Proper Deck Height

Jason Whipple

I know this will be totally opinion based, but I'm wondering what everyone feels is the proper deck height from an entry door. We get a bit of snow here in Vermont as you well know so I was thinking about dropping the deck 3" from the sliding glass door. Someone I know said that would be awkward and it should be put at the same level as the door threshold. I will ask the H/O what they would like, but I thought I would put it out here first just to see how and why others do theirs.

__________________
Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Facebook | Twitter

genecarp

never 3 inches, either flush, or 7.5 to 8 inches..

__________________

Jason Whipple

I guess the point would be to make the step more obvious? I think 7.75 is the max for a step. I don't have to deal with codes inspections though. Unfortunately I can only drop 6" max. Any more than that and I'll be bolting the band to concrete. Don't want to go there!

__________________
Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Facebook | Twitter

genecarp

yes. people are programed for step ht, 7 to 8 inches, below that can be a trip hazard.

__________________

Patrick

3" is NOT enough to protect against snow 1 full step. Most of our decks are free standing so we do not have to worry about bolting to a foundation

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

mawe54180

6" is fine for outdoor steps. I actually recomend between 6" - 7" for outside. Most people expect a smaller step outside. Inside 7" - 8" is the norm. Just for a point of reference most pre-fab concrete wall systems (retaining wall block) are set up to have 6" steps. They are engineered for outside.
Mark

DavidC

I always recommend 1 step down. I'll try to match it to the rise if there are to be any steps off the deck, although that isn't critical. Same reason as you, for the snow.

You didn't ask but FWIW I always go free standing too whenever possible.

Good Luck
Dave

Chris G

6 inches is just fine. Code is mostly concerned with unexpected changes in rises. If 9 out of 10 steps are 7 inches, and one is 8 inches, it breaks the expected rhythm of the person climbing the steps and therefore becomes a trip hazard.

__________________
"Neek...Neek...yoo-a-moronna Neek. Getta-da-fookin-a-jacka-ham!"

http://www.vicporch.ca
Deck Fence Porch Builder Toronto

neolitic

Yes! A step down (6").
Flush is for places with no snow,
rain, or leaves.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

deckman22

Never put the deck flush with a door threshold, unless you want the flooring ruined when a blowing rain pushes water under the threshold. Here we don't have to deal with snow only water so I drop the deck 1" below door thresholds. Also if you have siding instead of masonry you must drop the deck at least 2" below siding to prevent termites from going from the deck to the walls.

__________________
Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com

BuilderRemodler

A step down can make things easier.

3 - 4 inches down usually ensures attaching to the rim joists with out having to tap into a concrete foundation and is also a better blend to the eye for most customers.

BuilderRemodler

Where will the deck be located on the house? Design your space like a room on your home. Would you end a room in the middle of a window? Keeping your deck away from your windows by two feet will prevent your looking out the window at a rail. Many decks have an entrance to the home at the kitchen. Walking out flush may be the desired elevation... but if you live in an area of the country with snowfall, a step or two down to keep standing snow away from the door threshold and laying against the door may be a good idea. There are obstacles that come from the house that often are overlooked. You may need to deal with or avoid water spigots, dryer vents, windows below the deck, down spouts, etc. Building your deck lower than these problems will save you money.

40 Pages of Useful building and remodeling information.
Includes these two pages of related basic deck design information.

Railman

I did mine on my personal home at 4", so that the finish height is just below the brick sill at the door. I've never had any issues with tripping, & personally don't see the need to be a full 7" down. The extra height would just make it more awkward stepping across the door threshold. Some of the newer (ie Anderson) threshholds are brutal on bare feet. I know this because I just replaced my old Peachtree unit after 18 years, with an Anderson. The Peachtree rotted out at the bottom, even with the 4" stepdown.
Joe

Greg Di

I try for a 4" drop whenever possible.

I don't like a 7" drop--it's too much.

Flush is asking for trouble, yet I see it done all the time...Just goes to show you.

__________________
Your source for:
BergenDECKS.com ::: Decks • Porches • Railings • Pergolas in Bergen County New Jersey
Remodeling and Home Improvements in Bergen County | EPA Approved Lead-Safe Contractor
Techno Metal Post ::: Residential, Commercial and Industrial Helical foundation piles

Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Patrick

we're talkin about decks, not your fruit trees.

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

genecarp

many ho request flush, if the door is installed properly, water will not get in, how do you figure a deck, which drains, is going to hold enough water to push volume under a door, maybe this would apply to a patio, but with proper pitch, doorpan, a setting bed, i dont see a problem.

__________________

Railman

Pan or no pan, it's not the primary issue. The failure is in the joint between the threshold, & the jamb. Eventually, the heat/cold cycles tend to break down the seal. If the door is in a heavy sun/rail/snow exposure, you only increase the problem when setting the deck flush with door. A lot of new doors now come with plastic jambs, only at the bottom portion for this reason.

Joe

genecarp

i guess its possible joe, i fortunately have done 30 or so decks over the years that where set flush, and have not had a problem, i am in new york, we get all the seasons.

__________________

Railman

The pan's main purpose is to stop leaks into the home, & for that they are a big improvement. It does nothing for the door itself.
It just seems to me that a flush deck would be more likely to get ice dams, etc, than with a drop.
Joe

Jason Whipple

The deck on this project is going against an area with two, very old, sliders. It would be less of a problem to do a flush deck if I were installing new doors. I'm also going to be installing new, pre-finished, solid cherry flooring on the other side of those doors. I know these doors will leak in the spring time when the snow is banked up against them and starts to melt.

__________________
Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Facebook | Twitter