Forum

Keep in mind that you need a permit for this.  If you want to go to the property line than it needs to be noncombustible.  Otherwise it can be wood if setback properly.  Make the guardrail with vertical divisions not horizontal.  The kids will find it much harder to climb.

6:38 PM 02/29/2012 | 0 Votes

I made mine all metal off the parlor. It looks much like an old fire escape with metal slats as decking and stairs to the yard below. I like the slats because it lets air and light below, plus when it rains or snows it simply drains right through. I filed with the city, metal meets the reqirements being noncombustible.  Replaced the window for a door off the kitchen. We spend a great deal of time on the deck.

9:10 AM 03/01/2012 | 1 Votes

Get a full width one made of steel superstructure.  You can install wood decking up to 3' from each side property line.  My house is 20 x 50 on a 100' lot and I could build an 8' deck (stairs don't count).  Decide what stair pattern works best for your yard layout...straight shot down the side or middle or a dogleg with a landing, which is what I did.

9:15 AM 03/01/2012 | 0 Votes

E-
 
You've got some competing factors.  Rick's example of metal grating is definitely an option for letting light through to below, but people often find it uncomfortable to walk on barefoot.  On a big budget you could look at laminated glass, glass block pavers or some other transparent material.  Both of these options would require metal structure, and so could easily be built on a deck that goes to the property lines, but metal is typically more costly than wood.
 
If you go with wood, you've got at most a 14 foot wide deck (20 - 3 feet from each side).  You've got a good size back yard so you can make the deck pretty deep to make up for the width.  You might even consider making voids in the deck, between it and the house, to allow some light down to below.
 
Or maybe you go with a full width deck with metal grating, and put wood decking on top in some areas, leaving others open to allow light to below.
 
Be creative with it.  Decks are something you can really play around with and make fun.
 
Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP
Urban Pioneering Architecture

9:22 AM 03/01/2012 | 0 Votes

I saw one recently (here?) with steel trusses/support and a thick clear glass flooring which I loved. wish I could remember where I saw it. Seems to solve the dark below problem though there's a funky kind of privacy issue if tenants can literally look up your skirt... still, in my renovation fantasy where we build a back deck, it's a glass one.

2:45 PM 03/01/2012 | 0 Votes

I just had one built. 8' is as deep as you can go if you use the floor below for an apt. The garden is south facing and I fou d that a lot of leung still gets under the deck. The apt isn't as bright but it's not bad.

I used diamond plate on the end

I recommend
Scott Schnall drawings and permits
Lopopolo steel works for steel
And Steve Rayboy/urban exteriors for wood work.

They were reasonable, super nice and did excellent work.

11:52 PM 04/21/2012 | 0 Votes

I just had one built. 8' is as deep as you can go if you use the floor below for an apt. The garden is south facing and I fou d that a lot of leung still gets under the deck. The apt isn't as bright but it's not bad.

I used diamond plate on the end

I recommend
Scott Schnall drawings and permits
Lopopolo steel works for steel
And Steve Rayboy/urban exteriors for wood work.

They were reasonable, super nice and did excellent work.

11:52 PM 04/21/2012 | 0 Votes