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