Hello,
First I thank everyone who offered opinions on deck and patio. We decided on Trex deck in that natural color (which lightens to soft “beige”) with white vinyl railing. Colors will coordinate with house, so it will look beautiful. Now we enter planning stages. House is simple ranch, 1,100 sft. Sits on pretty 1/2 acre property. Someone told us deck should not be too big. But I don’t want it too small. The depth cannot change, must be 14′. The width can vary between 16 – 18′. If we go with 14 x 18 instead of 14 x 16, any problem? Any issues? Thanks,
Carla
Replies
No
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Hey Carla,
If you build a 16' deck you can use 16' pcs. of Trex, but an 18' deck will require 20' pcs. of Trex..........more $$$$$$$$. Natural does not fade to beige, it fades to light gray tones. jocobe
TREX is made in 12', 16', & 20' lengths. Depending on how you're going to lay the floor down, this might make affect your decision. Avoid end joints if possible. BTW, they are now recommending a full 1/4" spacing (edge to edge). This is a fairly recent change for the product. Your dealer might have a TREX gapping guage for you. The old ones are green and shouldn't be used while the new ones are yellow. Also, how are you fastening the planks down?
Size the deck for what you are planing to do on the deck.
Remember a standard 5' round table takes up to a 10' radius with chairs so allow room to get around the table and chairs.
Do you entertain ALOT?
Where's the BBQ go?
Benches take up 16"-24" but they also save space for table eating because you are able to possition the table in the corner and out of the middle of your deck.Benches also eliminate the need for chairs on two sides.Benches can have low voltage lights casting an indirect glow onto the deck surface.
Would you like a perimeter arbor to soften the edges of your deck with a climbing vine?
Most deck companies will give you a 3d rendering of your deck before it is built, and if you are going to build this yourself,there are lots of deck books available at Lowes or HD or on the web to get ideas from.
Whatever you do have fun on your new Trex Deck.
Bob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Pro, did you mean 10 ft radius or diameter for a 5 ft table? A 10 ft radius is 20 ft across, which is a lot of circulation room for a 5 ft table.
Not sure yet if we'll use round table or rectangle. Bench would not work w/round table, but I could put one nearby, providing more options and freedome to get up/sit down without being stuck behind a table. Everyone, I have to say I LOVE this forum. You are all so generous with advice and opinions are very valued b/c they come from experience. Carla
This site has plenty of free advice and sparking personalities but gratitude is a welcome, rare, commodity. You are appreciated.
Excellence is its own reward!
A nicely sized deck can be a great place to hang out, but one that is undersized will almost always feel cramped. If there is no deck there now, try marking out the size on the ground...I have used lime to mock up a deck and then placed furniture or furniture sized obstacles on the "deck" to see if it felt comfortable. Frequently when the deck is being framed it "feels" much larger than it really is, the hand rail is not in place, the furniture is not there, so if you try to judge by the framing layout you will probably make it too small. Try the mock up if possible, otherwise if you are asking me, go bigger. I can't remember the last time I sat on a deck and said "Gee this deck would be so much nicer if it was only two feet smaller!"
Bill
LOL bill but it is also true that if it is space that is un-needed, it will get clutered with crap and look messy instead of comfortable. You idea to scratch it out is a good one.
It's kind of like placing a walkway. I't's best to wait and observe where the grass is getting beat down from foot traffic first instead of wondering why nobody is walking on all those pretty stepping stones you've placed across the yard.Excellence is its own reward!
I ment just what I said "Diameter" heeheeBob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
From recent experience, it's best to use all the same length in Trex.....if possible. My last 2 decks were natural and woodland brown.......there was a very noticeable color difference in the different lengths in BOTH colors. Also, sometimes different lengths seem to be slightly different widths, which makes it harder for end joints. I use a lumber pencil to space my Trex..........it's 1/4"! jocobe
From a design view, the 14x18 is a more proportionate pleasing shape to be in. close to a perfecrt square or cube makes one feel boxed in - a jail cell feeling. The natural space used by a group of humans is usually 14x14 so you would have this plus a walkway spacce in a 14x18.
Those who say not to big mean that it would be ridiculous to have deck larger than the house, especially on suuch a small house. Generally it should not exceed 1/4 to 1/3 of main footprint. A 14x 18 would be a little less than 1/4. Go for it.
When you get ready to barbeque, my phone # is &*$$*()). I'll bring the sauce.