Deck Installation and Natural Light
Hello brownstoners, We’ve got our DOB permit for a large metal deck off the palor level but the DOB architect insists that the decking surface cannot be made out of wood Ipe included. He wants natural light below the deck area since the garden floor bedroom window is located beneath said deck. This leaves us…
Hello brownstoners,
We’ve got our DOB permit for a large metal deck off the palor level but the DOB architect insists that the decking surface cannot be made out of wood Ipe included. He wants natural light below the deck area since the garden floor bedroom window is located beneath said deck. This leaves us with only subway grating as a viable surface. Has anyone ran into a similar problem? Our concern is the grating can get really hot in the summer and prelude use plus aesthetically grating seems abrasive. Suggestions greatly appreciated….we’ve been thinking about glass floors but that maybe prohibitively expensive!!!!!!!
“The new change is for 3 or more family homes: all decks will have to be made out of steel or iron with no wood flooring….just following the rules.”
Thanks.
Sketch & Hammer did my deck and the sides are made out of a rectangular pattern grate…rectangles about 3/4″ x 3″ or thereabouts. They may have some new solutions since this code came into effect. Susan is pretty good to work with and has lots of ideas.
I would also second the idea of making it completely out of a metal grate and then, after inspection and signoff, covering it with the interlocking or “garage floor” type materials. There are many different types if you google. Start with..
http://www.garagefloor.com
try a steel structural grid w/ glass block inserts…it works in the walkway of grand central station..if you can afford it , it would be incredibly elegant
Hey dopey,
we are just as frustrated with these rules but we realize that the city changes codes all the time in response to population changes and lessons learned from fires and other hazards. Makes sense? Are you familiar with such a concept?
Our deck will be only 9 feet deep, to be supported by steel tubes and will be more than 50ft away from property line. The new change is for 3 or more family homes: all decks will have to be made out of steel or iron with no wood flooring….just following the rules.
“i mean, what does the code say, in your mind? that natural light only counts if it comes from overhead?
really? really?”
we suppose the examiner’s thinking was @ 9 feet natural light can’t get under the deck enough to illuminate the bedroom…just what we think and we don’t want to fight this dude…took 6 months for me to start construction so not looking for any further delays.
Ipe wood is no longer fire rated as you suspected.
“you’ll regret anything but wood, btw.”
BTW you came off as very helpful, thanks!
The glass pavers are made by Circle Redmont. They also make the glass bullet and cast iron grates you see in manhattan sidewalk vaults, which could also be another expensive option.
I’ve heard of this being an issue. Most examiners do let it go, but technically the light for a window needs to be clear to the sky, and a deck obviously negates that.
you’ll regret anything but wood, btw.
that is (one of) the dopiest thing i’ve ever heard. there are a million ipe decks built off parlor levels all over the city. and there is plenty of natural light in the garden level.
unless of course you’re not telling the ocmplete story. ie garden is really a cellar or your deck is 20 ft deep and includes support walls instead of columns.
i’ve been approved and inspected multiple times in this exact arrangement and this comment is a FIRST to me. (the worst is the changing view on whether ipe is considered fire rated high enough to use within 3 feet of ppty line.) i mean, what does the code say, in your mind? that natural light only counts if it comes from overhead?
really? really?
What about some kind of composite used in industrial applications?
http://www.phenolicgrating.co.uk/
http://www.gridflooring.com/
Thanks again folks lots of interesting ideas.
Kelly that prism thing is real smart and possibly an option.
Yeah DIBS the DOB has a plan examiner who is really an architect that goes over the plans for any gut renovation like ours. This individual in our case was actually a nice guy but picky as hell 🙂
Denton placing light under decking is a no go …Natural Light is what code requires but thanks!
Schultz that is exactly what we are looking for. It would be an ideal solution really. Do you happen to remember the name of the supplier or maybe your architect? We are also in Fort Greene. Thanks again.
Not knowing the entire situation, you should be able to do the interior part of the deck in wood and use a non-combustible material (pavers, grating or alum decking) for the other. I’ve done glass but make sure it has a non slip coating applied. Very cool stuff. You could try suggesting doing a small area in glass directly over the window area.