Working on rear deck ideas...

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

We have a two-story brick with an end-cap in the city. Our backyard is small and already laid-out with specific seating areas. For instance, we have the deck, the lower patio with pavers and furniture and then the grassy area between the deck and the garage. All have their uses for hosting people or just sitting and reading.

Now, the deck is our issue. We can rebuild it as-is with no problem. We want to get some ideas on how to make it more well-thought out and increase the build-level so as not to look like the contractor special. Do we add a pergola? Do we change the rails to metal?

Ideas are welcome.

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Comments (5)

potchiemagoodleberry
11 years ago
a multilevel deck would probably mean losing some patio or grass space, but would create a larger entertaining area.
poshky
11 years ago
I agree with above post. I would widen it towards the patio. If you widened it and went multilevel, you may not need the handrails because it would gradually go out.
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Cascio Associates - Site Planning - Landscape Arch
11 years ago
Lower the deck to 30" above ground, to eliminate the need for the railing altogether, putting the fence between you and your arms-length neighbor. Broad steps from the house will work as a broad bench on the deck.

Cut the support posts in half and bolt the top and bottom side by side, moving away from the neighbor 4", when rejoined below.

Use the railing as a cute little fence to lean on or set drinks on at some other spot in the yard, or to screen the A/C units.
columbia93
11 years ago
If you want to maintain the current footprint, you should see if you can move the stairs so that they are to the left of the doors. It would be much better if you could have access to the entire deck just by opening the doors, instead of having to walk away from the door to your small deck. Move the grill area to the below smaller patio and put your dining space on deck. As for a pergola, I'm a fan. With curtains and a cover, you can control the sun - assuming you get a lot of sun here.
miacometlady
11 years ago
Could you pull this off? The stairs at the door helps open up the deck to the rest of the yard!