[Rio]

I've seen the height from the top of the finish floor to the top of a deck adjacent to the finish floor vary, think the code minimum is 4" but was wondering if there's a ideal height.

I like 4" because it's enough to get flashing under the door sill and also enough to not be a tripper but was then thinking maybe a little more might be easier to work with.....

 

[Calidecks]

I've seen the height from the top of the finish floor to the top of a deck adjacent to the finish floor vary, think the code minimum is 4" but was wondering if there's a ideal height.



I like 4" because it's enough to get flashing under the door sill and also enough to not be a tripper but was then thinking maybe a little more might be easier to work with.....

It more than likely won't be a tripper, because they have to step up and over a threshold anyway. I wouldn't go more than 3". 2 is good.


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[emoji631][emoji631]

 

[Dirtywhiteboy]

It more than likely won't be a tripper, because they have to step up and over a threshold anyway. I wouldn't go more than 3". 2 is good.


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[emoji631][emoji631]

We can not go 4" I'm really not sure of the code but we go with 2" maX.

 

[greg24k]

R311.3.1 Floor elevations at the required egress doors.
Landings or finished floors at the required egress door shall be not more than 1 1/2" lower than the top of the threshold.

Exception: The landing or floor on the exterior side shall be not more than 7 3/4" inches below the top of the threshold provided the door does not swing over the landing or floor.

 

[deckman22]

I don't like 4" difference, rather it be an inch so you can step over it like it's not there or a full step. On my own house I have both the front and back deck down one full step.

 

[fourcornerhome]

Around here , some people want a 7" step down so snow doesn't build up against their door.

 

[Tom M]

More than 1.5 & less than 7.5 becomes a tripping hazard.

 

[hdavis]

Around here , some people want a 7" step down so snow doesn't build up against their door.

Common here as well.

 

[Railman]

Around here , some people want a 7" step down so snow doesn't build up against their door.

It comes down to locality. In Texas, snow, or even rain, is not a concern.

My home has a 4" stepdown, which allows for one row of brick on edge. The brick is heavily sloped so it keeps water, & melting ice/snow away from the door. It doesn't seem to be a big deal to step over, but you do have to be aware of it before hand. I'd rather deal with a 4" step, than a rotted door, & area around the door.

 

[Rio]

This is where it gets a little confusing, from below the minimum riser height is 4" and essentially the step from the deck to the inside is one riser but then as Greg24K shows a landing can't be more than 1-1/2" lower if the swing is over the landing.

It makes sense not to have a low landing in that scenario but in the other, say with a sliding glass door, it seems like the code is a little conflicted or doesn't really address the issue.

With the wall and opening being at the change in height the tripping issue is minimized but I'm leaning towards going with a 4" height as I consider the change in height to be a riser, it's easier to deal with flashing and counter flashing, finishing off generally.

Of course this is all well and good as long as the deck joists don't then get too low for what's below.

Risers and Treads
 If you are building a new standard residential
stairway (not spiral), each step (or riser) can’t be
more than 7-3/4 inches high or less than 4”.

 

[EthanB]

Around here , some people want a 7" step down so snow doesn't build up against their door.

I was just talking about that with a friend the other day. It doesn't make much sense to me as we're just as likely to have 2 feet as 6.5". Folks need to clear the snow off a deck, especially in front of doors.

 

[Dirtywhiteboy]

It doesn't make much sense to me as we're just as likely to have 2 feet as 6.5". Folks need to clear the snow off a deck, especially in front of doors.

:blink::no::no::laughing:

 

[griz]

At Tahoe, serious snow country, most decks were built just below threshold level.

or an obvious step in to the house.


but yea, got to shovel the white chit out of the way....:thumbsup:

 

[RobertCDF]

Here in "snow country" (we really don't get as much snow as people think) We actually do quite a few flush with the door, however a decent portion of our customers are aging and want to be able to get onto the deck easily. I did mine flush.

 

[Dirtywhiteboy]

Most of our exterior doors are covered because of the rain. We get heavy rain here in the subtropics ,, no snow. People don't live where it snows here.

 

[griz]

Most of our exterior doors are covered because of the rain. We get heavy rain here in the subtropics ,, no snow. People don't live where it snows here.

I probably get dam near as much rain as you.....

pushing 100" now....

except snow on Haleakala....not in your back yard, but close...:whistling

 

[Dirtywhiteboy]

I probably get dam near as much rain as you.....

pushing 100" now....

except snow on Haleakala....not in your back yard, but close...:whistling

So you have roofs over you doors :blink: right:blink:
We at times get blowing rain and sometimes horizontal rain.

 

[griz]

So you have roofs over you doors :blink: right:blink:
We at times get blowing rain and sometimes horizontal rain.

We always get blowing rain.....

does it come straight down?????

Many entrys are not covered or protected....

where I live is a lot like you...just 40 deg cooler...:laughing::thumbsup: