A home we renovated on Marcum Hill, here in Portland, has the most phenomenal views of the Cascade Range. Along with a structural addition to the kitchen, to optimized those views, we also restored the two story deck. The main floor is about 20 feet above ground and there is a daylight basement.
The good news was that it was not necessary to demo and rebuild. The deck needed structural reinforcement in order to achieve stability. The materials where in excellent condition. To save the deck boards we used a colored water based sealer with texture. This sealer also improved the an esthetics of the deck. And the texture provided a non-slip surface to avoid the possibility of slipping. This is important considering how much it rains here in Portland.
We added beams and posts to support the structure. We also added diagonal bracing for added safety to ensure safety when deck is loaded to capacity. This was above and beyond engineering requirements. With a deck like this we believe it must be as strong and safe as possible.
The Railing
The original railing for the deck had been a cedar picket with low voltage lighting. However they had seen better days and was removed.
We installed a contemporary horizontal metal railing system made of tube steel and powder coated with two-tones.
This created a virtually unobstructed view from the front (entry) out through the home, through the sliding doors, and through the railing.
The contemporary horizontal metal railing went so well with the home we used this style throughout the interior as well. As you can see in the photo of the main stairs.
