Choosing the Best Deck Size for Your Vancouver Home

A deck adds outdoor living space to your home that you can choose to put to a number of different purposes. Thanks to the relatively mild weather in Vancouver, you should be able to get use out of your deck for a good portion of the year. When thinking about deck installation in Vancouver, it is important to consider what size it should be. A deck that is too large can be a waste of money, but so can a deck that is too small because you won’t be able to get much use out of it. When choosing the best deck size for your home, ask yourself the following questions.

1. How Big Is Your House?

The size of your deck should be roughly proportionate to the size of your house. A small deck on a large house may get lost and probably won’t be very functional. On the other hand, a large deck can dwarf a small house.

You may find that you need more deck space even on a smaller house. If that’s the case, consider building several smaller decks instead of one disproportionately large one. These may be on separate levels or in separate areas to add functionality and visual interest. For example, you might want to have several small decks, each of which is only accessible via certain rooms of the house.

2. What Do You Intend To Use the Deck For?

If all you need is a space to set a small, round table for dining outside, then you do not need a large deck. A 12-foot by 12-foot deck, which will render an area of 144 square feet, should be sufficient. However, if you intend not only to eat but to cook outside as well, you need more room for a grill.

Do you intend your deck to be used only for your family, or do you plan to entertain friends as well? If so, you may need space for people to gather as well as space for grilling. If you plan to install a hot tub on your deck, you will need additional space for that as well as adequate supports.

3. How High Will Your Deck Have To Be?

When it comes to the size of your deck, it is not only the area that you need to think about but its height as well. The height of the deck is determined by the level of the door you will use to access it. The surface of the deck should be two inches lower than that. In other words, if your access door is eight feet off the ground, the height of the deck will have to be seven feet, 10 inches. This is considered a high-elevation deck. If the door is two feet off the ground, you need a low-elevation deck of 22 inches. If your deck is five and a half feet off the ground, then you need a mid-elevation deck that is five feet, four inches off the ground.

4. How Far Will Your Deck Extend Out From the House?

If you are building a low-elevation deck that is at or near the ground level, this may not be an important consideration. However, it is critically important for a high- or mid-elevation deck because it will require more structural and foundation work. The cost will increase as a result. If you get the chance to look at houses with existing decks, you’ll find that even large decks have a longer dimension running along the side of the house and do not extend very far out from it.

Installation and Deck Repair Services in Vancouver

Once you have the deck built, you do have to perform some upkeep and maintenance to keep it beautiful and functional. Handyman Connection in Vancouver employs craftsmen skilled at deck repair and installation, each with a minimum of 10 years of experience.