Site
and Design Considerations
A Deck Is a
Room
How a deck meets up to your existing
floor plan is critical. Decks are more
inviting when a door leads directly out
from public rooms. A popular arrangement
is to have sliding patio doors or a pair
of french doors leading directly from the
kitchen or den onto the deck at the same
height as the interior floor. This
creates natural circulation and a
"sight line" that invites use.
For outdoor dining and cooking, a direct
route to the kitchen is essential.
The Pros Say: An economical way to
add a doorway is to enlarge an existing
window. If the window is wide and high
enough, its header (the short beam over
the window that supports the weight of
the wall) can be used for the new
doorway. |
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The Sun in
Your Backyard
Whether you prefer to
sit in the sun or shade, think about what
seasons of the year and times of day
you're most likely to want to use your
deck. Remember, there are plenty of ways
to make attractive shade structures, but
the only way to make your deck sunny is
to plan for it. Remember, too, that areas
that are sunny in the summer could be
blocked in the fall by the shadow of your
house
Winter Sun and Summer Sun
The sun's changing
angle is easy to overlook when you design
your deck. If, for example, you are
designing your deck in the winter, try to
picture where the sun will be in June.
Trees that lose their leaves in winter
will let much of the winter sun shine
through, but evergreens won't.
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Mapping Your Environment
Take some time to
observe and map the factors that
influence your site.
Wind: What is the prevailing wind
direction? You may want to buffer that
side of your deck with a hedge or screen.
Noise: Although it's difficult to
block noise outdoors, trees and hedges
can provide a psychological barrier.
Desirable Views: Design your deck
to show off landscapes you like. Use an
open railing design to preserve a view.
Consider, too, the effects of a change in
elevation. The view from your new deck
may look entirely different. |
Privacy: To
avoid staring into a neighbor's kitchen,
you can design a screen or a trellis.
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The Structure of Your Yard
Your yard may present
some of the following deck-building
challenges.
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Setback
Requirements: Check with your local building
department to find out how close to property
lines and driveways you can build.
Trees: You may have to build around or
near trees. Try not to cut large roots when you
dig footings or utility trenches.
Soils and Slope: If your yard drops
steeply from the house, you will need tall posts
that require extra bracing. Footings on steep
hillsides may have to be designed by an engineer.
Designing for Your Lifestyle
Try to map out the
major activities you expect to use your
deck for. Is there room for everything?
Shade: If you like to sit in the
shade, you may need an umbrella to move
about as the sun shifts. Where will you
store it?
Lighting: If you intend to use
your deck at night, plan for outdoor
lighting and electrical outlets. You'll
probably want at least one weatherproof
outlet for appliances.
Storage: Few people expect to
clutter their decks with toys, hoses and
tools, but that's just what often
happens. Try to provide built-in storage,
or an out-of-the-way spot, for frequently
used items.
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Furniture
Something's
got to give here! This deck simply isn't
wide enough to accommodate both the
seating arrangement and foot traffic. Try
to be realistic about how much space
furniture requires. |
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Universal Design
Building a deck is an
excellent opportunity to make your home
accessible to wheelchairs. You may be
able to integrate a ramp into your
design. Ramps should rise no more than
one foot for each 12 feet of length.
Access is also improved by designing
wider doorways and landings. Before you
start, be sure to consult your local
building codes.
Construction
Details
Before settling on a
deck design, take time to look at a
variety of decks, especially those on
houses similar to yours. You can learn a
lot by taking a walk or a bike ride
around the neighborhood. Browse the photo
gallery for inspiration. The
professionally designed and constructed
decks on display there contain a wealth
of details that you can adapt to your own
project.
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Elbow Room
Don't
just measure a table. Add on the seating
arrangement you use, plus room to get in
and out. Be generous. There's no reason
to be cramped outdoors!
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