| When the best site has been determined | | | | map which is a plan of the existing |
| for the construction of the deck, it is | | | | house and property. If it is possible to |
| time to put possible ideas down on paper | | | | locate architect's drawings or deed maps |
| in the form of an initial deck design. | | | | that show the actual dimensions and |
| Gather as much information as possible. | | | | orientation of the property, this step |
| Study deck designs in how-to-design-it | | | | can be eliminated. |
| books. Browse through home improvement | | | | Certain base map data is important. |
| magazines for additional information and | | | | Measure the area where the deck will be |
| ideas. Visit the decks of relatives, | | | | located. Make a rough sketch first and |
| friends and neighbors for inspiration. | | | | then transfer the information to a more |
| Take photographs if needed. | | | | refined scale drawing. The dimensions of |
| The important task is to design a deck | | | | the lot, the location of the house and |
| that works. Good looks are never enough | | | | other structures such as a pool, garage, |
| with such an outdoor living space. The | | | | storage shed or hot tub, the position of |
| deck must survive harsh weather | | | | doors, windows and interior house walls, |
| conditions, blend in with the | | | | the path and direction of the sun, |
| architectural style of the home, | | | | fencing or privacy screens, utility |
| coordinate in some manner with interior | | | | lines such as water, gas, sewer and |
| rooms and be sturdy enough to last for | | | | electricity, the direction of prevailing |
| years to come. To achieve all of these | | | | winds, existing trees, shrubs and garden |
| goals it will be necessary to use | | | | beds and any obstructions beyond the lot |
| appropriate materials and construction | | | | that might affect sunlight, the view or |
| techniques. Durable and affordable | | | | privacy should be included. |
| materials that comply with the local | | | | Place a sheet of tracing paper over the |
| building codes and provide the look that | | | | base map and sketch in a possible deck |
| is right for the house are a must. | | | | shape or configuration. Examine it and |
| Ensure that the plans are as complete as | | | | evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. |
| possible to minimize confusion later no | | | | Repeat the process trying different |
| matter whether the construction is being | | | | configurations or modifying ones that |
| done by a homeowner or by a contractor | | | | seem to have possibility. Don't confine |
| or builder. | | | | ideas to rectangles or single level |
| It is not necessary to be an artist in | | | | decks. They may not be the best or most |
| order to design a deck. The process is | | | | interesting choices in the long run. |
| more science than it is art. The deck's | | | | Experimentation and imagination will pay |
| basic surface pattern and substructure | | | | off eventually in a more satisfactory |
| should be drawn in plan view as seen | | | | deck design. |
| from above, looking straight down. The | | | | Once a deck shape that seems to work has |
| arrangement of the deck substructure | | | | been created, figure the deck's actual |
| should be drawn in plan view as well as | | | | size and confirm its shape and placement |
| elevation view in which it is seen | | | | on the site. Refine the scale drawing. |
| straight on from 1 side. Railings and | | | | Consider traffic patterns. People should |
| other vertical deck parts are best drawn | | | | be able to move smoothly from the house |
| in elevation view. Any attachments or | | | | to the deck and from the deck to the |
| detail features should be drawn from the | | | | yard. If necessary, open up a house wall |
| view that most clearly shows their | | | | to improve circulation. Avoid creating |
| construction. Three dimensional detail | | | | traffic patterns that run through the |
| sketches can often work best for these. | | | | middle of outdoor spaces. Plan them so |
| To reduce the deck's plan to paper size, | | | | they flow along the perimeters of these |
| it should be drawn to scale. A typical | | | | deck spaces. |
| scale might be 1 foot of actual deck | | | | Taking the time to do the research, to |
| reduced to 1/4 or 1/2 inch depending | | | | do careful planning and using some |
| upon the size of the deck. A simple way | | | | imagination in the intial deck design |
| to do this is to use graph paper where a | | | | process will eventually lead to the |
| certain number of squares would equal 1 | | | | creation of an outdoor living space that |
| foot on the deck. If a larger drawing | | | | will satisfy the needs and lifestyle of |
| area is needed, tape sheets of graph | | | | family members and guests for years to |
| paper together. | | | | come. |
| Initially, take the time to draw a base | | | | |