Design Considerations
The purpose of this webpage is to give some oversight into design considerations when planning a deck. The following list of 6 design considerations should be of help.
1. Purpose of deck
What is the purpose of the deck? Is it to enjoy the evening sun, to take in a great view or a setting for a BBQ? Also do you plan to use your deck with an outside furniture?
2. Location
The location of the deck will have a huge impact on the design and is unique in every situation. This can be further broken down into:
- Available area - How much room is available, how can you best utilise the available space?
- Views - Are views a factor in the design of the deck? If so how can they be best utilised
- Elevation - How high will the deck be? Will this impact on your neighbour's views?
- Wind - is the deck in a sheltered or exposed location?
- Sun - Will the deck capture morning, afternoon or evening sun or a combination? Will it get too hot a certain times of the day?
3. Budget
How much will the deck cost? With decks designed using ROBO Deck Designer it is possible to accurately calculate the materials used with each deck design providing a complete list of materials. Also a factor here is whether you require a contractor to build the deck, please see below.
4. Building code & resource consent
The building code does have some limitations on what can be achieved. For example you cannot have a handrail with generals gaps between horizontal slats or have a high deck with no handrails. For more information, please see all the sections on this website relating to the different aspects of the building code. If you are building a deck close to a boundary, stream, lake or the coast this would require a resource consent. Also the percentage of your building coverage is a factor. For more information please see the webpage on the Consent Process.
5. Can you build it yourself?
Obviously this will have a huge impact on the cost of building a deck. A factor is this would be your building expertise and ability to read and interpret the various building codes. For more information please see the webpage on Can I build a deck myself.
6. Style
A minor design considerations, but other factors like the handrail style, the colour of decking stain, the type of decking etc. |  |
Disclaimer: Whilst this website contains a lot of information on the design of decks which has been produced with the highest level
of professional care, ROBO Deck Designer, ROBO Design Solutions or Paul Roberts (the developer of this website) does not accept any responsibility for
the accuracy of the information on this website. This website is intended as a guide only, please refer to the New Zealand building code for the
appropriate regulations. | 
