Patio level with house floor: Concrete patio floor at same elevation as interior finish floor

Does My Deck Need to Be Level With My House?

Does My Deck Need to Be Level With My House?

Photo: Maskot / Getty Images

Your deck should never be built at the same level as your home itself in order to protect the foundation and other components from moisture and rot

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A patio or a deck can totally transform the entire vibe of the place that you call home. If you’re new to the world of indoor space meeting outdoor space,  there are a few things to know before building a deck. One of the biggest: Should my deck be level with my home? 

In a nutshell, the easy answer is this—no, your deck should never be level with your home. That’s because of the threat most feared by even the bravest DIYers and homeowners: water damage.  

If your deck or patio sits at the same height as your home, you’re making it easy for water to get inside and wreak havoc. We’re not just talking about puddles in your entryway, either. This constant exposure to water will eat away at foundations, rot door frames, and make wooden deck maintenance even trickier.

Should a Deck Have a Slope?

If your deck is attached to your home and its boards run parallel to the house, your deck should have a slope. it’s best if your deck has a slope of about 1/8 of an inch per foot to ensure that water flows away from your home. If your deck is attached to your house, and the boards run perpendicular to the house, you don’t need a slope because the gaps between the deck boards should drain rainwater enough to keep it away from your homeIf you have a freestanding deck that doesn’t touch your home, you don’t need a sloping deck because the direction of the water flow doesn’t affect your house.

How Far Below My Patio Door Should My Deck Be? 

You should install the decking a few inches below patio and entry door threshold. Most pros recommend installing the deck a minimum of 2 inches below the door; but no more than 4 inches is necessary. The reason? If your deck is level to your patio door, you invite all sorts of problems due to splashback from rainfall—think rot and other water damage.

Can My Door Be Level With My Deck?

No, your door should not be level with your deck. Athough a level transition between your door and your deck would look smooth, it’s not a good idea because it would invite water into your home. The minimum step down from the door to the deck is 2 inches, but between 2 inches and 4 inches is acceptable.

The Parts of Your Deck and How They Work

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Every deck is made up of several different components including bridging, decking, railings, and supports. However, we’re going to spend our time here talking about the parts of the deck that are the most affected when you build your deck level with your home.

The Flashing

Deck flashing is critical when it comes to making sure you keep unwanted moisture (in other words, all moisture) away from your home and its foundation. Flashing connects your deck to your home while redirecting water away from it. Flashing is sold in rolls or sheets and can be made up of several different materials like copper, steel, or vinyl—the most affordable of those options.

The Ledger

Deck ledger or deck ledger flashing is the lid to your flashing. It sits over the point where the flashing sheets meet the house. The deck itself is actually connected to the house by the ledger flashing. Should this become loose due to wet boards separating, safety can be an issue, along with the threat of water damage.

The Joists

Moving away from the house itself and into the deck, we have the deck joists. These long, central, perpendicular beams are most commonly made of wood. They also serve as the main supports of your deck. When rot begins at the deck flashing, it is only a matter of time until it spreads to the joists, which is a serious problem for your deck and costly to repair.

The Deck Boards

The deck boards are the pieces that make up the surface of your deck—aka the slats you boogie on when your favorite song comes on at the barbecue. Many people opt to install a solid deck and lining the boards flush against each other to create a uniform surface. Others go for a slatted board look, which is the better option if you’re looking to be super vigilant about moisture. The slatted boards make it easier for water to leave your deck on those rainy days. 

Decks and patios by their very nature are more exposed to the elements than most of the other parts of your home. That is why decks are typically dropped 1/8” per foot. To be too level with the home could lead to extensive water damage.

While a beautifully installed deck or patio can be an expensive project ranging between $15 and $30 per square foot, there’s no doubt that it can also add value to your property and joy to your life. Just make sure you get that slope right to make sure your happy home is also a dry one.

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Patio in a country house: 15 best projects

A patio (translated from Spanish simply as a “garden”) is a piece of land surrounded by a fence, a patio. Since ancient times, like a garden, it was broken from the back of the house. In the modern sense, a patio is both an “outdoor living room” (often with a hearth or a fountain), a solarium, and a garden. The patio can be located in front of the house, in the courtyard or on a separate area, in a quiet and secluded place, protected from the wind. Like any other element of the landscape, it should organically fit into the overall composition of the site.

The patio area must be level and dry. Depending on the chosen style, it is paved with stone, tile or brick. Fall asleep with rubble, pebbles or sand. Poured with concrete or laid out with concrete slabs. Another option for the “floor” is wooden flooring. In one project, it is permissible to combine different materials. In any case, do not forget about drainage. With a paved or bulk coating, a “pillow” of sand is made under the platform. Its thickness depends on the quality of the “native” soil. It makes sense to treat wooden elements of platforms and floorings with special compounds that prevent rotting and swelling of wood.

Contrast shower

According to the laws of color blue and yellow are contrasting colors, like black and white. In this project, the designer made a bet on their “shocking” combination: he painted the corner concrete bench with bright yellow paint and covered the garden chairs with blue fabric. It turned out crisp and fresh! The appearance of certain materials in the design of the garden must be justified. Here, for example, timber seats do not seem like a foreign part because of the wooden “back”.

Slash

A great idea: to make a partition in the form of a decorative woodpile, at the base of which a hedge is planted. The main focus is the window overlooking the dense greenery. If the window had perspective, it would be even better.

Light in the window

A real find of architects is an unusual fireplace that looks like a firebox into the street. It does not violate the integrity of the facade and looks like another window from the outside. The only “but” is that such a hearth is not very effective in terms of heating: due to heat-resistant glass, heat almost does not penetrate into the patio. In addition, there are doubts whether it looks beautiful in an unlit state. A black hole or ashes under glass is not a very pleasant sight!

Undercover!

An arched pergola entwined with lianas creates a living openwork shadow in the garden and plays the role of an arbor. Interestingly, this garden structure began to be used as a decorative element only at the end of the 19th century. Prior to this, the role of the pergola was purely utilitarian: it served as a support for the vine. In our climate, the pergola is entwined with lemongrass, hops and girlish grapes.

Count’s ruins

Old brick with peeling paint, washed by rain and sun-bleached, looks very picturesque. And the authors of the project know about it: they built a fence and a street hearth out of it. The whole picture is made by a stone floor with seams sown with grass.

Go out into the world!

This ultra-modern outdoor pavilion is a winning setting for outdoor social events. Smoky concrete walls, stone floor tiles polished to a shine, patent leather seat upholstery – the design is restrained, but very refined. The trellis canopy barely protects the patio from the rain, but casts a beautiful patterned shade.

Old and new

Modern furniture can also fit into a classic setting. Here is an example for you: a bright designer garden set based on the works of the classic pop art by Robert Indiana did not spoil the open patio with a classic colonnade and clinker paving, on the contrary, it became the main color accent of this “garden room”. It really hits the eyes!

It will be hot!

An empty corner of the garden against the blank wall of the house can turn into a secluded shelter. It is enough to lay down a fireplace from natural stone and fill the site with concrete. Furniture, flower pots and accessories must be chosen very precisely. Only natural materials, no plastic!

Backfilling question

A fireplace of an original form, cast from concrete, is an absolute success of the architects who designed this garden. But I want to note something else – gravel backfill. Such a coating is simply indispensable for gardens in our climate. Unlike sand, small river pebbles dry out quickly after rain. It has a pleasant tactile effect – it is convenient and useful to walk on it barefoot. In addition, the pebbles rustle so cool under your feet!

A lonely sail turns white

In this patio, the authors of the project “sang an ode” to symmetry, straight lines and simple shapes. The ideal plane of the lawn, the smooth wall of cut shrubs, the horizontality of the steps and the wooden flooring… Strictness, rhythm and uniformity of all details are at the forefront. Even the canopy is sewn from even strips of white matter!

Movie show

The image of your garden can be built on changing lighting scenarios. The authors of this project combined two types of lamps: static – burning billboards with shots from American films and dynamic – upward-pointing halogen lamps built into a concrete podium. By the way, take note of this technique: when the plants are planted in recesses (as here), they seem bushier and more magnificent.

Behind bars!

The problem of zoning is relevant in both large and small gardens. One way to block out prying eyes is to put such a wooden lattice in the patio. Unlike a blank wall, it does not prevent the penetration of sunlight and at the same time creates a feeling of intimacy.

Under carpet games

An alternative to the usual lawn is a “curly carpet” of perennial creeping ground cover plants. They are both flowering and evergreen. In our climate, the apical pachysandra or nettle-leaved mihenia take root well.

Field kitchen

The tradition of building complete kitchens in the garden came to Europe from America. In the States, having a dining table, stove, refrigerator, grill and wine cabinets outside is commonplace. In this project, a rectangular pergola hangs over the summer kitchen – it protects the cook from the scorching sun. In our climate, I would advise to cover the structure with roofing copper.

Vivid canvases

Partitions of bright colors create a festive mood in the garden in any weather. In this case, they are slabs cast from concrete and painted yellow, illuminated by halogen lamps, which are mounted directly into the floor (such lighting accentuates the texture of the wall). In principle, if the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe garden allows, nothing prevents you from building a whole labyrinth from such deaf slabs.

Making a copy!

A patio is often referred to as an open-air room. Some take it literally. This green living room has everything you need. Even painting above the sofa. Only instead of a concrete wall – a hedge, instead of upholstered furniture – cast plastic, instead of a carpet – a green lawn. The designer’s find is mirrors: these light traps echo the brilliant water surface of the pond and fill the garden with sun.

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• country house

What is a patio: the difference between outdoor spaces

What could be better than relaxing outdoors? The patio is a unique architectural element that blurs the boundaries between the interior of the house and the landscape. Depending on the size and location of the patio, it can be a real oasis for relaxation and entertainment. This space definitely improves the quality of your life. And if you decide to install a patio at home, then you need to take into account all the nuances. But with material from
NERUKHOMI it will be easier for you to understand the difference between a patio and a veranda and choose the option that is right for you.

A patio is an intermediate space between a garden and a house.

A patio is a small patio that is paved with natural stone, gravel, paving stones or concrete, its floor must be level with the ground, without any steps, thresholds or catwalks. A patio does not need a roof and walls, but a patio can share a wall with the house. Since patios are located outdoors, they must withstand various weather conditions, so special furniture is installed in this area, which is called “patio furniture”. Although patios are traditionally uncovered, some homeowners install awnings to keep out the sun.

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Historically, such sites were located in the center of the house, surrounded on all sides by walls and without a roof. They were used either for household needs, where the servants performed their everyday duties, or did not have a designated purpose, and trees were usually planted on the site and flower beds were made. But subsequently, the patios became more functional and changed their configuration, since in the modern world houses with a courtyard inside the building are already much less common. Today, this cozy corner serves as a place where they relax, receive guests, spend time with their families and just enjoy life. We can say that the patio is like an extension of your home only in the fresh air.

By the way, it should also be said that the patio is often confused with another architectural element – the veranda. Although they have common features and the same purpose, their design and construction have some differences from each other.

What is a veranda?

A verandah is an outdoor structure that looks like an extension to a house that is installed next to an entrance, such as the front or back door. It is often an extension of his architectural style, combined with interior design elements such as wooden floors. Verandas are roofed but do not have solid walls, instead parapets or railings are installed, and in some cases removable screens or window panels that allow year-round use of the veranda.

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A large veranda can accommodate not only outdoor furniture, but also equipment such as ceiling fans or even a summer kitchen, which is why they are sometimes called outdoor living rooms. Here you can place sofas, a large table, armchairs, ottomans, pendant lamps and plants. The best materials for a veranda are composite wood, stone tile, deck board, vinyl, and other specially treated materials that are weather resistant.

Main differences between patio and veranda

Design and location. The veranda serves as an extension most often to the front of the house at floor level. It has a roof fence, which can also be a continuation of the house. A patio is an open, detached landscape design element without a roof or railings, which is located at ground level at the back of the house. But sometimes it can be located in close proximity to the main building.

Design and furniture. Patios are more exposed to climatic influences, so stone, brick, paving stones and other similar materials are used as flooring materials. Also, you should choose furniture that is specifically designed for the patio. Unlike the veranda, textile puffs or soft sofas cannot be used on the patio area. But on the furniture you can install removable pillows that need to be removed every time. In addition, if an open hearth can be placed in the patio, then it is absolutely impossible to do this on the veranda. As a hearth on the veranda, you can install a closed barbecue, the pipe of which will extend beyond the roof. But also a good option would be safe biofireplaces. True, such a fireplace is installed more for aesthetics than for functional purposes.

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4 factors to consider when choosing between a veranda and a patio

1 factor – climate . The weather plays an important role in the porch versus patio debate. Patios are completely open areas that will probably not be used much during the winter months. Verandas can also be open, depending on the type of porch, but with protective screens, they can be used all year round.

2nd factor – cost . Budget is also an important factor when choosing between a veranda or patio. Even a simple wooden deck requires professional installation, adding to the cost of materials and labor. Patios are cheaper and easier to install and many homeowners install them themselves. By the way, the presence of a patio or veranda in the house increases the value of your property when selling a house.

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3rd factor – privacy .