Decks are a great addition to any home. They can be used for entertaining, outdoor living, and even just lounging around on the weekend. But there are two types of decks that are most popular in the United States: second story decks and ground level decks.
Which one is best for you? To help answer this question, we will go over some of the pros and cons of each type of deck.
What Are Second Story Decks?
The first thing about second story decks is that they can often cost more because it requires additional materials like scaffolding or ladders to access them.
The height also makes it difficult to use certain items like hammocks or swings which require hanging from something high up. On the other hand, many people enjoy having a more elevated deck where they can enjoy the view of their yard.
What Are Ground Level Decks?
Ground level decks are great for anyone who wants to be able to access their deck easily. The height makes it easy to use outdoor furniture and even grill with ease, without having to worry about climbing on anything or hurting yourself by falling off the deck.
They are also great for children to play on and can be an extension of your home’s living area, especially if you want to grow plants or flowers around it.
Decks offer many benefits which is why they are becoming more popular in homes today. But both types of decks have pros and cons depending upon what you need out of your deck.
Decks are great for entertaining, outdoor living, and just lounging around on the weekend. But there are two types of decks that are most popular in the United States: second story decks and ground level decks.
Which one is best for you? To help answer this question, we will go over some pros & cons of each type of deck.
Tips For Building Second Story Decks:
When building second story decks, it is important to make sure that your deck does not pose any safety risks. Make sure the scaffolding used for building it can hold all of the weight, and also provides easy access in and out of the area while you are working on the structure.
Here are some notes to take into account of what it requires you:
- Requires scaffolding or ladders to access it.
- Height makes using certain items difficult like hammocks and swings that require hanging from something high up.
- Many people enjoy having a more elevated deck where they can enjoy the view of their yard.
Materials Used for Building Second Story Decks:
Most decks are made out of either composite material or pressure treated wood. The wood in a regular building doesn’t hold up to the elements as well, so timber is better. Let’s talk about the rest of these material:
1. Composite Material
Increasingly, people are using composite materials. Composite material is a combination of wood and plastic that requires little to no maintenance. This material is safer for kids and pets. You won’t need to restore this type of deck material in a few years.
Composite material is stronger and heavier than wood, thus requiring more supports. Composite materials, such as those used in construction and architecture, are less versatile than wood.
2. Pressure-treated Wood
The pressure treated wood is affordable. Wood can be cut, stained and painted to specifications. Higher grades of pressure-treated wood are more expensive. But take note that you have to maintain all types of wood eventually.
3. Stairs
Adding a multi-level deck creates the potential for a room underneath. Some homeowners decide to make their patio area into a three season room.
Other homeowners want to connect their outdoor kitchen to the interior. Whatever you choose, you should know what kind of stairs you’ll need for the said project.
The traditional stairs can be made from pressure-treated wood or composite. Stairs take more space and cost more to build. You can make outdoor stairs into a feature for your house.
A good option for stairs is a spiral staircase. These spiral staircases offer a space-saving alternative to the more traditional models.
Pros of Having a Secondary Deck
When you decide to have a secondary deck at your place, here are some of the benefits you can get:
1. An affordable way to add an outdoor living space for your house – whether it is for entertaining, lounging or just outdoor dining.
2. Add a feature to your house – both types of decks can be made into a feature for your home that would look great to guests.
3. Easy access to your backyard for entertaining guests – whether it is for a family BBQ or just to spend time with friends, having an easy way into the backyard can add more fun and convenience.
4. You can add a screened-in porch our a sun room to your house below it – multi-level decks can be used to create additional living space in the house – whether it is for your kids or just a quiet place where you can read.
5. You will have more privacy when using second story decks since they’re higher up than ground level ones.
Cons of Having a Secondary Deck
There are also some downsides that come with having a secondary deck:
1. Can be dangerous – A higher chance of accidents happening while using the new addition – whether it is from kids being more daring or just an accident caused by yourself, you might have to be extra careful when on your second story deck.
2. Additional expense – It will require a lot of money and effort to complete if you don’t know what you’re doing and don’t hire a professional – whether it is to build or maintain, second story decks take more time and money than the regular ones.
How to Build a Second Story Deck?
Building a deck is difficult and requires careful planning. Create a plan that fits your desired location. Write down your measurements and check for accuracy.
Here are a few steps:
1. Speak with your local building inspector – find out if you need any permits or approvals – your local building inspector can tell you what’s allowed.
2. Plan the deck – take measurements of where to put your deck ledger boards. Use a spirit level to ensure the deck is even. Decide on materials and figure out what kind of wood you want for your deck and how much will be needed. Decide if stairs are necessary or not.
3. Build the frame – follow your plan and measure wood to make sure it fits together.
4. Add stairs if necessary – you can hire a carpenter or build them yourself.
5. Install railings, posts and facia boards. Add finishing touches such as benches or furniture then enjoy!
Best Suggestion: Hire a Professional to Build Your Second Story Deck!
Second story decks are a great addition to any home. They have many benefits but there are also downsides that you should know about before adding one to your house.
Decide what kind of stairs will be best for the deck and how much it’s going to cost in materials, time and labor if you don’t want to hire someone else to do it.
Here’s a suggestion: hire a professional to build your second story deck. It will save you time and effort – not to mention money!
If you need help with any of the steps, there are professionals out there who can do it for you so that all you have to worry about is enjoying your new space.
