How to Design Your Own Deck for a Mobile Home
Decks add more living space to a mobile home, increasing the value of the property. Usually several feet off of the ground, mobile homes require some type of stair device for entry and exit. By combining a deck with the stairs, mobile-home owners can enjoy this outdoor area for relaxation and entertainment. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose the location for your deck. A deck can be located on the front or back of a mobile home; it can also extend all the way around the mobile home.
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Decide on the purpose of your new deck. Do you intend to use it for entertainment, extra living space, or simply as a way in and out of the mobile home? Will you use it for barbecues or as an extension of a children's play area? The purpose of the deck will help in determining the necessary size and functional design of the deck. For example, a deck used for barbecuing and entertainment will need a greater amount of space than a deck designed only for the entrance and exit of the home. A deck that's going to be used as a meditation space may not need a railing, while a deck used by small children will need a secured railing and a stair gate.
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Determine the size of the deck using a tape measure outside of your mobile home. It's easy to underestimate the proper size for a deck. For example, an 8-by-10-foot deck may seem like plenty of room for entertaining, but once furniture and guests are added, that size deck can become cramped. Take into consideration what types of outdoor furniture will be located on the deck. Leave plenty of room for barbecue grills, patio furniture, flower planters, and free space for movement and play. Think about how large an indoor room with the same intended purpose would need to be and use this as a guide in determining the size of your deck. Keep in mind the proportions of your home when planning out your deck's size. A deck shouldn't overwhelm the home---it should appear as a natural extension of the mobile home.
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Draw out several deck designs using graph paper. Use magazine pictures and landscaping books as inspiration for deck design ideas. A deck can have many different configurations, including varying stair locations and different levels. Walkways can attach the deck to different outdoor areas or other decks. Include details such as deck lighting and built-in benches or railing ideas on your deck drawings.
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Contact a local contractor to build your deck. If you plan to build the deck yourself, visit your local lumberyard or home-improvement store to purchase materials.
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Tips & Warnings
Quality deck designs create a landscaping focal point, such as unique patio furniture or flower planters.
A smaller deck of higher quality will create more home value than a large deck of poor quality.
Keep in mind the scale of the mobile home and surrounding landscaping when determining the size of a deck. The idea is to maintain a sense of balance.
If you're uncertain about what size to make your deck, use a garden hose or flour to draw an outline of your future deck. Place patio furniture and other outdoor elements within these boundaries and try the "deck" on for size.
Take into account the amount of sun a deck will receive during the hours it will most frequently be used. This can affect the placement or design of the deck.
Decks that have a lot of height, such as those often found on mobile homes do, can often seem larger than decks that are lower to the ground. This can throw the scale of the deck off in relation to the mobile home and surrounding area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit woman reading image by palms from Fotolia.com
