Rough Deck Design

fletcherfam

Well, I am attempting to design my first deck (for my house). I have built houses before and some small decks, but never designed. So, I downloaded Sketchup for free and am pretty pleased with the results so far. I have detailed blocking, connectors, sizes, etc. Left hand side bump out is where I need to design the stairs still. Need to finish the guardrail (going to change it to a hogwire guardrail I think). Deck will be 14' high due to site conditions. 

I am dealing with a small back yard so designing the stairs will get interesting.

Sketchup is pretty slick, really enjoyed designing it (selfishly this will give me a cost estimate from local lumber yards).

Once the deck design is complete I will design the egg table ("L" shaped) and built in banquette bench and table for the deck...

Eggcelsior

I like it. Perhaps have the stairs wrap around the deck with a landing were the turn occurs?

SmokeyPitt

It looks good.  Just a suggestion- do you have room to make the roof a little higher?  I'm just thinking it might feel a little cramped with the lower ceiling. Also it might help keep smoke from getting in the house if it is a couple of feet above the door.  

NPHuskerFL

SmokeyPitt said:

It looks good.  Just a suggestion- do you have room to make the roof a little higher?  I'm just thinking it might feel a little cramped with the lower ceiling. Also it might help keep smoke from getting in the house if it is a couple of feet above the door.  

Or consider a natural draft exhaust or a forced fan exhaust thru the roof. Just something to kick around. With no exhaust the smoke plume WILL linger and has the possibility of entering into the attic. Not to mention it's not the best thing to have to constantly breath in. Trust me on this. 

fletcherfam

Unfortunately I don't have room to make the roof higher, wish I could and do a typical ridged roof, but that is as high as I can go... The deck will be open on all sides, think there is still a concern for the smoke?... Not sure a solution on tha one...

SmokeyPitt

I think a good fan pointed towards the cookers to blow the smoke out the side will help a lot.  

northGAcock

You need a beer bottle foul line.....well a basked on the lower level to shoot for after many beverages. I would also consider a fireman's pole......for the quick exit.

GoooDawgs

NPHuskerFL said:

SmokeyPitt said:

It looks good.  Just a suggestion- do you have room to make the roof a little higher?  I'm just thinking it might feel a little cramped with the lower ceiling. Also it might help keep smoke from getting in the house if it is a couple of feet above the door.  

Or consider a natural draft exhaust or a forced fan exhaust thru the roof. Just something to kick around. With no exhaust the smoke plume WILL linger and has the possibility of entering into the attic. Not to mention it's not the best thing to have to constantly breath in. Trust me on this. 

What would be an example of a natural draft exhaust on a deck?  Does anyone have a picture of their set- up?

nolaegghead

GoooDawgs said:

NPHuskerFL said:

SmokeyPitt said:

It looks good.  Just a suggestion- do you have room to make the roof a little higher?  I'm just thinking it might feel a little cramped with the lower ceiling. Also it might help keep smoke from getting in the house if it is a couple of feet above the door.  

Or consider a natural draft exhaust or a forced fan exhaust thru the roof. Just something to kick around. With no exhaust the smoke plume WILL linger and has the possibility of entering into the attic. Not to mention it's not the best thing to have to constantly breath in. Trust me on this. 

What would be an example of a natural draft exhaust on a deck?  Does anyone have a picture of their set- up?

I believe it just means there is a natural way for smoke to rise and exit the area without it collecting.   A hood with a duct that rises up and exits, or something that does the same thing built into the design.  You need the vertical rise at some point to get a draw.  Smoke (hot air, really) does not like to go down, and it is indifferent to moving horizontally.

@fletcherfam if you have a picture of the building where this attaches, that would be awesome.

NPHuskerFL

^^^^ Correct. Example?  The egg has a natural draft

bigalsworth

Use a slide to get down, rope ladder to climb up.  It will be perfect.  Also it would be a pain moving the sill but if you really want a bit more head room you could drop the deck a few feet and have a couple stairs  down from the door.  Probably just easier to put in a hood though