Multi-Level Decks in Hickory

Stand on the back step of a lot of Hickory homes and the ground falls away fast. Maybe the main floor sits a full story above the yard. Maybe there's a basement door at the bottom of the hill. On a lake home near Lake Hickory, the whole lot might run down toward the Catawba River.

That kind of lot is exactly where a multi-level deck shines.

Multi-level and elevated decks in Hickory

A multi-level deck uses two or more platforms at different heights, connected by stairs or landings. An elevated deck is a single platform raised well off the ground. A walk-out deck pairs a raised main-floor deck with a lower deck or patio at the basement level.

All three are common across Hickory, Conover, Granite Falls, the Lake Hickory area and nearby. Rolling and sloped lots are common here, and the right design can turn an unusable hillside into the best part of the house.

Which layout fits your lot?

• One elevated deck: Simple and clean. Good when you just want to step out from the main floor and the yard drops below.
• Two levels stepping down: An upper level for the grill and dining near the kitchen, and a lower level for lounging, a fire table or a hot tub. Breaks a tall deck into friendlier pieces.
• Walk-out stack: A main-floor deck above, with a covered or open space below at the basement door. Great for lake homes where the lower level opens to the yard.
• Deck down to the yard or dock path: Long stair runs with landings that bring you down the slope in stages.

What makes these decks different

Height changes the engineering. A deck eight or ten feet in the air needs more than a ground-level platform:

• Taller posts and bigger footings to carry the load down a slope
• Lateral bracing so the deck doesn't sway or rack
• Stronger connections at beams, posts and the house
• Stairs with landings that meet code and feel safe to walk
• Guardrails at the right height on every open side

Sloped ground also affects footing depth and placement. Soil on a hillside, especially near the lake, can be softer or wetter in spots. The builder looks at that during the free estimate.

Why sloped lots can be a good thing

A flat yard gives you one deck. A sloped one gives you options. Each level can have its own job, and the drop in height means the upper deck often gets a better view over the yard or toward the water. Walk-out basements on hillside homes are common around Hickory, and a deck that connects both floors makes the whole house work better outside.

Using the space underneath

The area under a high deck can be wasted space or a bonus room. Options include:

• A lower patio for shade on hot afternoons
• Under-deck drainage systems that keep the space below dry
• Storage for kayaks, chairs and yard gear
• Lattice or skirting to clean up the look

The honest part about cost

Multi-level and elevated decks cost more. Taller posts, more lumber, extra bracing and long stairs all add up. How much more depends on the height, the number of levels and the stairs, compared with a similar ground-level deck. The written quote should show you where that money goes, so nothing is a surprise.

What to ask any builder about a tall deck

• How will the deck be braced against sway?
• How deep and large are the footings on the downhill side?
• How many stair landings, and where?
• How will the ledger be flashed and attached?
• Who handles the permit and inspections?

A tall deck is not where you want the cheapest bid. It's where you want the clearest answers.

Related services

Pick your surface with our guides to composite decks and wood decks. Want a roof on the upper level? See covered decks and porches. For typical numbers, check deck prices.