This week's dilemma. I have a new house with a patio door that is 4 feet above the ground at the back.?
Question:I want to have a deck built that is less than 2 feet from the ground to avoid putting in concrete piles that will cost me about $1000. So, if the deck is two feet above ground level and the door is 4 feet above ground level, what kind of design for the stairs needed should I be considering? I don't want plain ordinary stairs - something a little more designer' ish would be nice, but we are completely out of ideas here. Can anyone help a little?
Answers:
we might need to take this to standard email. where are you located that requires concrete piles? The stairs from your door threshold (finish floor) to deck will require a handrail if there are more than 3 riser between the deck and the finish floor of the house. you might wish to design a spit level deck to remove intermediate handrails. In California (not San Francisco) a deck over 4 feet high needs to be cross braced. usually by 2x4 "X" bracing the posts supporting the joists. one solution would be to have the deck start within 21" of the house finish floor 7:11 being optimum riser and tread sizes. 7-1/4" riser = 2x8... you might want a deck that is level with the entry into the house 4' wide then transition down 21" to the next level. if your in San Francisco, good luck. The hardest permit to procure in SF is a deck permit. Contact me with the rest of your design criteria.
If you don't want the three stairs going down then you could install a metal pole for sliding down. If you made it of beautiful stainless steel or painted it a designer color (mauve) it would be both functional and stylishish. Of course stairs would make it easier to get back into the house but why not go designerish when thier are so many options available?
BOXED STYLE THAT CAN SERVE AS STORAGE OR PLANTERS
2 feet = 24 inches, divide by three= 8 inch steps, check some design books or magazines at your local book store. only limited by money and imagination. I like seeing rounded edges on some decks so maybe some curved steps? Also, bags of concrete not that expensive. Would reccomend using concrete around the posts anyway. just dump a bag in, wet it , plumb the post and let it sit.
Would this work if you built the lower deck and then used these steps up to the door?
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...
Or this?
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...
You can use the block-type bases for your 4x4 posts. Also, consider putting in solar powered lighting in the steps' risers, and you'll have a little bit of guidance in the dark, too Enjoy your new home and forthcoming deck!
I do not know where you are located so it is best to check with local zoning before proceeding. With that said you could make steps with an 8" rise or less but call zoning and ask them.
You might want to consider preformed concrete piers and build the deck to proper height. It would be a lot less than a $1000.00 to do and is safer. Your less likely to break a leg.
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