Can I build an L-shaped deck on my bi-level home in Dieppe NB?

Absolutely, an L-shaped deck is one of the best configurations for a bi-level home, and Dieppe's relatively flat residential lots make the construction straightforward. Bi-levels are everywhere in Dieppe, from the established neighborhoods near Champlain Place to the newer subdivisions off Amirault and Camelot Streets, and an L-shape takes advantage of the way these homes are laid out far better than a simple rectangle.

The reason an L-shaped deck works so well on a bi-level is the entry situation. Most bi-level homes in Dieppe have the main entrance at a mid-level landing, with the front door about 4 to 5 feet above grade. The back of the house usually has a sliding door or patio door off the upper level that sits 8 to 10 feet above the backyard. An L-shaped deck lets you wrap outdoor living space along two walls of the house, typically the back wall and one side wall, which gives you access from multiple rooms and creates two distinct outdoor areas.

Structurally, the L-shape is really just two rectangular deck sections that share a corner. Each wing has its own beam and joist system, and they connect at the inside corner where the framing overlaps. The ledger board runs along both walls of the house, lag-bolted into the framing with metal flashing tucked behind the siding at each section. That flashing detail is critical in New Brunswick. Our heavy snowfall, 250 to 300 centimeters annually, means snow piles against the house-deck junction for months, and any gap behind the ledger will channel meltwater straight into your wall cavity.

For a typical Dieppe bi-level, you might design one wing at 12x16 feet along the back of the house for dining and entertaining, and a shorter wing at 8x12 feet along the side for a quieter sitting area or a grilling station. The total footprint would be around 288 square feet. In pressure-treated lumber, that build would run roughly $7,200 to $11,500, and in composite decking, $12,900 to $21,600. The L-shape does cost a bit more per square foot than a straight rectangle because of the additional beam work at the corner and the extra ledger attachment, but the premium is typically only 10 to 15 percent.

Since the upper-level door on a Dieppe bi-level puts the deck surface well above 24 inches from grade, you will need a building permit from the Town of Dieppe. The permit application requires a site plan showing setbacks from property lines, a framing plan with joist sizes and spacing, and post footing details. Your footings need to reach below the frost line at 1.2 meters minimum in the Dieppe area. Most builders here use sonotubes filled with concrete, poured to a minimum diameter of 10 inches, with post bases set into the wet concrete or attached with after-set brackets.

The inside corner of the L is where you need to pay attention to drainage. Water, leaves, and snow will naturally collect in that interior corner, so make sure the decking boards are oriented to direct water away from the house, and leave proper gapping between boards for drainage. If you are using composite boards, the manufacturer will specify the gap, usually 3/16 to 1/4 inch between boards. Pressure-treated boards are typically installed tight and allowed to shrink as they dry, opening up natural drainage gaps.

Railings are required on the elevated sections and must be at least 36 inches high with baluster spacing no greater than 4 inches. The inside corner of the L is a natural spot to place the staircase down to the yard, since it tucks the stairs out of the way and keeps both wings of the deck fully usable.

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