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Modern deck on Craftsman house

birdsquare, member

86 users recommend

This is our new deck. The main section is approximately 15' wide by 12' deep.

This is our old deck. The main section was 12' wide by 10' deep. I actually fell through the steps not once, I'm embarassed to admit, but twice.

These are the new stronger and safer steps. The nonslip tape was actually added for the benefit of our dog, who kept slipping on the smooth new lumber.

This is a close-up of the railing system and the cantilevered bench brackets. All of the painted members are treated lumber that I stickered for a month to dry and then milled and primed and painted. The bench brackets are attached with 1/2" by 8" hot dipped bolts through a double-thick rim joist.

This is the shorter of our two built-in benches from the topside.

This is our new deck. The main section is approximately 15' wide by 12' deep.

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Our new deck was completed in September of '08. It replaced a much older deck of similar dimensions but rougher, to say the least, materials. The new deck is only marginally larger but the cantilevered benches and screened-in and dried-in porch add a lot more useble space. All framing, decking and structural railing components are pressure-treated lumber. The railing panels are galvanized "goat fence." The railing tops are oiled redwood. We used structured polycarbonate beneath the decking to dry in the porch. The grab rails are galvanized plumbing pipe. My wife and I built it with the help of many friends and relatives over the course of three months.

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Blue Lantern Lodge

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PERGOLA deck

Comments (18)

semipro writes: I had already bought the panels to do this myself when this issue came out. I wish I could say they were installed. Its great to see this application and to know that I'm not alone with such off-the-wall ideas.

Someone asked about painting the panels. From what I've read, a good quality exterior latex paint will work. I believe it helps to let the panels "wash" a bit by being outside in the elements a while before painting.

Another note, the panels come in 16ft. lengths and are stiff. I pre-measured for mine and the helpful guy at the farm store even helped me cut them to length with bolt cutters. Once cut, they were much easier to transport.
Posted: 11:05 am on September 27th

SendEveryone writes: For details on building the Railing, get Fine Homebuilding’s PDF at:

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/design/articles/2-ideas-for-custom-railings.aspx?ac=fp
Posted: 3:14 pm on July 30th

zdog77 writes: Great deck. Im using it as design inspiration for a similar deck im planning. question for you: 1. Are the joists attached to the beam via joist hangers to get the added head height underneath 2. Did you do the concrete pad during or after construction, and 3. Are you still happy w the 12ft depth? Thanks.
Posted: 2:53 pm on March 9th

Conscious_Building writes: Any idea what gauge the welded wire is?
Did it come in a roll or in sheets?

I'm considering something similar, but am concerned about "curl"
Posted: 2:58 pm on October 22nd

DMWHITE13 writes: This is a really beautiful, original deck. Well done!

What color and brand of paint did you use on the railing frame work?
Posted: 1:02 pm on June 3rd

Larstl writes: Birdsquare - Great looking deck. I like the dried in area - did you pour the concrete pad before you built the deck, or did you add it after?
Posted: 9:31 am on May 22nd

birdsquare writes: Thank you for all of the comments. I'll try to address all questions.
First of all, this deck is fully up to code here in Louisville. We had it inspected upon completion by a city inspector. There is no "climbing" stipulation here, only non-passage of a 4" sphere. This may be different in other locales, I'm not sure.
The goat fence, which I bought at Tractor Supply Co, is sandwiched at the top between 2x4's and between the rim joists and 2x4's at the bottom. The sides ride in vertical grooves cut into the 4x4 posts on my tablesaw with a dado blade.
The 4x4 extensions and bars behind the seats are for looks and possibly for hanging stuff. But mostly for looks.
The polycarbonate under the decking provides shelter for the porch underneath, which is what I mean by "dry in."
Thanks again!
Posted: 4:56 pm on April 29th

HHDave writes: Brilliant! Whether one likes the style or not, one must applaud the creativity. I'd never envision a deck like this myself and love it when someone else gives my imagination a little kick! I too want to know more about the railing construction and how the mesh is secured. Also, what are that horizontal bar and lumber extensions off the back of the seat? Just for looks?
Posted: 1:05 am on April 28th

WonderWheeler writes: I don't know of ANY code requirement here in California that uses the term "climbable". Some blue collar types use the term "cattle fence" and "jailhouse" to define the horizontal and vertical orientation of guardrail (or guard) members. Both are popular and technically legal as long as the stop a 4" sphere. Also, as long as the guardrail is 36" high or more and the built in bench is not considered a walking surface, it seems to meet code here.

I know kids climb things, and a good lawyer can sue the designer for just about anything, but the Code can't anticipate everything a stupid kid can do.

Gary Wheeler, unemployed architect, LEED AP
Modesto, Calif
Posted: 12:26 am on April 28th

llchistianson writes: Fixit10101 is definitely caught up in some negativity. I think we need to let go of that negativity if we really want to build fine homes...The deck and Birdsquare's other work tells me he's known this for a long time. Maybe Fixit wants to post something he's proud of.
Posted: 12:19 am on April 28th

JohnnyFramer writes:
This deck looks extraordinary - anyone who sees it can tell you that.

Johnny D.
Posted: 9:05 pm on April 27th

fixit10101 writes: Looks like he used whatever scraps and junk he could find along the curb. No imagination or carpentry skills to speak of.
Posted: 8:08 pm on April 27th

MikeFender writes: I love this design, and need to know what the term "drying in" means. I think I can figure it out, but still would like to know.

Nelson5 and Renaissance1 are right. Codes may vary, but the climbing opportunity for little kids is really dangerous. Just keep an eye on the kids visiting (up to about 7) for now. When you have your own kids, if you so decide, you'll immediately see it all for what it is, and want to change it. You'll probably come up with some real innovations.

My wife and I moved into a really nice, TAC-Architect designed house in 1994. We're just now tearing out the safety barriers (mostly polycarbonate sheets and railing details just like your previous deck - I hated them) on our beautifully designed third floor studio. The kids laugh, because they're now eighteen and twenty, and off doing good works in other cities.

Where can we get goat fencing? I'm ready now . ..

Posted: 7:32 pm on April 27th

styggers writes: Creative design and materials. Goes well with the brick of the house. I also like the way you have used the underside of the deck. Very functional for those very hot or rainy days. Good job.
Posted: 6:43 pm on April 27th

Renaissance1 writes: Lovely looking deck, but both the fencing and the seat would be code issues in most locales. The material between the deck and the rail (42" high on a second floor) should not allow a foot hold to permit climbing - particularly by young feet (one inch square wire fencing would work). The built-in bench set alone would violate this, made worse by the back of the one shown that effectively places a ladder above the seat. Were there no concerns noted when the permit for this work was drawn? Best keep an eye on any young visitors!
Posted: 6:43 pm on April 27th

LJArch writes: I think it looks great - one question. How did you secure the goat fence to the frame? Is it sandwiched between two pieces of 2x material? Also in response to Nelson5 above, I believe s/he is incorrect. I am an architect practicing in California where this does meet the code requirement of having no openings large enough to allow a 4" sphere to pass through. California recently switched to a code which I believe is universal, i.e. used throughout the U.S. My understanding of the code re: space between rail openings is that it was to prevent a small child's head from passing through the rail. Would love to hear other's information about this.
Posted: 5:49 pm on April 27th

Nelson5 writes: The large square openings on the goat fence do not meet building codes that require one to prevent a child from climbing up and over the railing. Although likely not a problem for you or your dog, the liability remains if someone who may even be trespassing, should climb and get injured.
Posted: 5:36 pm on April 27th

RDA writes: I love this deck, birdsquare. It's got a cool, industrial feel that's softened by the wood. Great mix of materials. Thanks for sharing it.

P.S. I could've spent hours on your site. Southall residence is especially cool. . .there's art at every turn.
Posted: 10:08 pm on April 22nd

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