Date: 01/17/24
Project Description: Build or replace a deck
Comment: Is at level of main floor at house, and supported because ground is one storey below. Within 60 feet of wetland, which in Kirkland may mean some restrictions--there are restrictions on fences, so we could not replace a fence that we had removed due to condition. We would like to extend it the complete length of the back of the house. Originally, we did not, as we had a new spa at ground level on one corner and wanted it exposed to the sky. We have removed the spa and will not replace it. Ground on sides of house slope. We want to place the staircase to the ground level on one side of the house to have a uniform deck size. We are still in the process of deciding what we want in a remodel, including of the kitchen the wall of which is on the back side where the deck would be, so this deck probably will come later, as we are weighing bumping out the back side of the house, based on cost and regulations. Because there is a woods on the back side of the property, there is lots of debris that falls on the deck and there is less light most of the day, meaning that the deck is ripe for plant growth from fungi and moss. Thus, we do not want to use cedar, much as we like it the appearance, but want to use something of quality like Truex. We understand that some of the materials like Truex can be very slippery with moisture, and we would like to avoid that. We want to have a relatively unobstructed view to the woods in summer when we are seated on the deck, which means that we are considering glass panels or some kind of attractive metal uprights that blend into the background, maybe cable, maybe a wrought-iron look. This is undoubtedly too soon for most contractors to look at it, based on our needing to make a decision about whether to bump out the kitchen and the search for a good contractor to do our remodel.
