1st Question:
do you really need stairs? |
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PROS costs
nothing. leaves more deck area usable.
CONS can't
get to the ground, maybe?
for these illustrations below, envision the house along the right side of each diagarm. |
stairs
off one side
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PROS least
expensive way to get stairs. opens view to yard somewhat
.CONS lands
farther from house, not too exciting. |
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PROS requires
just one more joist. less traffic zone, close to patio door, lands
close to house. (rail installed both sides)
CONS often
there are windows in the way, or does not land near the walkout access
below. |
stairs
off an attached landing
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PROS landing
attached offers more space, can be set
a step or two lower, and directs traffic to a good spot below.
CONS this
is actually another little deck attached, so its more railing, deck, posts;
thus, more costs. one more post underneath may be a factor also. |
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PROS solves
problem of windows in the way of staircase, requires no additional support
post. nice spot to land. looks more interesting.
CONS may
clash with straight lines if you have a boxy house. slight pinching effect
at the far corner of stair top. if you get a gate, it may not swing fully open. |
stairs
off landing on outside edge
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PROS often
is ideal spot for landing to access patio below. not as costly as an "L"
shaped staircase. preserves yard space. might help enclose patio below.requires
two more support posts.
CONS not symetrical in view. takes nearly 20 ft of
run to make on full walkout basements, thus may run past deck. might
block basement patio door view. |
stairs
that turn on a landing
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PROS u-turn
aspect of it makes it great for patios below. breaks up long flights.
room for plants or bench.
CONS may be possible on two support posts.basement
window may be a problem for this design. must project far enough
as to create overhead clearance. |
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PROS lands
nicely for patio below, requires no more posts than 4 x4 landing of 90
degree landings.
CONS only
appropriate for full story decks. must project out far enough to
create overhead clearance. |
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PROS breaks
up long runs from high decks. lands closer to the house. looks interesting.
CONS requires
4 more support posts. takes up lots of yard space. must check city
code for rear setbacks. |
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more
sturdy than free-standing deck, usPROS es house for ledger instead of posts
on house side. compact footprint means more yard is preserved as
open.
CONS basement
window may make this impossible or less favorable. must check city code
for sideyard setbacks. |
stairs
attached on a diagonal corner
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PROS an
element often used in more complex-shaped decks, diagonal stairs look
interesting, lessens distance from house at landing.
CONS edge requires another support post below. cuts off 8
square feet of deck that you still pay for.
stair
on outside |
stairs
with two landings
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PROS popular
plan for patios underneath. lands close, low traffic zones, compact footprint,
breaks up accent. First step may be lower for long runs.
CONS more
expensive per square foot because of the two landings required.
Only possible on one-story high decks.
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PROS lands
nicely for patio below, breaks up long runs on high decks.
CONS not
feasible for low decks. 6 extra posts required. |
other |
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