One Tier or Two??

17 years ago

I am getting ready to have a deck built. The space for the deck is 800 square feet (the first 10 feet closest to the house is 20 feet wide and then the next 20 feet is 30 feet wide). We are struggling as to whether to make this a one level deck or a two level deck with 2 wide steps going across the entire deck that would separate the two tiers. If we go 2 levels, the top level would have a rectangle table and 6 dining chairs and our BBQ and the bottom level would have a sitting area with 2 love seats and 2 chairs and we would also have an area with 2 chaise lounges. We would have to figure out how big to make each level, but we are thinking our first level would go out 15 feet (with the first 10 feet being 20 feet wide and the next 5 feet being 30 feet wide), then there would be about 2 feet for the stairs, and then 13 feet by 30 feet for the bottom level. Does anyone have an opinion on whether it will look nicer to have 2 levels instead of one and whether our plan will be functional for the space we have? Many thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

dbernar1
17 years ago
Although I may be a bit biased (as I built myself a 3-tier deck), I like the tiers because it is an easy way to separate sections of the deck (in your case, one area for dining, and another for relaxing/conversing).

Also, I found that having 3 tiers on my deck (there's only 1 step between each tier), it helped me slope my deck with the landscape, so that the the bottom tier doesn't jut out an extra 2 feet high.
weedyacres
17 years ago
I definitely like the tier effect. I'm not sure that a t-shaped upper deck would be very functional, though, with small, 5-foot "alcoves" that couldn't be used for much. Perhaps I'm not picturing your design right? Can you post a sketch?
Related Professionals
Mobile Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Dothan Home Builders · Elk City Home Builders · Oklahoma City Home Builders · Georgetown Home Builders · Traverse City Home Builders · Wheeling Home Builders · Pensacola Home Additions · Salina Home Additions · Fort Worth Home Additions · Mansfield Home Additions · Youngstown Home Additions · Westerly Home Additions · Bennington Home Additions · Victorville Home Additions
newbierob
Original Author
17 years ago
Weedacres, I will try to post a sketch later, but the first 10 feet of the top tier will be 20 feet wide and the next 5 feet of deck will widen out to 30 feet wide. So there will not be any alcoves, but rather a top tier that will be a continuous 15 feet in length and 20-30 feet wide. I think that should be plenty of room for a rectangle table and 6 chairs. The bottom tier would then be about 13 feet in length and 30 feet wide. I hope that clarifies things. Would love to get people's opinions. Thanks.