For a Peninsula project, the first useful distinction is the exposure at your own property. Describe whether the proposed deck is sheltered, regularly damp, open to wind or in direct afternoon sun. Do not choose a board solely from a catalog photograph: compare the finish, maintenance expectations and how a sample looks beside your house. Product installation instructions guide gaps, support and fastening. Access can shape the work as much as the finished size. Tell us about side-yard width, steps between the street and yard, and where removed material can be carried out. If you are replacing an elevated deck, include photos from underneath as well as from above. A new surface cannot solve an unsuitable supporting structure. For a pergola, begin with the sitting area and intended shade, then coordinate posts with doors, circulation and the deck framing. Share whether the property is within a city or an unincorporated community so the correct local planning contact can be identified before final design decisions.