Deck Season Came Early: What We Talked About on HomeFix Radio with Joe Prinn

Deck season has a funny way of sneaking up on people.

One day it’s “we’ll deal with the backyard later,” and the next day it’s 60 degrees, the sun is out, and suddenly you’re staring at your back patio thinking… “Okay, this space needs help.” That was a big part of the conversation when Chad from Decked Out Decks joined Joe Prinn on the HomeFix Radio Show—and honestly, it sounded like half of Idaho was having the exact same thought.

Below is a light recap of what they chatted about, broken into the same kinds of topics that came up in the episode.

Deck season starts when the weather hits “t-shirt temps”

Joe and Chad both talked about how early the season starts the moment the weather shifts. People aren’t thinking about decks in December… but once March rolls around, everyone wants a quote right now.

Chad’s point was simple: if you want better timing and more options, it helps to plan before the first warm weekend kicks off the rush.

Why we love being outside so much

This wasn’t just a “deck building” talk—it was also a conversation about why outdoor living feels so good.

They talked about how Idaho’s seasons make people crave sunshine after winter. Joe described how his family basically lives outside once the weather turns—meals outside, friends over, hanging out near the patio door like it’s the best room in the house.

And honestly… that’s the whole point of a great deck. It’s not “an add-on.” It’s the place your home life expands into.

Outdoor living has leveled up (it’s not just a deck + grill anymore)

They also touched on how outdoor spaces have changed over the years.

Now it’s covered areas, heaters, screens, lighting, outdoor kitchens, and even TVs built to handle being outside. The theme was: people want to be out there more months of the year—not just the perfect summer evenings.

The “invited out” question: does your backyard actually pull you outside?

Chad said something that really stuck: does your backyard “invite you out”?

A lot of new builds come with the bare minimum—a door and a small concrete pad—and that’s about it. No comfort, no layout, no reason to stay out there.

Decked Out’s approach is to turn the backyard into an actual destination—somewhere you naturally want to spend time.

Designing “zones” makes a deck feel bigger and work better

One of the most practical parts of the discussion was “zones.”

Instead of building one big square and hoping it works, they talked about designing for the way people actually use a space:

• cooking zone

• dining zone

• lounging zone

• fire pit / conversation zone

• game day / hangout zone

They even mentioned how a different shape can give you more usable space than a bigger deck that’s laid out awkwardly.

Why homeowners hire a pro instead of DIY-ing it

Joe asked the question everyone thinks at least once: what’s the difference between hiring a pro and building something yourself?

Chad’s answer came back to design and planning. Decked Out does a lot of design-build, including 3D modeling, placing furniture into the plan, and helping homeowners see how it’ll actually function day-to-day—before anything gets built.

The real enemies: sun, wind, and “we didn’t realize this until we lived here”

They talked about how the backyard can look great when you’re buying a home… but living through four seasons tells a different story.

Too much sun. Too much wind. Not enough shade at the right time of day.

Chad mentioned using tools that help map sun direction and angles—because the sun in April hits differently than the sun in September. And instead of covering everything, they talked about a smarter solution a lot of homeowners love: cover part of the deck, leave part open, so you get options depending on the day.

Heaters, outdoor TVs, and extending the season

This part felt very “modern outdoor living.”

They talked about ceiling heaters (electric or gas), being able to comfortably sit outside earlier in spring and later in fall, and even outdoor TVs that are made to stay outside.

Joe joked about how some people want outdoor space to be quiet and tech-free… and others want football, friends, and burgers. The funny part is: both are right. A good space should match how you live.

Lighting that looks good without blasting your neighbors

They also touched on backyard lighting trends—how super bright string lights can start to feel like a stadium next door, and how more homeowners are shifting toward softer, lower lighting that creates a nicer vibe (and keeps the peace with the neighbors).

Fire features and fuel choices (propane vs gas vs wood)

Joe brought up the fuel question, and Chad talked through what they see most often.

Propane is easy to start with, but many homeowners love the convenience of running a natural gas line underground—so they don’t have to mess with tanks. The catch is: it takes planning (BTUs, trenching, code, placement… all the stuff nobody wants to learn the hard way).

They also talked about how popular wood-burning fire pits are again—just with a reminder to use common sense, especially in neighborhoods where smoke can become everyone’s problem.

Small yards, old neighborhoods, and when permits get involved

Not everyone has a giant backyard—and they talked about that too.

In tighter areas (like older neighborhoods), you can run into odd property lines, setbacks, mature trees you want to keep, and sometimes historic-area requirements. Chad also mentioned a basic rule of thumb: once a deck gets over about a foot off the ground, cities tend to get more involved—though historic areas can come with extra steps even when a permit technically isn’t required.

Decked Out’s showroom for backyard ideas

Chad also mentioned their showroom in Garden City where you can see real products—like outdoor features and options people are adding to their spaces now.

They gave the location as 114 E 43rd Street (near 43rd & Chinden).

This episode wasn’t just about building decks—it was about building a backyard you actually use.

Not a space you walk past on the way back inside… but a space that invites you out, gives you comfort, and makes your home feel bigger in the best way.

And if this warm weather has you looking at your backyard like “yeah… it’s time,” you’re not alone.