Tell me what you love about your back deck-about to redo mine and need low cost ideas

Parent Cafe
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It never occurred to me to make any changes to our deck when we get it refinished in the next few weeks. Today, the deck man came to measure, and started asking about changing the location of the steps, taking out the bench that was built into the railing, widening the steps to allow space for colorful potted plants.

I did not know what to say, as I have no vision for what could be. The only change I can think of is that I would like to hang up twinkly lights over at least a part of the deck. We are having him take out a hot tub that is sunk into the deck, replacing it with new boards. The deck is sturdy, but is in need of some loving care. He is going to “re-skin” it, and put up new railings that are sturdy.

What feature/function of your back deck do you love, use the most, can’t live without? I am not a gardener, will not be buying expensive outdoor furniture, rugs, pillows, no wind chimes, no outdoor kitchen. Might get a grill of some kind.

Our kids are 21 and 25, no grandkids yet. We bought the house the day we saw it, and loved the 3 small steps down from deck to backyard. I imagined our newborn son would grow to be able to negotiate such a small set of stairs. Now, I am thinking ahead to my husband and I aging, and thinking the same thought about stairs for old people. So any tips about elderly needs for a deck, maybe a handrail?

Deck runs across most of the back of our house. One end is very close to the ground, with an entrance off our sunroom. The other end is 10-12 feet off the ground, where our Master Bedroom has french doors that open onto the deck. I guess we could put a small metal/glass table and chairs for 2 just outside the french doors. May become a morning coffee spot?

Appreciate any tips you learned from building/renovating a deck.

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You may want to check out this thread in the cafe all about outdoor spaces!

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/2184317-updating-your-livable-outdoor-space.html#latest

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Loved reading the outdoor space thread, but my focus is more on the actual rebuilding of my deck.

Things I might want to ask my builder to change/add to my deck.

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I have two sets of steps and deliberately had them built extra wide so I can have flower pots on them - plus, I like the look of wide steps better than standard sized ones. I also like it because there is less railing. I would have preferred a deck with no railings at all, but mine is a bit to high off the ground for that and building code required rails.

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Well, the most obvious question is - how do you or how do you want to use your deck?

Do you want to dine outside?
Do you want to lounge in the sun?
What time of the day do you use it - or what is your part of the country location - how much of the year can you use it?
Is it shady or sunny?

We do not have a fancy arrangement but we love our deck. A highlight of mine is plants - but that is not a wish for you.

I like:
A table with an umbrella and chairs for dining.
A chaise lounge for reading or sunning.
Grill
Separate seating areas if there is room.

How many people are you likely to have on the deck on occasions? Do you need some built in seating?

I think the wider steps could be a good idea - I think it’s visually more pleasing.

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Do you envision using the space for entertaining? Grandkids playing out there at some point?

I love decks with built in benches for parties but I would be worried about little people climbing up and over.

We had a small deck in one of our houses and what I did love was that the opening to the stairs were narrow enough to put up a baby gate. Good for littles and dogs. My parents kept a baby gate at the bottom of their stairs so critters wouldn’t up to eat the potted flowers.

Maybe @coralbrook has some ideas??

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I’m having flashbacks. Our deck was about 30 years old in 2008. It needed a facelift. During the great recession I picked up a pallet of Trex for pennies on the dollar. I did everything myself. Almost caused a divorce. Never again. Took way longer than I thought but what a learning experience.

I widened the walkway around the house to our kitchen door. I also added a kickout deck by the kitchen door where I put the grill and smoker with a small table. It also allowed me to put small planters on walkway for lettuce and herbs.

The steps were the most difficult piece. We then built a small stone patio below the deck with a firepit. We put hostas under the deck with some stone.

Trex and vinyl railing are low mainteance but not “no” maintenance. It’s much easier than wood though. Whatever you decide just be sure to get proper permits and that it meets your local code requirements.

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DH installed solar power lights on top of all the posts on the deck and I have to say they really add to it’s appearance, both day and night.

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I have trouble with standard steps. A few years ago, we had some steps built with a 12 inch tread and 6 inch rise. They were so much easier for me to use and I wondered if we could do an even shorter rise on some stone steps down a slope. The landscaper did a 4 inch rise on those and it’s amazing what a difference that makes. Of course, you need plenty of space since there will be at least twice as many steps as usual.

Handrails are a good idea. In some areas they are required for anything 3 ft. or more above ground/floor level.

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Thank you for these posts, this is what I am looking for. I thought that all I had to do was hire someone to refinish the deck. It did not occur to me that he would ask me questions and suggest upgrades for both safety and easier access.

My deck guy is a professional, he will get permits (Thx for the thought of permits—I will confirm that he gets what is required). He lives in our neighborhood and so I see his work often and he has lots of happy clients.

I appreciate you giving me things to think about. We have not used the deck that often, mainly due to mosquitoes. I can imagine those zero gravity lounge chairs, with a small table between them. That is about as far as I go with my imagination. Will drink more coffee and I suppose I will go online to look for photos to get inspired.

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A small thing we love with our deck remodel are the timed lights we added to the top rail all around and on the stair risers. The power plugged into the deck outlet and an outlet cover was added to keep rain out. The ones on the rail are under a half cover so they aim down. The ones on the risers are behind little down facing levers. All connections protected and the lights are soft.

12

We redid our deck last year, enlarging it and getting rid of the railing and two sets of stairs, replacing them with three deep steps all the way around. We have two “railings” – one on one side where the steps extend beyond the house and another in the middle, just for looks/accent. Our previous deck was cedar and old. This is grey Trex, and the railings are very on trend – wire and black metal.

It’s amazing how much more we use the deck now that it’s larger and opened up. Super roomy so we brought a table and four chairs up from the yard. Flower pots on these wide, deep steps look great, though I need to work on standardizing them a bit so it looks more pulled together instead of such a hodgepodge. I am so happy we spent the money on this redo.

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I second the idea of having a handrail by the steps, or at least having your contractor make sure the underpinnings can facilitate adding one later. Sometimes the need for accessibility features comes on suddenly.

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the contractor may have pictures of previous jobs he has done he can show you to get ideas.

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I like having extra wide steps for flower pots – that said, mine is a redwood deck and those pots eat away at the wood. Best to move them around a bit. I also like having planters off the ground, attached to the trellis/side. I plant annuals that “drape over” in those, and it looks really pretty.

The eating area on my deck is only good for one table that seats 4. I wish it would accommodate a bigger table for a bigger group.

If you’ll add a pergola for twinkly lights, try to make it either low/high enough (depending on the architecture of your house) so you can see the twinkly lights from the inside. Those outdoor lights can really enhance your interior, too.

I wish part of my pergola was covered, so I could sit out there in the rain.

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I like my deck but I don’t like what it’s made out of. I want a trex or other composite surface. I want white top and bottom rail pieces with black strips. It will be a nicer cleaner look. And it will totally go with my house.

But this year…we are getting a new Weber Grill instead.

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You mention mosquitoes being a problem. Is there any room to add a screened area? I have a screened porch off my family room which has enough space for a picnic table and seating area that we use all year (it is pleasant even on a mild winter day for reading). Even if you can add a smaller area, such as a screened gazebo for some chairs, you may get lots of use out of it. We also have three wider steps that flare out to the yard and have a railing down the middle, which I like and my husband hates, but is useful for aging parents (and me if my knee feels creaky). Deck contractors suggested having a railing along one/both sides instead if that may work for your configuration. Even if you are not into gardening, having herb pots around is nice for cooking and they can be placed on wheeled plant caddies to help with standing water underneath. There are also citronella or repellent plants which some say may help with mosquitoes. Good luck!

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Whatever you do, get Trex. We added a deck to our house about 18 years ago. Trex was much more expensive than pressure treated wood and we decided to go with wood. Don’t go with wood. We have been pressure washing and staining religiously and it still rots. We have had to replace/restain several boards in the last 2 years and just when we think we’re on top of it, we have a new rotting issue. We live in a wooded area and it’s moist, and that’s part of the problem.

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Second the recommendation to consider screening in part of your deck. You’ll get so much more use out of it!

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What I like best about my deck is that it isn’t a deck, it’s a screen porch. But if the bugs don’t bother you, I think wide steps where people can sit is great. I think some place with shade (pergola) means that if there are times of day where the deck is too hot and sunny to use you have another place to sit. I think if you have any expectation for grandparents or injured people need to use the stairs you must have a handrail, even if it is not required by code.