The Top 10 Deck Location Issues

At times, certain locations can present unique challenges or opportunities for designing and building a deck. Sometimes it takes a combination of careful site evaluation and imaginative thinking to come up with the very best deck location solution.

1. Will the deck be attached to the house or not? The answer may lie in a number of possible answers. Future remodeling plans may affect the location of the deck. A kitchen remodel might change the location of a door and window. A room addition has the ability to encroach upon a possible deck site. New French doors off the master bedroom or a new chimney for a fireplace would certainly have an impact. A second floor raised deck over basement windows might reduce the amount of light entering the rooms below. Gas or electric meters, downspouts, exhaust vents, a heating or air conditioning unit and other similar obstacles could prevent a deck from being attached to a home.

2. Is the backyard the best location for the deck? If the side yard has a better view or superior sun exposure it might be a better deck site choice. A solution might be to create a wraparound deck that would bend around the corner of the house to take advantage of these benefits. Another possibility is to spruce up the old deck in the backyard, construct a new one in the side yard and connect the two with a path, narrow connecting deck or a stairway.

3. Is a shady grove or secret nook set among a clump of trees the ideal space for a patio to be built? It might be better to try and preserve the charm of this spot and utilize the least attractive parts of it. The solution might be to prune some of the trees and fit a low deck instead among them to create an aesthetically appealing and intimate outdoor space.

4. Are steep slopes suitable sites for the construction of decks? These areas can be difficult design challenges. Footings need to be deeper and tied together at grade level to satisfy building codes. Access to the ground is difficult at times without the use of stairs directed back toward the house or in some cases, through the house. The deck underside can easily be an eyesore unless it is camouflaged or concealed with lattice, plants, trees, shrubs or some type of screening.

5. Are small spaces suitable for a deck? There are design tricks that can be utilized to create the illusion of more space. One way is to manipulate scale. This can be done by choosing small, modular surface materials such as narrow decking boards. The use of delicate furniture of modest proportions works well to achieve this. Small, finely textured plants and shrubs in smaller containers can contribute to the illusion of more space. Minimize the presence of tall fences and walls by attaching lattice to the lower portion and leaving the upper part blank.

6. Is a huge yard space condusive to the presence of a deck? It is important in this situation to keep the space from overwhelming the deck. This can be achieved by keeping the deck at human scale and by defining areas with low walls, simple borders, railings, clustered furniture arrangements, plants and overhead structures.

7. Should the swimming pool dominate the landscape design instead of the deck? It is important to make a planned decision to make the pool either a dominant or subordinate element of the backyard design space. If it is the centerpiece, the deck and surrounding garden beds  should be planned so that they are balanced around it. If the pool is not to dominate the yard, the deck shoulld be located so that it becomes the focal point instead. The use of plant containers, planter boxes, overhead structures, changes in deck level and contrasting colors and textures on and around the deck will effectively do this.

8. Is a side yard a suitable place for a deck? Generally side yards are smaller than the rear portion of the yard and present similar deck design challenges as encountered with small spaces. Side yards tend to be thoroughfares and therefore any proposed deck would have to be located in order for these unobstructed traffic lanes to continue to be available to family members. However, a small private deck space might prove to be practical off a bedroom or bathroom. Setback or lot line requirements may affect the design. Bushes, climbing plants and vines and tall shrubs may be used to provide a good measure of privacy or shade.

9. Would a front yard be a suitable location for a deck? Backyards are not always the ideal sites for decks. Sun patterns, interesting views or access to the kitchen may make a front yard deck location a logical choice. The biggest design challenge for a front deck is privacy. Walls and solid fences create privacy and block street noise but they are also barriers to desirable views. They may also be restricted by zoning laws. A low screen can be an effective method for providing adequate privacy. Low and medium sized plants and shrubs planted along the base of this wall can do much to soften the effect of the vertical barrier and bring a sense of balance to the landscape design.

10.Is a balcony or rooftop a good location for a deck? These deck types present unique design challenges for a homeowner. Either one must be integrated into the structure of the house so that it becomes a natural part of the home’s architectural design. Careful plannig is required to deal with satisfying building codes. Issues with house structure alterations, roofing loads, drainage, plumbing vents and chimneys as well as setback requirements are some of the items that have to be dealt with properly.

The solution to any deck location question is determined by looking at possible sites on all sides of the home, taking into account all the factors that will affect the decision and ultimately choosing the one that makes the best sense for all concerned.

Technorati Profile

Topics: Deck location |

Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

« How to Choose a Deck Location | Home | How to Create a Deck Lighting Scheme »