th century no longer featured large expansive front porches, and outdoor living space in the front of the house altogether disappeared.
The Appearance of the Outdoor American Deck
However, people still valued an outdoor living space and the outdoor deck started to become a common home feature in the 1950’s. Unlike the front porch, it was placed in the back or side of the house which increased its distance from noisy road traffic. This also gave people privacy from the anonymous traffic in front as well.
This in essence, changed the way we communicate with our neighbors. Where in the past, citizens were open to passerby neighbors and strangers, we have since evolved to be more focused on those invited and close to us. The American deck is now “decked out” with comfortable furniture, gardens, decorations, and is ultimately an outdoor “room” and added living space of our home. And who doesn’t want additional square footage and usable living space!
Activities on the Deck
Like the front porch, the deck is a convenient escape from the indoors and a scene of social activity, often centered around the tradition of grilling on the deck. This social get-together does have its differences from what occurred on front porches during their heyday. Deck festivities now tend to be planned events where guests are invited, although a friendly (and hungry) neighbor from an adjacent backyard may casually drop by.
At DeckMAX, we love all that comes with outdoor activities and social gatherings. Decks, patios, and porches… give us a time to relax, catch up on a good book or with a good friend. Those beautiful moments shouldn’t be distracted by ugly, faded, or dirty decks. Our products are designed to MAXimize the beauty of your home and keep you focused on the things in life that matter the most.
For information about caring for your deck, purchase our safe and effective products or contact our service team for a professional cleaning.
