New Deck, Question

[dfeck]

I'm building a new deck off the rear of my house. I'll be attaching the ledger board directly to the house but I'm wondering what the deck height should be below the door sill. I was thinking 4" below interior floor height to the deck floor. But the more I think about it I thinking maybe 2". My primary concern is the natural feel when stepping down onto the deck. Do you think 2" is okay? Will it provide enough water shed? I'll be using two flashing methods. One will be a roll form mounted between the house and the ledger and the other will be the standard "Z" type from the house lapping over the ledger.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[idaguide]

I'm certainly not an expert here, but I'm just getting to the end of adding a wing on the house that includes a deck. (Contracted out...I'm not a builder...) Not at home right now but my recollection is that the deck is either AT the level of the inside floor or just BARELY below it. Maybe an inch.

I'll check tonight.

 

[dooleysm]

My deck is level with the brick ledge outside the back and side doors. I can't see any circumstance where a properly constructed house and deck would cause a water problem.

 

[TractorLarry]

I would check the code carefully. Nothing worse than building a deck and then having to tear it down and start over because it won't pass inspection.

They have some really weird requirements for decks. Be careful!

-Larry

 

[Diesel-ME]

You don't really want to step up/down too much to get on/off the deck. 1-2" would be the most IMO. As noted, with proper flashing you won't have any problems.

~paul

 

[shvl73]

If your ledger is ACQ treated, be careful to use the right flashing that is compatible. pull off 12"-18" of siding and flash with bituthene or similar if small overhang or no gutter. Water splashback can soak the the siding (if wood) and cause expensive rot into the house frame. If sided with vinyl, less important.

 

[Bird]

Here's an old picture of the breezeway from the living part of the house on the right to the shop on the left, and if that deck isn't on the same level, it won't be a quarter inch lower thant the indoor floors.

 

[Bird]

That old picture was made before we moved in, and now I've found a little better picture of the breezeway.

 

[Timber]

It all depends on the deck, but the difference in stepping heights are determined by code. Rises have to fall in certain dimensions. Usually 7 1/4 to 8 1/4 inches on the rise

 

[RPK]

Doug;

I would suggest at least a 5 or 6 inch step. Are there any other steps nearby? Copy that rise if you can. Less than 3" or so will be a sort of a trip hazard. Building code in CT states you cannot exceed 8 1/4". More height is better to help keep rain and melting snow out if there is no roof over the deck. If you are using new pressure treated lumber, use copper or zinc coated galvanized steel to flash the ledger board with. Any type of alumnium will corrode very quickly.

RPK

 

[EddieWalker]

Doug,

I build them at one inch below floor height.

You don't want the deck height to be even with the floor height because of wind and moisiture. One inch gives you a even feel while walking, but is enough to stop 90% of what mother nature will through at you.

How are you decking it? If you are using Preasure Treated wood, be sure to buy it at least a month before you need it. It will shrink on you and sometimes it will shrink ALLOT!!!

If you are using one of the new, plastic type materials, be sure to have your beams on 12 inch centers. They just don't seem to have enough strength when set on 16 inch centers.

Never nail a deck. None of it. Screws and bolts are the only way to make sure it stays tight and solid over the years.

Eddie

 

[EdC]

The original deck on our house was flush and when it snowed here we had problems with the snowdrift going up against the wall of the house. I put in french doors and built a new deck that is 3.5 inches below the door sill. That has worked like a charm for 3 years now. Edited...again because my typing fingers are saying different things than my brain.

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

I'm with EdC. I built my deck maybe 1 inch lower than the inside floor, and with a swinging screen door, once we get some snow, it's hard to get outside to shovel the snow away. I have to walk around the house. If I were to do it again, I'd make it at least 6 inches or so lower.

Tom

 

[firemanpat2910]

that is the great thing about this site, I would have never thought of snow. Down here 1" is what is most common. with a slightly bigger gap between the house and the first row of deck boards, so you can sweep the sand through it , How much spacing do you northern guys keep between planks? The way I learned it down here is a 16penny nail between each end.