Adding a deck to my extension

[Fozzy]

Hi All,

I'm not sure whether this post should be here or in the deck forum. After much stuffing around we have finally booked a building designer to come out and have a look at our extension. One of the things were were thinking about was eventually having a private deck area off the master bedroom. Originally we were thinking of making it an uncovered deck but someone suggested that we should have it covered and it would be best to continue the roof line of the extension to cover the deck. Obviously if we do that then we will need to include it as part of the extension rather than add it at some time in the future. I just have a few questions:

1. What is a usable size for deck, we are thinking of something small because it will basically just be for the wife and I. I was thinking around 2 meters by 4 meters but would that be too small?

2. Are there any downsides to extending the roof line of the house out to cover a small deck. The roof will have a hip end so it should blend in nicely with the rest of the house. The other alternatives are to leave it uncovered or to build a pergola at a later stage?

I guess the building designer will have some thoughts on it but I just wanted to get a handle on it before we speak to him. Any help would be appreciated.

[cherub65]

100% Extend the roof line, far better result than adding on later, personally would try for a little larger on the deck side can you go 4000 x 4000mm?

[r3nov8or]

If you want to walk comfortably around a four seater outdoor setting 3.6m x 3.6m is absolute minimum IMO.

[shauck]

Or... if you have a 2xbench/table arrangement, 3m is plenty wide enough. Be aware of timber size availability, eg. 3.0 or 3.6m is a standard length and so depending on design, you may want to make it slightly less to allow offcuts of materials. Probably not a problem if you're ledger and outer bearer/post connection account for some of this width and you use joist hangers.

[r3nov8or]

Also, agree with others to build the roof over while you do the extension.

[Fozzy]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I agree with you all to extend the house roof over the deck will look much better. I have another quick question about this though. The slab will be finishing at the start of a garden bed that then slopes down. The deck is to go over that garden bed so will the part of the roof that covers the deck just be held up by the deck posts which I'm assuming will be 100 x 100 posts? These posts will be in the middle of the garden bed, would that pose a problem?

In terms of size, I don't think I would have enough room to go out 4 meters, I could probably go out 3 meters though. Lengthwise I could probably go to 5 or 6 meters. Good tip on the standard timber lengths, I had forgotten about that. I probably don't need to fit a four seater table on the deck, we have a couple of other outdoor areas for people to sit, this deck will really just be for my wife and I and will probably only be accessible from the master bedroom.

[Fozzy]

Hi Everyone,

I just thought I would post an update. Our extension was started just before Christmas. The frame and roof are up. We did extend the roof out over the deck and it looks great. The deck ended up being 2.6 meters by 6 meters with access from a sliding door in the master bedroom. It looks pretty big and I think it will be great as a private deck for the wife and I.

[shauck]

That's cool. Post some pics of progress or when it's done if you prefer.