Hi, We did end up going with a concrete deck. So happy we did. We used very stout steel beams and highway mats as well as large sized rebar. It is so stout and strong. What's nice is its maintenance free. I chose not to do a stamped concrete. Not a huge fan of it. I wanted more of a clean concrete look. My deck ended up 14x24 plus a walk way. I know someone that did a concrete deck that was built the same way as ours about 24x30. Of course, I always wish ours was bigger but it's nice and I have other patios, etc for entertaining. We did a cable railing. I was pleased with the cost also. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. It's maintenance free and one of the best decisions we made. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Perfect! Just what I was looking for! thanks!!

I also want to add. On the walkout side of the house, we poured appropriate concrete and extra piers for the concrete columns below. Their is the appropriate steel posts in the brick columns. We have a 2x10 wall with a number of steel posts on the walkout side (2x6 everywhere else). Our builder, bricklayers, and concrete man worked together on this. Our concrete man built it similar to a bridge. He does not do this regularly but he's a commercial and some residential concrete man. Ramey Concrete in Missouri, the best!!! The concrete deck also rests on part of this wall with steel posts in the wall as well. I am sure the way they built it was overkill but they all boasted you could park a bulldozer on it. It's not going anywhere.

what is the cost if you could share?

Thanks