Where to Put Your Outdoor Deck

Selecting the right location for your new outdoor deck may seem obvi­ous; nevertheless, it’s worth thinking through all of the possibilities. You’re bound to discover surprises, some pleasant and others not. For example, where are the best views? Hop on a ladder you need with pri­vacy screens or overhead structures? What is the best way to build around items that would be difficult and expensive to move, such as natural rock outcroppings, trees, and basement doors?  Climb to deck height, and check them out. While you’re there, anticipate the views of your deck from neighbors’ windows and yards. Will you be able to create the privacy?

The location of most decks will often be determined by the interior room (or rooms) you want to connect it to. For an outdoor deck used to cook and serve meals, connecting to the kitchen or dining room is imperative. For sun­bathing and spa splashing, locate your deck off a family room, basement room, or spare bedroom. There are plenty of possibilities for locating ele­vated decks as well, including bed­rooms, bathrooms, over-the-garage recreation rooms, and hallways.

Other site considerations include the style of your home’s exterior. The best location for a deck may be trumped because it will destroy a key feature of your home. Or, the best site may be too expensive to build on be­cause of uneven or unstable terrain. Exposure to sun and wind are also important considerations, although they can be mitigated by careful plan­ning. Finally, call all utilities to learn the locations of buried water, gas, sewer, and electric lines.

The Importance of Weather Exposure on a Deck

Assuming you have more than one option for where to build your deck, exposure to the sun may be the deciding factor. Sun exposure is determined by the proposed deck’s orientation to the sun’s daily path. A south-facing deck will receive sun almost all day. East- and west-facing decks get sun in the morning and afternoon, respectively. Southeast­er southwest-facing decks will receive the sun for longer periods than decks that face due east or west. North-facing decks, unless extended beyond the shadow of your house, will receive little or no sun for much of the day.

To decide what’s best for you, think about when you’ll be using your deck. If it’s for your morning coffee, south­east- or east-facing may be your preference. An afternoon and evening user would probably prefer a southwest- or west-facing deck. If you live in a climate where summers are cool, perhaps south-facing is the ideal orientation. Conversely, if you live where it’s warm most of the time, a northern exposure may suit you.

Of course, you will need to take into account the shade thrown by nearby trees and buildings. Keep in mind that you can always create shade by planting trees or adding an overhead shade structure, such as a pergola or gazebo. Also note that you can wrap your deck around two sides of your house to take advantage of both sun and shade.

In many locations, wind is another factor to consider. If you live in a cool climate where the prevailing wind is fre­quently gusty, opt for the protected side of your house to increase the time you can spend on your deck. If that’s not possible, you can build a wind screen. If you live in a hot climate, the breeze may bring welcome re­lief from the heat.

Fit the Deck to Your Floor Plan

In addition to creating outdoor living space for you, your family, and your guests, a good deck design can improve your home’s floor plan. For example, a deck can extend the area of a small room, such as a bedroom or dining room. It can also connect two areas of the home, improving traffic flow from one part of the house to another. Decks are often used to join a kitchen and family room. Multilevel decks can connect an upper level of your home to a lower level or to the yard. Wraparound decks can connect two parts of both your house and yard, which is especially useful when the terrain around your home is rough. Your design can also allow for an entirely new room, such as an outdoor en­tertainment area or a secluded retreat.

Locate Hidden Obstacles in an Outdoor Deck

Check out the location of everything on your property that is near the planned construction site. Chances are, the outdoor deck will limit access to, or interfere with, at least one of them. It’s common, for example, to have exterior spigots end up below deck level. You can either relocate them or build a small trap door for access. Also, do not plan to build near a septic tank. Setbacks of 15 to 20 feet are usually required. Other in-ground obstacles may include buried water piping, electrical lines to the garage or pool, gas lines to the barbecue, sump pump and rainwater drains, basement doors, and buried oil tanks.

A good contractor will help you with these details when planning and designing your outdoor deck. These details will ensure that you will enjoy outdoor living to its fullest for many years to come.