Where to Put the Deck So You Actually Use It

Why slapping a square of timber right outside the back door isn't always the best move for your lifestyle or the sun.

The Back Door Trap

Most SEQ homeowners default to building a deck attached directly to the back sliding door. It feels convenient, but in South East Queensland, this often puts your main outdoor living area in the worst possible location.

If your rear door faces west or north-west, a timber deck attached to the house becomes an unshaded heat trap by midday. It absorbs radiation, holds heat well into the evening, and radiates warmth back into your indoor living room through the glass doors.

Microclimates Over Convenience

Instead of treating the deck as an extension of your indoor flooring, treat it as a destination within your block. Positioning your deck requires evaluating your site's microclimates across the day:

• Avoid the 2:00 PM Sun Zone: Notice where western heat bakes your yard in January. Placing a deck directly under unshaded afternoon sun guarantees you will not sit on it for six months of the year.

• Catch the Prevailing Breezes: Position outdoor seating areas where natural breeze paths move across your property, rather than tucked into dead corners created by house walls.

• Create Distance for Perspective: Moving the main deck a few metres away from the rear wall creates a dedicated outdoor room. It encourages you to step out into the yard and gives your house interior a view of green landscaping rather than just timber boards.

Three Smart Ways to Position Your Deck

1. The Island Deck: Placed in a cool, sheltered corner of the yard under a native tree canopy. This creates a cozy sanctuary connected to the main house by a local stone stepping path.

2. The Side Yard Courtyard: Utilizing an underutilized side yard that gets gentle morning sun and natural afternoon shade from your house structure.

3. The Tiered Deck: Splitting a large deck into two smaller levels. A small landing zone off the door for a barbecue, and a lower, shaded deck nestled into the garden for dining and relaxing.