Designing a Small but Elegant Deck

Deck builder Clemens Jellema was asked to design a simple yet elegant deck

by Clemens Jellema

Last year , I was asked to project a pack of cards for Fine Homebuilding ’s Project House . They were looking for a unproblematic yet graceful design that would not be too complicated to build up . It would be close to grade , accessed through a pair of French doors link up to a kinfolk elbow room , and measure roughly 15 ft . by 12 foot . The deck would boast some build - in benches and planters , and provide a connecter to the backyard .

Before I embark on on any invention work , I always tally first to see if there are any limitation . These can include side , setbacks , easements , and local codification or homeowner - association convention . In this undertaking , the biggest challenge was to create a available entertaining blank while allowing access from both sides of the deck of cards . Typically , stairs create a dealings way where piece of furniture ca n’t be pose , therefore limiting a pack of cards ’s usable blank .

The initial size limitation for this pack of cards project also meant we only had room for a seating arena . To make way for a dining hardening as well , I expand the labor area to let in a subaltern lowly - tier pack of cards or a patio at ground level . In design this pack of cards , I used RealTime Landscaping Architect software package ( ideaspectrum.com ) . It is fun to make with and wanton to find out , and it can create middling much anything I can cerebrate of . It ’s also capable of import example from SketchUp and produces realistic intention . The instance here apply that software .

As I would with any client , I worked through several innovation before arrive at one that satisfied us all . The outgrowth offers an instructive glimpse into evolve a design for the perfect deck , no matter what the sizing .

Option 1

In the initial drawing , the focus was on make the overall design justly , with a good traffic stream . Two stairs — one alongside the French door and the other enwrap the opposing nook — provide two way for moving to or from the yard . I choose a nook step because it bring home the bacon a overnice all-embracing entrance to the deck from the patio and a strong connection between the two spaces . This deck of cards is less than 2 ft . off the ground , so rather than a railing , I suggested enclosing the other extraneous turning point with bench seating room , using a rosewood - colored variation of the decking to append interest to the tops of the Bench and to the step treads . Because of the pack of cards ’s small size , I advise locating a dining domain off to the side , on a patio that could be establish in a 2nd phase . Skirting add around the pack of cards give the blank a more finished look when viewed from the grounds .

Option 2

Although the programme had been to keep the deck simple , I also suggested this version , with a nearly mark - level political program that would accommodate the dining lot . To be comfortable , a dining solidification want 4 foot . of clearance all around ( 2 foot . for chairs and 2 foot . of open space ) . For example , a 4 - ft.-dia . table postulate a 12 - ft.-wide blank space . A little weapons platform extension digest the grill and keep it out of the direction . When I place a dining field on a scummy deck of cards like this , I normally add 2x4s of the decking stuff around the perimeter to prevent chairs from sliding off the edge . step built into the inside box formed by the two layer set aside direct admission from the patio . If budget were a concern , this undertaking could be done in stages .

Option 3

The down deck in this variation is closer in tallness to the main deck of cards and functions entirely as a dining area . To do this , I wipe out the little step on its right side and moved the grill to the terrace . This creates a confine piazza where people can entertain out of the circulation path . I also locomote the step to the terrace so they wrap around one side of the lower deck . This supply a path from the board to the grill , which now is sheltered with a pergola . The deck is shifted to the right in this expanded pattern , creating a slightly wide patio and allowing me to wrap the built - in bench around the fire pit without interrupting circulation . This is a more elaborate intent than the others , and it can manage more guest . If budget would permit it , this would be my favorite .

The choice

In the ending , we returned to the conception of a unsubdivided deck . We kept the position we had in option 1 to maximize the patio , but traded the paver track for stepping stones . To make frame easier , we pick out to start the decking parallel to the house , as in pick 1 and 2 . I should also advert here that the corner stair pace , at around 14 - 1/2 in . wide , are suitable for seating and potted plants . This type of “ stadium stair ” is fine if the pack of cards is not higher than 30 in . To coif up the pack of cards a bit , I sum a clean dashboard and stair riser pipeline , something that will look particularly nice with the eventual addition of white window and threshold trim on the house .

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