We are building a deck attached to our brick house, I am not able to make the surface of the deck flush with the threshold of the door. We have a soldier coarse of brick under the threshold so if I have surface of the deck just under it would be a 4-5″ step down to the deck from the house.
Would that be a trip hazard?
Or should I have the step down onto the deck consitant with the steps up to the deck, deck will be approx. 3′ off the ground. That would be in the 7″ range. This is in MI. and could be snow build up on deck and a storm door swing out.
What would be my ideal plan to shoot for?
Replies
I'd drop it down one step.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks for the quick reply. That was my line of thinking also.
Our last house we had the deck flush with the threshold and could go out that door in the winter time!!! Had to go out the front, shovel the back first totake the trash out. My wife hated doing that, so we moved!!!!
A single 7'' step is a trip hazard, uncomfortable and steep. On a run of stairs it's fine. Mock up that step out of your door and give it a try. A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
hopefully from our replys you can come up w/ something that works for your scenario
but a situation I would avoid is a seven inch drop or five for that matter right from your threshold
would consider a "landing" size step like 6' X 2 - 2 1/2' right at bottom elevation of your threshold - you can always frame something to work around that course of brick
Here is my situation, what would you reccommend?
There's really only two answers--either down 1/4" or down a "whole step" (6.5-7"). The "step up" can startle folks, the "step down" is not so bad. To get that 3/16 - 1/4 "down" condition takes some careful fitting--but, that can be the best situation (excepting in snow country, sometimes).
Mind you, that's just my 2¢, you'll need at least $3 to get coffee with that <g>.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
hey so much to consider but compliments to your brick, storm door and I'd like to see as much of that ( I don't know the word or name ) bellyband of stone as could allowmany questions arise - do you really want the deck 3' off ground w/ benches all around or a railing / or do you want steps out the back door leading down to a more ground level 7" off the ground deck levelhigher deck entails railing / or benches ( and railing ) and hopefully some lattice skirting or likelower deck joists can provide for skirting and maybe you want a railing along side your stepsnot seeing the whole picture but w/ my preferences of equal elevation on both sides of door etc I would frame the joist system 3/4" below the top edge of that soldier coarse of brick if I were using say 3/4" net ipe for a deck surfacefrom the picture I cannot determine which way I would orient the joists ( parallel or perpendicular to the doored wall ) but of primary importance get deck material flush to top of that coarse of soldier brick / and if it is not whole elevation of deck at least a landing - something bigger than a stepdoes not address your snow issue but maybe that makes landing better than whole deck at that level and also ipe looks great w/ your brick
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
You know what? I think you got something there. I have a customer (sortof) that has that same issue. I FELT the rise was wrong, but it looked good on paper.
Thanks
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Iam not a poet, but your hat is singularily inadequate"
My personal leanings, and there's no absolute right or wrong would be:
Run the deck so the deck boards fall just under the soldier course. Then build a largish (4' x 4') landing at the door, maybe even wider so someone coming out the door has room for the door to close behind them without having to step off the landing.
Or I might consider lowering the deck even further so the 'landing' is 2 large or 3 baby steps up from the deckl so the landing can be used as a seating area.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
I would agree with Carpenters view on the situation and might add that if snow is a problem then put up a nice awning or porch cover that matches the style of the house. Wouldnt need to be all that big and might add a nice touch to your home.
Whatever you choose good luck and post picks!
There are places in the south where codes require the deck to be at that same level, but I never have and never will. Here it is common by way of necessity to keep the deck down at least 4" below the interior finish level. The storm door has to swing out and after a snow, that would be impossible if the deck were the same level.
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So what I have been leaning towards is have the finish level of the deck just under the soldier coarse of brick. That would give me 4-5" under the threshold.
The thought of framing in this small deck to enclose it, to make a mudroom, has crossed my wifes mind. Then a step down to more of a ground level deck, stamped concrete, or pavers, what ever.
My work here is done in stages and I try to plan for any future changes.
Thanks for all comments!!!
Believe me, a 4.5" first step to a deck is very comfortable. Hunmdreds of them around here.But what you have now with varying step heoghts is a definite trip hazard. Make it what you planned to a deck going out a few feeet, then keep the rest of the steps equal risers
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Piffin,
You are very correct! I purchased some pre cut stringers and made temp. steps just for the balance of the summer. That was 4 years ago! Those steps have to go, have tripped and dropped many of meat, ment for the grill.