Introduction
The best site for your deck may seem obvious, but give the site some careful thought before you plunge in. A deck most often is a transitional structure between your house's interior and exterior. The site you have in mind might solve one problem, only to create another. It can affect traffic patterns through the house and in the yard. The correct site makes such movement seem natural and unobtrusive. A poorly chosen site, however, can block an enjoyable view from inside the house. Or it could unintentionally congregate people near a child's room where you want quiet or a bathroom where you would prefer privacy. A site that is too sunny or too shady may result in an underused deck. Take time as you pick the site to write down your thoughts. List your preferences and draw a site plan to help evaluate the tradeoffs.
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Drawing a site plan
Draw a site plan of your house and yard. Include all doors and windows, as well as utility hookups, walkways, shrubs and trees, and views that you wish to maintain or block out. Note the movement of the sun and how it affects shading and sunlight; be sure to account for seasonal changes. Add every detail that could affect the deck location, such as prevailing winds, buried septic tanks and utility lines, setback requirements, and downspouts. Use tracing paper over the site plan to sketch possible shapes and locations.
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Using a deck to control traffic
Sometimes a little remodeling can provide the best access to your deck. By adding a door, as shown here, some traffic to the deck is routed through the living room so work in the kitchen isn't interrupted. Retaining the door from the kitchen to the deck allows food and dishes to be carried back and forth with little interference. Conversely, an existing door may be a hindrance to the deck, in which case you may want to consider removing it or replacing it with a window.
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Relocating a doorway
In this example, moving the back door redirected traffic and significantly improved the kitchen space. A double window in the family room was replaced with a patio door so traffic to the deck and yard was routed away from the kitchen. Replacing the door in the kitchen with a window allowed room for a bright eating area, or the space could have been used for cabinet and counter storage. If the kitchen is large enough, you also could keep the existing door in place.
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