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Porches & Decks Design Dilemma DIY

Help with ideas for pergola and deck!

2 months ago

last modified: 2 months ago

We took out 2 big trees due to them being rotten. Now this deck/sunroom are fully exposed to south sun. We are resurfacing the deck top also. So question do I add a pergola along the whole deck or just the side deck part? We are also removing the hot tub and placing it over in the pool area. Do I put the pergola over the whole area? like and L-shape or don't bother with it?

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Comments (7)

Sammie J
2 months ago
If you are removing the deck and placing it over the swimming pool area, we'll need a pic of that area too. What will you do with the space where the deck currently sits?
sarahj512
Original Author
2 months ago
I am so sorry, it should have said moving the hot tub over by the pool. This deck is staying we are redoing the top boards.
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Steve, or anyone else My DH just got back from talking to our building inspector and he really helped solve the problem. We will double up the joist under the columns. We will have 4" x 4" posts that will go down and be notched and bolted onto the double joist. This post will extend up through the column and provide rigidity in our potential high winds. The upper part of the pergola can then be attached to this post, again providing more stability. Does this make sense to all of you experts? Also, our front porch is tigerwood which we love. But it is requiring way more maintenance than we expected. Am considering a manufactured product for this deck because it is on the SW corner of our home and gets hot sun all year round. What are your recommendations? Again, thanks so much. When we get this completed I will post some pictures. Connie The front porch did not require any railing because it is less than 30" above finished grade
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Your plight is very similar to ours more than 15 years ago. A backyard waiting for something. We planned, then built a brick paver patio. An egress porch covering the original steps was part of the plan, as was a free-standing pergola. Footings for these were installed in conjunction with the patio build. We don't experience any visual obstruction with the pergola from inside the house - it is approximately 14' from the house and 9' tall. Our patio is graded about 22" below the first floor. Following completion of the patio, we paid a local nursury to design the flanking gardens. I've linked photos of our patio and its' features. Comments are below some pictures. There is another album with more details about the pergola. Hope this helps get you started. Good luck. Here is a link that might be useful: Patio
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 months ago
Just remember that what ever you place for sun control will also block the light inside . Not sure if you have the space but motorized awnings are a great way to control the sun but they can also disapper when not needed. I would for sure do the step down on all sides of the deck and put some solar shades on those windows too. Hard to tell how big the deck is but IMO bigger deck is always better ., As to where to put the sun control a lot depends on how you use the deck. I acvtully like umbrellas for both sun control and looks
jackowskib
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
If you're looking to shade the deck, the pergola won't provide the needed shade especially if on south side. There are modified pergolas that have more of a roof on them, might be something to consider. I'm getting an umbrella for under our pergola as well as roll down shades for east/west sun we get that is brutal!
sarahj512
Original Author
2 months ago
This deck is only used to get to the pool area I wish the door was on the other side it makes more sense with the layout of our yard. I'll get pics
sarahj512
Original Author
2 months ago
This is the opposite side we have LOTs of concrete.
sarahj512
Original Author
2 months ago
Maybe one of these options?

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