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janet_myszkowski

How do we make the railings work on this covered deck?

2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago

We are building a new covered deck. It will be 35 wide and 16 deep. The backdoor is to the left of covered part so the steps would come straight out from that. The lot is level there, so probably just a couple of steps. There will also be a couple of steps on the left side next to the house. The lot slopes to the right so that the fireplace side is much higher off the ground than the left side.

We are thinking that the railing configuration isn’t working with the covered and uncovered sections and lacks balance and symmetry. If we leave the railings off on the uncovered part, it might look unfinished.

The main issues are railings and steps and making them look well designed. We also do not like the black railings not being tied into the three support posts.

What if we made the uncovered part 12 or 14 feet deep and put the steps there next to the covered part.. maybe wrap the railing around the other side of the left side supporting post 2-4 feet depending on how much we took off the uncovered part?

Would that define the space better and make the railings look less awkward and more aesthetically appealing?

Any help would be great! We need to iron this out fairly quickly for permit and hoa.








Comments (12)

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Not loving black railing at all, what purpose? Not loving posts.

    Show the actual house exterior as of now.

    Please.

    Janet Myszkowski thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    2 years ago

    You could dispense with railings altogether if you had steps down to grade from the back door. Railings, especially black ones, are very prominent and make the deck look like a playpen.

    Janet Myszkowski thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
  • 2 years ago

    The lot slopes to the right so that the fireplace side is much higher off the ground than the left side.

    Wood burning fireplace on the deck? If depiction is anywhere near scale and the FP is wood burning, the chimney is going to have to be very tall.

    Janet Myszkowski thanked ci_lantro
  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Check with code requirements for railings, it might depend onhow many steps you have and how far the deck is off the ground. If you are not required to put a rail, I personally would do one anyway on any part that steps directly down onto the ground. It's a fall hazard if someone steps wrong on the edge.

    Also, pitcures of the house would help as Jan says. I like the black railings but the ones you show are "heavy". Maybe looking at something with narrower spindles or a cable system between the posts would look better. We have black powder-coated aluminum Westbury railings around our Trex deck (against a tan house) and love them.

    Janet Myszkowski thanked Kate Cowers
  • 2 years ago

    Thanks to all of you. I have added a photo of my actual house from the back. That old deck is going to be torn out.

  • 2 years ago

    Also, the fireplace is gas.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    The gabled roof over jut out (4 feet) breakfast room will be replaced by a shed roof. The covered part stops to the left of the dining room window.

  • 2 years ago

    Your rendering doesn’t seem to take into account the jut out, the windows or the door shown in your photo. That omission will effectively reduce your floor space under the covered space and really make your fireplace space quite small. Also, does the scope of your project take into account repairing/replacing the siding when the gabled overhang is removed? Have you considered flipping your plan? Extend the deck to the left, past the end of the home about 6 feet. Place your fireplace there. At the right hand side extend the gabled roof outward to the deck edge. Ditch the shed roof. The gable is more interesting. I would extend that section of the decking ( the depth of the deck) further from the house than the lefthand side. This would create some interest and visually create two distinct living spaces with the entry door in the middle.

  • 2 years ago

    Thank you. The back is northern exposure, so the idea was to build the porch on the right where there are no windows in order to minimize loss of light. (see real view of home.) The covered area in front of jut out is 10w by 12 deep. The fireplace covered area is 11w by 16 deep.

    The shed replaces the gable because

    the gable isn't high enough to provide enough height for the ceiling.

  • PRO
    2 years ago







    Some companies fabricate prefab porch railing systems.


    https://porchco.com/store/railings/panels/chippendale-panel/



    Janet Myszkowski thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • PRO
    2 years ago

    What you have looks better than anything proposed. You need a professional at the site, I'd get an architect and a landscape designer as well.





    Janet Myszkowski thanked JAN MOYER