Raised Decks Float Above Grade
For a house that's built on a virtually level site, gaining
an outdoor living area can be a relatively simple matter; an on-grade deck that
lies flush with the ground or a concrete or stone patio could be just the right deck idea.
But few sites are perfectly flat, and the solution invariably calls for a deck that's
raised off the ground on a system of posts. The term "raised" is
rather broad since it encompasses nearly all types of decks that are not built
directly on the ground. A raised deck can float a foot or so above
grade -- perhaps just enough to bring the deck floor up to the same level as the
threshold of the back door. Or it might extend several feet from the ground to
be on the same level as interior rooms, then gradually step its way down a
slope. A raised deck can be a freestanding structure out in the yard or a
wraparound element attached directly to the house.
©California Redwood Association
Blending in with the Victorian style of the house, this raised semicircular deck
adds visual interest with a pair of curved stairs that hug the bow of the deck.
Decks built close to the ground usually require a relatively
simple support system. More expansive or complicated decks, as well as those
that sit above the ground, demand a substructure engineered for stability and
bearing loads.
For more decorating ideas outside the home, see:
