About Decks & Patio Covers

Northwest‑Engineered Outdoor Living, Built on 30 Years of Innovation, Durability, and Design

I’ve been building in Kitsap County for more than three decades. Long before outdoor living became a trend, long before recycled materials became mainstream, and long before “green building” had a name, I was part of the group pushing the industry forward.

In 1996, I was one of the founding members of Build a Better Kitsap, the first public–private green building partnership in the United States. Working with the Kitsap Home Builders Association, six of us collaborated with a facilitator to create a program that later became the national model adopted by home building associations across the country.

In 1997, I built the first 3‑star certified green home in Washington State. In 1999, I built the second, on Bainbridge Island. In 2000, I served as President of the Kitsap Home Builders Association and was named Builder of the Year. From 2001 to 2003, I was one of two prime contractors on the IslandWood Environmental Learning Center, a project that pushed the limits of green building long before the industry caught up.

A lot of what we pioneered back then has become standard practice today. It wasn’t always easy — living on the cutting edge never is — but it shaped how I build, how I think, and what I expect from every project.

Durability Is Green

If it lasts 50–100 years, it’s green.

After decades in the green building arena, my philosophy is simple: durability is the most sustainable thing you can build. Materials that last, structures that endure, and spaces that continue to serve people for generations — that’s real green building.

I don’t buy cheap materials. They don’t last outdoors. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive option, but it has to be quality. It has to be engineered. It has to be right.

Doing things right makes everyone happy — my crew, my clients, and me. One thing we hear constantly is, “This is way better than I expected.” That’s the standard we build to.

The Evolution into Outdoor Living

A natural transition rooted in better materials, better systems, and better experiences.

My transition into outdoor living wasn’t a pivot — it was an evolution.

In 1994, I discovered Trex when it was still owned by Mobil Oil. Back then, if you wanted to build green, you had to hunt for materials. Trex was the first, but not the best. By 2004, when I started Barefoot Decks while still building custom homes, I did my homework and found TimberTech to be the best product available at the time. It was durable, attractive, and a major step forward from the early composites.

But in 2014, TimberTech was acquired by Azek, and the product line began shifting. Around that same time, Wolf Serenity PVC decking was introduced to me. After evaluating both, the choice was clear. Wolf Serenity offered superior performance, stability, and longevity — and their five‑year labor warranty was unmatched in the industry.

For me and my crew, Wolf Serenity is by far the best-performing decking product we have ever worked with. It’s stable, durable, cool underfoot, moisture-proof, fade-resistant, and built to last in Northwest weather. It aligns perfectly with my belief that durability is green.

That same year, at a JLC trade show, I saw the engineered patio cover system we install today. I knew instantly it was perfect for the Northwest — block the rain, bring in the light, create usable outdoor space year-round. It made sense. It still does. And clients still say, “This is way better than I expected.”

Outdoor living brought back the part of building I loved: creativity, craftsmanship, problem-solving, and fun. Custom homes became buried in bureaucracy and wasted time. Outdoor spaces brought me back to building things that matter.

We were early in this space — way early. For years, we had it almost entirely to ourselves. Then housing softened, and suddenly everyone became an “outdoor pro.” The results speak for themselves. When clients who chose price over quality call later asking if we can fix or modify what someone else built, we have a clear policy.

A Note on Repairs and Modifications

We build engineered outdoor structures designed to last for decades. Because of that, we don’t repair or modify low‑quality or disposable builds. When a structure isn’t built to a long‑term standard, the safest and most cost‑effective solution is to rebuild it correctly.

Motorized Screens

Motorized screens are newer, but the philosophy is identical: choose systems that perform in Northwest weather, install them with precision, and make sure they genuinely improve the way people use their homes. A screen isn’t an accessory — it’s part of the architecture of the outdoor room. When integrated correctly, it adds comfort, protection, and flexibility without ever feeling like an afterthought.

Design That Makes Outdoor Spaces Feel Like Home

Great outdoor spaces aren’t built — they’re designed.

Before outdoor living, I designed many of my own custom homes. I understand how people live, how spaces flow, and how rooms — indoor or outdoor — need to feel.

Design is fun for me. It’s natural. It’s part of every project we build.

I bring:

• decades of real architectural experience

• an understanding of circulation and flow

• Northwest‑specific knowledge of weather, exposure, and microclimates

• a sense of how outdoor spaces should function

• the ability to integrate covers, decks, screens, and railings into one cohesive space

This is why our projects feel intentional. This is why clients say the space works better than they imagined. This is why our builds feel premium without being loud.

A dedicated Outdoor Space Design page is coming — it will expand on this philosophy and show how we create spaces that feel like home.

Today

Premium engineered outdoor living for the West Puget Sound.

Today, Decks & Patio Covers specializes in:

• engineered patio covers

• premium PVC decking (Wolf Serenity)

• architectural railings

• motorized screens

• Northwest‑specific outdoor space design

We build durable, low‑maintenance, long‑lasting outdoor structures that make Northwest homes more usable, more enjoyable, and more valuable.

We don’t chase trends. We don’t cut corners. We don’t build disposable structures. We build things that last.

And we make it fun.

Built to Last,

Doug Woodside